Don't tell me.
It wasn't possible.
Goren hadn't done that.
This little ball of fur, which Lucy held in her arms, all smiles.
- Look what Daddy got me, Mommy.
Proud of her little dog, Lucy gently took Lucy in her hands and raised her to her mother's face.
- Her name is Lassie... Lassie wagged her tail at her name. Dad chose her name.
Pardon.
Eames had heard the puppy's name.
Goren hadn't dared.
And yet...
That was the name Lucy had used.
So Goren had dared.
Not only had he dared to buy their daughter a puppy without her consent, but worst of all, he'd dared to call her Lassie.
- Dad said you might not like the fact that he gave me Lassie without asking your opinion first.
And Goren was right.
Not only did she not appreciate the fact that he'd made the decision without her.
But it was that name he'd given her…

Lassie.
Why had he done this.
Was he forgetting that she couldn't stand that name.
And he'd given it to this poor little beast.
Who, it had to be said, was truly magnificent, with his long muzzle and white hair.
Eames had never seen a dog of this breed with nothing but white hair.
It must have been rare.
But it was really very pretty.
And instead of resenting him, Eames forgave Goren for giving Lucy the puppy.
After all, she was his daughter, and Eames was sure he hadn't meant any harm.
On the contrary, he'd just wanted to please his daughter.
So how could she blame him.
Except maybe for the dog's name.
But even then, she couldn't.
- All right then... Eames breathed in despair. You can keep Lassie with you.
At her words, a big smile broke out on Lucie's lips, lighting up her face with joy.

So her mother accepted Lassie.
Lucy could see that her mother hadn't really reacted to the puppy's surprise.
But then her face changed expression, and Lucy thought her mother would tell her to take Lassie back to her father.
But she hadn't.
It was wonderful.
- You can put her down.
Lucy nodded, and gently set Lassie down, who, as soon as her little paws touched the ground, rushed over to Eames, asking to be petted.
At Lassie's request, Eames crouched down to the puppy's level and gently placed his hand on her little head, stroking her gently, making her wag her little tail happily, looking at her with her almond-shaped brown eyes shining with intelligence, and trying to lick her face.
Name of God...
Eames understood why Goren had fallen for Lassie.
She was not only beautiful, but very affectionate.
How could anyone not fall for such an animal.
But why had Lucy taken Lassie with her.
Knowing Goren, and his kindness to animals, he had no problem with Lucy taking him along.
- But for your father…

- He told me I could take Lassie with me.
So even that had occurred to him.
For his daughter's happiness, he'd allowed her to take him with her.
Eames recognized Lucy's father well.
He had a deep kindness about him, always looking out for others before himself.
- He also gave me food for her.
Goren had given his daughter food for Lassie.
So even that had been on his mind.
But what a perceptive, and above all, generous man.
Eames could very well have gone out and bought the puppy something to eat, but he'd saved her the trouble.
My goodness...
How could she ever thank him.
- Lassie...
At that name, Eames snapped out of his thoughts, and blushed violently, but pulled himself together, realizing that it was his daughter who was calling the little dog, not Goren, who was calling her.
Name of God…

She absolutely had to pull herself together.
Or Lucy would end up asking her questions.
Strange...
Why had her mother blushed when she'd named her puppy?
Could there be a link between her puppy's name and her parents?
Seeing that her daughter was deep in thought, Eames realized that she was asking herself questions, and it was best to get her thinking about other things.
- Why don't you show Lassie your room...
At this, Lucy nodded.
- Come with me, Lassie...
At her name, the little dog rushed towards Lucy, who was already heading for her room, wagging her little tail, following her.
Good heavens...
Eames couldn't take her eyes off the little ball of fur.
She'd wanted Goren not to spoil Lucy too much.
Well, he had.
When she saw the little dog, and knew she was a purebred, Eames knew she must have cost a small fortune.
Even so, Goren had spared no expense just to please his daughter.
But when she saw how Lassie followed Lucy around, wagging her tail in delight, Eames thought, Goren couldn't have found a nicer present.

- Thanks for Lucy... But that name...
Goren blushed violently at the hint, put his hand to the back of his neck and looked away.
He should have known that the little dog's name wouldn't please him, or at least would remind him of certain things.
But that was also why he'd named the little bitch Lassie.
But he could never tell her that.
- But you shouldn't have.
You shouldn't...
Lucy was with Lassie all the time.
Goren didn't regret his gesture; on the contrary, he was happy that Lucy had a four-legged companion.
But on the other hand, he understood Alex.
He should have asked her first.
And not imposed the little dog on him.
- I should have asked you before... He looked away, returning his attention to the inert body in front of him. But when I saw it...
So that's why.
He'd had an instant crush on Lassie.
And that was easy to understand.
She, too, had immediately fallen for this furry little beast.
- I immediately thought of Lucy.

Not just Lucy, but especially you, Goren wanted to tell her.
But he couldn't.
What would be the point of Eames knowing the truth.
It wouldn't bring her back to him.
So it was better to keep it to himself.
- About Lassie's food... You didn't need to...
You didn't have to.
Yes and no.
But if he had given Lassie to Lucy, he was also responsible for her well-being and upkeep.
So it was only right that he should provide food for Eames.
- Lassie... And on my responsibility.
On his responsibility...
So Goren took it very seriously, to the point of providing the food himself.
Eames could very well buy her food herself.
But strangely enough...
She was sure she'd offend Goren if she refused to let him manage the little dog's meals.
So she wouldn't tell him, and she'd accept.
- Thanks for everything.
At her words, Goren's heart stopped.
Eames thanked him for everything.
But that wasn't what he wanted, what he hoped for.
He didn't want his thanks.
The only thing he wanted, that he had in mind, even if it was hopeless.
Was that maybe one day, Eames would come back to him.

But he knew he was kidding himself.
But despite everything, he still held out a tiny shred of hope.
And since they were alone at the crime scene, perhaps he should try to talk to her.
At this thought, and summoning up all his courage, Goren stepped back from the body, rose to his full height, and turned to face Eames.
- Alex... I...
No.
He couldn't.
It was much too hard.
And above all, it wasn't the place or the time.
Besides, if it was going to get thrown out, better not to say anything.
- We can go back to homicide.
Pardon.
Had Eames been dreaming, or had Goren been trying to talk to her?
If so, why had he stopped.
She was ready to listen.
But for her part, Eames wasn't sure that no matter what Goren told her, he could forgive her for falsely accusing him.
Eames was too ashamed to try anything.

And above all, she was afraid he'd tell her that he could never forgive her for her false accusations.
So she didn't have the courage to tell him how she really felt.
And preferred to keep quiet.
- Eames...
At his name, she snapped out of her thoughts, to see a puzzled Goren looking at her.
- Yes... Let's get back to homicide.
At his words, she headed out of the crime scene, following Goren.