I still do not own any of the main characters, but fortunatelly I can play with them.
Thank you for the reviews, and keep them coming!

MR MONK MEETS THE REDEEMER
CH22

Monk started to wrap his left hand, and went on, explaining Natalie his discoveries,

"Gilbert found me at the airport, and was dealing with a lost passenger, but as soon as he discovered my name, he started to act differently. He didn't know me, but my name made him change his actions. He knew that Bianca would lead me to the hotel and would be watching me. He could trust her ignorance. So he delayed your arrival here then he could have more time to fix the trap for me: divert the attention of the Federal Police toward me and carry out his dirty business together with Bianca's father."

"But from what you say, this would mean a double success in using your name in this scheme: Gilbert would be clean and you would be out of action if arrested here in this country."

"Yes, but what has he gained with that? What interest could they have in keeping me in here? And why did knowing my name influence his actions?"

"If they wanted you out of San Francisco, it would not be necessary to keep you here, because in fact we should be in London right now. We should be with the Captain of the SFPD. They would have time to do anything there in San Francisco without you around these days" concluded Natalie.

"That's right, Natalie. But dealing with Federal Police is different, even more so in a foreign country. The plan to keep me out of action is greater than Gilbert's own knowledge, I am sure. He doesn't really know the reason why his 'boss' wants me here."

"And by that you mean you know the reason?"

"Nah, I don't. Yet. I have to understand it all before the Federal Police gets a hold of me for interrogation. And Bianca may return here today already influenced by her father; she may not want to help us anymore. And Carlos will be quickly convinced by her to abandon us," Monk said, finishing wrapping both hands.

"But why would she turn against you? I noticed, she actually has a... high ...opinion of you."

Monk looked at Natalie trying to see in her eyes the meaning of the comment. She didn't revealed it to him, or he wasn't able to read it. He picked the last option, an moved on,

"You remember that Frank Nunn was here in Brazil before returning to the States to be killed by Sheriff Rollins?"

"Yes, yes, that's right" said Natalie, looking Monk trying to get the antiseptic spray with his wrapped hands.

"So he was here for some reason. And this 'reason' is the same person who wants me here, arrested in this country."

Monk had wrapped his hands leaving only the thumbs separated from the other fingers. All the other fingers were tied together. He did not have any mobility with his hands.

"And you think Dale Biederbeck is involved?"

"I'm afraid not. Not directly, this time. I think I know who is behind this scheme." Monk raised his hands, as a doctor who was wearing disinfected surgical gloves would.

"And I'm afraid you won't tell me until you're sure about it, right?" asked Natalie, using the spray on her leg and fixing the bandage by herself, very quickly and efficiently.

"We will wait until Bianca arrives with the news. But be prepared for everything, Natalie. We might face some bad weather later."

"Yes, yes ... I imagined that. But you should also be prepared, Mr. Monk. I think you have to have a nice shower and try to sleep a little. As I understand it, we both need to be prepared when your girlfriend arrives."

"Natalie!"

She smiled, "Come on, Mr. Monk, I'll show you where the clothes are."

Monk followed Natalie to the laundry room. The day was already clear, and the sound of the birds was brightening up a morning radiating sun in the south of the American Continent. Natalie handed the clothes to Monk, who held them on both forearms.

"Sleep well, Mr. Monk. I will be on the other side of this wall; if anything happens, just call me," Natalie said, walking toward the door in Monk's room and on to her own.

"Natalie, wait, please," Monk said, from his room.

Natalie turned back and when she arrived at the door of Monk's room, Monk was leaving it and bumped into her.

"I'm sorry!" said Monk, stretching a hand to lift Natalie, who had dropped onto the floor.

"Ouch. You really don't like me at all, right, Mr. Monk?" complained Natalie, already on her feet.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming back."

"You called me back, Mr. Monk."

"I asked you to wait. I did not know you were actually coming back." Monk gestured the movement with his hands.

Natalie rolled her eyes, "Okay, here I am. What do you need?"

Monk raised his wrapped hands to Natalie, tilted his head to the side and smiled.

"Oh ... I should leave you with your hands wrapped." Natalie said, beginning to remove the plastic.

"Easy, Natalie!" complained Monk.

She looked angrily at Monk, who avoided the look.

"There. Here you go, Mr. Monk." she said, finishing unwrapping Monk's right hand. "Now you can do your left hand by yourself, right?"

"Yeah, I'm okay now."

Natalie turned around and walked to her room.

"Natalie?"

She sighed before turning back again, "Yes, Mr. Monk?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Natalie opened the door of her room. She was entering when Monk called her back,

"... and Natalie?"

"Yes?" she once again turned to Monk.

"I do like you."

She smiled, walked back to Monk and gave him a kiss on the face, "Have a nice sleep, Mr. Monk."

Monk stiffened, but smiled back to her.

Both entered their rooms, Monk still feeling Natalie's kiss on his cheek.

Tks, Kathy!