"I stepped on a cheeto !" Monk jumped from the old, dingy, blue couch. Charlie sat on the nearby loveseat as did Don. Natalie was seated near Monk.

"We're gonna need back up for this!" Don snarled sarcastically; he really wanted to hear his brother's theory.

"My shoe is going to be ruined!" The sleuth grumbled.

"I'm sure you'll live!" Natalie rolled her eyes and gave him a wipe, which Adrian grabbed and frantically used to clean.

"Can I continue?" Charlie asked in an acerbic tone. His hand gestures and expressive eyes belied his exasperation. "As I was saying……"

"I need another wipe!" Monk ordered because he used up the wipe he had in his hand.

"Could you just forget about your shoe for a minute and let him talk?" Don gave Monk a fierce look while putting on an authoritative voice.

TBC