Arthur Rayan, informally called Art, is approaching his sixties. He has achieved the rank of lieutenant by many years of absolutely honest hard work. A calm and fatherly man with all “his boys”, he feels particularly affectionate towards Nick, whom he met when he was younger and helped in a difficult period of his life. Married and already a grandfather, Art smokes cigars and never takes his hat off. Although we almost always see him sitting behind his desk, he is the true director of the entire squad. Thanks to his long experience, he immediately recognizes the difficulties and dangers involved in an enquiry and often tries to stem Nick’s impetuousness, but he is equally quick to defend him against the hysterial attacks of Captain Vance, the classic type of opportunistic burocrat.
