Mr. Monk Loses a Friend

Chapter 1

"John Elliot."

Leland Stottlemeyer closed the file folder and tossed it on his desk. "Well, there's another skumbag off the streets. We couldn't have done it without you, Monk."

Adrian sighed. "Happy to help, Captain. Now if I could only find out who killed Tr-"

"Mr. Monk- Natalie said, laying a hand on his arm. "Don't think about that now, okay? You'll find him. I promise."

Adrian couldn't help but smile at Natalie's kind words.

"So how do you do it?" Randy asked. "The body was found 20 miles away and the search team didn't find any evidence linking Elliot to the murder. So how did you figure it out?"

Adrian shrugged. "Easy. Elliot was wearing his watch backwards."

Leland gave Adrian a confused expression. "And this is important because..."

"Well, the guy worked in a jewelry store and if anyone should know the proper way to wear a watch, it's him. He was definitely the guy."

"Yeah... but I still don't.... You know what? It doesn't matter. I don't want to know." Leland said.

Natalie smiled and patted Adrian's back. "Mr. Monk the important thing is that you caught him before he could hurt anyone else. Dr. Kroger is going to be so proud of you when he hears about this."

Proud

Adrian pondered the word. Everyone always called him a brilliant detective, but rarely had anyone ever admitted to being proud of him. In fact, the only person who had ever used that word was Dr. Kroger. He hated to admit it, but he owed that man his life. If it weren't for Dr. Kroger, Adrian didn't know where he would be right now; certainly not solving murders. So many times he wanted to tell Dr. Kroger how much he meant to him, but Adrian wasn't one for sentiment. That was Trudy's job.

Leland stood and pulled on his coat. "Well, this has been fun, but I'm going home. See you all in the morning. Thanks again, Monk and Nat-"

The ringing phone interrupted him.

"Damn... every time I try to get out of here something happens." Leland muttered as he picked up the receiver.

"Captain Stottlemeyer here, and this better be good. I have a nice warm house to go home to and- Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you. How are you doing, buddy? "

There was a pause as Leland's expression changed and he sank into his chair.

He covered his mouth with his hand. "Oh no..."

"Dear God... this is horrible. When? "
Another pause

"How is your mom doing? Yeah, well I suspected that. I can't tell you how sorry I am. We'll keep in touch and if you need anything at all day or night, call me immediately." He sat the receiver down as if in slow motion, seeing three puzzled faces staring at him.

He was suddenly aware of his trembling hands and he had to fight like hell to keep his emotions at bay. Who ever saw a police chief cry? He'd move to Siberia before he let his guard down on the job. Especially in front of the people he cared for the most.

"What's going on, Captain?" Adrian asked.

"You look upset, are you okay? " Natalie added. "Did something happen?" She moved to the other side of the desk and laid a gentle hand on Leland's shoulder. The mere touch almost caused him to lose it.

"Adrian, I need you to go to the basement files and pull everything you can find on Ronald Jacobs."
"Ronald Jacobs? But we just closed that case!" Adrian said. "He's the guy who was helping Elliot with the murders. Remember? That's why the victim's body was found so far away. They didn't think we would figure it out."
"But you did!" Randy added. "You're a genius"

Leland's emotions were starting to get the better of him. "Monk, I gave you an order..."
This made Adrian laugh. "Right, Captain. That's funny. An order... I'm not even on the force and-"
"MONK, JUST DO IT! NOW!"

Leland's outburst caused Natalie, Randy and Adrian to jump. Speechless, Adrian winced at the Captain's unusually harsh tone.

"Right away, sir."

Quickly he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Randy leaned over to Natalie and whispered. "Sounds like someone needs another round of anger management therapy"

"Randy, is there something you want to share with all of us?"

"Um, no sir, but you might want to consider-"
"SHUT UP, RANDY!" Leland yelled.

"Captain, what is wrong with you?" Natalie asked. "Randy's right. You really do need anger management classes. Did something happen? Who was that on the phone?"

Quickly, Leland reached into his desk and grabbed a box of Kleenex, then tossed it onto the desk. Now he was officially humiliated; on the verge of crying in front of his best friends.

Guess I'd better start packing for Siberia...

Randy and Natalie watched as Leland sat down on his office sofa, burying his face in his hands.

Randy sat down beside him and patted him on the shoulder. "Captain? Are you all right?"

"Have a seat, Natalie." Leland said, gesturing to a chair next to the sofa. "Oh and Randy, could you close the blinds?"
Natalie and Randy exchanged worried glances as Randy did as he was told.

Leland took a deep breath. "That was Troy on the phone."
"Dr Kroger's son, Troy?" Randy asked with a grin. "Well how about that! I haven't talked to that guy in ages. We really need to get together and have a jam session, and-"

Natalie touched Randy's shoulder. "Randy, something's wrong. Go on, Captain."

"Dr. Kroger had a heart attack this morning."

Natalie and Randy stared at Leland in stunned silence.

"Oh my God..." Natalie said. "But he's going to be okay, right?"
The question was met with silence and she felt herself grow hot with fear.

"He'll be fine. I'm sure of it." Randy said, searching the Captain's face for reassurance. When he found none, he sighed. "Oh my God..."
Tears filled Natalie's eyes. "You mean he's... gone? This is a joke, right? Well, it's not funny, Captain!"
"I wish to hell it was a joke." Leland said. "They found him this morning, just before breakfast."

"No... There has to be some mistake!" Natalie said. She paced the room nervously, her hands on her head.

"Natalie, I heard it from the man's son. I don't think Troy would make something like this up." Leland said.

Tears streamed down Natalie's cheeks and her voice trembled. "But that's impossible. I-I mean, I just saw him yesterday. H-he hugged me when I went to pick up Mr. Monk and thanked me for taking care of him. He was fine and... Oh God...." She began to sob into her hands. "This isn't happening."

She turned to Randy and fell into his arms, crying as he rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry..." He whispered; a hint of trembling in his own voice.

By this time, Leland no longer cared about the tears that were spilling onto his cheeks. "Now, the question is... how are we going to tell Monk?"

"He'll be devastated." Natalie said.

Leland sighed. "Well, I guess there's no time like the present. I need to tell him and get it over with."

"Captain, I should be the one to tell him." Natalie said.

"What will you say?"

" God, I don't know but I guess it will just come to me. I mean, he loved Dr. Kroger so much and now..." Another sob escaped, as Randy took her in his arms again.

Suddenly the office door opened. "I found the file, Captain, but I still don't...." Adrian stopped short, noticing the three solemn expressions staring at him. "What's wrong? Natalie, did something happen to Julie?"

Natalie sniffled and brushed the tears from her face. "No, Mr. Monk, but we need to talk to you."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah... I'm fine... "Natalie said, grabbing a Kleenex from Leland's desk.

"Natalie, you're crying."

"Please, Mr. Monk. Sit down for a minute." She took his hand and tried to coax him into sitting down, but Adrian remained standing.
"What's going on? Why is everyone so upset?" Adrian asked.

"Monk, Dr. Kroger had a heart attack this morning." Leland said.

Crestfallen, Adrian lowered himself into a chair. "Heart attack...."

"Yeah, and I'm afraid that he-"

Suddenly Adrian sprang from his seat.

"Well what are we sitting around here for? We need to get over to the hospital right now!"

"Monk, you don't understand." Leland said.

Natalie took both of Adrian's hands. "Mr. Monk, Dr. Kroger loved you. You know that, right? I mean, I know he was your therapist but he was also your friend. He loved having you for a patient." Her voice trembled as she said the words.

"Well of course we're friends, Natalie. What are you trying to say?"

Natalie took a deep breath. "Mr. Monk, Dr. Kroger died this morning."