Adrian was sitting on his leather couch and staring off into the distance. Natalie was sitting across from him reading the paper. She would occasionally look at him, and then return her gaze to the newspaper. They were both silent and she knew her boss was worried.
"Mr. Monk," she began gently, giving him her most beautiful smile that could melt the hardest glaciers. "Don't worry so much. I believe you, and if you think that Leyla is innocent, I'm sure she is. Do you remember how it was last time?"
Adrian smiled back at her and nodded his head.
"You've always been there for me. You know me better than anyone."
Natalie slid her hand down his shoulder, a move that nearly took his breath away, but she didn't notice.
"Do you remember when I told you that you were in love with her, and you replied that you weren't used to being around beautiful women." Saying that, she smiled sweetly, and Adrian wished that smile would last forever. "And then I asked—what about me?, and you told me that I was Naataalie, Nat. I was a little angry then, but now I find it all funny."
Adrian swallowed a huge dumpling and shivered slightly at these words. Not only did he not notice her beauty, kindness and everything she did for him, but he was often rude to her and said words to her that no woman wants to hear. He deserved nothing more than simple solitude.
"Natalie, I'm so sorry. Forgive me for every unkind word I've ever said to you..."
"Mr. Monk, we've talked about it before. I don't want you to feel bad. It's behind us now, isn't it?"
He touched her hand, and it gently passed over his fingers. Soon the doorbell rang and she hurried to open it. "That must be Steven. Thank you for letting him come."
"For God's sake, Natalie, he's always welcome. You don't have to thank me for that."
Natalie opened the door and kissed her fiancé gently. Adrian turned his head and took the cloth, pretending to clean the TV.
Lt. Albright approached Monk and extended his hand, and he returned the salute. He was in civilian clothes, a black coat and blue trousers.
"Mr. Monk, it's my pleasure."
Adrian nodded his head and offered him to sit down, which he did. Natalie sat down next to him, their shoulders gently touching. Adrian was a bit uncomfortable, so he decided to start any topic.
"When are you returning to the submarine, Lieutenant?"
Steven looked at Natalie, then back at Monk.
"I'll be here until the wedding. Then Natalie and I will move to Atlanta."
"Oh," said Monk.
Natalie hurried to explain. "I mentioned it to you, Mr. Monk. Atlanta isn't across the world. We will be in touch."
"Of course," he said ruefully. "I want you to be happy, wherever you are. I just...didn't expect you to go that far."
"Steven got a transfer," she said with a soft smile, then rested her head on his shoulder. Adrian had to bite his lip because at that moment he wished he was in the place of the handsome lieutenant. Suddenly Natalie jerked and looked at Steven.
"Honey, you lost your coat button."
"Really?" Steven looked down at his coat and then smiled. "I didn't even notice. I usually don't button it."
"Honey, if you care so much about that coat, I'll sew you a new button," she said cheerfully.
"Who cares about a coat," he replied, "I've got fifty more." Then he planted a gentle kiss on her lips, but she was ashamed of Monk.
On the other hand, Monk straightened up on the couch and stared at the lieutenant's coat. Suddenly something dawned on him...
Before he could connect what it was, Leland rang the doorbell. Natalie opened it and he literally flew through them.
"Monk," he shouted, walking past Natalie and the lieutenant, to whom he nodded in greeting, "I think we have a guy who was involved with the murdered model."
Adrian opened his mouth wide, looking now at Leland, now at Natalie and Steven.
"Really, Captain?" Natalie asked. "You know who killed her?"
Leland shook his head.
"We don't have enough evidence to charge him with murder, but that's why Monk will help us. It's designer Leonardo D'Alessandro."
"Leland," Monk frowned, "are you sure about that?"
"Monk, he's blond, he uses "DIOR Sauvage" and wears expensive coats. I want you to talk to him and remove any doubt."
"Why don't you think a little more? Why would a designer kill his model?"
Leland rolled his eyes and leaned back against Monk's bookshelf.
"Because he was in a relationship with her, and she may have threatened to tell his wife. I asked around, D'Alessandro's wife is a respected doctor.
"What about Leyla?" Natalie asked timidly.
"We have no evidence against her. She was in her office with Monk at the time of the murder."
"Leyla has nothing to do with this!" Monk emphasized almost angrily. "We talked about it, Leland."
"Okay, you're right, I admit I'm exaggerating a bit, but I remember what it was like last time."
"She wasn't guilty even then and I don't want you to associate her name with this heinous crime!"
Adrian unconsciously raised his voice and Leland looked at him in confusion.
"Monk? If I didn't know you, I'd say you were a...Monk?"
Natalie and Steven exchanged a smile.
"Leland, stop it!" he protested. "It's not what you think, I just don't want innocent people to suffer because of other people's mistakes". Then he glanced furtively at Steven.
"That's why I want you to come with me," Leland replied. "I want you to talk to D'Alessandro and tell me in your own unique way - he's the guy."
"But he's not the guy!", Monk snapped, and he immediately regretted it.
"How on earth you know that? Have you become psychic? Are you telling me you don't need to go to crime scenes anymore because you know everything in advance?"
"Captain," Natalie's soft voice tried to ease the tension. "Trust Mr. Monk. He's never wrong."
"I'm sorry, Natalie," he said gently, "this has nothing to do with you. Monk acts so strange sometimes and no one can understand him."
"I understand him," she said and took his hand. "I believe you, Mr. Monk. If you think the fashion designer is innocent, we will move heaven and earth to prove it. Together, as always."
"Natalie," he stammered, his voice strained, "thank you, but I think only Leland can help me sort this out."
"Of course, Mr. Monk, but if you need any help, I'll be there."
"I'd have to go," said Lieutenant Albright. "Natalie, are you coming with me?"
"Sure honey, just to get my purse from the kitchen". When Natalie rushed into the kitchen, the lieutenant turned to Leland and Monk and bowed his head in greeting.
"It was my pleasure, Captain Stottlemeyer. Goodbye, Mr. Monk."
"Goodbye," he mumbled and went to see them off. "Natalie..." he called her barely audible and she turned around. "Take care of yourself."
"I will. And you too."
Adrian locked the door and returned to the living room, pointing a finger at Leland.
"I think I know who is the guy."
"Me too," Leland replied sarcastically. "Leonardo D'Alessandro. Too bad, because my old friend won't help me prove it, so I'll have to do it." He started for the door, but Monk pulled him by the arm.
"Leland, for God's sake, is not a designer!"
Leland looked at him suspiciously. "You have another suspect? Who is he?"
Monk swallowed the dumpling and sighed deeply.
"Monk, if you think I have time to waste..."
"Lieutenant Steven Albright!," he finally said.
Leland nearly collapsed into the armchair and looked at Monk as if he had gone mad.
"What are you talking about, man? Are you crazy?"
"Leland, listen to me, please," Monk begged. "Lieutenant Albright is blond, he's lost a button on his coat, and the other buttons on his coat look the same as the button we found at the crime scene, and I can prove he wears DIOR Sauvage perfume."
"Monk, stop!" Leland ordered. "I can't believe what I'm hearing! Steven Albright is an honorable man, he saved your life in that submarine four years ago, he was there when Rickover almost poisoned you, that's impossible!" He grabbed Monk by the neck and pulled him closer. "He's a good man and he loves Natalie. Monk, I don't want you to hurt that gentle and noble woman, I won't let you!"
"Leland, pull yourself together!" he snapped, pulling away from him. "I would never hurt Natalie, but I'm afraid Albright will. I have to help her, I won't let her marry a murderer!"
"You're totally crazy," Leland concluded and reached for the doorknob. "Do what you want, but don't count on me. I won't help you ruin her happiness, just because you realized you can't live without her." Then he slammed the door hard. Adrian was left alone and upset, thinking about what to do. Then he got an idea. He was rarely wrong when it came to criminals, and now he was willing to do anything just to protect Natalie.