CHAPTER 4

Ray was amazed at the story, "Have you seen Lisa since then? Since you were fifteen?"

Fraser was smiling broadly. "Oh, yes. She grew up and became a nun."

"Ah nun?"

"Um-hum. She works at a hospital in Vancouver in the burn unit. I saw her not five years ago and she told me that being burned was the greatest blessing that she could have ever experienced."

"Being burned?" Ray asked doubtfully. Fraser knew from experience that Ray didn't understand nuns so he didn't think much of it.

"Yes, she claims that when she was so close to death she could see Jesus standing with her and she wasn't afraid. And now when she helps the burn victims she can share her story and they find hope and their Faith is strengthened."

"And you believed this?"

"Yes."

Ray just shook his head and decided to change the subject. "So this Bear guy. You think he's going to kill you?"

"No."

"But you're not sure."

"His father was thrown in jail for murdering his mother. He was raised by an Uncle."

"Does anyone in the far north have a normal, tragedy free childhood?"

"Well yes Ray, of course."

At this point Bear walked in, Fraser recognized him immediately. On his part, Bear had to search the room twice before he finally figured out that the yutz in the hat was his old friend. Ray automatically, and correctly, assumed that he was not the swiftest fox in the den. Two things about Bear surprised Ray, one, he wasn't a Native American, and two, he was small, muscular, but small. Ray had envisioned a huge guy who could pull tree stumps out of the ground with his bare hands and would dwarf every person he came across. He had also seen the copper skin and the long black hair that the Inuit, or at least every Inuit he had met, all seemed to sport. In fact Justin "Bear" Collins was a white guy (probably Irish heritage considering the last name) about five-five with a buzz cut and hands that were two shades darker than the rest of his skin. "Hay Ben!" He called across the room. "It's been a long time!" He sat down and Ray would have sworn he felt the floor shake with the impact, the guy may not have been huge, but he was solid.

"Indeed it has Bear."

"God," the man laughed, "No one has called me that in years."

"Would you prefer Justin?"

"No, no, I like Bear." The way he said that put Ray on edge.

"Hay," Ray said, leaning forward and injecting himself into the conversation. "I'm Ray Vecchio, Benny's partner."

Bear looked at Ray for a second then turned back to Fraser, "Benny?" He asked laughing. "Benny? You've been Americanized, Ben."

"Don't I wish." Ray muttered as he leaned back in his seat, more than a little put out.

"I saw Lisa." Bear said out of the blue.

"Really?"

"She still looks like someone melted her face. And being locked up with all those sick people isn't doing any good for her."

"Odd," Fraser mused, "When I saw her a few years ago she seemed very happy."

"Nun's aren't happy people, Ben." Bear said as if it were a fact. The statement was so off the wall that there was nothing Ben could do to refute it.

"Old days were good, till that happened."

"Yes," Ben nodded. "They were good."

"So how you doing now?"

***

Around one o'clock the waitress told them that they were going to have to leave. They parted company with very few words of any sort. Bear didn't even say goodbye.

"I don't like him." Ray said once the man was far enough away not to hear.

"By what criteria?"

"By the criteria that . . . I don't like him."

Fraser gazed after the man. Silent for a moment, then he pivoted and started walking towards his apartment. "I agree," he said softly as he walked away, perhaps with the hope the conversation wouldn't move with him. He should have known better than that.

"What you agree, you don't like him!"

"I never have, Ray. He always unnerved me some how. I don't know how to explain it."

"But you were friends, you were going to go to Australia!"

"Ray there were four people between the age of ten and twenty in this town, of course we did things together. But . . . I never felt as if I could trust him."

"Trust him! You just recited you're hole life story back in there. Every question he asked you answered like an idiot!"

Fraser shook his head. "I have no reason not to trust him."

"You feel like you can't that's enough."

"And I owe him."

"Why because twenty years ago you forgot to tell him that there was gasoline not water in a bucket."

"Yes."

"Fraser, He's nut's for holding that against you, you're nuts for letting him."

"You didn't see her Ray. You didn't hear her, you didn't smell her." The Mountie trembled, as if someone had walked over his grave.

***

At five to eight Fraser pulled up in front of the Inspector's apartment building in the Consulate's car. He dearly wished his boss had wanted him to come an hour later, he had a feeling that one more hour of sleep would have done him a world of good. After coming home that night he had been too restless to sleep. He had pulled out his father's journals and found a section that he had been meaning to read for a long time, but had never gotten the courage.

September Seventeenth, 1975

Mother called my office today, with alarming news. Ben's decided to run away. I'm not sure about all of the details, apparently he's partially responsible for the near death of one of his friends. I've taken the next few days off to go and find him, Family emergency. Buck offered to help, but I turned him down. I don't know what I'm going to say to Ben when I find him, but I know that I'm the one that has to say it.

"When I got the message I thought that it was a joke. The staff Sargent at my posting would have found that humorous."

"Hello Dad." Fraser said looking up at his dead father.

"It wasn't until you're grandmother called me later that night that I realized it wasn't."

"She must have been worried." Fraser said, slightly ashamed.

"You're grandmother? She worried about everything."

"No she didn't," Fraser said. "I can't remember her worrying once."

"She hid it well." His father said with understanding. "It's a family trait."

"Why are you here Dad?"

His father shrugged and looked around, bewildered. "I have no idea. I hoped you might know."

They waited for a moment, hopping for some divine intercession. None came so Fraser licked his lips and said. "Do you want to hear about my present situation?"

"Sure." His father smiled, "I've got nothing better to do."

Fraser patiently explained the multiple dimensions of his day, his time with Garret, then with Inspector Thatcher and her family, then with Bear Collins. "I feel like someone has given me all the pieces to a puzzle but they haven't told me what the picture looks like."

"You think everything is connected?"

Fraser thought about that. "That's the problem, nothing is connected. Not yet."

"You think it will?"

"I can't see how."

"Son, In every crime there are clues that don't make a hint of sense until after the case is solved. That's just the way it is."

Fraser looked at his father uncertainly for a moment before he stuttered out, "Thanks, Dad, That's really . . . really comforting."

"So you feel better then?"

"Oh much," His voice was dripping with sarcasm, but his father didn't seem to notice it.

"Glad I could help."

***

He waited in the lobby for his Inspector and her niece for no more than two minutes. When the elevator chimed and Thatcher walked out wearing a pea green trenchcoat, with Elly decked in pink right behind her, Fraser was standing by the door with as subtle smile on his face.

"Hay!" Elly yelled, from across the lobby running to meat Fraser. "We baked cookies last night!"

He smiled down at her. "I do believe I heard that somewhere."

"And I made one special for you. It's in my bag." She pulled off her backpack, which was adorned with all sorts off odd key chains and started rummaging through the mess of books and pencils that were scattered at the bottom. Finally she pulled out a ziplock bag with two chocolate chip cookies in it. On was large and round and slightly burnt, the other was in the misshapen form that could have been a dog bone and was black as charcoal. "The circle is for you and the bone is for Diefenbaker. I know you said he couldn't have chocolate so I put rains in that one instead."

"That's very considerate of you." Fraser said, taking the bag. "I'm sure he'll love it."

"Brown uniform Constable?" Meg asked as she walked up. Fraser suddenly panicked. He hadn't even thought about the fact that he was escorting her family around when he had put his uniform on that morning. He was not scheduled for guard duty so naturally he donned the normal uniform, it hadn't accrued to him that it was a formal occasion and that he should be in dress Reds. "I'm sorry sir," he stuttered. "I could go home and . . ."

"No Constable, it's fine." She turned to her niece, hand outstretched. "Come on Elly."

The little girl took her aunt's hand and they walked out of the apartment building. Fraser stood there for a moment, trying to figure out weather she was pleased or upset. Unfortunately he was unable to do that. He had to jog to the car so he could get there before them and open the door. Elly climbed in first and immediately leaned over the seat to see Diefenbaker, who was napping on the floor. "Good morning!" She called to the sleeping wolf, He opened his eyes, looked at her smiling face, and laid his head back down on his paws, resolved to sleep again.

"You'll have to forgive him." Fraser said as he slid into the front seat. "He didn't get much sleep last night."

"Oh." Elly said, "You know I didn't go to bed until ten-thirty."

"Really?" Fraser asked.

"Un-hun."

"Elly," Meg interjected. Her voice was rather tense, as if she were discussing something delicate. It was a tone Fraser knew well. "I thought we agreed that that would be our secret."

"Oh," The little girl clapped her hands over her mouth. "I forgot."

"That's alright. As long as you don't tell you're grandparents."

Elly nodded furiously.

At that moment, the phone rang.

"Who would be calling?" Meg muttered as she pulled her phone out of her purse and Fraser pulled the car away from the curb.

"You're parents perhaps?" Fraser offered.

"Can I get it, Can I?" Elly begged.

Meg looked at the phone as it rung. "It could be the consulate."

"Is anyone there?"

"No."

"Pleas," Elly begged.

Meg looked at Fraser in the rear view mirror, his eyes were begging too. She handed Elly the phone, "Now say, Inspector Thatcher's phone, when you answer."

"Thanks!" She opened the flap and looked at all the buttons with wonder, "Which one do I push?"

Wordlessly Meg leaned over and pressed the TALK button, Elly's smile was huge as she put the phone to her ear. "Inspector Thatcher's Phone . . . You shouldn't say that. . . . Well yes, but he's driving and he's busy."

By this point Both Meg and Ben were incredibly curious about who could be on the other line. "Who is it?" Meg asked quietly.

"He didn't say."

"Ask."

"Who is this?" Elly said, returning to the phone. "I told you, you shouldn't say that."

"Who is it?" Meg demanded.

"Ray Vecchio?"

Meg shot Fraser a dangerous glance that he caught in the rearview mirror and said sweetly, "Give me the phone, Elly."

"Ok," Elly said cheerily to her aunt, handing over the phone without a complaint.

"This is inspector Thatcher." Meg said tersely.

"Who the hell was that!" Ray's voice was equally cross.

"That's not important, how did you get this number?"

"Welsh had it. Look I really need to talk to Fraser, It's important."

"He's occupied at the moment."

"Driving. I always talk on the phone when I'm driving. Give him the phone."

"I'll have him call you at his earliest convenience. Goodbye detective." She hung up before he could protest. "You have to call Detective Vecchio one we get to the consulate."

"The consulate? I was under the impression that we were fetching you're Family from the hotel."

"We are." Meg said matter-of-factly. "Then we're taking them to the consulate."

"I see." Fraser said, the truth was he didn't, but he was not about to let the inspector know that.

They held to the travailing arrangements that they had had earlier, The Inspector, her parents and Elly in a cab, while Fraser drove the boys, who were all very grumpy. Apparently he and Elly weren't the only one's who didn't get a full nights rest.

"Why do we have to go to the stupid Consulate?" Xerxes asked as he fiddled with the draw strings on the hood of his coat.

"Don't you want to see where you're aunt works?" Fraser asked.

"Is there any kid stuff there?" Leo inquired.

"Kid stuff . . . no, not really."

"No." Xerxes and Leo said in almost perfect unison.

"At least it's better than an Art Museum." Cimon said.

"That's actually on the schedule for later today." Fraser offered helpfully.

"I know," Cimon groaned.

"Actually I believe you will find the Art museum quite entertaining."

"It's not going to have kid stuff." Leo said, pouting.

"As a matter of fact it does. There is a wonderfully put together hands-on children's exhibit that teaches art appreciation. On top of which there is presently displayed a series by Graeme Base, who had illustrated several children's books."

"It sounds boring," Xerxes complained.

"On the contrary, I think you'll find it very educational."

"Boooooringgggg." Xerxes chanted.

"Here's the Consulate." Fraser said as he pulled up to the curb. He was very relived to be rid of his mal-content passengers. "Everybody out."

***

"Sir!!!!" Turnbull said, running down to Inspector Thatcher as she was leading her Family up the stairs to the offices. "The most horrible thing has happened!!"

"Did anyone die?" Thatcher asked, a total lack of concern in her voice.

"No, but . . ."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"No, still . . ."

"Was national security threatened?"

"Not to my knowledge, but . . ."

"Then, I suggest, Turnbull that you leave me alone. I've taken the weekend off." She pushed past him and her family followed, each of the children giving the poor blubbering Mountie a curious look. Finally at the end of the line Constable Fraser walked past. When Turnbull saw him a new spring of hope welled in his breast. "Constable Fraser, you'll be able to assist me."

"What's the matter Turnbull?" Fraser asked as he lowered his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He had not gotten enough sleep for this.

"It would seem that a cheese factory in town has . . ."

"Turnbull." Fraser interrupted.

"Yes sir."

"It can wait."

"But sir . . ."

"It can wait for three days." Fraser said, a tad harsher than he meant to. Turnbull looked like he wanted to object again, but Fraser's expression made it clear that those objections could also wait for three days.

Benny finished walking up the stairs and turned into his office, shutting the door behind Diefenbaker. He could hear Inspector Thatcher showing her family her office, explaining everything and introducing them to Copper and Ovits, but he didn't pay any attention to that. What ever Ray had wanted to say must have been extremely important for him to dare and call the Inspectors phone.

There was only one ring before the phone was picked up and Benny could hear Ray's disgruntled voice. "Vecchio."

"Ray, its Fraser."

Ray's voice changed dramatically. "Hay, Benny. Who the hell answered the Inspector's Phone?"

"Elly Thathcer."

"Oh my God, the Dragon Lady's spawning!"

Under normal circumstances Fraser would have felt honor bound to give Ray a harsh look, however this was a phone conversation. Ray would be unable to see his reaction, and no one at the consulate would know what he was reacting too. With these assurances Fraser allowed himself a slight smile, at the shear ridiculousness of Rays comment. "Elly is Inspector Thatcher's niece."

"Who the hell gives there niece their cellular phone?!"

"A good aunt?"

"No, a total idiot. Who knows who could be calling. I'd never give any of my nieces my phone, and believe me they've asked!"

"Why did you call Ray?"

"I checked out our friend Bear from last night, he's got a sheet."

"There isn't a warrant out for him, is there?"

"No, but you remembered how he said he saw Lisa?"

Benny got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Yes."

"He assaulted her at the hospital she works at. Tried to drag her out violently. The police came and threw him in the slammer for a couple of nights but the church didn't want to press charges because of some forgiveness thing so they let him out. That was about a week ago."

"He came right here." Fraser couldn't see the picture of the puzzle yet, but he was beging to see that certain colors went together. "Is there anything else Ray?"

"Not really. He got thrown in jail for eighteen months when he was twenty, something about death threats."

"Which jail."

"Yukon Territories Correctional Facility. Hay Benny, is there only one jail in the Yukon?"

Fraser ignored the question. "Thank's for the information Ray."

"You gonna stop by later?"

"I don't think so."

"Keeping an eye on Thatcher and assorted Thatcheretts?"

Benny smiled again. "Yes."

"Good luck." Ray said. It was only half a joke.

***

Once Inspector Thatcher and all the 'assorted Thatcheretts' were safely on a guided tour of the Chicago Art Museum Fraser slipped out and went to one of the pay phones in the lobby. He didn't want to leave the tour, he had never actually taken one before, but there was something he needed to find out immediately.

It took about ten minutes and five American dollars worth of quarters to reach the person he wanted to speak to, and then he was put on hold for another five minutes. In the end he lost ten American dollars to the pay phone and gain information which put Bear Collins in perspective.

After the art museum they ate lunch just off of Michigan Avenue and from there they went shopping.

Elly was an angle, she stayed by her aunt the entire time. Excited by everything she saw, but always running right back to Meg. The boy's, on the other hand, were not such angels. FAO Shwarts was a nightmare for Fraser. It was his sole responsibility to watch over all fore boys in the four story toy store. Inspector Thatcher tried to help, as much as she could with Elly pulling on her hand trying to show her some Barbie or a particularly cute stuffed toy.

By the end of the Day the Mountie was particularly exhausted. The boys had finally run out of energy around five, and Fraser ended up carrying Elly most of the way from the shops back to the hotel. It wouldn't have been a problem but he was also carrying more than half of what the family had bought that day. They were quite a sight. Xerxes and Leo were in front, each trying to figure out the yo-yos they got at FAO Shwarts as they walked. Then there was Meg, listening to her parents converse about something. Following them were Will and Cimon, who were complaining that the Nike store didn't have nearly enough hockey stuff in it. Following them was Fraser, who agreed but didn't say anything, carrying Elly, and at his side was Diefenbaker, who had two sacks tied together flung over his back.

They were in the Hotel lobby, The boys' were trying to sort out bags, figuring out which stuff belonged to who. Meg had taken a second to run to a pay phone and check her messages. As much as she wanted to have this weekend off, she was too much of a control freak to trust the consulate to run on it's own. Fraser was alone and venerable for attack.

"Constable," Mr. Thatcher said as he and his wife walked up to the Mountie with a smile. It was the first time her parents had talked to him all day, Fraser was just a little surprised.

"Yes sir?"

"What do you think of our daughter?"

"Of you're daughter?"

"Yes."

For some reason Fraser felt at trap in the question, as innocent as it seemed. He reminded himself that these were her parents, and that, accordingly, they were trustworthy people. "She is the finest officer I have ever worked under. I respect her very much."

William Thatcher gave Benny a smile that was somehow disconcerting. "That's not at all what I meant Constable."

"Than I'm afraid that I don't understand."

He put his arm on Benny's shoulder and leaned in, "I remember what it's like to be an attractive young man. Always ready for the chase. Desiring only the most elusive of pray." Fraser couldn't figure out what the man was talking about, he had assumed they were going to discuss the Inspector, but now he was rambling on about hunting. "I just feel you should know that you should set your sights else where. I cannot condone this behavior concerning my daughter, because, and I hate to be blunt, but she's not attainable, for you at least. I'm not only looking out for her well being, but for yours as well. You understand don't you?"

Fraser nodded his head. "Not in the least."

At this point her mother stepped up to the conversation. "We've seen the way you look at her, and quite frankly, we find it . . ." she paused to find the exact word, "inappropriate."

Suddenly, Fraser understood. He had been looking at her a lot that day, not so much as a superior officer, but as a person. And oddly the more he saw her as a person, the more in love he felt. She had worn jeans and a red sweater that highlighted her figure ever so softly, and she looked absolutely radiant. Several times that day Ben had had to force himself not to stare. She had a wonderful smile that she would give to Elly or any of the boys when they wanted to show her something, and the loving tolerance she gave her impossible-to-pleas mother was truly beautiful. Fraser had never been given the opportunity to see his superior officer out of that role before, and for all he knew he might never again. He had wanted to treasure it, observe and remember everything. He had never even thought that his gazes might be considered 'inappropriate.' "Oh," was all he could think to say.

"We really do appreciate all the help you've been to us." Her mother said, with a large, gracious smile. "But we think it would be better if someone else from the consulate helped tomorrow."

Fraser didn't know what to say. He assumed that Meg had been privy to this decision, that she didn't appreciate being looked at in that way. How could he have been so inconsiderate, so stupid, so selfish? "Of course. I'm sorry." He said in a somewhat stunned voice. Mindlessly he turned around and walked out the door, before Inspector Thatcher could get back from the phone and he would have to look her in the eyes again. He was too overwhelmed to remember Garret, or Bear, or even Diefenbaker.

To Be Continued . . .