Mr. Monk Goes to Germany by Lee Goldberg (general ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“I did,” I said proudly.

Monk smiled a little. I think he was flattered.

“But I’ve forgiven her,” Dr. Kroger said, taking his customary seat to Monk’s right. “I’m glad you wanted to see me, Adrian.”

“I’ve never missed an appointment,” Monk said.

“That’s true. You haven’t.”

“Though now I’m not so sure I needed them as much as I thought,” Monk said.

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ve felt for some time that you could see me just once a week, but you’re the one who has insisted on seeing me more often, daily if possible. You even followed me here for sessions.”

Dr. Kroger glanced at me as I took a seat on the edge of the bed. If he had any questions about me being here, he kept them to himself.

“You must be so pleased,” Monk said.

“Why would that make me happy, Adrian?”

“Hasn’t it always been part of your plan to keep me dependent on you?”

“My goal is to help you control your anxieties so that you can become as self-sufficient as possible and enjoy a normal life.”

“And return to the police force,” Monk said.

“If that’s what you want,” Dr. Kroger said.

“But you don’t,” Monk said.

“That’s not true. I’d like to see you become a homicide detective again.”

“And yet you haven’t written a report to the police that declares me fit for duty and recommends my reinstatement.”

“Because I don’t think you’re ready yet,” Dr. Kroger said. “But I am confident that you will be soon.”

“What does Dr. Rahner think?” Monk asked.

“I haven’t discussed your therapy with Dr. Rahner,” he said.

“How about Dale Biederback?” Monk asked.

“I haven’t discussed your therapy with anyone, Adrian. What goes on between us is private and I won’t talk about it without your consent.”

“How long have you known Dr. Rahner?”

“I’ve been aware of his work for over a decade,” Dr. Kroger said, “but I met him for the first time a few years ago at one of his lectures.”

“In Berkeley,” Monk said.

“Captain Stottlemeyer has been working overtime,” Dr. Kroger said, shifting his position in his seat. “Yes, it was in Berkeley.”

“Two weeks before Trudy’s murder,” Monk said.

Dr. Kroger looked at me. I glared right back at him. I think he was checking to see if I was about to hit him again.

“I was not aware of that,” Dr. Kroger said softly.

“I suppose that you also weren’t aware that Dr. Rahner’s visit to the Bay Area was underwritten by Dale Biederback,” Monk said.

“Oh God, this keeps getting worse and worse,” Dr. Kroger said. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them again he spoke in a calm and measured voice. “Things aren’t what they appear to be.”

“That much I know,” Monk said.

“I didn’t mean it that way, Adrian.”

“Why did you do it?” Monk demanded, leaning forward in his seat. “What leverage could Dale possibly have against you that would make you do this to me?”

“I haven’t betrayed your trust and you aren’t the victim of a conspiracy,” Dr. Kroger said. “Contrary to the way things appear, nothing nefarious has occurred. Everything can be explained.”

“I’m listening,” Monk said.

“I’ve never met Dale Biederback and I had no idea he financed Dr. Rahner’s lecture series,” Dr. Kroger said. “But I’m not surprised that he did.”

“Why not?” Monk asked.

“Biederback was an extraordinarily wealthy and influential man with a tremendous ego and lust for power. Before he went to prison, he underwrote hundreds of social, cultural, and educational programs and construction projects in the Bay Area. You could theoretically connect him to thousands of people just through the events they attended that he supported. Some of them are bound to be people you’ve met, even Natalie.”

I didn’t like him using me as part of his defense, so I spoke up.

“But this wasn’t just any event. This one happened right before Trudy Monk’s murder. And it brought together an eleven-fingered man, who matches the description of the person who arranged the murder, and you, the psychiatrist who would later treat Mr. Monk.”

“It’s a cruel trick of fate,” Dr. Kroger said. “That’s all.”

“I agree that it was a cruel trick,” Monk said. “But I am not ready to blame fate for it just yet.”

“I wouldn’t either if I were you,” Dr. Kroger said. “There’s only one way you will ever accept it. You have to do what you do best.”

“Sit alone in the dark in abject misery?”

“Investigate,” Dr. Kroger said. “You’ll get to the truth, as you always do. You should start by getting Dr. Rahner to answer your questions.”

“What makes you think he’ll talk to me?” Monk asked.

“Because he’s a psychiatrist and he’s devoted his life to helping people,” Dr. Kroger said. “Which is why he’s waiting for you right now at the café across the street.”

Dr. Rahner was sitting at a tiny table in front of the café, sipping an espresso and picking at a piece of streusel. He smiled and gestured to us to sit with a sweep of his six-fingered hand.

“Thank you for coming, Martin,” Dr. Kroger said as we took our seats.

“It’s the least I can do,” Dr. Rahner said, and turned to Monk, who sat directly across from him. “Charles has filled me in on the unfortunate series of coincidences and what they mean to you. I’d like to help ease your pain in any way I can. Feel free to ask me anything.”

“Do you know Dale Biederback?” Monk asked.