Against his protests, she retreated into the living room and picked up the receiver. "Dr. Crane's residence."

"Daphne? Is that you?"

"Why yes it is! Who is this?"

"This is Mrs. Woodson, Dear."

"Oh, hello Mrs. Woodson. It's nice to hear your voice."

"You too, Daphne. But I was really calling to check on Dr. Crane"

"Well that's sweet of you, and I was a bit worried about him meself so I came over to make sure that he's all right. I'm afraid that he isn't feeling too well because I found him sound asleep in the middle of the day."

"That's what I was afraid of."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, I knew there was something wrong but I didn't want to say anything. I mean I could be wrong and-."

"Mrs. Woodson, what are you saying?"

"He's been acting strangely ever since…"

"Since what? Please, Mrs. Woodson! I have to know!"

"It really isn't any of my business, Daphne but I'm glad you're there with him. I'll let you get back to taking care of him. Thank you for looking in on him and will you tell him that I hope he's feeling better soon?"

"I certainly will and don't think for a minute that it's not your business. He loves you! You're his assistant!"

"Thank you Daphne. That means a lot to me, but-."

"Mrs. Woodson, please, I'm not trying to pry into your personal business but I just want to help Dr. Crane! I know he's been hurting because of this horrible divorce and-."

There was a deep sigh followed by a brief pause and what could have been conceived as soft crying.

"Oh Daphne, it's terrible! I'm afraid it's worse than we think, Daphne. He's been losing patients left and right!"

Daphne gasped. "Losing patients? Oh dear, no wonder he's acting so strangely! Death is not an easy thing and I have a feeling that he doesn't know how to break the news to his father and brother. He and Dr. Crane are so competitive when it comes to success. I can understand why he's upset but that doesn't mean-."

"Daphne, you don't understand. They haven't died. They've left him, as in taken their problems elsewhere!"

Daphne could not believe what she was hearing. "But why? Dr. Crane is the most caring and respected man in Seattle!"

"I won't argue with you about that, but lately he's been… indifferent, argumentative, impatient and downright angry with his patients. I can honestly say that I have never seen him like this and I've never once intruded on his sessions, but some of the conversations have become so heated that I can hear them clearly through the door. It's getting harder and harder to pretend that I haven't heard. A few times I've even demanded that he go home; especially when they threaten to call the authorities!"

"The police? But that's ridiculous! Dr. Crane would never-."

"These outbursts are happening more and more frequently and then they storm out of the office demanding a refund. If it continues, I'm afraid that his practice might be in jeopardy!"

"I just don't understand!Dr. Crane is always very professional and he cares about his patients. Oh, Mrs. Woodson, this is terrible! I had no idea-."

"It certainly is. And his schedule for the next few weeks is wide open."

Daphne sank onto the lumpy uncomfortable sofa leaning against the cushions while she rubbed her aching head. "Oh dear… How long did you say this has been going on?"

"Well it started when he received those divorce papers, but now that the proceedings are underway-."

"I knew something was wrong, but I had no idea it had come to this! Why didn't he say anything?"

"Daphne, I'm no psychiatrist and I would certainly never pretend to be but I've been around Dr. Crane long enough to learn a few things. However it doesn't take an ounce of schooling for me to think that Dr. Crane's divorce has thrown him into a deep depression! I mean, he hasn't been to work in days and-."

The news hit her hard and she bolted upright on the couch. "What?"

"He hasn't been to work in days and I'm afraid that if he doesn't get better soon…" Her broken voice trailed away but no words were necessary.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Woodson. I'll make sure that he's all right. And I'll make certain that you are paid for the days you missed. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience."

"No need to be sorry, Daphne. I love Dr. Crane and it's certainly not an inconvenience. I don't need to be compensated."

His assistant's kind words made Daphne smile. "But you work so hard, and it's not fair to-."

"Don't worry about the money, Daphne. Just give Dr. Crane my love."

"That's very kind of you, but what about your job?"

"My only concern now is Dr. Crane. Work can wait if need be and I can spend my free time with my grandchildren. I do miss them so."

"I can understand that. Well, I should get back to Dr. Crane now, so good-."

"Daphne?"

"Yes?"

"Make sure that Dr. Crane is all right. I've never met his wife, Maris, but but I've heard plenty about her over the years. Believe me, none of it has been good. It's funny now that I think about it. You'd think that a wife would be overjoyed to visit their husband at the office, to get a taste of their life outside the home. I know Mr. Woodson always did, God rest his soul. But I've been working for Dr. Crane for years now and I've never once seen Maris set foot in this office or even call to check on him during the say. "

To Daphne's dismay, Mrs. Woodson's trembling voice broke and soft sobs could be heard on the other end of the line.

"Oh Daphne, I'm sorry to be so emotional because Dr. Crane has always been the strong one who could handle anything... But he dsoesn't seem to be able to handle this. I don't think anyone could! I'm afraid that this divorce is going to shatter him! That woman has already taken is money and now she's intent on taking what little pride and integrity that he has left!"

Daphne sighed deeply knowing that Mrs. Woodson might have a point. And suddenly her determination returned. "I promise I won't let that happen, Mrs. Woodson. Dr. Crane is a strong man, and he just needs to know that people care about him."

"Thank you, Daphne. I appreciate that. I'll call in a few days and see how he's doing."

"I can't thank you enough for your concern, Mrs. Woodson. Dr. Crane is lucky to have you in his life."

"He's lucky to have you too, Daphne. He always speaks so fondly of you. You're his best friend."

Both touched and surprised by the sentiment, Daphne blinked back tears. "Me? That's impossible. I mean, we are friends but hardly in the sense that he and his brother are friends. They share everything together."

"But it's you that he speaks so highly of, Daphne. I've never heard such praise from anyone before." Mrs. Woodson said.

Daphne smiled through the tears that were streaming down her cheeks, wondering if she should go to him. And then she sighed deeply. "I'll tell him that you called, Mrs. Woodson. Thank you so much for your concern. I'll call you soon and let you know how he's doing. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Daphne. Please give Dr. Crane my love."

Daphne swallowed hard, her heart swirling in her chest. "I will."

Woodenly she returned the phone to its base and glanced toward the hallway. She was determined to make sure that Niles knew how much he was loved and cared for, no matter what it took.