Lessons of Love
Chapter 15 Here's What Happened
Standard disclaimer: I don't own Monk.
Notes: To recap- it's Friday morning and, as Natalie and Julie run an errand, Benji is once again pressed into service as Mr. Monk's assistant/babysitter. Despite the remains of his hangover, thanks to Benji's off-handed comment, the World's Greatest Detective solves the case!
Once again, thanks everyone for all the reviews and PMs! (((hugs)))
After ousting Benji from his room so he could shower and shave, Adrian, in honor of delivering a case summation, donned the one brown suit he had instinctively packed for the trip. While putting on his jacket, he checked his reflection in the mirror and was gladdened to see that he had, also by instinct, left the top button of his shirt undone.Talk about progress! A big happy grin shot across his face, only to disappear when he remembered the reason for the suit- Mike Philips' murder.
Ignoring the knock on the door and Benji's muffled voice- 'Let me back in, Boss,' -the detective picked up the hotel phone. For the second time that morning, he spoke with Deputy Alexander. "Hello, it's me, Adrian, you know, Monk. What did you find?"
"After you called, I drove out to The Fox Inn. Your theory was correct, Mr. Monk." Her voice turned apologetic, tinged with frustration and humiliation. "I, I'm so angry with myself – last week when I was checking out James Kelly's alibi, I simply spoke with the Inn's manager. Although he verified Kelly never opened his door, I should have gone upstairs and checked out the room. My negligence almost cost us the case."
Knowing she had learned the very valuable lesson of personally examining all evidence, Adrian consoled, "But we did solve the case, and that's what's important. So what other evidence did you find?"
"I have the other room's records from the check-in desk, a clerk who remembers Tiffany Phillips, and CSI is dusting for prints as we speak. We got 'em Mr. Monk. Thank you very much."
After enjoying the momentary elation of returning the world to balance, Adrian and the Deputy devised a plan to confront the murderers and get them to turn on one another.
All it would take was a couple of well-worded phone calls.
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
Pacing his office, Sam Phillips' tearful eyes settled upon his wall of family photos: his son Mike at 6 years old, a mere wisp of a thing on the beach at the vacation house in Big Sur… another, that same summer, Mike being taught to surf by his mother… next, son and mother gathered before a fireplace, opening Christmas presents here at Sugar Pine Lodge…all smiling pictures, from happier days.
Sam dropped into his office chair, his heart torn to pieces. Toughen up old man, do this for Michael.
Picking up the script Deputy Alexander had dictated mere minutes before, the grieving father opened his cellphone. After blotting his eyes, he dialed James Kelly's number. Knowing he would be speaking with his son's murderer, he steeled himself and waited for the bastard to answer.
When the call connected, Sam choked back all emotions. "Hello, Jim? This is Sam Phillips and…yes, thank you, I'm still numb…I, ahh-" hand trembling, he took a deep breath, "I wanted to talk to you about… Sugar Pine- I've been thinking and, well, I know you've expressed interest in, in buying if I ever wanted to, you know…yeah, maybe it's time….I can't talk here, no, not your place either." He rallied a fake laugh, "Yeah, neutral territory. How about we meet up at The Fox Inn for an early lunch, say 11:30 this morning? Okay, see you there."
Closing up his phone and gently laying in on his office desk, Sam let an ocean of tears flow.
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
Slyly interrogating various employees while furtively avoiding her husband Sam, Tiffany Philips' visit to Sugar Pine Lodge had been exhilarating. And highly enlightening.
Although she had been confident in her plan to distract the detective, she hadn't expected it to have worked so perfectly- or to have enjoyed it so much. Thus she was tremendously pleased that two things happened this morning: first, Natalie Teeger and her daughter fled the lodge after sharing a private breakfast in the main dining room and second, the jilted groom, the surprisingly sexy Adrian Monk, telephoned her and asked for a meeting.
Now near noon, with an excited skip in her step, Tiffany Philips strode across Sugar Pine's parking lot toward her car. Getting into her brand new Mercedes, she grinned, replaying in her head the detective's gravely, whiskey-warm voice. 'This is Adrian, you know, Monk…I, we need to,to talk… in private.' Though his language was clumsy and guarded, when he requested she join him at noon at The Fox Inn, she was beside herself with anticipation. Be still her heart, this was no innocent invitation!
Starting the car's engine, Tiffany's thoughts momentarily wandered. Although James Kelly knew about last night's plan to 'seduce and distract' the meddlesome detective, what would he say about today's clandestine meeting?
While she didn't want to jeopardize her relationship with Jimmy (although, shame on him for doubting the power of her feminine wiles), the recently-deserted bridegroom surely needed a shoulder to cry on. And, more importantly, he needed comfort and reassurance of his worth as a man. This rendezvous was simply an act of compassion…and something she never needed to tell Jimmy.
Checking her reflection in the rear-view mirror, Tiffany applied a fresh coat of lipstick. Putting the car in gear, she exited the parking lot and headed towards The Fox Inn, thinking the most delicious thoughts.
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
Although Benji had a plethora of questions, Adrian's request for silence so he could focus made the car ride mercifully silent. But once they pulled into The Fox Inn's parking lot, the young assistant could no longer hold his tongue.
Benji turned off the car and shifted his eyes to the passenger seat, "Okay Mr. M, we're here. Will you now please tell me the plan?"
Adrian unbuckled his seat belt and opened the car door, "The plan is- I go in and wait for Tiffany Phillips." Without a backward glance, he exited the vehicle and started for the Inn.
"Alone? Come on Mr. M!" Distressed, Benji followed Mr. Monk up the walkway, "Adrian, it's bad enough you wouldn't let me call Natalie or the Captain- what's going on?"
"Benji, I didn't want you to call Natalie or the Captain because, well, they need a break from me and this case. … I'll be fine, just go back to the car."
Stumbling after the detective, the teen shook his head, "No way! I'm not leaving you alone Boss."
They entered the lobby and, with his stubborn young assistant shadowing him, Adrian made a beeline for the roaring fireplace across the room.
The detective scanned the mantle and, as Deputy Alexander promised, found the room keycard for room 317. He picked it up and, on the back of the keycard, found a small Post-It note. It stated:
"J.K. apprehended- Local LEO stake out in room 315."
Nodding to himself, Adrian folded the note and slipped it, and the keycard, into his jacket pocket.
"I don't like this." Benji vehemently whispered, "We should call for back-up."
Turning to face the lobby door, Adrian threaded his hands together, "Benji don't worry, back-up is already here." With his eyes fixed on the entrance, he tilted his head to the left, "See that woman over there by the check-in desk? That's Deputy Alexander."
Benji looked over and gasped. Her hair loose and flowing, wearing a crimson blouse, a form-fitting feminine suit and high heels, Deputy Alexander was unrecognizable. Giving a low whistle, he turned back to Adrian, "Wow! She looks great out of uniform. I didn't recognize her."
Adrian shrugged, "Being undercover will do that." He glanced at Benji, "Head upstairs to room 315, everything's under control."
As the teen headed toward the elevators, Adrian checked his watch-11:50. His stomach tightened; she would be here any minute.
While Adrian had always relished the waiting and watching of a stake-out, undercover work had always been his biggest nightmare. Although he had had modest success at portraying Frankie DePalma, deception and subterfuge had never been among the detective's talents. And yet here he was, waiting to deceive a plotting, diabolical murderer.
Adrian unconsciously rolled a shoulder. Any minute now…
Tiffany came through the lobby door, breathless. When her eyes found him, a fleeting grin lit her face. She eagerly made her way across the room.
Adrian held his ground and watched her approach, a sickening wave of anxiety rolling over him. She's almost here…twenty feet…ten feet… oh God, she's here- say something deceptive!
Adrian cleared his throat and stammered, "Tiffany, ahh, hello."
"Hello yourself, Adrian." She raised an eyebrow, "I must admit your call intrigued me. What did want to talk about?"
The detective twitched as his eyes flicked around the room, "Not here…I have a, a-" his voice dropped to a whisper, "a room upstairs. So we can, you know, talk in private."
"Sounds great," Tiffany purred. Nodding to the elevators, she asked, "Shall we?"
Adrian followed her across the room, consciously keeping his eyes forward and not glancing at the undercover deputy. When the elevator door opened, Adrian cringed but stepped in behind Tiffany. Her hand hovered over the button panel and he stammered, "Third floor."
Just as the doors began to close, a woman's hand thrust in between the doors, "Hold please!" The doors popped open and the undercover deputy lurched into the elevator, offering a coy smile, "Thanks for waiting." She reached over to the floor call buttons then stopped, "Third floor too? It's a small world, isn't it?"
Adrian remained mute and Tiffany gave a small chuckle, "Small but intriguing."
The elevator fell silent and, for Adrian, turned claustrophobic. Unable to hold still, he fidgeted, twitched and shifted a shoulder.
Tiffany looped her arm through his and pulled herself close. She gave a meaningless murmur, a throaty sound that was supposed to calm him and offer reassurance, but instead Adrian's anxiety rose. Not wanting to blow his cover, he made himself glance at her. She gave him a wink and his mouth went dry. Oh God, should he say something? He was saved from his dilemma when the bell dinged and the elevator doors opened.
Politely nodding goodbye, the undercover deputy slipped from the elevator.
Still arm in arm, Adrian and Tiffany slowly followed her up the hallway. Deputy Alexander quickly disappeared into room 315, leaving the couple alone.
"Right here," Adrian murmured as they walked past 315 and stopped in front of room 317. A nervous excitement filling the air, Adrian pulled the keycard from his pocket. He fumbled with it and proceeded to drop it on the floor.
In one quick motion, Tiffany swooped down and snatched up the keycard. Running it through the lock and pushing down on the door handle, she smirked, "Allow me."
Adrian stepped behind her as she pushed the door open, his own smirk briefly twitching on his lips.
The room's curtains were drawn open, silhouetting the room's occupants against the bright midday sunshine.
"Don't be shy, come on in folks," Deputy Alexander invited, taking a step forward.
Recognizing the woman who had, only moments before, entered room 315, Tiffany faltered. Perhaps she was thinking of turning and running from the room. But before she had a chance to retreat, a uniformed officer, one who had been stationed behind the door, immediately took her arm and guided her forward.
Still behind Tiffany, Adrian nodded hello to Deputy Alexander, the other undercover officer in the room and to Benji, who was leaning against the door that connected rooms 315 and 317.
"What's going on?" Tiffany's eyes nervously followed Adrian as the detective brushed past her, his hands held aloft.
Deputy Alexander answered with formality, "Tiffany Phillips, you're under arrest for the murder of your step-son, Michael Phillips."
"You have no proof!" Tiffany retorted.
Dropping his hands, Adrian paused beside the deputy, "Here's what happened. - Mike Philips made a most unpleasant discovery- you, his step-mother, and James Kelly were having a, an affair.
"Maybe Mike simply warned you to stop or perhaps he told you he would tell his father as soon as Sam came back from his trip. Either way, you couldn't risk Mike revealing your secret - he had to be silenced. Sam Phillips was away on business so you had plenty of time to devise the perfect plan.
"You had access to the Search and Rescue office and, after finding out an avalanche was scheduled last week, decided to kill him then. You, or your accomplice James Kelly, put an eyehook inside the stone shelter earlier in the week and that morning, Mr. Kelly waited, hidden and tied to safety. We know it was Kelly because he alone had the necessary height to inflict the wound found on the victim's face."
Fixing his gaze on Tiffany, Adrian recreated the scene on North Mountain. "Mike Phillips was alone and unsuspecting; his attention focused down the mountain face and the howling wind hindered his hearing. It's no wonder Mr. Kelly took him by surprise. Creeping up behind the victim, Kelly jabbed at Mike with a ski pole, cutting his face and forcing him over the ridge."
Adrian shook the brutal images from his mind and continued, "Everyone knows staging an avalanche is a dangerous job- deadly if not done correctly. You were sure Mike's death would be ruled an accident but, just in case, you and James concocted alibis: Mr. Kelly was here at The Fox Inn and you were home alone. Isn't that correct Mrs. Phillips?"
Tiffany countered, "Jimmy, I mean Mr. Kelly, never left his room. They have the records."
Motioning for Benji to move aside, Adrian pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and opened the door connecting the two rooms, "No, Mr. Kelly didn't leave his room- he left yours. You rented the room next to his and, thanks to the connecting door, he exited your room, keeping his alibi intact."
Adrian concluded, "Earlier you mentioned 'we have no proof.' Unfortunately for you, hotel cleaning staffs are never trained properly; things such as door knobs, light switches, and door jams are simply left un-scrubbed. Un-scrubbed! I've written my congressman, proposing stiffer cleaning regulations-"
Benji cleared his throat and Adrian sighed, twitching a shoulder, "But that's not important… Anyway, you and James Kelly rented the conjoined rooms directly above us and CSI is presently dusting every surface. Even though it's been a week, they will find his prints and DNA in your room and vice versa."
Deputy Alexander interjected, "Tiffany, we also have a positive ID that you, using cash, rented the room next to Kelly's, plus your door was opened the morning of the murder. The only question I have for you is- seeing as how we know James Kelly perpetrated the actual murder- are you're going to help yourself and cooperate? Don't answer yet, you'll have time to think while you're sitting in the back of my cruiser."
Cuffing Tiffany's hands, Deputy Alexander handed her off to the waiting officers. As they escorted the suspect from the room, the deputy turned to Adrian and Benji, "Gentlemen, care to join us downtown for the interrogation? I bet we'll see some fireworks when they roll on each other!"
"Cool!" Benji excitedly bounced on his toes while Mr. Monk shook his head, "Thank you but no." Case laid to rest, Adrian beamed, "I've a more important engagement back at Sugar Pine.'
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
As Adrian and Benji crossed the threshold, the detective eagerly scanned Sugar Pine's crowded lobby. Not seeing his bride or any other familiar faces, Adrian turned to his assistant and gave the youth one final assignment. "Benji, why don't you round everyone up? I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm just going to go have a few words with Sam Phillips."
"Want me to come with you?" Benji asked, his face turning cloudy.
"Stay here, son," Adrian responded. Having felt the weight of closure- the grief and rage tangled with pitiful stirrings of vindication-Adrian understood he needed to delivery this message in private. He headed for Sam's office, prepared to offer comfort to the inconsolable.
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
Summation told and questions answered, Adrian and Sam fell silent, held together by some ungraspable force, unable to say goodbye. Standing side-by-side, their eyes roaming the wall of photographs, each man lost in thought. Sam retreated into memories as he looked upon images long gone. Adrian meanwhile turned to daydream about the future- joyous times yet to come with Natalie and the children she would give him.
As if reading his thoughts, Sam roused and gave a bittersweet smile, "I bet your bride's relieved to have your full attention back on the wedding."
Adrian nodded politely, not wanting to admit that he had yet to speak with Natalie- not about the case's resolution or, weighing more urgently on Adrian's heart, about his sudden idea, a wildly crazy scheme that would surely make the wedding a family affair.
Sam sighed, lamenting, "It's been a rough week, Adrian. I'm truly sorry your time here has been far from carefree."
"It's okay Sam, my Natalie accepts that, with me, things never happen as planned." Giving into impulse, Adrian reached out and straightened a picture.
Sam also fingered a picture, a candid photo from his first wedding to Mike's mother. He gave a melancholy smile, "That day was perfect." He then turned and rested his hand on his new friend's shoulder, "Adrian, can I do anything for you and Natalie to make up for this week? Anything that would help make your wedding extra special?"
Adrian met his gaze and, seeing his earnestness, proceeded to ask a few hypothetical questions. Encouraged by Sam's generous answers, Adrian's questions soon turned straightforward. By the time he left Sam's office, Adrian's crazy idea seemed both possible and reasonable.
All he needed now was to convince Natalie.
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
By the time Adrian returned to the lobby, Benji had already gathered everyone together around the grand fireplace. The gang broke into cheers of congratulations as Adrian joined the group.
Natalie pulled him into an embrace and gleefully whispered in his ear, "Congratulations Mister Monk, I knew you'd solve the case!"
Natalie released her hold and the group surrounded Adrian. He suffered their pats on the back, slightly embarrassed by the fuss. "So Benji told you?"
"Yes detective, what tipped you off?" The Captain laughed and then eyed the teenager, "The kid did a pretty good 'Here's what happened'."
"And the hands, too!" Randy held his hands aloft and floated them in a slow circle.
"Such a gifted storyteller!" Sharona bragged, giving her son a hug.
"I'm sorry Adrian, I couldn't wait." The young assistant blushed, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"It's fine, Benji." And truly it was. Case solved, Adrian had no desire to retell the details. Instead, his mind was anxiously focused on Natalie and how she might react to his proposal. He dipped his face down and whispered in her ear, "I've been thinking about the Ambrose/Jack situation. Can we talk? Alone?"
With concern showing on her face, Natalie took his arm. Offering goodbyes, she directed him away from the group, "It's a beautiful day, let's go outside." They exited the lodge and, as Adrian voiced his idea, they took a turn around the resort's manicured gardens.
When he had finished, Adrian asked, "What do you think?"
Natalie grinned, "My mom will have a fit!"
"Oh. I understand." Crestfallen, Adrian lowered his gaze and turned back towards the lodge.
Natalie stepped in front of her groom and lifted his face, "Adrian, no, that's not what I meant. I was just thinking about how Mom will react. I love your idea… Let's tell everyone our plans this afternoon, as soon as my folks get into town."
"Really?" Nervously excited, Adrian's heart leapt, "So you want to do this?"
"I do." Smiling, she slid her arms over his shoulders, "Remember Adrian, as long as we're together-" a soft kiss finished her sentence. Although they were out in public, Adrian forgot his shyness and returned Natalie's kiss.
With that small public display of affection, their future changed. And, so had Adrian.
A/N: Apologies for any typos in this chapter but I was anxious to post before going away for Christmas. I wish you all a wonderful holiday and a very happy New Year! :)