I do not own Monk or Natalie.
I am splitting this chapters in two, so this might end in a bit strange way, but soon i'll post the other half.
Thank you for the reviews.
MR MONK MEETS THE REDEEMER
CH21
The day was awakening, warm and calm.
Some chickadees were playing hide and seek around the kitchen balcony, leaving the hummingbirds sipping the sweet water left for them in artificial feeders hung on the balcony's ceiling. The bright day highlighted the whiteness of the furniture, and the rapid movement of the hummingbirds' wings reflected flashes of rainbow on the photographs that were kept framed on the walls.
Monk noted these birds, tiny birds, with long and thin beaks, which quickly moved from one feeder to another; their wings vibrating as they flew forward and backward with a fantastic agility. For minutes he remained seated at the table, a hand holding a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, and his other one relaxed on his lap.
"They are fantastic creatures, aren't they?" asked Carlos, entering the kitchen and seeing Monk quiet and still, watching the birds.
"Did you know that these Brazilian Hummingbirds beat their wings 90 times per second?"
"They could make it 100 times. Then they'd be fantastic creatures," said Monk in a very tired tone.
"Mr. Monk, it is only 6 in the morning. The staff has just woken up. We arrived here at 4, so I guess you haven't slept yet."
Carlos was in his slippers, wearing large boxers and a tee shirt; his hair was messy, his eyes swollen, indicating that he was only in the kitchen for a quick snack before returning to bed.
"No…my clothes are still full of nature," said Monk, looking at his clothes with contempt.
"Okay. Mr. Monk, we have new clothes in the laundry room; Bianca always has some extra clothes here, in case of any guest needs them. You can get yourself some new and fresh ones. I can show you the way."
"Yes, Carlos, I know it. You told me that when we arrived. I just want a drink before going to bed. Thank you," said Monk without looking at Carlos.
"A drink? Okay, are you sure you don't need anything stronger?" asked Carlos, pouring himself some juice from the pitcher that was in front on Monk.
"I'm alright, thank you." answered Monk very briefly.
"Bianca will be back here at noon, there is still plenty of time for you to rest. And you need to recover, Mr. Monk. Today is Sunday, the last day that we have to fix your situation. It's also the Rolling Stones Concert day, so we'll have Bianca available only for a short time. Tomorrow the Federal Police will be looking for you two."
"Enough," said Monk, cutting Carlos in a harsh way. "I know, I know. Thank you again, Carlos, I'll rest in a while. Thank you," he quieted his voice until it sounded very calm and gentle.
Carlos got the cue, "Okay, see you later then," He left the kitchen eating an apple, leaving Monk alone.
But he wasn't alone for so long.
"I see you can't sleep too, Mr. Monk," said Natalie, arriving at the kitchen.
"Hi Natalie. I thought you were asleep," Monk said, surprised by her presence.
"And I thought you were sleeping." Natalie said, taking a glass and filling it with the juice from the pitcher. "I had to remove the bandage to have a shower. I only want to drink something before going back to my room, to fix a new bandage on my leg."
"Ah...kay, so ... have a nice sleep" said Monk, sounding a little disappointed, turning round again and looking out the window.
"But I thought that it would be only me and the maids awake by now," Natalie said, pulling a chair and sitting next to Monk, "and the hummingbirds," She finished it, sipping some juice.
Monk smiled, "Did you know that this Brazilian Hummingbird beats its wings 90 times per second?"
"Really? Well, I bet this is killing you. It would take100 to be perfect, right, Mr. Monk?" she dip her smile into the glass of juice.
Monk smiled again and looked at Natalie. He then realized she was sitting with her legs on top of the chair, hugging them. Her wet hair was carelessly fixed with her fingers; she was wearing a loose white tee shirt and baggy gray cotton pants, with the leg folded over the wound. It was one of the few times Monk had seen Natalie in her pajamas. He could not restrain a smile.
"What?" asked Natalie seeing Monk's smile.
"What?" Monk asked.
"What's with the smile?"
"Which smile?"
Natalie was too tired to join in that game, "Mr. Monk, could you please fix the bandage for me?"
".. Oh yes, of course," he said, turning his chair toward Natalie.
"And you could tell me what you know about our little problem, right?"
"Do you have all items here with you?
"I have only the items I think are necessary: an antiseptic spray and a roll of bandage. No gloves, Mr. Monk."
"Oh ... okay," Monk said standing up and looking for something in the drawers of the cabinet.
"So, Natalie, as I told you Bianca is not guilty. Only Gilbert is involved," he started.
"Okay, I'm with you there. And what else?"
"It everything was a set up. Since the day of the kidnapping until the visit by the police officers in the hotel; everything planned. Ah-ha!" said Monk, finding a roll of plastic wrap.
He pulled his chair around in front of Natalie, sat down and began wrapping his hands with the plastic, "I don't know yet who is behind this scheme, but I am sure Gilbert was playing me in the video, back in the slum. I think I can prove that."
"How?"
"You can clearly see the man was wearing a silver ring on his right thumb. Gilbert wears one silver ring on his right thumb. And he was also wearing black shoes. I didn't bring black shoes with me."
"So we need a copy of the video. Do you think this is enough to get him?"
"No, I'm afraid it's not enough, because we're probably dealing with corrupt Federals here. I am quite sure the Feds that came to the hotel are part of the scheme too. And I fear Bianca's father is involved too. He could be the head of this operation."
"Operation? International weapons trafficking?"
"Yes, and they think they found one scapegoat: me. The similarity between Gilbert and I facilitated the drafting of the plan, but it has something more, some details that do not make sense."
"But how could they have known you would get here? And that you look like Gilbert so they could frame you?"
"It was a coincidence. It was an accident that I ended up here. And a very convenient accident, too!"
"An accident, huh? Who would guess that destiny would play a trick on the famous skeptical detective?" Natalie asked, watching Monk who was still carefully wrapping the plastic on his hands.
Thank you, Kathy!