[ The timing and odds weren't great. There were four thugs and Ray, four of them armed, and Ray carrying a concealed weapon. Fraser was unarmed, and the detective had been disarmed when he'd been patted down. Sure, by fluke they'd probably pull it off, but Fraser wouldn't be prepared to take that risk today.

Ray circled the bed, coming around to face his replacement. Fraser was watching them closely, his chest barely rising and falling as he avoided breathing too hard. He looked completely helpless, confused, but at the same time defiant, like it was almost his choice to be there.

Ray clicked his fingers in Kowalski's face. ]

Hey, eyes on me. [ He cocked his head to one side. ] You're gonna climb over there and do horrible, filthy things to him. If you don't [ He pressed. ] I'm gonna let each of my guys have a turn instead. They don't want to, but you know--for a good cause. He's not so bad looking, your Mountie friend. Hell, I might even be able to get it up.

[ He laughed. A really nasty laugh. ]

Go on. Give us a show. I can even walk you through it if you don't know how.