The reception in the East Room was packed with members of the press corps, families and friends of the astronauts, and various officials from Congress and the Administration. The astronauts themselves sat on chairs at the front of the room facing the audience, which was a perfect vantage point for Monk to observe the movements and interactions of the crowd.
The first lady came into the room accompanied by the Vice President and the Second Lady. They sat in the front row off center and to the right. Secretary of State Fernandez sat behind them with Speaker of the House, Saul Redding, and the Minority Whip Douglass Powell. Senate Majority leader, Harry Kingston and Minority Leader Hilda Rosen sat on the left side with various Congressional Personnel filling in the gap behind them. The families of the Astronauts and Monk's group sat on the right. Throughout the room were various secret service personnel and a few from the FBI who provided ample security for the occasion. Preacher stood at the back of the room near the press but kept an eye on Monk and Natalie the whole time. He didn't really think anything adverse would happen, but the same could be said for the First Lady's flight so it didn't hurt to be hyper-vigilant.
At precisely 12:00 PM the assembly rose, and the President walked in flanked by Secret Service agents. He smiled and shook the hands of each member of the flight crew. Monk resisted the temptation to grab a wipe, knowing it would draw unwanted attention, but it was not easy.
As everyone took their seats the President walked up to the podium and in his typically relaxed way did what he had done on hundreds of different occasions and gave a speech.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the First Lady, Vice President, Presidential Staff, Members of Congress and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of Altman Aeronautics in coordination with the team at NASA for their remarkable feat of sending American Astronauts to the moon. In 1969, Neil Armstrong took one small step for man, and we'd like to think that this is the next great step for mankind. With the technology delivered, America and the World will be a safer place. As an extra set of eyes in the sky, we now can avert danger from anything from everything ranging from asteroids entering our orbit to rogue operators entering our waters.
You know, as a matter of full disclosure, I know that ,I as well as the Vice President, Secretary of Defense Jergenson, Harry and others have invested not only goodwill but actually venture capital in this effort and to see that investment pay off has been gratifying. But it pales in comparison to the investment made by these great scientists, the Commander and Crew of the Zenith. Your efforts will go on to inspire generations and the fruits of what you have done will help to make this world a safer and better place. So, on this fine Spring day we just wanted to take time out from the busy news cycle and recognize this momentous occasion in our Nation's history. Thank you.
He turned and began applauding the Crew and the rest of the room followed suit. Commander Stevens walked forward and shook the President's hand as an aid came forward with a recognition plaque signed by the President and gave it to the President to present. The two shook hands and posed for pictures and then the President called the entire crew up for photographs.
When they were done, the first lady turned to the assembly, thanked them for coming and informed them that White House staff would be serving them lunch in the State Dining Room. She did not look nearly as comfortable as the President. She walked back to her chair to pick up her clutch at which point the Vice President whispered something in her ear. She looked annoyed said a few word to him and then walked back towards the Private Residence as quickly as she could.
"I don't think she likes him." Adrian told Natalie.
"Who? The Vice President?" she responded.
"Yeah. They don't look like they get along at all." He replied.
"Well, considering everything that she's been through she's probably just feeling stressed." She answered.
"Maybe. But I think the two of them definitely don't get along." He replied, watching the Vice President and his wife walk towards the State Dining Room.
As the group of friends walked across the East Wing corridor to the State Dining Room, all heads were held high and each couple was linked arm in arm.
Natalie began to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Adrian asked.
"Oh, just life." Natalie responded. "Ten years ago, I was tending bar and being a single mother,
And today, I am attending a function at the White House by invitation of the President of the United States. Life with you, is many things, Adrian; but it is never boring!"
"Natalie" said Leland. "You are the Queen of understatement!"
"Yeah?" Adrian said confused. "But what's so funny?"
She just smiled up at him and hugged his arm.
"Monk!" said President Stoddard. " Come on over here. There are some people that I would like you to meet."
Adrian and his entourage walked over to the President who was standing with a group of people.
"Monk, I would like you to meet Vice President Sal Gionetti, his lovely wife Anna, Senator Harry Kingston and his wife Florence, and of course, you already know Secretary of State Fernandez."
"How do you do?" asked Monk.
"Gentlemen, this is the multitalented Adrian Monk. crimefighter by day and amateur astronaut by night… or something like that, and his… "
"Assistant…" said Natalie.
"Assistant, Natalie Albright, and?" the President said, looking at the others.
"These are my good friends, Mr. President. Captain Leland Stottlemeyer from the San Francisco P. his wife T.K., and Captain Randy Disher from the Summit New Jersey P.D. and his wife Sharona"
"Wow. Remind me to watch my speed!" said the Vice President.. "I haven't seen this many Cops since Dunkin Donuts had a bake Sale." He laughed at his own joke.
"Don't worry, Officers. Sal here is rarely in Condition to drive any car. Starting a bit early today aren't you Sal?"
Gionetti flushed as the President walked towards another group. "Kramer! Joey Kramer! If you all will excuse me..."
"Any luck yet on the big case?" Fernandez asked.
"Well, we have some…leads." Adrian replied as he kept an eye on the rest of the crowd.
"If you asked me," said Fernandez. "She did it."
Adrian stopped and looked back at Fernandez. "Why do you say that?"
"Well she was caught red handed with the knife. And it was her office and I hear that the girl and the President were…you know." He replied.
"Now, Luis. Don't go spreading rumors on John and Gloria." Said Anna. "We have enough to worry about without that sort of smut peddling."
"Smut peddling? Where can I buy some?" said the Vice President with a slur.
"Sal, I agree with the President. You've had too much. Let's go sit down and drink some coffee." She said in an exasperated tone.
"As you wish dear…" he said, being led to one of the main tables by her hand.
As Adrian watched them leave, Fernandez leaned in and whispered "Seriously, Perry Mason. I'd keep my eyes open around here. This place is its own little Peyton Place and you can't trust anyone. Sal is a drunkard that his wife puts up with because she's, well, she's a decent woman and would have a hard time dealing with the scandal if the world knew who her husband really was. POTUS and Gloria are more like business partners than spouses. I believe he has had his fair share of mistresses. The Secretary of Defense has a gambling problem. Should have lost his clearances long ago. The Majority leader is a great big cheat, made his millions by making deals with all sorts of unsavory types."
"And you?" Adrian asked. "What kind of secrets are there about you, Secretary Fernandez?"
Fernandez paused and smiled. "Me? I'm as pure as the driven snow. Now, if you will excuse me I need to catch up with my dinner party. Ms. Albright? It has been nice to see you again." He said, kissing her hand.
Monk just watched. One conversation opened up a world of information about the people he was dealing with and underscored his aversion to politics.
"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first – Ronald Reagan." Monk said as the group took their seats at the table.
"Adrian!" Natalie scolded.
"Or how about this one, 'Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed regularly and for the same reason. – Mark Twain." He replied.
"Mark Twain didn't say that" said Leland.
"Oh yeah. Of course, he did. I read it on the internet." Adrian replied.
Jack Hauser stood in the corner of the vestibule outside of the State Dining Room as a man came walking up to him.
"Mr. Hauser?" the man said.
"Yeah, that's me." He said.
"I was told to give you this." He replied, handing him an envelope.
Inside the envelope was 50 one hundred-dollar bills and a note.
The note said.
Monk is still hot on the trail for the murders. I asked you to take care of it and expect that you will see that we are no longer bothered by this interloper right away. Here is $5000.00 to help you in your quest. Do not disappoint me.
Hauser looked up at Adrian and Natalie who were deeply engaged in conversation and having a good time. The boss was becoming impatient. He'd have to make a move tonight.
A waiter came to the table and asked people what he could bring them. They had a vegetarian dish in addition to Chicken Marsala and Filet Mignon. When he reached Natalie she requested that he bring her a steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes.
"How would you like that, maam?" the waiter asked.
"How would I like it?" she asked.
"Uh, she will have it well done. Very, well done." Adrian said, answering for her. "And I will have the same."
"Ummm, actually, I would like my steak Medium rare. I don't like my food as done as you do."
The waiter crossed out Well Done and wrote Med-Rare.
"No, she'll have it well done. Almost crispy." He said as she looked at him in frustration.
"Ma'am?" the waiter said.
"Alright…well done." She said, exasperated.
After the waiter left the entire group stopped and looked at him like they couldn't believe what he just did.
"Adrian, you owe Natalie an apology." Said Sharona.
"I'm just looking out for her." he said, arranging the table accessories as he talked. His friends weren't buying it. He looked up. "What? Foodborne illness. Nasty stuff." Then, turning to Natalie he said, "You'll thank me for it later."
After lunch, Monk and Natalie said farewell to their friends who were heading back to the hotel to freshen up a bit and would be going to visit the Smithsonian that afternoon. They met up with Preacher who walked them over to US Secret Service who then escorted them to the Private Residence where the First Lady sat waiting.
"Mr. Monk. Natalie. Do come in?" she said, graciously.
"Ma'am." Said Adrian.
"Pleased to meet you Mrs. Stoddard. I've always been an admirer." Said Natalie.
"Thank you. But, I'm afraid there is not a lot to admire." She walked over to the window and looked out at the city with a serious and sad face. "Campaign promotions are sadly not the reality of life at times. And, not everything is as movie producers make it to appear."
"Ma'am. I know you didn't do it, if that helps." Adrian responded. "I don't know who did, but I will find out and I will clear your name."
She turned and smiled "Thank you Mr. Monk. I am glad to know that you are on my side. The press is out there telling everyone that I killed the girl because John was having an affair with her. Such a notion is absolute nonsense. John prefers redheads."
Natalie and Adrian glanced at one another as the sad lady walked back to her spot and sat.
"Do you know of anyone who would have wanted the girl dead?" asked Natalie.
"No. Honestly, I met her once, maybe twice. She was only here for about three weeks. I have no idea who would have wanted her dead." Gloria replied.
"What kind of work did she do?" Adrian asked.
"She was an aide, a Presidential Aide. She served as an assistant to the President and various members of the President's cabinet. She was on the trip with me because we were meeting with the first ladies of Jordan and Israel to draw attention to the persecution that has been happening in Iraq. She would have made sure that travel and accommodation arrangements were followed through and that any issues that would crop up would be dealt with in as lowkey manner as possible." She replied.
"Did you see anyone, you know, hanging around her that day?" Monk asked.
"Honestly. I barely noticed her at all. As I said, I really didn't know her." she responded.
"Do you have any enemies? People who would want to get you into legal trouble?" Monk asked.
"Mr. Monk, I'm in the world of politics. There are no friends. You can assume all, on some level, are enemies." She replied.
"What about Vice President Gionetti? I saw you were having words with him earlier today. Any chance he might want you out of the way?" Monk asked.
"Sal? Heavens no. The 'words' I was having with him were to tell him he needed to sober up. He smelled badly of bourbon. But, other than that, he's harmless. He made it onto the ticket because he is one of my husband's golf buddies and because he's from a state that has many electoral votes. He's really a rich spoiled little boy who never grew up and has no ambition towards any high public office, including his own."
"Is there anything else that you can remember that you think might be helpful?" asked Natalie.
"Ms. Albright. I've been wracking my brain day in and out and missing out on sleep to try to remember anything, anything at all, and I just can't. What I will tell you is this. Washington is a very ugly town. You're playing with the big boys now. Please, be very careful as your lives are in danger every hour you are here."
After their meeting, Adrian and Natalie met back up with Preacher back in the main lobby of the East Wing.
"You guys get anything?" Preacher said.
"Not a lot." Said Monk as they walked. He cut in front of Natalie and looked both ways before letting her out the door. "She seems very sad and disturbed by everything that has happened. But she doesn't appear to know who would have wanted the girl dead."
He walked over to the waiting limo and again looked around and under the limo as they stood outside.
"What is this?" she asked.
"What do you mean? He asked.
"Adrian, from ordering me well-done steak to avoid 'foodborne illness' to looking both ways before I walk outside…you're treating me like a baby."
"Natalie, you heard her say that our lives are in danger. I'm trying to protect you."
"I can take care of myself." She said, folding her arms. Preacher's phone rang.
"Yeah. You do? Great. How long?" said Preacher.
"I know you can." said Adrian. "But isn't it nice to have someone else help?"
"Truthfully?" she said, looking him in the eyes.
Neither spoke another word about it before Preacher walked up. "Hey, Monk. That was the boys downtown. They got a report on everyone who purchased that particular fountain pen ink in the city. It's down at the station."
"Fountain pen ink?" Natalie said.
"Yeah" Adrian responded. "The note that was in my room was written with a fountain pen and used a specific type of ink. Preacher here called on his guys to find out who purchased that ink in hopes it may lead us to who has been after us."
"I'm anxious to get down there and find out who this creep is." Said Preacher.
"Me too." Said Adrian, as he opened the car door and let Natalie in. Then he leaned forward and told Hauser, "Jack, would you take Natalie to the Smithsonian to meet up with some of our friends. I'm going to ride with Preacher to go check out some information at the station."
"Adrian! What are you…." Natalie said with great exasperation.
"Natalie, there is a murderer out there. Our lives are not safe until he or she is caught. I will feel much better if you are in the protection of Leland and Randy rather than digging around in this stuff. If something ever happened…"
"But I want to be with you." She said.
"Listen" he kissed her on the forehead. "I'll just run down to the station and check out what they've pulled up and then I'll join you and the rest of the guys at the Museum. Okay?"
She put her eyes down and said sadly, "Okay. Be careful. I love you!"
"I love you too." He said, shutting the door.
As the limo drove away, he patted it on the roof and then walked and got into Preacher's car. As they filed out of the White House lot behind the limo, Adrian noted the parking lot attendant bringing Hauser a clipboard as they were heading out of the lot. He, Preacher and Natalie simultaneously noticed as he pulled out a gold fountain pen to sign the clipboard and then drove away.
Preacher pulled up in a squad car that he had borrowed from a fellow officer, keeping an eye on which direction Hauser headed.
The attendant handed him the same clipboard and Adrian asked to see it.
"Deep Sea Blue." Adrian said, looking up. "He's the guy! Catch him!"