Dashed Dreams

[This story takes place in an apartment building on East 68th Street in New York City on Wednesday, June 10, 1953.]

"I've been robbed!" yelled Fred Mertz.

Ethel rushed into the living room to see her husband staring in shock at the lamp table beside the sofa. "What are you hollering about?"

"My money!" exclaimed Fred. "I've been saving it up for the last six months. It was hidden inside a magazine in that table. Now it's gone!"

"Now Fred, are you sure you didn't just put it someplace else and forget where you put it?" asked his wife.

"Yes, I'm sure," grumbled Fred. "I count it every week, and I always put it back in the same spot." He grabbed the phone receiver. "Operator, get me the police!"

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Ethel was aroused from her thoughts by a knock. Her husband opened the front door to see two men in suits. The one in front had copper brown hair and a thick moustache. The second man looked younger and had dark hair and a high forehead. "Is this the Mertz residence?" the man in front asked.

"Yes, come in," Fred invited.

"Mr. Mertz, I'm Captain Leland Stottlemeyer. This is Lieutenant Randy Disher." The Mertzes exchanged quick social graces with the policemen before an excited red-headed woman with fair skin and a sharp-dressed Cuban man flew into the apartment.

"Ethel!" Lucy Ricardo exclaimed, "We heard Fred shouting. Then we saw a police car parked outside. What's going on?"

"Oh Lucy," said a distressed Ethel, "Fred thinks he's been robbed, so he called the police!"

Fred interrupted the ladies and introduced their friends and long-time neighbors to the officers.

"What was stolen, Fred?" asked Ricky with an amusing accent.

"One hundred and fifty dollars!" Fred answered. "It was inside a magazine in that drawer." He pointed at the lamp table.

Just then a new voice joined in the conversation. "Is there any sign of forced entry?"

Everyone turned to the front entryway to see a dark-skinned man with short curly hair dressed in a brown suit accompanied by a young, stylish blonde woman. They stepped into the Mertz's living room.

"Monk, what are you doing here?" asked Captain Stottlemeyer.

"Adrian hasn't worked a case in two months," stated the blonde. "There's been a rash of thefts lately. He thought he could help solve one. It would let you guys catch up on your other work."

"I don't think we need..." began the police chief, but he was cut short by the young woman.

"Mr. Monk will work this one for half his usual fee."

The practical-minded Captain considered the offer. "Okay," he agreed. "Mr. and Mrs. Mertz, this is Adrian Monk, a private investigator who sometimes helps us, and his assistant, Sherona Fleming. Monk, Sherona, meet Ethel and Fred Mertz and their neighbors the Ricardos."

Fred extended his hand to Adrian, "Hi there." He was surprised, however, when Mr. Monk hesitated before slowly offering a limp handshake. He was even more surprised and slightly offended when the investigator pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the hand that just shook Fred's.