"Dr. Kroger speaking."

The response on his cell phone was a frantic, jumbled mess of words.

"I-I'm sorry; I can't understand what you're saying. Could you speak a little slower?"

Whoever was calling was in deep distress.

"Sir, I want to help you, but you're talking much too fast. Did you say 'help, emergency'?"

He became worried. He'd never gotten a call like this before.

"Sir, please. Try to calm down and tell me what's wrong so I-Adrian? Is that you? Now Adrian, just relax. Can you tell me what's wrong?"

The panic in Monk's voice was overwhelming.

"Okay, Adrian. Are you at home? I'll come over right- Oh. Alright. Well, tell me where to come meet you." Dr Kroger scribbled on his notepad.

"Adrian? Listen to me. Just relax and I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Stay right where you are." Dr. Kroger hung up the phone and grabbed his coat.

"I'll be out for a while. Probably the rest of the day." He told his secretary.

As he drove through the streets of San Francisco, he tried to imagine what could have gotten Adrian so upset.

Glancing at his watch, he saw that he had only a few minutes until his fifteen minutes were up. He wasn't sure what Adrian would do if his therapist didn't arrive at the exact time he promised.

He pulled his car into a parking garage across the street from the Embarcadero. His heart raced as he ran to the waterfront. Relief filled him when he found the industrial pier that Adrian had mentioned.

But what would Adrian be doing here?

"Adrian?" He called as he walked onto the wooden dock. "It's Dr. Kroger. Where are you?"

He scanned the area, looking for any sign of his patient. Worry began to fill him once more, but he refused to fear the worst. Suddenly, he heard a whimpering sound, coming from a dark corner.

"Adrian?" He called again. The whimpering grew louder until it sounded as though someone were crying. When he reached the source of the noise, he froze...

There, in the darkness, was Adrian Monk. He was sitting directly on the pier; his knees hugged to his chest. His shaking body slowly rocked back and forth as he sobbed.

"Trudy! Oh God! Trudy!" Adrian moaned.

Dr. Kroger was at Adrian's side in an instant. He put a gentle hand around Adrian's shoulder.

"Adrian?" He said as softly as he could. "Come with me. You shouldn't be here alone."

"NO!" Adrian yelled, startling Dr. Kroger. Adrian jerked his arm away from Dr. Kroger's touch.

Dr. Kroger sighed. "Adrian, please. You can't stay here. It's not safe." Gently, he pulled Adrian to his feet, keeping a strong arm around his patient. "Come on, Adrian. Let me get you somewhere safe."

Together they walked down the sidewalk, as Monk stopped to touch each and every wooden post along the way. Finally they reached Dr. Kroger's car, but Adrian appeared afraid to get in.

"It's okay, Adrian." Dr. Kroger said reassuringly.

Although Dr. Kroger's office was only a few minutes away, it seemed to take a lifetime to get there.