As always any comments or criticism is welcome. Feel free to email me at
DanielleJE@hotmail.com. This story is dedicated to the creator of the Altered Fates Universe Jennifer Adams.
Altered Fates: The Missing Episode of the Fugitive
by: Danielle JPart One
Author’s Note- Thank you to the original creators of the Fugitive TV series. Below is the cast, mostly actors and actresses from the 60's
David Janssen- Dr. Richard Kimble
Barry Morse- Lt. Gerard
Dana Wynter- Claire Mathews
Jessica Walter- Barbara Summers
Albert Salmi- Sherif Clyde Burroughs
Del Monroe- Officer Paul Dietrich
Laurence Naismith as Doc Porter, and
James MacArthur as Officer Patrick Andrews
You may recall Albert Salmi from two episodes of Lost in Space where he played a pirate. James MacArthur was Danny Williams on Hawaii Five 0 and Del Monroe was Kowalski on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Dana Wynter and Jessica Walter were actresses on numerous tv shows in the 60's and 70's. Laurence Naismith was a character actor who did a couple of fugitive episodes plus work in the US and UK. Most notably the captain of the Titanic in A Night to Remember.
The opening I use for the Fugitive below was from it’s first season. So that would place the episode in 1963 or 1964. I tried my best to recreate the atmosphere of this 60's television show, using the voice of the narrator and setting the scenes. Like the real Tv show the story is about Kimble and the people he interacts with. This is also a 60's TV show so language and sexual content are rather restrained. I did use the actual opening monologue during the credits from the 1st season. It is word for word what was said at the opening of each episode.
Last casting note- Casting Director tried unsuccessfully to hire Barbara Eden or Dawn Wells for the role of Barbara Summers. Both actresses were busy with other projects. Barbara was getting ready to work on a stupid show about a Genie and a Astronaut and Dawn was busy with a pilot for a show about some people who were ship wrecked. Don’t they know these shows won’t ever be successful?
**************
The setting: A train is traveling during the night and two men are seated in a cabin. The Narrator takes over as the camera focuses on one of the two men.
Name: Richard Kimble. Profession: Doctor of Medicine. Destination: Death Row, State Prison. Richard Kimble has been tried and convicted for the murder of his wife. But laws are made by men, carried out by men. And men are imperfect. Richard Kimble is innocent. Proved guilty, what Richard Kimble could not prove was that moments before discovering his wife's body, he encountered a man running from the vicinity of his home. A man with one arm. A man he had never seen before. A man who has not yet been found. Richard Kimble ponders his fate as he looks at the world for the last time. And sees only darkness. But in that darkness, fate moves its huge hand.
Cut to a scene of a train jumping the railroad tracks and people then climbing out of the wreckage.
Cut to a scene of a man in ragged clothing, the man on the train. He runs and leaps into a small pond splashing water on his face.
The Fugitive, a QM production. Starring David Jansen as Dr. Richard Kimble. Tonight’s guest Stars- Dana Wynter, Jessica Walter, Albert Salmi, Del Monroe, Laurence Naismith and James MacArthur. Also starring Barry Morse as Lt. Gerard. Tonight’s episode- Hide in Plain Sight. Part One.
*********
Act 1
It’s a bright summer day in Duquoin Illinois. A pickup truck pulling a horse trailer stops in the middle of town and out steps Dr. Richard Kimble. As the truck pulls away Dr. Kimble walks across the street towards a bar.
Voice of the Narrator- For the life of a fugitive it is a story of keeping a low profile and not drawing attention. Sometimes this means trying to disguise one self but the fugitive always lives with the fear that no disguise is foolproof. But is there a way for Dr. Richard Kimble to disguise himself that no one could find him?
Richard Kimble walks into the bar. There is no one there since it was still early in the day. Just the bartender who was dusting the bar.
" Let me have a beer." Richard Kimble said to the bartender. The bartender took a beer out from behind the bar. He opened the bottle and then poured it for Kimble.
Kimble had come to Duquoin Illinois. He had heard that Fred Johnson the one armed man had been working in Duquoin while the fair was in town. Upon arriving in town Kimble had made inquiries about Fred Johnson a.k.a. the one armed man but found out Johnson had quit his job in Duquoin. But Kimble had one lead, a bar in town that Johnson was known to frequent. Kimble finally spoke up.
" I was looking for someone named Fred Johnson." Kimble said. " You wouldn’t happen to know him?"
" No never heard the name." The bartender said with a shrug.
" You might recognize him. Ratty looking, Missing one arm." Kimble replied
" Oh him, what a nuisance he was." The bartender said while polishing one of the beer mugs behind the bar. " I told him never to come back to this place after he almost started a brawl in here one night. Haven’t seen him in a week, and don’t want to again."
Damn thought Kimble another promising lead extinguished. It had been almost a year since his miraculous escape from the train wreck. A year of being constantly on the move and constantly being hunted. But Kimble was also hunting, for the one armed man he saw running from his home the night his wife was killed.
Kimble continued to sit sipping his beer. He didn’t plan on staying in Duquoin long. Illinois was just too close to Indiana and Lt. Gerard.
The bar door opened and two men dressed in sheriff’s uniforms entered. They walked over to the far end of the bar away from Kimble. Kimble immediately saw them but tried to remain focused on his beer.
" How’s things today Ralph?" Said Officer Patrick Andrews. He blonde wavy hair and was in his late 20's.
" Oh slow, business is down since the horses left town." Ralph the bartender replied. Duquoin was home to a state fair and the Hambletonian race. The biggest race for standardbred trotters.
Officer Paul Dietrich was walking around the bar doing nothing in particular but walked down to the end where Kimble was sitting. Kimble was getting increasingly anxious the closer the officer came.
" Never seen you in town before." Officer Dietrich said to Richard Kimble.
" I came for the race. Going to head back to Ohio tonight." Richard Kimble said to the police officer looking at his face but trying to avoid direct eye contact.
" Your face is still so familiar." Officer Dietrich replied " I just don’t know where I seen it before."
" It’s a common face." Richard Kimble said. He took some money out of his wallet and placed it on the bar. " Thanks for the beer and keep the change." Richard Kimble started to turn around to leave the bar trying to act as non chalantly as possible.
Officer Dietrich looked at Kimble one more time then it clicked.
"You’re that doctor from Indiana." Dietrich said as his fellow officer Patrick Andrews had overheard the conversation. " We got your picture on the station wall, you’re wanted for murder!
Kimble knew he was in deep trouble. He was still standing close enough to the bar. He quickly reached for the beer on the bar and threw it in the face of Officer Dietrich this momentarily caught Dietrich by surprise. Kimble then dashed for the door.
Officer Andrews quickly got in Kimble’s way and tried to get a hold of Kimble from behind. Kimble elbowed Andrews in the ribs and Andrews fell to the floor. Kimble continued towards the bar door. By this time Officer Dietrich had recovered and pulled his service revolver firing at Kimble. The bullet just missed Kimble by inches as he made it out into the street.
Kimble never had been to Duquoin before and didn’t know his way around. The only thing he knew was he had to get away from the two police officers. He turned to the right and ran down the main street. The two officers had recovered by now and were in pursuit. Kimble turned to his left and headed down a side street but the officers were still in pursuit. Several gunshots whizzed wildly past Kimble who ran as fast as he could. He was soon out of the main business part of town and now into a residential area. He made a quick right and then a left but the officers were still pursuing. Then he ducked to the right again.
Kimble immediately saw he had made a mistake. The street was a dead end or a cull de sac with homes on all sides. He knew he was finished. Then he heard a voice.
" In here, quick!" Said a woman from a nearby doorway. With little other choice Kimble ran in the house. The two police officers ran by the dead end street.
Kimble stood in the foyer of the house catching his breath. Then he looked up and saw a familiar face.
" Hello Richard." Said Claire Mathews " It’s been a long time."
***********
Police cars were gathering in the area now. Officer Andrews had called for assistance saying there was a fugitive in the area. Another car soon pulled up. Out stepped a tall burly man.
" Now how the hell did you manage to lose him?" Said Sheriff Carl Burroughs. Carl Burroughs was the county sheriff and had come as soon as he heard about the sighting of Dr. Kimble. He had read the story in the newspapers of the trial and subsequent escape of Kimble. He was also very familiar with the face.
‘ Don’t know Chief, but he couldn’t have gotten far." Paul Dietrich said.
" I got roadblocks up on every road out of this area." Paul Burroughs said. He immediately recognized the possible signifigance his capturing of Kimble could have for him. Burroughs was an elected official and like most had ideas of running for higher office. A big profile case like this could just bring him the right amount of publicity to help him. " Kimble is not going anywhere."
Another officer ran up to Sheriff Burroughs. " Chief I called the number on that poster as you said. A Lieutenant Gerard is on his way right now. Should be here by nightfall."
" Good work boy." Burroughs said. " You made those other calls I requested too?"
" Yep I called the state marshall’s office and the local newspapers for you." Officer Thomas replied.
" Good work, now get back to that roadblock" Sheriff Burroughs said as Officer Thomas left. Maybe this Kimble’s still being loose would work for his benefit. One thing was sure, Kimble was going nowhere but to jail Burroughs thought.
***************
Kimble was in the attic of Claire Mathews home. Once inside the house Claire had taken Richard right up stairs. There were no windows in the attic, just some boxes and a old chest.
" It’s been a long time Richard" Claire Mathews said. Claire had once been a childhood friend of Richard’s sister Donna.
" Yes it has." Kimble replied. Kimble had been running for so long that he rarely trusted people but Claire Mathews was a old family friend. " Thank You for your help. I won’t stay long, I will wait till dark and try to get out then."
" They got to be looking for you out there." Claire said. " There has to be lots of police in the neighborhood you won’t get far."
" I don’t want to get you implicated in my problems." Kimble replied.
" What are friends for." Claire said. She had an idea in her mind. " What you need is a disguise."
" I don’t think a disguise will work." Kimble said doubting there was any disguise that would fool the police. Claire Mathews had walked over to the nearby chest and opened it up.
" Oh I think I know one that may work." Claire said as she removed a necklace from the trunk.
*************
Act II
Claire had talked Richard into undressing himself. He was too modest to remove his boxer shorts in front of a lady. While Richard had undressed himself Claire had gone downstairs to the guest bedroom and removed a dress that was hanging in the closet there and some other clothes from a drawer. From the upstairs bedroom window she could see police officers fanning out in the area. They must be doing house to house searches she thought. This gave her little time to waste.
" What are you trying to do?" Richard Kimble said as Claire Mathews reentered the attic. He was embarrassed to be undressed in front of her.
" I got no time to explain Richard." Claire took the medallion and touched it to the dress she was holding and then touched it to Richard.
" I felt a spark." Kimble said. "Now what is this disguise you are talking about? What are those you got there? " Claire was holding some women’s clothes. There was no way she could be thinking of trying to pass him off as a woman. Dr. Kimble knew he couldn’t fool anyone as a woman late at night.
" You will see." Claire said waiting for the changes to start and she soon noticed Richard’s hair was beginning to grow while he was starting to get shorter.
Claire and Richard continued to talk till Richard began to feel odd. It also looked like Claire was getting taller. Or was he getting shorter? Richard started speaking to Claire and realized his voice was changing or becoming of a higher pitch.
" What is going on?" Richard Kimble asked.
" This medallion I touched to you is magical." Claire explained as Richard Kimble continued to change before her eyes. " It will give you the perfect disguise. You will be a woman."
" A woman!?" Kimble said in disbelief but it was apparent he was changing his body hair had totally disappeared and he was now about the same height as Claire Mathews. While he stood there seeing his own body changed Claire explained to him about the medallion of Zulo. Claire had accidentally discovered it about a year earlier while in a antique shop in St. Louis. Not knowing if it was valuable or not she stored it away in event she could sell it or use it in some way. Now she could and to help her friend Richard.
Claire told Richard about how he was changing into a dear friend of hers Barbara Summers. Barbara had spent the previous summer with Claire before leaving for New Mexico where she was doing her medical residency. Like Richard Barbara was a doctor, but a OB/Gyn and not a pediatrician like Dr. Kimble. Claire said with this disguise he could get out of town safely and switch back to himself later on. He would just have to wait 12 hours before the transformation could be done. By the time Claire got through explaining this the changes were completed.
" Let’s go back downstairs." Claire led Richard or Now Barbara down the stairs from the attic to the 2nd floor. Claire led Richard into a bedroom. Before Claire could explain anything further she heard the front door bell ring.
" Stay here Richard..err I mean Barbara." Claire said to a still shocked Barbara Summers. " I will see who is at the door." Claire left the room and went down the stairs.
Barbara looked at the bedroom mirror but turned away. Then she looked again, the reflection showed a woman in her early 30's with reddish brown hair below her shoulders , standing maybe 5'6 in height and 130 or so lbs in weight with medium but firm breasts. All in all an attractive woman, not a knockout but very nice. The sight made Barbara shiver to her spine.
By this time Claire had gotten down stairs. She went to the front door.
" Who is it?" Claire asked.
" Police officers, Miss Mathews." Said the voice. "May you let us in so we can speak?" Claire opened the door and Officer Andrews and another officer were outside. Claire let them inside the house.
" Ma’am would you mind allowing us to search your home and yard?"
" Whatever for?" Claire asked
" There is a escaped fugitive, a murderer somewhere in the area." Officer Andrews explained that they were going house to house searching. " We are doing it for your safety Ma’am"
" Go right ahead." Claire said. " My friend Barbara is visiting and she is laying down at the moment I would ask that you please don’t disturb her."
" Hello Officers." Said Barbara Summers she was fully dressed now wearing the dress Claire given her. Claire was a little surprised to see her and it seemed Officer Andrews was too.
" Ladies if you will excuse us." Officer Andrews said to Claire and Barbara but seemed to be looking very longingly at Barbara. Then he went upstairs while the other officer searched the downstairs area and the backyard. Claire put some coffee on while she and Barbara made general chitchat till the officers were done. Claire told Barbara that the real Barbara and Officer Andrews had been close friends a year earlier. It was 5 or so minutes before the officers returned.
" Ladies all is clear, but I suggest you keep your doors all locked. If you see or here anything suspicious you call the police right away. Ok?" Said Officer Andrews
" Thank You Officer." Said Claire " You officers wouldn’t be interested in some coffee?"
" No Ma’am. Nice seeing you again Barbara." Officer Andrews said as he and the other officer let themselves out the front door. Barbara went and locked the door then returned to the kitchen.
" I can not still believe I am really a woman." Barbara said.
" Sorry for not explaining before I did it. I saw the police searching house to house." Claire explained. " I knew we didn’t have much time.
" No apology necessary." Barbara replied. " I’d been arrested without you. You have my gratitude."
" You can stay with me till the police are gone." Claire said "or I can take you to the bus station like you are. You can take the medallion and switch back when you’re safely away from here."
**************
It was over 4 hours since the area had been closed off and still no sight of Richard Kimble this was incredibly frustrating for Sheriff Burroughs.
" He couldn’t have just disappeared into thin air." Sheriff Burroughs said trying to avoid yelling at the Officers and deputies assembled. He was pointing to an area a map spread out on top of a police cruiser. "He was last sighted here" Pointing to a spot on the map. " We have had this area entirely cordoned off within 10 minutes of losing sight of him.
Patrick Andrews felt responsible for losing Kimble but avoided speaking up. The Sheriff was missing the point that Kimble may have slipped the roadblocks before they were put up.
" I want every house, hen house, whore house, dog house and out house in this area searched and searched again till we find him." Burroughs said as the sun was rapidly setting.
A car pulled up. Out of the car stepped a man approximately 40 years old. He approached Sheriff Burroughs.
" Are you Sheriff Burroughs? The man said. Burroughs said yes. "I’m Lieutenant Gerard from Indiana. I heard you sighted Richard Kimble."
" Yes we did." Sheriff Burroughs went on and explained the events of earlier that day and what steps had been taken.
" Good work Sheriff" Lt. Gerard said. " Kimble is cornered and we will have him very soon."
************
Act III
Barbara Summers laid in bed unable to sleep. The shock of being a woman was enough for the former Richard Kimble to keep him awake. The sound of the police who were only a block away kept him anxious also. The disguise was perfect, but he still couldn’t shake the fear of capture he had. It came from being on the run for a year.
Barbara got out of bed and went downstairs to the living room. There she lit a cigarette and sat quietly thinking. She could hear noise from the police searching the neighborhood.
" Couldn’t sleep?" Said Claire who had gotten out of bed and joined Barbara in the living room.
" No I couldn’t." Barbara said taking a long puff from her cigarette.
" Can I get you anything?" Claire asked.
" No, nothing." Barbara replied.
" So what brought you to Duquoin?" Claire asked.
Barbara told the story of how she had a lead to the location of the one-armed man Fred Johnson and he came to town for that reason and how the police recognized him.
Claire just sat and listened. So it was true, the story of the one-armed man. Claire had been good friends with Donna Kimble but had moved from Stafford when she was 13. She hadn’t known Richard well but knew he was a kind decent man. Not someone who could have murdered his wife. Claire had read most of the newspaper articles on the Kimble case and was familiar with the details.
" I would like to get on my way as soon as I can." Barbara said. She never liked staying in one place too long fearing that someone would recognize him.
" The cops are searching for Richard and they can’t possibly know who you are." Claire said. " So why don’t you stay here for a while."
" I don’t know." Barbara replied thinking she would be happy to be a man again even if it meant he was a fugitive from the law.
********
Dawn was breaking in Duquoin. The scene is a garage of a home. Sheriff Burroughs and Lt. Gerard had set up a command post only a block and a half from Claire Mathews home.
" Still not a trace of Kimble." Said Burroughs to Gerard. The frustration of not finding Kimble yet was setting in.
There was a table in the garage and a map was laid out on the table. Lt. Gerard was studying it intently.
" This was the last location you said Kimble was sighted." Gerard said pointing to the map. "Now the police ran off down this street. All the side streets are dead ends or cull de sacs. Correct?"
" Yep." Burroughs said. " That is why he has to be in this area. The bartender called the police as my deputies ran out of his place." Burroughs explained. " He has to be in this area, but where?" Burroughs pointed to a circle on the map.
" Agreed" said Gerard who was beginning to have thoughts that Kimble had managed to elude the police one more time.
Officer Dietrich walked into the garage. " Chief we have the search teams assembled outside. We are just waiting for orders."
" Tell everyone to help themselves to some coffee" Burroughs said, as he already planned to recommence the search once daylight arrived. He didn’t want to disturb the residents anymore than needed. " We will restart the search after sunrise." Officer Dietrich left the garage and walked out to where men were assembling outside.
" All the neighbors and residents been accounted for." Lt Gerard observed. "Anyone who doesn’t belong or who is suspicious?"
"Nope." Burroughs said. " Cliff Anderson’s nephew is visiting on leave from Marine boot camp. Tom is 19 and going to somewhere called Vietnam after his leave is up. Then there is Barbara Summers, she is staying with Claire Mathews. Barbara is just here visiting but she has been here before. The McDaniels thought they heard something in their yard around midnight. I sent some deputies to investigate but they just found a overturned trash can. Probably an animal.
No leads, no information. Frustration was setting in. Lt. Gerard thought as he waited for daylight to come.
*********
Claire and Barbara got up shortly after 8 a.m. They had breakfast together and talked for much of the morning. Claire and Barbara had agreed it was safest for Barbara to stay there till the police were gone. Barbara would take the medallion with her when leaving town and return to being Richard Kimble when she was safely away from Duquoin. Claire was a school teacher and she was on summer vacation at the time so she would be home now.
In the meantime Claire taught Barbara some things she would need to know as a woman. Like makeup and women’s clothing. While this was going on Deputies came by the house to search again. Claire let them in and they just went about their business till the Deputies were done.
It was now early afternoon and Claire was squeezing lemons to make some lemonade. It was a hot summer day in southern Illinois and they needed some refreshments.
" You are making quite a lot." Barbara observed. " There are only the two of us."
" I am thinking of bringing some down to the Deputies." Claire said " They will need it today."
" What can you tell me about Barbara Summers?" Said Barbara. She was curious to who she really was.
" Barbara and I went to Northwestern together." Claire explained how Barbara and her very close friends and that Barbara had come to visit her the last two summers. Barbara already knew that she was a doctor of medicine and some other details.
" So where is the real Barbara?" Barbara asked having a fear that the real Barbara could show up and uncover her disguise.
" Barbara left last July to begin her residency in New Mexico." Claire said. " She died in a auto accident only about 6 weeks ago. No one here in town knows but me."
" I’m sorry." Barbara said giving Claire a tissue to wipe her face.
" Everyone in town liked Barbara. They wanted her to stay and be the town doctor." Claire explained. "Doc Porter is in his early 70's now. Pat Andrews also was seriously in love with her."
Barbara had already gotten the impression that Officer Andrews had a serious crush or love for Barbara. Claire by now had squeezed a pitcher full of lemonade.
" Why don’t you take this down the street to where the police are?" Claire said "I’m sure they would appreciate it.
" Me bring it down there?" Barbara said in surprise. Normally she would never willingly go anywhere near the police.
" Don’t fret. There is no way they would think a pretty young woman could be Dr. Kimble." Claire said. " I got a slight headache and want to lay down for a while."
Barbara knew Claire was right. Claire put the pitcher on a tray with some glasses and walked to the front door and let Barbara outside.
It was a bright summer day and Barbara felt the heat as soon as she got outside. Barbara turned to the right and started up the street. She walked past a sheriff’s deputy who didn’t give her a 2nd thought.. The disguise really worked. At the top of the street Barbara turned to the left and headed to the drive way where many police cars were parked.
Barbara walked up the driveway and towards the garage. Immediately in front of her was Lt. Gerard.
*********
Act IV
" Why thank you Miss Summers for the lemonade." Said Sheriff Burroughs who introduced Barbara to Lt. Gerard. " We sure can use it on a hot day like today."
" You are quite welcome Sheriff." Said Barbara trying not to act nervous which was proving to be difficult. " You and your men are working so hard and I feel so scared with that murderer on the loose. I felt I owed the men some hospitality."
" Mighty fine lemonade." Said Burroughs while drinking some. Lt. Gerard had taken a glass for himself and so had some other men. " We greatly appreciate it. Now miss it’s safest for you back at Claire’s home. I will have one of the deputies escort you back to the house."
" Thank you Sheriff." Barbara said. Burroughs motioned for one of the deputies to come and over ran Patrick Andrews.
" Andrews escort this young lady back to her home." Burroughs said "And tell the Deputies down there to keep a close eye on the Mathews home. Don’t want anything to happen to these ladies."
Barbara said goodbye to the Sheriff and Lt. Gerard and started walking back to the house with Officer Andrews.
" When did you get back in town?" Patrick asked.
" Two nights ago." Barbara replied.
" I am so happy to see you again Barbara." Said Patrick. It was very clear to Barbara that Patrick was in love with her. " How long are you visiting?"
" Just a few days." Barbara answered. They had finished walking back to Claire’s house.
" I hope I can see you again before you go." Officer Andrews said "If I have time off or a break is it all right if I stop by."
" Sure go ahead." Barbara said wanting to act as normally as possible. She would be female for just a few days and no one would suspect who she really was. Barbara walked up the porch steps waved goodbye to Officer Andrews and went inside the house.
*********
Barbara and Claire spent the rest of the day around the house or in the backyard where Claire kept busy with some gardening. Barbara reconciled herself to the plan that she would just lay low until the police were no longer searching for Kimble. Not that the police would suspect she was him but it was still best not to draw undue attention.
Back at the garage the frustration of not locating Kimble only grew. Burroughs was still holding onto the small chance that Kimble hadn’t gotten away while Lt. Gerard was coming to the conclusion that Kimble had alluded him once again.
Burroughs was becoming snappish with the deputies. He now regretted he had informed the local press that they were going to capture Kimble soon. The questions they were asking now were getting embarrassing.
" Dietrich, you checked everywhere I told you?" Burroughs said trying to control his temper.
" Chief we searched every house in the 10 block area, dog house, hen house. Like you said, it’s like he disappeared." Dietrich said. "At least 3 times, nothing was found."
" Well go back and check every house again." Burroughs said. "Now go boy!" Dietrich ran from the room and Burroughs walked back over to where Gerard was sitting.
" Still no trace." Burroughs said as he helped himself to a cup of coffee. "We will continue searching today and tomorrow but after then I will have to call it off."
It was frustrating for Gerard also. He was escorting Kimble to prison for his scheduled execution the year previous when the train wreck allowed Kimble to escape. Even though Gerard was not responsible he felt personally obligated to find Kimble so Justice would be served.
" He must have gotten out before the roadblocks." Gerard commented. " Kimble has managed to get away before. Has anyone seen or reported anything unusual?"
"Nothing." Burroughs replied
" Do you mind if I go house to house talking to some of the people?" Gerard asked. "Someone may have noticed something or something may have been missed."
" No problem Lieutennant." Burroughs said " I will have one of my deputies go with you tomorrow morning door to door."
************
Evening came and after having dinner together Claire and Barbara sat down to watch some television. The police were still searching the area and they could be heard in the distance. It was nearly 9 p.m. and Claire was about to get up to use the bathroom when the front door rang. Barbara got up and answered the door. It was Officer Andrews.
" Hello Claire, Is Barbara home or available?" Patrick asked.
" Yes Patrick, come in and I will get her." Claire opened the door for Patrick and led Patrick to the kitchen dining area. " Excuse me while I tell Barbara you are here."
Claire left the room and about 90 seconds later Barbara returned.
" Hello Barbara." Patrick said. Barbara walked over and begun to make a pot of coffee while Patrick waited. Barbara offered some cookies to Patrick but he respectfully declined. Once the coffee was made Barbara poured them both cups and they sat down at the table.
" It’s been a long time Barbara." Patrick said. " How have you been?"
" I have been busy but otherwise fine." Barbara was having to deal with the unwanted attention she was getting from Officer Andrews. It wasn’t easy but Barbara suceeded. For 15 minutes Barbara and Patrick made general chit chat about their lifes, Barbara allowed Patrick to do most of the talking.
" I really missed you." Patrick said.
" Me too." Barbara replied.
Patrick was quiet for a moment. " Barbara I really loved you very much. I felt terrible when you left town last year."
Barbara didn’t know what to say. Patrick was getting the idea she was still interested in him. Barbara just wanted to live quietly till she could get out of the house and back to being Richard Kimble.
" I still love you." Patrick said again. Barbara remained silent. Then she heard a car pull up outside the house. Soon there was a knock at the door. Patrick got up to answer the door and soon Claire had come also. It was Officer Dietrich and he spoke to Barbara.
"Ma’am will you please come with me." Officer Dietrich said.
" What’s wrong Paul?" Patrick asked.
" Doc Porter, we think he had a heart attack." Claire hurried to the closet and grabbed a housecoat for Barbara and gave it to her. Officers Andrews and Dietrich escorted Barbara out to the car opened the door for her then climbed into the front seat and drove off.
It only took 2 minutes to get to Doc Porters house with the siren blaring. It was a two story house with a front porch. After getting out of the car Barbara walked with the officers to the front door where an elderly black woman was standing.
" Welcome home Barbara." Said Mandy. " Doc is in his upstairs bedroom." Mandy led Barbara into the house and up the stairs filling Barbara in on the way. Mandy was Doc Porter’s housekeeper. It seemed Doc Porter had been complaining of shortness of breath an hour earlier
and Mandy grew concerned. She wanted to call for help but the doctor refused. Mandy called the into town and soon learned Barbara was visiting. The police came and got Barbara right away.
" How is he?" Barbara asked.
" Usual, stubborn as a mule, you know." Mandy replied as they entered the room. Doc Porter was asleep in bed. Doc Porter was in his early 70's with gray hair and balding hair. Barbara walked around to the side of the bed while Mandy went to fetch the doctor’s medical bag. Barbara went to feel Doc Porter’s pulse when he woke up.
" Just lay in bed doc." Barbara said while taking his pulse.
" So formal aren’t we" Doc Porter replied trying to sit up in bed. " Big shot doctor already and you can’t even call me Frank."
" Please stay still Doc..Frank" Barbara said. Mandy by this time had arrived with the medical bag. Barbara took the stethoscope out of the bag and tried to listen to Doc Porter’s heart. Like most doctors he was a very uncooperative patient.
" I didn’t know you were in town." Doc Porter said. " When did you get here?"
" Two days ago." Barbara answered.
" Two days and not even a visit to me." Doc Porter said trying to sound indignant. " Ungrateful woman you are."
" I have been kind of busy and the police are in my neighborhood." Barb said.
" You must have been busy with that nice officer." Doc Porter said with a smile.
" I think you may have had a heart attack." Barbara said. "I’d like to take you the hospital in Carbondale."
" No hospitals for me!" Doc Porter said and continued to rant about how they took care of patients.
" Calm down or you will have another heart attack." Barbara said knowing that the doctor would never consent to the hospital. " If not the hospital you are confined to bed till further notice."
" I can’t do that either." Doc Porter said. " Mrs. Johnson is due any day now and the Chang’s boy been sick."
" Don’t worry yourself over that." Barbara said. She was a doctor of medicine as Dr. Kimble and as Barbara Summers. With no where to go she decided to stay in town till the doctor was well or other arrangements could be made. " I’m here and I’m the doctor now and you are confined to bed till I say otherwise."
Doc Porter ranted for another minute before ceasing. Barbara got up and walked out of the room with Mandy. They walked back down the stairs to the waiting room where Officers Dietrich and Andrews were still waiting.
" He had a heart attack." Barbara explained to Mandy and the officers and what the situation was. Officer Andrews offered to return to Claire’s home to retrieve Barbara’s clothes and left with Officer Dietrich.
Barbara took a seat in the waiting area while Mandy went back upstairs to prepare the guest bedroom for Barbara.
**********
Epilogue
Officer Andrews came back an hour later with a bag full of clothing that Claire had packed for her. Mandy took the clothes upstairs while Barbara busied herself reading some of the medical files and diaries Doc Porter kept on his patient. It appeared Doc Porter had been a busy country doctor for the last 45 years. Barbara had gone upstairs one time to check on Doc Porter finding him fast asleep.
Scene The office of a country Doctor then the Narrator starts speaking
Barbara Summers formerly Dr. Richard Kimble. In disguise in front of the people that pursued him. In a world that was alien to him. Yet a world so familiar. A masquerade but will the doctor soon be unmasked?
To Be Continued
© 2001
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