Leland Stottlemeyer, T.K., Randy and Sharona walked into George Washington Hospital and found Adrian sitting alone, damp and wrapped in a blanket looking forlorn.
"We came as soon as we heard. How is she?" Said Sharona, who walked over and put her arm around her old boss.
"She's still being evaluated. I'm waiting. I should have stayed with her." he said, with tears in his eyes and nervously running his hands through his hair. "I,I just wanted her to be safe."
"Monk, this is not your fault. Someone's been after you this whole time. You didn't invite them in." Leland responded.
"But he warned me. He said that if I didn't stop pursuing the case that she would end up like Trudy." he cried.
"Adrian. Listen to me." Sharona said. "He asked of you something that you couldn't provide. He asked you to quit. Right in the middle of a case that has National Security implications, he asked you to bow down and cave. That was something you never could do. It's against your nature."
"But if I had…" Adrian replied.
"Monk, it wouldn't have made a difference. This guy was a bad guy." Leland responded.
"Are we sure he acted alone?" asked Randy.
"What do you mean?" asked Stottlemeyer.
"I mean, what business does the President's chauffeur have in all this mess? I mean, if it were something just between him and the girl, why kill again just to scare Monk off?" Randy explained.
"You may have a point there. But then again, it may be nothing." said Leland.
"Where's Preacher at?" asked T.K. looking around.
"Oh, I told him to go on. He had that preaching gig tonight. The man who was after us is dead." Adrian replied. "But he still left a couple of D.C.'s finest to look over my shoulder and said he would be back later."
"I think we need to do a little more investigation." Said Randy.
"You're not going to let this go are you?" asked Stottlemeyer.
"No. Call it a hunch." Randy replied. "I'm going to ask local law enforcement to get us a copy of Hauser's phone records, see who he's been talking to."
"Alright, then what?" asked Leland.
"Well, if it is nothing. Then we'll have peace of mind that Monk and Natalie are safe. But if there is something there, then we can enlist the FBI and go and nab this turkey." Randy responded.
"Sounds like a plan." Said Leland.
Just then, the doors to ICU opened and a doctor walked out.
"Are you Adrian Monk?" he asked.
"Y-yes. I am." Adrian replied.
"Ms. Albright has sustained several injuries. She has a concussion in addition to some broken ribs and a collapsed lung. We're treating her as conservatively as possible because her condition is somewhat delicate now. We have her sedated to keep her quiet and it's unlikely she will be awake for a while. It is great that you were able to get her out of the water so quickly, or else I'm afraid we would be dealing with oxygen deprivation as well and she might never wake up." Said the Doctor.
"Is she going to be okay?" Adrian asked.
"The next 24 hours will tell." The Doctor replied.
"Can I go see her?" Adrian asked.
"Yes, you may." The Doctor replied.
Adrian walked into the room and saw Natalie laying quiet and still with various electronic monitors and tubes hooked up to her trying to assist her breathing. Her pale skin looked beautiful but was somewhat haunting as well. Adrian walked over to her and held her hand and began to weep.
"Natalie. I'm so sorry... I couldn't stop them... I couldn't stop them from hurting you. I should have stayed with you... I was stupid. I should have stayed. Please forgive me. Please…please come back to me."
Leland walked up behind him and put his hand on Adrian's shoulder in support. Adrian stood and watched her sleeping, but the longer he did the more the anxiety whelmed up within him. "She'll join Trudy. Join Trudy. Like Trudy." The thoughts were bombarding him to the point he could not block them out.
A nurse came in to check her monitors and told Monk, "I just received a message from the President's office. He and the First Lady send you their best wishes and said to tell you that they are keeping you in their prayers."
Suddenly, Adrian's eyes opened wide. "The President's office." Competing thoughts of gloom about Natalie and a new discovery came crashing into his head as his heart began to race. By now, he was beginning to enter a full-fledged panic attack.
"I can't do this. "he said. "I can't do this."
"You can't do what?" Leland asked.
"I can't stay here and watch her die. I can't…I can't handle this. I have to go." Adrian said as he began to walk through the door.
"Monk, Adrian, it's okay" said Leland following him. "Settle down buddy. It's going to be okay."
By now, the rest of the group picked up on what was going on.
"Adrian, it's alright." Sharona said, trying to calm him down. "Sit down."
"No, Sharona. I can't do this. I can't just sit here and do nothing. Randy, you were right." He added."Jack Hauser did not act alone. He was being paid by someone, and I know who that someone was. I know who's the guy and I've got to go. I've got go and stop him. For Natalie's sake, he can not be allowed to continue." He said as he ran towards the Hospital exit.
"Monk!" Stottlemeyer said.
Adrian turned and with a look of fatigue mixed with determination said "Leland, take care of her. If she wakes up, tell her I'll be right back. I know who did this and I've got to go stop him."
"At least wait for backup." Leland said, but it was too late. Monk was on his way.