Sorry for the wait! Lots of work :P Anywhoo, thanks to those who reviewed this ficcy, it really brightens my day when it is otherwise bland and miserable :D And this chapter is long! It was originally going to be split into two chapters, but I figured what the hey? You guys have been patient, hee hee
Chapter 3
"Mr. Monk I know it's hard but…he needs you…" Monk brought his hand up to his temple, and gazed at Natalie, disbelief in his eyes.
"No- I just saw him yesterday…" Monk chuckled nervously "He was one of the few people who was ni-nice to me." Monk lowered his hand and turned his head towards the house that was covered with Crime Scene tape.
"And-and he was tortured?" Natalie gave her boss a slow nod.
Frank Reed, the man from the grocery store, the man that Monk never really thought he would see again, was found dead, tied to a chair, fingers and arms broken, ankles…Natalie shuddered at the mental image, she had seen the body. The man's eyes were closed, and his head was lolling against his chest. The whole figure looked defeated. As if he fought against the devil, and lost.
"The Captain suspects his murder was a hate crime, you know cause of his sexual orientation."
"Natalie…I don't know if I can look at him…"
"Well how about Mr. Monk, you go in there, and I stand in front of where his body is, huh? The Captain wants to make sure it's a hate crime…"
Monk tilted his head at this, and finally relented, nodding.
He went in the house, glancing around at the different art upon the walls, the car magazines, the greenery, and Monk nearly had a heart attack when a small dog came up sniffing his pant leg.
"Natalie! Natalie!" Monk cried out, he tried to frighten the dog by moving his leg rapidly, but the dog merely stepped back wagged his tail, and started to try to attack the leg in play. The little Jack Russell then launched himself at Monk's pants and closed his teeth upon them, and began shaking his head growling.
"Natalie!" Monk wailed, on the verge of tears "He's on me!" Monk had now completely stopped shaking his leg, and held it out, his face contorted as if he were in extreme pain. The dog continued growling and shaking his head, wagging his tail, Natalie quickly came to the rescue by scratching the dog's belly. The dog finding a new source of fun and pleasure let go of the pant legs and started licking Natalie's palm.
"Hey!" Randy suddenly came into the room, breathless "Oh good, you caught the little guy. We found him in the other room locked in the closet."
"Oh God." Monk moaned as he saw the creases and small dog salvia imprinted on them. "Put him back in there."
"Mr. Monk!" Natalie exclaimed, clutching the wriggling puppy against her chest, "Who knows how long this cute puppy-wuppy was locked in there! I'm not putting him back in there!"
"Puppy-wuppy?" Monk questioned with disgust "That is no puppy-wuppy…that is a demon sent from hell…here to-"
"Monk!" Monk flinched at the interruption of his tirade by the angry growl of Captain Stottlemeyer. "Are you coming or what?"
"Yes! In a minute…" He called out, aside to Natalie he began "Put that…" Monk pointed at the dog's face with his index finger, which the dog quickly licked, and Monk drew his finger back in alarm. "Wipe!" Balancing the puppy in one arm, Natalie opened up her purse with one hand and quickly drew out a wipe, and handed it to her boss.
He took it and walked into the room, forgetting what awaited him, and he came face to face with the man he had met yesterday. Tied to a chair…and horribly…Monk looked away quickly scanning the room.
"It wasn't a hate crime." He whispered.
"What do you mean? Didn't you read what's spray painted on the wall?" Monk did and found a crude scribble of harsh language.
"Yes, and look how neatly it was done…no drips…words evenly spaced out. The killer wanted us to be able to read this…clearly. The words don't run together…it was as if he wasn't in a hurry all…"
"Well maybe he was cocky…or maybe he knew how to handle a spray can…"
"Maybe." Monk consented, in the way that he knew he was right, "But look at the way he was tortured…"
"What about it?" The Captain questioned, slightly upset that his ideas got snubbed.
"Blood…he was cut, not beaten…" Monk turned to the crime scene again, and it suddenly clicked… "It's the same guy"…Monk whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"The killing, it's neat, professional looking, it looks like he was tortured, but he was killed instantly…" Monk motioned to the scene "The flesh looks torn into, there is no real blood flow…" Monk shrugged "You can ask a coroner to verify." Monk's eyes caught something and while the Captain shout out orders to his men; Monk grabbed the book on the shelf with his wipe, and opened it up slowly.
"Ok, well what do the victims have in common? Answer me that Monk!" And Monk did, by holding up the book, and showing the Captain the last page.
Hey Frankie! You were a great help in English Lit! Oh wow, can you believe we're graduating? I'll bet we'll still see each other. You better keep in touch! Go class of '95!
Love and Kisses, Mary Sanders.
Frank,
It was so cool meeting you! I know I'll miss you, we'll write ok? We gotta keep our cause going! PS You're the only person I know who drinks apple juice with his Oreos, weirdo.
See you soon, Carrie Richards.
Captain read the signatures, mouth open…and Monk smugly closed the book, showing the cover, San Juan High School – 1995.
"It's the same guy."
-o-O-o-
"I didn't kill her!" Mark Bennett cried out as he was led into the room.
"Mr. Bennett do you remember a Frank Reed?"
"Frank Reed?" The man sputtered with confusion, and then nodded slowly "Yea…I went to high school with him, so did Carrie-Look what does this have to do with anything?"
"He was found dead this morning."
"And you think I did it?"
"Yup, now why would you kill Frank? Heat got to ya?"
"Look, I barely knew the guy! You're right, why would I kill him?"
"Where were you last night around twelve p.m.?"
"I was at home, sleeping! Look, I know I can't prove that, but I was! Honest to-" Mark's shouts continued, and two figures could be seen on the other side of the mirror.
"So Mr. Monk, is he the guy?"
"I don't know, he looks like he's telling the truth…then again he has no alibi, but there's something…wrong." Monk frowned and shook his head, sniffed the air and drew back from Natalie.
"You still have the dog. You know, he cost me a pair of pants…"
"Yes, Mr. Monk… Julie wanted to take care of it until we found a home for the little guy, and you could've just gotten your pants cleaned…you didn't have to throw them away. You're going to have to live with the smell; we're keeping him for awhile."
"Just don't call him Adrian." Monk muttered. Natalie was about to question his statement when Monk suddenly turned. "I think we should look at Mary's yearbook, see if there are anymore signatures, or people we can connect them to."
"All right" Natalie gave one last look at the questioning room and turned to ask her boss a question "How long do you think he's going to stay in there?" Monk looked through the glass and found cold eyes staring through the plane as if Mark Bennett knew exactly where Monk was.
"Not that long, we don't have any evidence." Monk shivered and looked away from the stare. There was something in his eyes…a darkness…Monk touched the small lamp upon the cabinets as they were leaving, and forgot all about the man's eyes as Natalie lightly swatted his hand away.
-o-O-o-
Monk had Natalie knock on the door. Why? Well for one the paint was peeling off, another…were those termite holes? And is that a caterpillar?
"Harder, she won't be able to hear that." Natalie shot him a death glare, and Monk put his hands out in defense "What? She won't."
"Ms. Frost?" Natalie called out "Are you home?"
A muffled voice came from the other side of the door along with barks, and Monk found himself behind Natalie, lightly pushing her forward.
"You're the dog lover, just don't let them get me." Natalie rolled her eyes, and put a bright smile on her face as the familiar blue eyes and red hair popped through the doorway.
"Oh! Hello, Mr. Monk, and Natalie, right?" Jenny closed the door behind her, pushing her dogs back with her foot.
"Hi, and right, glad you remember us! My boss just wanted to know if we could borrow your spare keys to Mary's house?"
"Hello" Monk greeted finally coming out from behind Natalie. Jenny looked back and forth between them, and finally answered.
"What about the police?"
"Ah, well they think they already have their guy…"Natalie whispered "But Mr. Monk isn't completely satisfied it is him, and so we just wanted to look around Mary's house again."
"Oh sure, I was just headed there myself…" Monk looked at her with surprise and Jenny blushed.
"She was a great friend, I want to keep the plants alive as long as I can…I've already moved two over to my house…I'm getting a couple more."
"Oh that's so sweet of you." Again Jenny gave a soft smile, and stepped in front of the duo "I already have the keys, you coming?" Natalie followed her cheerfully, chatting her up, and Monk followed a little more slowly feeling sure a caterpillar had fallen on him.
-o-O-o-
"No, no…Natalie write these names down…you ready?"
"Yes Mr. Monk, just give me the names."
"Now are you sure? This is important…"
"I'm ready Mr. Monk! Just give me the names."
"Ok, ok, calm down…here we go…Jerry Getty, that's G-E-T-T-Y. Got that?"
"Yea, next one…"
"Ok, Sarah Owens, that's O-W-E-N-S. Got that?"
"Yes, Mr. Monk. Next one."
"Ok, Francis Peaches, that's P-E-A-C-H-"
"What? Francis Peaches?"
"Yes. Listen Natalie P-E-A…."
"I know how to spell peaches Mr. Monk, next one."
"Ok, Josh Frankiss, that's F-R-A-N-K-I-S-S Got that? You're sure you know how to spell peaches, here let me look…"
"Mr. Monk, I've got it. Just give me the next one."
"That's all."
"That's all? But Mr. Monk! The book is covered with signatures! Are you sure?"
"Yes, these are the only names in common with Frank Reed. But Natalie, I don't think-"
"Hey! You guys find what you were looking for?" Jenny walked in the room, holding various pots of ferns, flowers, and gardening books.
"Maybe, Natalie…I'm having second thoughts…"
"You Mr. Monk? What's wrong?"
"Look, I don't think it has anything to do with the high school, it has something to do with what they believed in, there's something….else…" Monk broke off, wondering just what it could be.
"Look, can't it be both someone from their high school and what they believed in?"
"Maybe." Monk replied, his head spinning with facts "I think we need to go question those people on the list. Then I know for sure, I'll be sure."
"You sure?" Natalie teased, and Monk looked at her deadpanned.
"I'm sure."
-o-O-o-
They managed to question both Jerry Getty and Francis Peaches, they asked around for both Sarah Owens and Josh Frankiss, but they were each busy or off running errands. Natalie suggested trying back tomorrow.
They didn't get much from Jerry, except he had a quick temper and nearly severed Monk's head when Monk began moving everything in his store, categorizing them by size and shape, and plucking off labels that weren't completely straight or firm.
Then again, if Natalie owned a store and she knew how much trouble just putting those labels on those items took…she probably would have cut Monk's head off as well.
Jerry mentioned that he did know Frankie and Mary were really good friends, he saw them in the hallways together all the time, and used to think they were dating before he found out Frankie didn't play for their team. Jerry also said he didn't know anything else about them, and that if they could please leave his store before he called the cops. So they left, Monk pealing of the label to the door chimes as it signaled their exit.
Francis Peaches was just like her name sounded. Eccentric. Her apartment was filled with color and paintings, and didn't complain at all when Monk touched them or rearranged them. She was in awe at his presence and his genius.
She mentioned she didn't know Mary very well, but she did know Frankie, they were in theatre together. Frankie had passion, she commented, she didn't recall anything else…except there was a small feud between Frankie and Josh Frankiss, very small, they were friends by the end of senior year.
There was nothing worth killing for in the feud, of that Ms. Peaches was sure.
"At least we know a little more about the victims, that always helps, right Mr. Monk?"
"Yes…" Monk's head spun as he knew whoever killed the three happy-go-lucky people was right in front of him…he just needed a little more facts, and a little more time… Natalie's cell phone began to ring, and Monk's thoughts were cut in short, he watched Natalie answer the phone. While Natalie spoke on the phone, Monk made sure both his and her seatbelts were on tight, before they started the car.
"Ok thanks Captain, yea…Monk will call you later once he gets home, he's a little antsy right now…yea, I have to go pick up Julie, and Monk won't let me drive while talking on my cell. Ok, bye Captain." She hung up the phone and put in her purse and started the car.
"That was the Captain, he says they had to let Mark Bennett go, he then started venting, cursing calling him names…"
"Good old Captain" Monk grinned, and shifted his gaze to the road "Turn here, here, careful! Careful!" Monk closed his eyes in fear, and Natalie sighed. Car rides with Mr. Monk were always fun…
-o-O-o-
"Mr. Monk, don't forget to call the Captain!" Monk waved his hand up in the air.
"I won't."
"Well I'll see you tomorrow, bye Mr. Monk! Good night and have sweet dreams!"
Monk smiled and waved her off, he unlocked the door to his home, and entered, relieved at the safety within its walls. Here life was perfection, he gave his daily smile to his beloved and went to the phone to call the Captain. He dialed the number and waited for Stottlemeyer to pick up. As he waited, he picked off a tag that seemed to have to catch on him from Jerry's store.
"Yea?" Was the greeting on the line, and Monk had to grin.
"Cap'n , Natalie said you wanted to talk to me?"
"Yea, listen I wanted to see how things went on your end, got anything new?"
"Nothing, but Cap, I think we're looking at this case all wrong…the victims are connected but there's something…else…"
"Monk, I really don't care how they're connected, I just want to catch the no good bastard who killed them."
"Me too." Monk whispered, and the Captain began talking about his thoughts on the case, and Monk was listening, really, when the doorbell rang. "Who's that?" The Captain questioned.
"Probably Natalie, making sure I called you." Monk smiled as he got up from the spot on his couch "Yes Natalie, I called him, I'm talking to him right now."
On the other end of the line, the Captain was grinning at how chipper Monk always seemed to be in his house. He heard the sound of the door opening, and a quiet "What?"
"Monk? What's wrong?"
"Nothing…I mean no one's at the door…Natalie?" At that moment, as a reflex the Captain pulled the phone away from his ear as a loud noise rang from the other end. It took a second for the Captain to recognize the sound, and when he did the Captain felt his heart leap to his throat.
"MONK!" He cried out in worry, "Monk! Answer me damn it!"
"Cap'n?" Stottlemeyer sighed in relief at the familiar voice, and then anger once again rose and he yelled "What the hell was that?"
"Cap'n?" Monk repeated, and Stottlemeyer felt the worry creep up on him again.
"Monk? Are you all right? Monk?"
"I think…I think I need a wipe…" Anger rose once more for the Captain.
"The hell? I was worried to death, and you're telling me you need a wipe?"
"Cap'n." Monk whispered, his words breaking as if he were struggling with the words "I'm getting a stain…blood…Cap'n…"
No, no, please don't say it, don't say it…
"I've been shot Cap'n…shot…my home…hurts…'s cold…my home, Leland…hurts…"
Oh God no, no…
The Captain let the phone fall and it was just as well, his worry would only rise if he heard Monk's next words.
"'s cold…Trudy? You're here…I-I've missed you…so warm…Trudy…missed…you…"
To be continued…