Something is wrong!

After a few days more and still no living sign from Fran, Maxwell can't stand it any longer. He wants to contact her by himself. Because Fran gave him no phone number or address, he pays Val a visit and asks her for more information.

But Val only mentions Fran had not given her any address. Apparently, she and this Gideon guy were just in the middle of to move into a bigger house and Fran promised she would give Val her new address when everything was settled. At first, Maxwell rises the suspicious Val was lying to him for Fran's sake, but Val shows him all the postcards she had received from Fran. All were without any further address.

To make matters worse, nor could Val give him a phone number. Fran told her Gideon doesn't like it when everyone knows his private number. That's why Fran always calls her. Fran sometimes mentioned in the new house that she would have her own phone line.

All the information Maxwell gets from Val seems strange to him. After all, Val at least could tell him Gideon's last name; "Goldberg".

Val hesitantly reports to him that Fran was apparently very happy. She raved about the area and the neighbourhood, the people she met and the activities she and Gideon do together.

Maxwell is astonished. His family suffers more every day and she enjoys herself. He feels sick. He wishes he could hate her, but he loves her too much.

Back at home, he retires in his office. He is even more depressed than before. He keeps looking at pictures of past happy moments and then he sees Fran's eyes in front of him. Her look when he confessed his love to her. This look doesn't let him go. For a short moment, she had been his Fran again.

Maxwell is about to go to the kitchen to get another cup of tea when he hears a shrill voice. Oh no, that woman was all he needed right now. Sylvia Fine is sitting in the kitchen and reads to Niles the latest postcard from Fran. Niles is preparing a platter of sandwiches and tries hard not to listen. That's when his boss comes into the kitchen. Without giving Sylvia the eye, he pours himself another cup of tea.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sheffield! Do you want to hear what my daughter wrote?"

"Mrs Fine! I have other stuff on my mind than your daughter's well-being!"

Sylvia stares at him, puzzled. Since when was he so cold and harsh with her! He should be happy for Fran.

"Anyway, she seems to be doing splendid. That Gideon fellow seems to be carrying her on his hands..."

As she speaks, she wants to reach for the sandwich plate. Maxwell grabs it before she can get a hold on it.

"Excuse me. But this is my lunch. If you're hungry, why don't you visit your daughter? I'm sure your future son-in-law will serve you only the very best!"

Maxwell is just about to leave the kitchen with the sandwiches when a thought occurs to him.

"What area in Malibu Prince Charming and Fran actually live in?" Sylvia gives only an embarrassed squeeze.

"I don't know! Fran said they plan moving soon. Then she will give me their new address. She also didn't want us to go with her."

"Aha!" Maxwell grins and goes back to his office.

Sylvia turns back to Niles.

"Could you make me one of your delicious pies and a ham/cheese omelet."

"The kitchen is closed and now pardon me! I'm busy!"

Sylvia rushes off, quite offended. Strange morals rule in this house lately. Fran's departure was no excuse for such an impossible behaviour. Was she supposed to starve? Neither Mr. Sheffield nor Niles seem to care if she collapses.

Maxwell, meanwhile, sits back at his desk, deep in thoughts. It was all rather strange. Neither Val nor her mother have any contact information from Fran and apparently, they don't know where she lives. That was totally out of character for Fran. His intuition tells him something was wrong and he would find out the truth.

Later that evening, he says good night to his kids first. Since Fran was gone, he sees it as his job to check on them before they go to bed. In the living room, he runs into Niles.

"Wait a minute, old chap. I'll give you a brandy." Niles accepts the offer with pleasure. When both men are comfortable, Maxwell confines into his old friend.

"You know Niles, I have the strong feeling there's something not quite right about this story with Miss Fine and that splendid fellow."

"What makes you think that, sir?"

"Well, she hasn't checked in with anyone here, not even the kids. Val and Mrs. Fine apparently don't know where she lives and also, they don't have a phone number. Plus, Miss Fine obviously doesn't want her mother with her. Don't you think all this is strange?"

"Hmm maybe sir! To be honest, Miss Fine's whole behaviour lately has been strange. But perhaps there exists a plausible explanation. Why are you so interested in Miss Fine's whereabouts, sir? Could it be that you secretly wish the story isn't right because you still love Miss Fine and want her back?"

"Even if it were so! My instincts tell me there's something wrong and I'm going to find out how it's all connected. I'll hire a detective agency! The best I can find!"

"Whatever you say, sir!"

Niles could understand his boss and who knows? Maybe he was right and everything would work out well in the end.