I just realized I made a mistake on the chapters numbers...the previous one should be 3, so this one is the Fourth one...sorry...

I hope you enjoy the brief trip from the airport to the Hotel better than our hero...oops, that just sadly reminds me: I do not own Monk...

Thank you for the reviews, and please keep them coming!!

MR MONK MEETS THE REDEEMER

CH4

On the way to the hotel, Monk didn't say much. Bianca, on the other hand, was a very talkative woman. She decided to take the scenic road past the beach, so she would be able to show Monk some of Rio's sightseeing spots.

As they passed by Sugarloaf Mountain, she asked him, "Have you heard about the cable cars we have here? They are metal structures with glass all around them. Even the floor! When you are climbing the hills in them, you get to see the cap of the trees from the tropical rain forest right below your feet! It's like you're gliding above nature! It is so beautiful!"

"So terrifying, you mean!" Monk corrected Bianca, while shrinking his body as much as he could into the car's seat.

Bianca didn't pay much attention to Monk's reaction, and went on speaking, "The visit to the mountain is made in two steps. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill, which is 215 meters high. From there you have a beautiful view of the Guanabara Bay and its islands, the long Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Hill."

"Then, a second cable car will take you up to the top, 395 meters high, where you will find a marvelous view of Copacabana Beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and some beaches of Niteroi. I can tell you those are really spectacular views!"

"Are you kidding me? How can someone find beauty in nature in above 2000 feet up there?" said Monk, astonished.

Bianca just laughed, as she turned right and entered Leme´s beach, where she showed Monk the Copacabana´s Fort, built in the beginning of the19th century. Then she called his attention to the beautiful sidewalk, paved with decorated black and cream swirl pattern mosaics.

"Okay, that's it! That's it," said Monk, cutting Bianca's explanations short. "I am sorry, I am deeply sorry to say this, but I," Monk held his breath, and went over his words carefully in his mind before speaking. He wanted to say, "Look, here's the thing: You talk just like a tour guide from hell, Miss, and you seem to enjoy pointing out the most terrible features of your city! Are you crazy? I wish I wasn't here, I wish I wasn't here AT ALL!"

But out of his mouth there popped only polite words. "Just promise me one thing, please. Do not take me for a walk on that pavement, please… do not take me there ever! Or to that Sugar Loaf Mountain. Or in that windowed cable car. Or to the beach. Or..." He swallowed. "Please, do not make me go there…go anywhere, please," pleaded Monk.

Bianca just laughed again, and told him, "I'm sorry, Mr. Monk. I used to be a Tour Guide, but now I'm running my father's hotel, I guess I still miss the 'Guide Talking'. Sorry, I won't put you in any awkward situation, I promise. You can relax; I will try to keep my mouth shut. I give you my word, okay?"

Monk gave her an uncomfortable smile, and looked the other way.

He immediately turned his head to the front as he spotted a big slum on a hill beside them: he could see the simple shacks growing up to the hill, balancing each other, with narrows and confused alleys, and he supposed they lack clean water, electricity, sanitation and other basic services. Instinctively, he held his breath and closed his eyes, as they passed by it.

"Mr. Monk. I know Gilbert already told you that you'll be at Copacabana´s Palace, right? As the Rolling Stones will be there too, we are kind of overbooked. So I managed you to get into Mick Jagger's suite..."

Monk, still holding his breath, opened widely his eyes, looking to Bianca.

"... but you shouldn't worry. Mr. Jagger will be with his band, at the other tower´s penthouse, where he has his private running track." She stopped a bit to catch some breath, then got on,

"We just opened a couple of walls on the floor right below the penthouse, so he could do his jogging without going outside."

Monk said as letting the air go out of his lungs, "A private running track?"

"Yes. They have three floors for their staff. The band will take the two upper floors from the left tower. And you will get the other penthouse, in the right tower. Don't worry, Mr. Monk. It has only six floors, and I will check you in. Not Jagger, nor anybody else will have access to it, okay?" As she finished this sentence, they entered the majestic hotel's parking lot.

Bianca made her way to the main door, followed by Monk. He calmed down a little, as he noticed all the noise from the outside of the hotel was actually only outside. And the almost unbearable hot weather was no discernable indoors, either. The cool temperature, the inner decorations and the quietness made Monk relax a bit, as they approached the check-in counter.

Bianca was greeted by each staff person that passed by them. She introduced Monk to the receptionist, and gave them all instructions in English,

"This is Adrian Monk. He is my personal friend, and he will be in the penthouse in the right tower. Please, do not separate the rooms as I had asked before. Leave it like it is, he will receive his assistant tonight and they both would rather have separate rooms. So leave the Presidential Suite to them okay? "

Monk was a bit astonished by the courtesy. He called Bianca to step back a little. "Sorry, Bianca, I think Natalie cannot afford it. I guess …"

"Don't worry, Mr. Monk. Mr. Jagger already paid for it, and as it was his decision to leave the room empty, he didn't accepted the money back. He is a gentleman! I guess you and your assistant are fully covered then! You are a lucky man, Mr. Monk! The Presidential Suite is yours for free!" finished Bianca triumphantly, patting Monk's shoulder.

"Yeah… no… lucky… I wouldn't go that far," mumbled Monk, while meticulously signed the guest book.

Some minutes later, Bianca headed to the room with Monk. She opened the door and handed Monk the electronic card key.

As they entered the elegant chamber, Monk became aware of its magnitude. It was classically decorated, including priceless pieces of art work around it. The wall were painted in light beige, a classical colour, and the ceiling was white, with elegant and discrete chandeliers hanging on it. It had a king size bed, a marble bathroom with bath and separate shower.

Each suite measured over 200 hundred square feet, so Monk and Natalie were going to share over 400 square feet of luxury in the stunning hotel room. Each suite included a private terrace, and they shared a breath-taking view of the beach.

Monk wasn't fully convinced he would get all this luxury for free, so he inquired again, "Sorry, Bianca, but are you sure this is acceptable to Mr. Jagger? I mean, this must be a very expensive room, and I…"

"Don't worry, Mr. Monk. You won't pay for the room. Trust me. I am the owner's daughter, and I am running the Hotel. I think I am qualified to assure you about that, right?" She winked at Monk.

"So now, I guess you would like to freshen up, right? I will ask the maids to come up and take your clothes to the laundry. In less than 2 hours you will have them back, cleaned and ironed. Please feel free to use one of these robes, while waiting. They were cleaned, boiled and are wrapped in plastic."

Bianca took a towel white bathrobe in her hands, and showed it to Monk. "Germ free!" she smiled to him.

Monk smiled back, and Bianca aimed to the door.

"Mr. Monk, if you need something, just call the front desk and ask for me. I can be here in an instant. Actually, this is my home! So, I will leave you alone for your shower. If you need anything, just dial the reception desk and ask for me, sir. Enjoy your stay," she said sincerely before closing the door.

Monk was smiling, as he walked towards the bathroom for a deserved nice warm bath.

Special thanks for Kathy, again an always!!