[ There's a brief moment where Fraser sees the moment suspended, the door open, and Ray about to bust out as fast as his legs could take him, and then the door closes behind Dief, and the lock is turned, and Fraser listens to the sound of Diefenbaker trotting downstairs to lie on the mat by the door, where just the slightest hint of Chicago night breezes would keep him cool while he dozed.

And then Ray's speaking, and Fraser listens. Listens, and drops his chin toward his chest in silent thought, and only stirs again when Ray actually looks over toward him, face pinched into the slightest frown. ]

I didn't think you could. You forget, I happen to know you, Ray. I know that you're a man with a big heart, someone who joined the police force for much the same reason as I did--to do some good in the world. You taught yourself to dance, alone in the dark, when any other man would have exerted those efforts elsewhere. You took a bullet for me on the very first day we met, just because you could.

I know that this isn't the kind of thing you're comfortable doing, just as you know that I will go beyond the call of duty to bring to justice the person responsible for this heinous act.

I can't do this alone, Ray. I need you.