Jack was surprised. Surprised and apprehensive, considering that he wasn't summoned to the Victoria Police Force headquarters that often. He usually took that as a sign that he was doing his job well, but it didn't feel as reassuring at that moment.
«The Commissioner will receive you now», a young constable said, interrupting Jack's thoughts, fuelled by the idleness of waiting at an anteroom. « Please follow me», he continued, and so Jack did, through the labyrinthine hallways until they were by the door to Harker's office.
The constable knocked.
«Come in», said the Commissioner.
«The Detective Inspector Robinson, sir», said the policeman, opening the door and making way for Jack, closing it after him later.
Harker wasn't alone. A man he had never seen got up from one of the chairs in front of the desk, a tan Stetson hat in his hand. He was about Jack's age, tall and his dark hair was greying at the temples.
«Inspector, thank you for coming», the Commissioner said, shaking Jack's hand.
«This is Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens», he said, introducing the guest.
«Pleased to make your acquaintance, Inspector Robinson», said Raylan, shaking his hand afterward too.
Jack picked up strokes of some type of Southern accent he recalled from a few American soldiers he had met in the war.
« Likewise. Welcome to Melbourne. We hope you enjoy the city.»
«I fully intend to. I've liked what I've seen so far».
Despite the overcoat, Raylan appeared to have a slender frame. He was wearing a white shirt, a brown tie with slim white stripes, and a charcoal grey three-piece suit very similar to Jack's that made his leather cowboy boots seem even more out of place.
«Take a seat, please», said Harker, «Would you like a cup of coffee or tea, Inspector Robinson?»
«No, thank you. I've just had mine at breakfast», replied Jack.
«Very well then. Moving on… You are probably wondering why I called you here and I shall put an end to your questions», Harker said, his words eliciting a smile from his guests.
« The Victoria Police Force and the U.S. Marshals Service signed a collaboration protocol at the beginning of this year», he explained, his hands crossed on top of the leather blotter that covered his desk. «We believe both institutions can benefit from learning about their complementary skill sets. Deputy Givens is here to observe and to share his experience in locating, pursuing, and apprehending fugitives. I'm not saying this only because he's in this room as well, but he comes highly recommended by Chief Deputy Mullen and I think it will be constructive for both parts. Further down the road, one of our officers will go to America.»
«It appears to be a project with a great deal of potential», said Jack.
«Thank you. I chose you and your station to welcome the Deputy first because you have been a very valuable asset to the Police.»
«I feel very honoured to know that, sir», thanked Jack, which was true but he also didn't fail to detect that Harker was counting on him to cause a good impression, «and I'm looking forward to working with you», he said, looking at Raylan.
«As well», Raylan said, shifting his gaze from one policeman to the other. He was glad to go back to work insteado of just hoping to get to the destination at last. He had read a great deal over those days, but so much time at sea had also lead him to dwell on his own life more than what he was usually fond of.
«Now that everything is settled and explained, I have work to tend to and so do you, gentlemen, I believe», Harker said. «We will keep in touch over the next days», he continued, getting up from his chair.
«Thank you for welcoming me so warmly, Commissioner», Raylan said, rising to his feet too and shaking Harker's hand.
«I'm sure our officer will be equally well received in Lexington».
«Art Mullen will make sure of it», replied Raylan with a smile.
«Take care of our visitor, Inspector Robinson», Harked said, readying himself to resume dealing with the case files on his desk.
«We will, sir», Jack said, turning around after his boss' dismissal.
They left the Commisioner's office and made their way through the corridors, trying to not get lost.
«Is this your first time in Australia, Marshal?», Jack asked, making small talk.
«It is. Damn, I've been on that boat for so long it feels weird to say that», Raylan said. «Excuse me, but sometimes I swear I can still feel the floor rocking under my feet.»
«Not a fan of boats?»
« I was in the Marines before joining the Marshals, but I never had to travel in one for so long and I didn't serve in Europe during the war. I'm even less of a fan particularly after a two-day train trip to California to catch said boat.»
«Where are you from, in the United States, that is?», Jack asked, signaling the guest to turn left, following the 'Exit' plaque on the wall.
«Harlan County, Kentucky. A really small place in the middle of the woods and the coal mines no one cares about. You?», Raylan said, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
«Born and raised around Melbourne, in Richmond». Jack noticed the other man didn't seem regard his memories of hometown very fondly. «I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.»
Raylan shrugged.
«There's nothing to be done about it now. For how long have you been a policeman?»
«About 16 years, including the war.»
Even if, for Jack, the stint in the army didn't feel like an interruption of his police career but more like a different life altogether, he always ended up encompassing those years in his service.
«I've been with the Marshals for roughly the same time. »
«Always in Kentucky?»
«Nah, this assignment is somewhat recent. I've been in Texas, Georgia, and Florida before.»
Jack didn't ask for more details, but Givens' tone of voice lead him to believe Raylan wasn't exactly pleased with his current post and it was very likely that it stemmed from his complex relationship with his birthplace.
The two men found themselves at the parking lot at last. They put their hats back on their heads, Raylan's drawing the attention of the people around.
«My motorcar is over there», Jack said, walking towards the parked vehicles on the right.
«Nice Graham-Paige», Raylan said when they got next to the blue sedan, «I drive a Lincoln», he continued, opening the passenger's door.
A/n:This story resulted from an observation made about similar suits and a joking remark about what I'd give to read a fic where Raylan and Jack met because I think they have some similarities. A few jokes later, I found myself writing this, not really sure of what would come out of it.
Despite Harker's presence, this isn't a follow-up to UaTEC or 'Angry, Half in Love, and Tremendously Sorry', more like a parallel universe to that, if you want. I just thought it would be easier to keep some consistency in my MFMM stories. The characters and the storylines you recognise from the original material aren't mine, obviously.
I've acknowledged since the beginning that I'm not sure this will hold even half a candle to the originals, but I hope you have fun reading it at least.
I mention «Victoria Police Force» because it's how Jack refers to it when Phryne is 'sworn in' as Special Constable in «Game, Set, Murder».
I have to thank everyone who has encouraged me to go forth as well as the people who helped me with certain details that I wasn't being able to find that easily. Any mistake is on me though.
Unlike UaTEC, I'll be much quicker to update this story, considering that it's already written in full, I just have to tweak some things.
I don't know if a Lincoln would be the appropriate vehicle for a 1920s Marshal to drive, but I thought it would be fun to include that reference to TV Raylan's actual car. I also gave him the tan Stetson instead of that new hat of his because it's his trademark.
ETA: If you had read this already, you may have noticed that I took out the reference to adjusting to the time-zone change and replaced by other reasons why Raylan might be looking forward to going back to work. I have never taken such a long trip so someone's input on this matter - by boat you have the chance to adapt to it gradually - was quite valuable.
Feel free to leave kudos and/or reviews. I always enjoy receiving them.