A/N: I apologize now if this is starts dryer and less exciting than other works – my anal retentiveness for detail shines through a bit. So don't get too involved if that bothers you. Find something more fun. A/N at the bottom explains why I wrote it.
Benton Fraser sighed as he finished rearranging his office/new living space in the new Canadian Consulate. The loss of his apartment to a "performance arsonist" had put him in dire straights.
While his pay would be sufficient for necessities including a decent domicile in Canada, Chicago was an expensive city to live in. Even worse, the Canadian dollar continued to drop in value compared to the US dollar. Five years earlier had seen the closest approach in similar value with an 87 cent value of the Canadian dollar to the US, it was currently closer to 74 cents per dollar and, despite minor fluctuations, would likely continue to fall.
Which made it too expensive to find an acceptable domicile near enough to be of value for his position.
When he had approached his superior officer, Inspector Thatcher, regarding his situation, he had expected her to immediately inform him that his situation was entirely of his own concern and that the Consulate was not a flop house.
Inspector Thatcher had, however, demonstrated a surprising empathy and allowed him to reside within the consulate itself as long as it did not reflect poorly on the image of the RCMP or the Canadian government. She, too, was experiencing the belt tightening.
Chicago, due to its extensive railroad and ship yards, was the port of choice for Canadian shipping to the US from Superior and the lake they called Michigan, but Detroit was the destination of choice for overland shipping by truck. Gasoline prices were actually quite low and it was not anticipated that they would rise very quickly. This meant that more goods were being shipped by truck over the border. And Detroit had the Ambassador Bridge which had fairly easy access to the US Highway system. The Free Trade agreements had also made it much more efficient to transport products this way.
The Diplomatic Office back home had moved their representative from Canada to Detroit as it was considered more important for trade. They had yet to provide a replacement and Inspector Thatcher had been pressed into service to run the operation entirely. She, herself, was now responsible for much more than would be expected from her stated position as RCMP Liaison Officer for the Canadian Consulate. She was now, in effect, the acting Consul of Chicago for the Dominion of Canada.
And with that "exalted position" she was now responsible for managing diplomatic affairs and papers in addition to necessary duties as regards law enforcement. And such things cost money, which Ottawa was hesitant to provide. One by one, the Canadian government had reduced the diplomatic office until, effectively, there was no one left.
The RCMP was effectively paying for all personnel at this point.
Benton Fraser, as he contemplated these matters, knew that his place in the world was under threat. He had been shuffled off to Chicago because the Canadian government had been embarrassed by the uncovering of corruption that he had engendered during his quest to bring his father's killers to justice. The RCMP had also been embarrassed by RCMP Staff Sergeant Gerard being found complicit and being brought to justice.
He had not made many friends in Canada by his unstinting pursuit of justice. Despite the stated ideals of the RCMP, there was a certain dislike for anything which reflected poorly on the service. And while Gerard was excised with dispatch, there had been no one to willing shoulder the blame for not having seen and uncovered the matter before it had become such a large matter. He, himself, had been a convenient target for the organization to target their rage on and many had taken advantage of that.
He had, perhaps, made up for some of this by the high-profile nature of having been involved in a the capture of a US terrorist and saving the city of Chicago having helped lead a full brigade of Mounties to achieve justice. The RCMP had enjoyed quite a boost in its reputation following that travesty and some of the arctic chill sent his way had been defrosted a very small amount.
But it still remained true that he was more appreciated by the higher-ups from afar.
The question now became: How did he make himself and the Chicago Consulate valuable enough to reverse the trend of a reduced funding and importance for its operations?
Perhaps it was time to more precisely define his relationship with the Chicago Police Department.
Two days later, he had his chance. Ray, the new Ray, was currently involved with testifying to the Grand Jury on the matter of "Greta Garbo", the performance arsonist that had left him homeless. His own testimony had been the reason why he had been freed from any other duties that day.
Leftanant Welsh was in his office and didn't appear to be doing anything more exciting than reviewing paperwork. He made his way to the office and knocked on the door.
His erstwhile partner's superior looked up. "Constable Fraser. Is there something you need?"
Knowing the man had little true patience, he got to the point. "Leftenant. I was wondering if you had a few moments during which I could discuss matters of import to the Chicago Police Department and the Canadian Consulate?"
The man blinked and said, "There isn't anything urgent at the moment and your partner is busy, so why not? Come in and have a seat."
"Thank you, Leftenant."
Once he had sat down Welsh spoke. "How can I help you, Constable?"
"Leftenant. I was recently reviewing my position with the Consulate. Recent circumstances have emphasized the perception that I work more closely with this department than would normally be considered true for most persons with my position."
Welsh blinked once again and then said, "I can see that. You do tend to involve yourself far more than most would expect."
"Yes. Well, to the matter at hand. I was wondering if we could, perhaps, use that to assist both the Chicago Police Department and the RCMP to close cases that might otherwise become less important … to become cold in police parlance."
Welsh looked at Constable for a moment and then sat back in his 'evaluating' position (the way he sat when he was thinking about matters brought to his attention). "And how could we do this, Constable?"
Fraser paused and then said, "It occurs to me that there is a recognition that the Chicago Police Department and the RCMP enjoy a closer relationship than that of most American cities. The effort taken by the FBI to ensure there was no apparent change after I returned from my vacation would reflect that, if you understand what I am saying."
Welsh nodded. "True."
"Well, the Chicago Police Department has provided a valuable resource for them to achieve their operation. And while they often give short shrift to matters of concern to local law enforcement, perhaps this assistance could be leveraged into the FBI providing a computer link with more direct access to the national criminal database."
Welsh looked at him and said, "I don't understand."
"The FBI has a national database, and they often ensure local law enforcement has access so that matters of concern for both can be resolved more quickly. Currently, access to this is through Chicago Police Headquarters. But if asked using the proper emphasis on the extra effort your precinct is expending, perhaps they could provide a more direct link here."
Welsh thought about that and then asked, "And how would this help you … and us?"
"It occurred to me that such access by this precinct would allow you to provide quicker access to information on persons who are wanted in Canada which may allow the Chicago Liaison's office to more efficiently request and access information which might be valuable. And with such access, this precinct will more quickly be able to access information you need by being able to bypass headquarters for access. Currently, if you want information, you have to spend valuable time through headquarters as the FBI expects local departments to pay for such equipment and it hasn't been budgeted yet. Perhaps, in this case, and in acknowledgement for your efforts, as a courtesy they could pay for this installation."
Welsh looked at Fraser for a long moment. He then said, "And what will the Liaison Office of the Canadian Consulate provide in exchange for us making this effort?"
Fraser nodded. "I will attempt to ensure that the Chicago Police Department enjoys quicker access to information requests. As we are members of foreign governments, much time is consumed submitting formal requests between our organizations. In the past, I have been consulted on an informal basis when information is time sensitive, but that then requires later work to formalize when such information bears fruit. I believe it would serve both US and Canadian interests if a more formal agreement was made on such matters. I would request permission from my superiors for a simplified process to speed up the free exchange of information and you would enjoy less paperwork to achieve it."
Welsh nodded thoughtfully and then asked. "And what would the 27th precinct get out of this agreement?"
Fraser said, "All cases involved a Canadian connection could be routed through this Precinct and both I and my partner would endeavor to insure that this would result in a greater closer rate. This would then make your superiors less … truculent when dealing with the aftermath of some of the situations that Ray and I often get ourselves involved in. For some reason, together we seem to draw trouble and at times resolving it is less than … I believe you Americans sometimes use the term 'sexy' for what I am trying to say."
Welsh looked at Fraser for a long moment and then chuckled. "Having 'the Mountie' involved does tend to cause my superiors some … exasperation at times as we weren't familiar with some methods you use, despite their effectiveness. Giving them a higher closure rate would make their feelings more pleasant in these matters."
Fraser nodded. "Which is why I am using this argument rather than others. I am aware that my penchant to declaim 'it was the right thing' doesn't carry as much weight as I would have hoped for. Budget negotiations between police departments and politicians are much easier when cold, hard numbers are involved."
Welsh gave a slow smile as he said, "A point I will make when making this request through my superiors. If you can deliver, you and the Consulate will be viewed with far more affection than you currently enjoy."
"I will try my best."
Inspector Margaret Thatcher was at her desk reviewing the reports when she encountered the request which sat atop a packet of documents. Curious, she began to review the request and then the attached documents. Finally she called out, "Turnbull!"
The door to her office opened and the newer addition looked in. "Ask Constable Fraser to come to my office."
"Of course, Sir. Right away." Turnbull's expression confirmed for her that he understood that it was truly an order and not a request. She did enjoy making her subordinates jump.
Very soon, the oh-so-proper Constable was standing at attention before her desk. "Constable Fraser, reporting as ordered, Sir."
Pushing down her annoyance she said, "At ease, Constable." After he relaxed she continued, "This is in regards the request that you submitted to me as Liaison Officer." He gave a small, very brief nod. "Why are you submitting such a request?"
He took a breath to speak and then paused. Finally he said, "Permission to speak with candor?" This was an RCMP equivalent to the military "Permission to speak freely."
She narrowed her eyes and looked at him more closely for a moment before saying, "Granted."
He then relaxed more completely and asked, "Can I sit down, Sir?" She nodded at the chair and he sat down in a rather stiff position. Anyone who wasn't RCMP would think that this indicated he was fearful or hesitant. She, however, was also an RCMP Officer and knew that the Red Serge did not lend itself to allowing one to enjoy a truly relaxed posture. The uniform forced its members to correct posture by ensuring that one suffered abrasions on the neck if one was sloppy.
"Recently I was reviewing matters as regards my position and the position of the Canadian Consulate of Chicago and I decided that something needed to change."
Fraser appeared to be passionate about something here. And so she didn't get immediately offended as she would normally be following what sounded like a complaint. "Explain."
He looked directly at her and said, "Please excuse me if I might offend but I am speaking with candor and I do not mean to give offense to you. And I hope that you will be circumspect in how you may report matters to others." She nodded absently. "But I do not like how the Canadian government seems to view our importance."
Slightly intrigued she quietly said, "Go on."
"The Diplomatic Office has transferred the Consul from this office, the very person that makes this a Consulate. And claiming financial and other pressures, they have forced you to take up the duties of running the entire office. As you made clear during the incident on the train, you wear the Red Serge, the same as I. And somehow Ottawa has placed into your hands the management of minutiae and bureaucracy. You are the Liaison Officer for the RCMP. You ensure that the interest of Canada and the RCMP are taken care of in this section of the United States and across the borders. We are law enforcement. And yet the Diplomatic Office has absconded with our services and are attempting to make you a Hostess and making nice with civilians. And while you are quite attractive and certainly cause more pleasant feelings in such circles, you, Sir, are more than that. And so am I. And so I came to a decision."
She didn't know whether to be insulted or flattered. And so she was neutral as she asked, "And what is that decision?"
Fraser took on a resolved look. "The excess paperwork makes it quite the effort to perform your true duties as Liaison while also performing the required duties as Acting Consul. However, there is certainly a recognition both in the United States and in Canada that I enjoy a somewhat closer relationship with local law enforcement than would normally be expected for someone with my position."
"That is certainly true," she said with a slight amount of humor.
"Seeing that this is true, I intend to use this. By simplifying the process of exchanging information, we can increase the ease with which we ensure malfeasants are caught. Your duties ensure that you hold the status as a Commissioner of Oaths. The Chicago Police Department has Notaries Public. Rather than long and complicated procedures to exchange information when required, I believe that we can expedite the process. I have spoken to Leftenant Welsh about parlaying their assistance with providing an asset to an FBI operation into more direct access to the US National Criminal Database. We enjoy access to the RCMP database due to our positions. By opening a direct exchange, I hope to simplify the process of providing evidence by providing affidavits testifying to that access when needed. You can certify the affidavits as far as Canadian law is involved, and they can certify with Notaries Public as far as US law is concerned.
"This will justify to both our superiors and those of Detective Vecchio and Leftenant Welsh as to the value of our relationship with local law enforcement. We parlay that more efficient access to increasing the number of malfeasants that we can extradite for crimes committed in Canada by US residents and also assisting US law enforcement in extraditing criminals currently in Canada to US authorities. I believe that demonstrating our value to Ottawa should allow you to enjoy a more reasoned position when it comes to budget negotiations and influence such matters as might be conducive to operating the Consulate of Canada in Chicago."
Inspector Thatcher digested the long-winded explanation and then said, "You wish to ensure that those in charge on both sides of the borders have to respect us as law enforcement and not glorified window dressing."
Fraser nodded stiffly. "A succinct if more colloquial explanation than I am normally wont to give."
Thatcher finally nodded to herself and said, "I'll review it against procedure and law and consult with Ottawa to see if such can be accomplished. I believe that I share your interest in ensuring that our relevance is obvious for all to see. I will speak to you further on the matter once I have done this."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Dismissed."
Fraser reviewed the conversations he had with Welsh and Thatcher. It was a start.
Next, he thought about the reporter he had run into when he had first arrived. Maybe he could parlay that into something. He would have to think about it for a time and decide if he truly wanted to go in that direction.
A/N: I haven't decided how far to take this. But it's rather dry and not very exciting so far.
This thread was the result of rereading a oneshot I wrote and reading other various fanfics. In various stories various observations are made from the show.
I understand that the truth is that the changes in the show were actually the result of changes in who was paying for shooting it and the intended audience. Due South was shown in three countries: US, Canada, UK. After two years the CBS portion dried up despite excellent reviews and multiple awards. If you ever watch the documentaries on youtube you would see they were quite educational about it. But the show was very popular in Canada and enormously popular in the UK. Which saved it for two more years. But to make it viable, they also had to have less expensive/complicated combinations of shooting venues.
This reflected changes in the show. The third year saw a much reduced consulate, seemingly reflected in a smaller staff. There were no more "Assistants and deputies" and no more Consul. Thatcher ended up as Acting Consul. Fraser was a Deputy Liaison. The Liaison was supposed to coordinate with the FBI and law enforcement as regards criminal matters and anti-terrorism efforts. But this wasn't the entire consulate.
By the third season, Thatcher is in charge of all diplomatic responsibilities and Fraser and Turnbull do all the paperwork and filing. No more staff. It's little more than a glorified field office. And various comments by the characters reflect "budget concerns" – Canada tends to ignore Chicago and reduce the money it spends at every chance. Thatcher is always looking for ways to increase the image of the RCMP and Canada as a whole, trying to make the Consulate in Chicago relevant to Ottawa. Which makes her annoyed with Fraser when he gets involved in less than clean situations.
So, this story is based off of the idea of what would be the optimum way to achieve this given the limited resources/importance that the Canadian government seems to place on the Chicago Consulate.
