I do not own Monk.
This story is reaching the end, but it will take a bit longer... I've already wrote the last chapter but there are still room for changes, mainly
concerning M&N. I'm opened to hear any ideas you wanna share on it, and incorporate it if is your desire to.
By the way, I'm loving doing this!

Enjoy

MR MONK MEETS THE REDEEMER

CH 31

Later, with the crime scene already isolated by the Federal Police, Bianca told her story. She had been attended by the paramedics, and had already been medicated. The sudden movement of the police in the hotel drew the attention of photographers which crowded the foyer searching for news. The first floor had been isolated and Carlos, Bianca, Monk and Natalie were sitting on the lounge sofas. Carlos was beside Bianca. He handed her a glass of water and nodded to the agent that was next them to get his notebook.

Bianca, visibly calmer, started to talk. "Dad was arguing with the two policemen. He said he would not pay them for any protection; that it was illegal and that they should leave the hotel immediately. I didn't know they were bad cops. I thought they were really doing their job, asking Mr. Monk to testify for the video thing."

"I'm sorry to say, Bianca, but they were involved with the Judge and with the traffickers. I guess they were the ones who set up the kidnapping. They were guiding the scum that kidnapped you two," said Carlos, looking at Monk.

Monk kept silent, listening to Bianca's confession.

"Then, the other policeman, well, bad cop, looked at Gilbert who until then was silent and told him he had to do something to justify his salary. Dad and I looked at each other clueless. Gilbert shouted to the two bad men, "Hey, donkeys! Now you ruined everything!" Then he stood up, and walked towards the two men. Dad and I were speechless. How could Gilbert be involved with those two bad, bad men? How could I have trusted him so long? And dad's disappointment was bigger than mine, I can tell you."

Monk's expression was getting harder as Bianca was telling her story. He entwined his hands and was pressing them tightly together. Natalie noticed the red color on them. She also knew something was not right in Bianca's speech.

"And Gilbert went on, "But your good work so far for the organization will be compensated soon, guys. And then you will finally learn how to keep your mouths shut. I'll show you the way!" and took a pistol from his belt, pointing to one of the men, Silva, if I'm not mistaken. I'm sorry; I'm getting dizzy by the medication, Carlos. Sorry." Bianca was lowering her head, like it was too heavy.

Carlos was still sitting beside Bianca, now holding her hand, concerned for the fragile nervous state she was showing.

"Then, the two rose immediately trying to get their guns. Gilbert shot at Silva first, who fell immediately while Souza, with the gun in his hand, shot in Gilbert's direction. But He missed and hit dad. It was so fast, we couldn't even duck, or run or..." Bianca started to cry again, seeking warmth in Carlos' arms.

Monk looked coldly to Bianca, still listening carefully to her. He looked to Natalie, who paid back the look not believing Bianca was feeling that sorry for the situation.

"Are you okay, Bianca? Do you want to continue, or would you prefer to wait to give your testimony at the headquarters?" asked Carlos kindly, holding Bianca's head with both hands.

"No, no, everything is fine. I can go on. I wanna get this over, Carlos."

"Okay, so you can go on." Carlos nodded to the agent who was taking notes.

"So, Gilbert immediately shot Souza turning then to me. I was embracing dad. Dad gave me the saddest look I've ever seen, and then closed his eyes. Forever. I jumped on Gilbert, shouting and beating him. I did not believe he was an accomplice of the two, and he had left Souza to kill dad. He tried to defend himself, tried to hold my hands while saying "Sorry, Bianca, my love, they could not have done it. I did not want to reach this point; I did not want your father to be hurt, or you. I'm sorry, my love, but this has to end here." He was going to kill me. Calling me "my love" and going to kill me. And my father there dropped dead on the floor. "

Bianca stopped talking for a few seconds to control the crying. She cleaned her face with a handkerchief Carlos handed her and continued, "I kept on beating him until he, after hitting me on my face, tried to hold my hands and dropped the gun. I did not think twice. I got it from the ground and shot Gilbert. Once he fell, I left the room quickly, to seek help."

"Okay, Bianca. That is enough. We will now follow the legal procedures. I will ask agent Lucilla to accompany you to your room, and you will rest there under the care of a nurse while I fix the things over here. Then we will continue the process. Your lawyer is coming, you better be okay to talk to him." Carlos waved to a nurse who was nearby and left Bianca in her care. He then appointed a female agent to accompany them to the room.

After Bianca went out, Monk turned to Carlos, who was talking to the agent that had taken notes of the confession, "Carlos, I would like to take a look at the room before they remove the bodies."

"There's nothing to see in there, Mr. Monk. Our agents had covered everything, and Bianca told us what happened."

"But something is strange; the body of Bianca's father was in the chair, as if he was sitting. But she said she was holding her father on the ground when he died."

"Mr. Monk, Bianca is under strong pressure now; she just lost her father and her fiancé; she's under medication, and without a lawyer to legally support her. I'm sorry, Mr. Monk, but we should not have taken her testimony now, that's not correct. Do not rely on Bianca's words under these circumstances, Mr. Monk, rely on our team. But one thing we can be sure about: she shot Gilbert in self-defense."

"Mr. Monk can help your team, Carlos; he is the best detective in the world." Natalie said.

After some consideration, Carlos said, "Yeah, you are right. Any help now will be important to confirm Bianca's story. Come on." Carlos led Monk and Natalie to the crime scene. Once they reached the isolation strip, they saw the bodies being taken to the morgue, already on gurneys.

"Hey, wait, wait." Carlos said, holding a gurney. "Who gave the order to move the bodies?" The officer indicated another agent with his head. He was older, with short and curly hair.

Carlos strode furiously to the man. "Bertrand, who authorized the bodies' removal? I'm in charge here, I give the orders."

Bertrand smiled maliciously at Carlos and said, pointing to his own ear, "orders from the boss, Carlos. Sorry but you are too close to the victim to stay in charge." and gestured to the agent who was next to the gurney to continue with the removal.

"Mr. Monk, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your fame extends the territorial boundaries." Bertrand said, shaking Monk's hand.

"Thanks, I guess. This is . . ."

"Natalie, your assistant. Nice to meet you, Natalie." Bertrand said, shaking Natalie's hand. She found Bertrand familiar, but said nothing, and handed Monk a wipe.

"I need your brilliance in this case, Mr. Monk, if you allow me to ask. Carlos will accompany you to the video room, to gather all the information you can give about the video of the weapons' deal. We just need this one more favor from you, Mr. Monk and then you'll be released free of charges to return to the U.S."

Carlos looked at Bertrand, "We were the first to arrive here, Bertrand. I believe that our help is more important in here now."

"I think you better do what you've been asked to, Carlos. The other officers who arrived on the scene along with you will help us now. We do not need you here. Not now."

Carlos received a call on his communicator, agreed with what he was being told, and said to Bertrand, "Okay, pal, you won. Boss called me out of here. You are in charge; I will see the video with Mr. Monk as you wish." Carlos ended dryly, controlling his anger.

"Indeed." Bertrand finished, turning round and moving away from the three.

"I'm sorry Mr. Monk. This is a private dispute. There are rotten apples everywhere," said Carlos, leading Monk and Natalie to the stairs.

"There is something wrong with the crime scene," Monk said.

"There's something familiar about him." Natalie said.

"There's something wrong about him, Natalie. I do not like smarmy people. And he just came back from London; he doesn't know anything about the story." Carlos said, opening the door that led to the hotel foyer. Almost immediately, the three were surrounded by an avalanche of reporters.

Thank you, Jayna, for the support and patience on editing the story.