Richard Kimble immediately saw he had made a mistake. The street was a dead end, or rather a cul-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 into 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."

Altered Fates- The Missing Episode of The Fugitive
by Danielle J

Synopsis- Richard Kimble still in pursuit of the one-armed man, comes to a small Southern Illinois town. When almost cornered by the police, a friend gives the fugitive from justice a unique way to hide him...herself.

I also want to thank Steve Zink for his editing and general story help.

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- Doc Porter
James MacArthur- 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 is from its 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 with whom he interacts. 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 first season. It is word for word what was said at the opening of each episode.

Last casting note - The 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 an Astronaut and Dawn was busy with a pilot for a show about some people who were shipwrecked. 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.

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 toward 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's 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 so 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's been 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 Du Quoin, Illinois. He had heard that Fred Johnson, the one armed man, had been working in Du Quoin 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 Du Quoin. 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. You wouldn't happen to know him?"

"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 he 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 Du Quoin long. Illinois was just too close to Indiana and Lt. Gerard.

The bar door opened, and two men dressed in Sheriff's Deputy 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?" asked Officer Patrick Andrews. He had wavy blonde hair and was in his late twenties.

"Oh, slow, business is down since the horses left town," Ralph the bartender replied. Du Quoin 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," 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've seen it before."

"It's a common face," Kimble said. He took some money out of his wallet and placed it on the bar. "Thanks for the beer and keep the change," he said as he started to turn around to leave the bar, trying to act as nonchalantly as possible.

Officer Dietrich looked at Kimble one more time, then it clicked.

"You're that doctor from Indiana," Dietrich said, and his fellow officer Patrick Andrews had overheard the conversation. "We've got your picture on the station wall, you're wanted for murder!"

Kimble knew he was in deep trouble. Richard 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 him from behind. Kimble elbowed Andrews in the ribs, and the cop fell to the floor. Kimble continued toward 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 had never been to Du Quoin 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 rather a cul-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 into 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?" asked Sheriff Carl Burroughs. 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," Officer Dietrich answered.

"I've got roadblocks up on every road out of this area," Sheriff Burroughs said. He immediately recognized the possible significance 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's 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, lad," Burroughs said. "You made those other calls I requested, too?"

"Yes, sir, 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 to his benefit. One thing was certain, 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 directly upstairs. There were no windows in the attic, just some boxes and an old chest.

"It's been a long time, Richard," Claire Mathews said once again. Claire had once been a childhood friend of Richard's sister, Donna.

"Yes, it has," Kimble replied. He had been running for so long that he rarely trusted people, but Claire Mathews was an old family friend. "Thank you for your help. I won't stay long, I'll wait till dark and try to get out then."

"They've got to be looking for you out there," Claire said. "There have 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 head. "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 2

Claire had talked Kimble 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 said as Claire reentered the attic. He was embarrassed to be undressed in front of her.

"I have no time to explain, Richard." Claire took the medallion on the necklace she'd pulled out 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 were talking about? What's that you have in your hands 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, even late at night.

"You'll 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? He started speaking to her, and realized his voice was changing or becoming of a higher pitch.

"What's going on?" Richard asked.

"This medallion I touched to you is magical," Claire explained as 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. While he stood there seeing his own body changing, Claire explained to him about the Medallion of Zulo. Claire had accidentally discovered it about a year earlier while in an 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, as his new waist and hips became way too small to hold up the men's trunks, which dropped to the floor. 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. "With this disguise, you can get out of town safely and switch back to yourself later on," Claire mentioned while giving him the panties, bra and slip she'd brought up with her. She did Kimble the honor of hooking the bra clasp behind his back. "You'll just have to wait twelve hours before the transformation back to yourself can 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 second floor. She led her into a bedroom, where Barbara held the dress in her hands. Put on a dress? How? Before Claire could explain anything further, she heard the front doorbell ring.

"Stay here, Richard...err, I mean Barbara," Claire said to a still shocked Barbara Summers as she set the shoes on the floor. "I'll see who's 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 thirties with reddish brown hair below her shoulders, standing maybe 5'6 in height and a hundred and thirty or so pounds 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 downstairs. She went to the front door. "Who is it?"

"Police officers, Miss Mathews," said the voice. "Would you let us in so we can speak?" Claire opened the door, and Officer Andrews and another officer were outside. She let them inside the house.

"Ma'am, would you mind allowing us to search your home and yard?"

"Whatever for?"

"There's an escaped fugitive, a murderer, somewhere in the area." Officer Andrews explained that they were going house to house searching. "We're doing it for your safety, Ma'am."

"Go right ahead," Claire said. "My friend Barbara is visiting, and she's laying down at the moment. I would ask that you please don't disturb her."

"Hello, Officers," said Barbara Summers, surprising Claire with her appearance. She was fully dressed now, wearing the dress and shoes Claire had given her. Claire was a bit wide eyed at seeing her, and it seemed Officer Andrews was, too. Not just for seeing her up and about, but also in appreciation of the picture of beauty he hadn't seen for a while.

"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 back yard. Claire put some coffee on while she and Barbara made general chitchat till the officers were finished. "Barbara, the real you and Officer Andrews had been close friends a year ago," Claire told her. "Be a bit wary about things he might say." It was five or so more minutes before the officers returned.

"Ladies, all is clear, but I suggest you keep your doors all locked. If you see or hear anything suspicious, you call the police right away. Okay?" advised Officer Andrews.

"Thank you, Officer," replied 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 still can't believe I'm 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 have 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 four 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," he said, trying to avoid yelling at the officers and deputies assembled. He was pointing to an area on a map spread out on the roof of a police cruiser. "He was last sighted here," pointing to a spot on the map. "We've had this area entirely cordoned off within ten 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, doghouse and outhouse 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 forty years old. He approached Sheriff Burroughs. "Are you Sheriff Burroughs?"

"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 3

Barbara Summers laid in bed, unable to sleep. The shock of being a woman was enough for the former Richard Kimble to keep her awake. The sound of the police who were only a block away kept her anxious, also. The disguise was perfect, but she still couldn't shake the fear of capture she 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?" asked Claire, who had gotten out of bed and joined Barbara in the living room.

"No, I couldn't," Barbara replied, taking a long puff from her cigarette.

"Can I get you anything?"

"No, nothing."

"So what brought you to Du Quoin?" Claire asked.

Barbara told the story of how she had a lead to the location of the one-armed man, Fred Johnson, and how as Kimble he'd came to the 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 Richard's sister, Donna Kimble, but had moved from Stafford when she was thirteen. She hadn't known Richard well, but knew he was a kind and 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. As Kimble he'd 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 Du Quoin. 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 it. 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 cul-de-sacs. Correct?"

"Yep," Burroughs replied. "That's why he has to be in this area. The bartender called the police as my deputies ran out of his place. 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're 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 any more than needed. "We'll restart the search after sunrise."

Officer Dietrich left the garage and walked out to where men were assembling outside.

"All the neighbors and residents have 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 nineteen and going to somewhere called Vietnam after his leave is up. Then there's Barbara Summers, she's staying with Claire Mathews. Barbara is just here visiting, but she used to reside here. The McDaniels thought they heard something in their yard around midnight. I sent some deputies to investigate, but they just found an overturned trash can. Probably an animal."

No leads, no information. Frustration was setting in. Lt. Gerard stewed as he waited for daylight to come.
 

~*~
 
Claire and Barbara got up for good shortly after 8 a.m. They had breakfast together and talked for much of the morning. They 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 Du Quoin. Claire was a school teacher, and she was on summer vacation at the time, so she would be home now.

Throughout the morning, Claire taught Barbara some things she would need to know as a woman. Like using 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 they 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're making quite a lot," Barbara observed. "There are only the two of us."

"I'm thinking of bringing some down to the deputies," Claire said, "and they'll need it today."

"Claire, I'm curious as to just who I am now. What can you tell me about Barbara Summers?"

"Barbara and I went to Northwestern together." Claire went on to explain how Barbara and her were 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?" she 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 an auto accident only about six 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 seventies now. Pat Andrews also was seriously in love with her."

Barbara had already gotten the impression that Officer Andrews had a serious crush on or at least deep 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's no way they would think a pretty young woman could be Dr. Kimble," Claire said. "I've got a slight headache and want to lay down for a while."

Barbara knew she was right. Claire put the pitcher on a tray with some glasses and walked to the front door, then let Barbara outside.

It was a bright summer day, and Barbara felt the heat as soon as she got outside. She turned to the right and started up the street. She walked past a sheriff's deputy who didn't give her a second thought. The disguise really worked. At the top of the street, she turned to the left and headed to the driveway where many police cars were parked.

Barbara walked up the driveway and toward the garage. Immediately in front of her was Lt. Gerard.

Act 4

"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're 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 good-bye to the Sheriff and Lt. Gerard and started walking back to the house with Officer Andrews. "When did you get back in town?" he asked.

"Two nights ago."

"I am so happy to see you again, Barbara." 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?"

"Certainly, come on back," she replied, wanting to act as normal 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 good-bye 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 eluded him once again.

Burroughs was becoming snappish with the deputies. He now regretted having 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 ten block area, doghouse, hen house. Like you said, it's like he disappeared," Dietrich said. "At least three times, nothing was found."

"Well, go back and check every house again," Burroughs said. "Now go, lad!" Dietrich ran from the garage 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 that I'll have to call it off."

It was frustrating for Gerard also. He was escorting Kimble to prison for his scheduled execution the year before 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."

"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, Lieutenant," Burroughs said, "I'll 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 Barbara was about to get up to use the bathroom when the bell at the front door rang. Claire 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'll get her." Claire opened the door for Patrick and led him to the kitchen dining area. "Excuse me while I tell Barbara you're here."

Claire left the room and about a minute and a half later Barbara appeared.

"Hello, Barbara."

Barbara walked over and began to make a pot of coffee while Patrick waited. She offered some cookies to him, but he respectfully declined. Once the coffee was made, she 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've 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 she was succeeding. For fifteen minutes she and Patrick made general chit chat about their lives; Barbara allowed Patrick to do most of the talking.

"I really missed you," Patrick said.

"Likewise," 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. She 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?"

"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 two minutes to get to Doc Porter's 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 had grown concerned. She wanted to call for help, but the doctor refused. Mandy slipped away from him and then called 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 seventies with gray 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. "A 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."

"Two days and not even a visit to me," Doc Porter said, trying to sound indignant. "Ungrateful woman you are."

"I've been kind of busy, and the police are in my neighborhood," Barbara replied.

"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'll have another heart attack," Barbara told him, knowing that the doctor would never consent to the hospital. "If not the hospital, you're 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 has been sick."

"Don't worry yourself over that," Barbara said. She was a Doctor of Medicine as Dr. Kimble, and now as Barbara Summers. With nowhere 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, then expanded on 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 patients. It appeared Doc Porter had been a busy country doctor for the last forty-five years. Barbara had gone upstairs one time to check on Doc Porter, finding him fast asleep.

Scene: The office of a country Doctor.

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?

Act 5

The scene, a busy rural doctor's office. A female doctor is examining a four-year-old Chinese boy. The Narrator begins speaking.

Dr. Richard Kimble, now Dr. Barbara Summers, country doctor. Dr. Summers has found the freedom that she so much desired as Dr. Kimble, but at a price. Is she willing to continue to pay that price for freedom?

"Cough, please?" Barbara Summers said to Tommy Chang. His mother was standing anxiously in the room. Tommy coughed while Barbara listened to his chest with her stethoscope.

Dr. Summers had read the chart on Tommy Chang. Dr. Porter was concerned the boy may have contracted a form of viral pneumonia. After examining young Tommy, Barbara concluded that the boy's lungs were beginning to clear. Hopefully the chance of pneumonia was subsiding.

"Is Tommy getting better?" Mrs. Chang asked.

"Oh, much better," Barbara answered with a smile. She reached into the coat she was wearing and pulled out a lollipop for the youngster. Tommy instantly unwrapped it and put it in his mouth.

Before the Changs left, Barbara told Mrs. Chang to bring Tommy back two days later for a further checkup, just as a precaution. Once the Changs left the office, Barbara checked with Dr. Porter's nurse, Beth Nolan. "How is Tommy doing?" she inquired.

"Getting better," Dr. Summers said. "I want him back in two days for follow up. How's Doc?"

"Irascible as ever," Beth replied. "He doesn't like taking orders, but he is listening to you. You're the only one who can get him to listen. It's wonderful you're back, we really missed you around here."

"Thanks," Dr. Summers said, making a last notation in Tommy Chang's records. "Any news on Mrs. Johnson?"

"Nothing, today's her due date," Beth Nolan replied. "Just the usual motherly jitters."

Dr. Summers, or the former Dr. Richard Kimble, hadn't delivered a baby in years and this made her a little jittery. What do they say about learning to ride a bicycle?

"Okay, who's next?" Dr. Summers asked, as she knew the waiting room was full outside.
 

~*~
 
Lt. Gerard just walked out of the house that belonged to the McDaniel family. The McDaniels were cooperative, but had little information to give him. "Who's next?" he asked Officer Dietrich.

"Claire Mathews," said Paul Dietrich. "Her friend Barbara Summers went to help because Doc Porter had a heart attack."

They walked to the Matthews house and rang the front door bell. In a few seconds Claire Mathews opened the door.

"Sorry to bother you, ma'am," said Paul Dietrich. "We'd like to see the house one last time and ask a few questions. This is Lt. Gerard from Indiana." Claire held the door open and her visitors entered the house. Lt. Gerard walked around the ground level area while Dietrich went downstairs to inspect the basement.

"I don't why you have to see the house again," Claire Mathews said. "Officers have been here twice already."

"Just routine," Lt. Gerard said as he walked around the downstairs level. "Have you seen or heard anything strange or out of the place?"

"No, nothing at all," Claire said. Officer Dietrich had returned from the basement, and had given it the all clear. Lt. Gerard started up the stairs.

Once upstairs, Lt. Gerard and Officer Dietrich just walked around looking in each of the rooms. While in Claire's bedroom he picked up a picture frame and looked at it. Then Lt. Gerard left the bedroom.

"Is there an attic?" Claire showed the trapdoor that was in the ceiling and they pulled open the door that had a staircase attached. Lt. Gerard climbed up the stairs into the attic, with Claire following.

The attic was much like it was two days earlier, and Lt. Gerard just walked around. "Have you heard of or known a man named Richard Kimble?"

"Name sounds familiar, but I can't recall from where," Claire replied nervously, then something caught her attention. One of Richard's socks was lying on the floor. Claire had placed Richard's clothes in the trunk, but she must have missed this sock. While facing the Lieutenant she tried to use one of her feet to nudge the sock behind some boxes.

"Why should I know him?" Claire asked innocently.

"He's a fugitive. Escaped from my custody a year ago," Lt. Gerard said, finishing his search of the attic. Claire mentioned vaguely recalling hearing about the story from a newspaper. Claire, Officer Dietrich and Lt. Gerard took the stairs back down to the second floor and Officer Dietrich closed the door to the attic. Claire led them downstairs and to the front door.

"Thank you for your help," Lt. Gerard said as Claire let him and Officer Dietrich out of the house. Lt. Gerard walked out to the street deep in thought.

"Lieutenant, you want to visit the next house?" Officer Dietrich asked.

"Yes," Lt. Gerard replied as they walked to the next house, making a mental note that he wished to speak to Barbara Summers.
 

~*~
 
It was nearly 5 p.m. in the afternoon and Mrs. Johnson and her husband had just arrived at Doc Porter's house. She was in labor, and Dr. Summers was preparing to deliver the baby. She was washing her hands when Mandy spoke up. "Doctor, Patrick and a Lt. Gerard are outside and wish to talk to you for a moment."

"Tell them I'm busy delivering a baby," Barbara said. Why was Lt. Gerard here, and wanting to talk to her, she asked herself.

Barbara left the bathroom and walked to the examination room. Lt. Gerard and Patrick were there.

"Sorry, Doctor, I need just a moment of your time," Lt. Gerard said.

"Forgive me, Lieutenant, but I have a baby to deliver."

"Did you see anyone unusual or anything unusual while staying with Claire Mathews?" Lt. Gerard said insistently.

"No, Lieutenant, not till all you officers showed up." Barbara was nervous as she could be, but she was working to keep it under control. "I have no more time. There is a baby about to be born," she said as she walked into the examining room and closed the door behind her.

Act 6

They were closing up operations in the garage that had been used as a command post. It was over two days since Richard Kimble had been sighted and then lost. No further sightings. This was frustrating for Sheriff Burroughs and Lt. Gerard. "Sorry for making you travel all this way for nothing, Lieutenant," the Sheriff said.

"It's part of my job," Lt. Gerard replied. He was equally frustrated with the search. He had seen something interesting while in Claire Mathews house. A picture of Claire at a lake. It was a lake in Southern Indiana. Kimble was from Indiana. It just might be coincidence, but Claire appeared nervous while he was in the house. Gerard's sixth sense when people were lying was usually pretty good. He thought Claire Mathews wasn't being truthful, but he had nothing to go on.

"Thank you for the help, Sheriff." Lt. Gerard and Sheriff Burroughs shook hands, then Lt. Gerard was led to a police cruiser. As the car started driving away, Lt. Gerard thought of how close he had come again to finding Richard Kimble.
 

~*~
 
It was nearly midnight, and Dr. Summers had just finished with the Johnsons. Mrs. Johnson had delivered a healthy baby boy that weighed seven pounds precisely. Both were resting downstairs in a room they kept for patients.

Dr. Summers walked into Doc Porter's room. He was fast asleep. According to Mandy, Doc Porter had obeyed her instructions and remained in bed. Dr. Summers observed him and began to leave the room when Doc Porter called her. "Barbara, how did it go with Mrs. Johnson?" He had heard from Mandy that Mrs. Johnson was in labor.

"Everything went well," Barbara replied, giving the details to the elder doctor. "Mrs. Johnson and her son are both fine."

"How about Tommy Chang?" Doc Porter asked. He was an old fashioned doctor, but he thought highly of Barbara Summers abilities as a doctor. He also doted on her like a father or grandfather. Doc Porter was childless, and his wife Mildred had passed away eleven years before.

"I think the chance of pneumonia is diminishing," Doctor Summers answered, explaining her examination of Tommy. "He's coming back in two days for a follow up. I might stop by tomorrow night and check in the meantime."

"Wise move," Doc Porter said, now propped up in bed. Dr. Summers was trying to listen to his heart with the stethoscope and take his pulse, but Doc Porter was being fussy as always.

"I'm really okay," Doc Porter said.

"Remember, you're the patient, not the doctor now."

"Yes, Doctor," replied Doc Porter in a voice full of sarcasm, but soon his face smiled. "You have made a fine doctor, Barbara, you really ought to reconsider and stay here in Du Quoin. This town needs someone like you."

"Thanks." Barbara thought of her present situation, and what life on the run as Richard Kimble meant, also. "Now you need to get your sleep. I will check back on you during the night." Doc Porter ranted about how unnecessary it was for everyone to fuss over him as Barbara got up from the bed and left the room. She walked down the hallway to the spare bedroom and closed the door.

Barbara Summers took her clothes off and put on a nightgown that had been loaned to her by Claire. She sat down in the chair in the corner of the room, lit a cigarette and sat there thinking.
 

~*~
 
The next day was a hectic day for Dr. Summers. Doc Porter was a busy country doctor and the patients who came to Dr. Summers were endless. Most of the patients had known Dr. Summers from her previous visits to Du Quoin and expressed their happiness to see her again, and their hope that she would stay this time. The Johnsons had gone back home that
morning after being examined by Dr. Summers. Both mother and son were doing well.

Two of the patients that came were Officer Dietrich and his wife Jennifer. Jennifer was three months pregnant with the Dietrich's first child. The Dietrichs were like most couples expecting their first child, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Jennifer's pregnancy was developing normally, Dr. Summers found as she examined her. After examining Mrs. Dietrich, Barbara asked for her to return in three weeks. Before leaving Jennifer mentioned that since Patrick Andrews had discovered Dr. Summers was back in town that he incessantly talked about her. Paul Dietrich also mentioned that the search for Richard Kimble had been called off and that Lt. Gerard had gone home.

It was nearly 12:30 and Dr. Summers was sitting down to eat a sandwich that Mandy had prepared for her. Dr. Summers had no appointments till 1:30, but she planned to take Dr. Porter's car to the Chang farm and see how Tommy was doing. Mandy walked into the kitchen. "Doc, Patrick Andrews is here and wants to talk to you." Mandy, like most of the town, thought that Dr. Summers should settle down in Du Quoin, even marrying Patrick Andrews.

"Tell Patrick I'll be out in a minute." Barbara finished eating the sandwich she was eating, then took the plate to the sink, washed it and placed it in the rack. Once done Barbara walked out of the kitchen to the waiting room. Patrick was in his police uniform.

"Hello, Barbara."

"Hello, Patrick," Barbara replied, motioning to a chair, but Patrick preferred to stand. "What brings you here?"

"I wanted to know if you would have lunch with me."

"Sorry, I already ate," Barbara explained. "Just getting ready to leave. I was going to check on the Chang's boy, Tommy."

"I can take you there," Patrick offered. She accepted. Before leaving, Barbara picked up her purse and doctor's bag, and then was escorted to the police car by Patrick.

The Changs lived on the outskirts of town where they were tenant farmers. There were not many colored folk in Du Quoin, and Asians were even rarer, but the Changs were part of the Du Quoin community. Mrs. Chang was known for unending hospitality and her award winning pies. The Changs had three boys, Tommy was the middle one. Barbara soon
arrived at their home, where Mrs. Chang warmly greeted them and offered refreshments. Patrick accepted, but Barbara declined. While Patrick chatted with Mrs. Chang, Barbara went upstairs to check on her young patient.

Tommy Chang was laying in bed resting. Barbara examined him, taking his temperature and listening to his chest with her stethoscope. Tommy was quite talkative, and Barbara talked to the boy some. It reminded Barbara of her life as Dr. Kimble and his pediatric practice. Tommy's temperature was almost normal, and his lungs were sounding better. Once the checkup was finished, Barbara tucked Tommy back into bed and went downstairs.

"How's Tommy?" Mrs. Chang asked Dr. Summers. She said her son was getting better, but she still wanted to see him tomorrow and that Tommy should get plenty of bed rest till she saw him again. Mrs. Chang thanked Barbara very much and after another offer of food, Dr. Summers and Patrick left the house for the ride back into town.

On the way back to Dr. Porter's, Patrick engaged Barbara in small talk, mostly about the town with one mention of the ending of the search for Dr. Kimble. Barbara made no comment on the search ending. Soon they were back at Doc Porter's home. Patrick got out of the car and walked around and opened the door for her. "Barbara, I would like to buy
you dinner tonight," he said as he accompanied her to the front door.

Barbara thought for a few moments. There was little harm. "Yes, please," she replied.

"What time should I pick you up?"

"6:30 would be good."

"Thanks," he replied, and after Barbara was safely in the house he departed.
 

~*~
 
The rest of the day was busy for Dr. Summers, with many patients coming in. Just after 5:00 p.m. she saw the last one, and was finished just after 5:30. After making some last notes and checking on Doc Porter one last time, Barbara went back to her room to get ready for her night out.

Barbara showered, changed clothes and was ready for the evening shortly after 6:30. On the way out she saw Doc Porter one last time, who wished her a good time. Patrick was already waiting for Barbara downstairs, and after saying hello to one another they left the house and got in Patrick's car. It was only a short drive into town, where they went to the local diner. Patrick and Barbara got out of the car and went inside.

It was a typical small town diner with a counter and many booths. It was dinnertime and the place was quite crowded. The man at the cash register greeted them. "Hello, Patrick, welcome back, Barbara," the diner owner, Herb Richards, said cheerfully. "I've got a table for you in the back."

Herb led Barbara and Patrick to a booth in the back corner of the diner. On the way, Barbara noticed she was being looked at by many of the customers some of whom also waved or said hello. Once at the booth Patrick took a seat across from Barbara. They were both given menus by Herb, who then left them alone.

"What do you want to eat?" Barbara studied the menu for a while before settling on the meat loaf. Patrick ordered fried chicken for himself. A waitress named Dottie welcomed Barbara back to town, then took their orders. Once they were gone Patrick and Barbara started making chit chat but sticking to small talk.

"Barbara, I really have missed you since you left Du Quoin."

Barbara didn't know what to say. She had the uneasy feeling half the diner's customers were watching them.

"I love you, Barbara," Patrick said. "I felt so empty after you left last year. Don't you love me also?"

"Patrick, I don't know, honestly," Barbara tried to lie. The one thing the former Dr. Kimble did not relish was the advances of another man.

"Barbara, I don't know what to say but this," Patrick said, then reached his hand into his pants pocket, removing a small box. He put it on the table and opened it. Inside was a diamond ring, an engagement ring.

Act 7

"Barbara Summers, will you marry me?" asked Patrick Andrews.

'Oh, my God!' thought the former Richard Kimble. He had been proposed to by a man as a woman. To be honest, the offer was tempting. This put Barbara Summers in a dilemma. What to do? It was tempting, to be honest. It would allow her to stop running from the police and allow her to have a life as a doctor in a small midwestern town not entirely unlike life in Indiana. A town that needed her as a doctor. A home and a family and a life. But life as a woman married to a man, and all that meant? It would mean leaving his life as a man behind. To be a doctor, but to be a wife and mother, also. In return, the former Dr. Kimble would have his freedom. Was the cost worth it?

This was all spinning through Barbara's head. Say yes and accept all what that meant, or say no and eventually go back to running from the law. Trying to find the one-armed man, trying to prove that Richard Kimble was really an innocent man. Even if he caught up to Fred Johnson before the police caught Kimble, could he prove his innocence?

What to answer, yes or No? Dottie was waiting not far from the table with their dinner, and most of the diners seemed to be focused on Barbara and Patrick. This only made it more difficult than ever for Barbara Summers.

"Patrick, I don't know what to say," Barbara said. It was an honest answer.

"Say yes," Patrick replied with a smile on his face.

"Yes," Barbara said in a voice barely above a whisper.

"She said yes!" Dottie the waitress said. Immediately applause broke out in the entire diner. All the patrons came by to shake Patrick's hand or to give Barbara a kiss and/or a hug.

Herb Richards took the food away from Dottie. "Steaks for the new happy couple, and I've got a bottle of wine for the occasion," he announced.
 

~*~
 
Barbara and Patrick had dinner together. Patrick went on about their making plans for the wedding or how much he loved Barbara. Barbara for the most part stayed silent, already wondering if she had made the correct decision. Still, she slipped the engagement ring on her right ring finger.

After dinner Patrick and Barbara returned to Doc Porter's house, but not before stopping at the Johnson's home. Mrs. Johnson was doing well, as was her son Timothy. While there the Johnsons discovered about the engagement and this brought another round of congratulations for the engaged couple.

It was nearly 10 p.m. by the time Barbara and Patrick arrived back at the house. Patrick brought Barbara to the front porch. There he firmly embraced Barbara in a long kiss before wishing her good night and driving off.

Barbara walked inside quietly. Mandy was still there, asleep in a living room chair. Barbara made sure to be quiet and took her shoes off at the door. She went up the stairs to Doc Porter's room. Doc Porter was sitting up in bed, reading the latest copy of Time magazine. "I hear congratulations are in order," he said, putting down the magazine.

"How do you know already?" Barb said as she bent over to take the doctor's pulse.

Doc Porter gave her a kiss on the cheek while she did so. "Sean O'Reilly called to let Mandy know," he said. "It's all over town, you know."

"I had no clue."

"Does that mean you're planning to stay here now?" Doc Porter asked. He really didn't want to retire, he had a deep relationship with all his patients, but he also knew his health was beginning to decline. He felt better knowing that Barbara Summers would be the new town doctor.

"Yes, if you don't mind."

"No, not at all," Doc Porter said as Barbara was through with the examination. "Barbara, I always thought you were a fine doctor, and this town needs someone like you. I am very happy for you."

Barbara said good night to the doctor then went back downstairs to wake Mandy. Mandy immediately congratulated Barbara and picked up her things to go home. Barbara let her out of the house, standing on the front porch as Mandy walked toward her home. Barbara took a cigarette and match from her purse and lit up.
 

~*~
 
It didn't take very long the next day for Barbara to start receiving congratulations. Every single patient without exception knew the news already, as did Nurse Nolan. All of them congratulated her and asked about when the wedding would be. Barbara told all that they hadn't set a date yet.

Around 10 o'clock in the morning a large vase of red roses came for Barbara. They were from Patrick. She put them in the lobby for the patients to see.

Claire Mathews called to voice her congratulations. "Barbara, I have a feeling you'd like to talk to me," she added in conclusion.

"You better believe it."

"Okay, I'll be over to the house around 5:30."
 

~*~
 
"Congratulations, Andrews," offered Sheriff Burroughs. He and Officer Dietrich plus two other deputies shook Patrick's hand as he came in for work that morning. After everyone was finished, Andrews seated himself at his desk and started to go through the papers that were there.

Paul Dietrich walked over. "You're lucky," he said. "Barbara Summers is the prettiest woman in the county. Have you set the date yet?"

"No, not yet," Patrick replied. He was already thinking of the last weekend in September or first in October. The weather would still be good then, and they could have an outdoor reception. The whole town of Du Quoin would show up, that was for sure.

"I'd like you to be my best man," Andrews said, and Dietrich said he'd be honored. Patrick settled down to completing paperwork and thinking if he should write Barbara's parents who lived in Minnesota.
 

~*~
 
It was the end of another busy day for Doctor Summers. The last patients were gone and she was catching up with the record keeping. Beth Nolan stuck her head in the door to the office that Doc Porter and Dr. Summers used. "Claire Mathews is here."

"Tell her I'll be right out," Barbara replied. "You can go home now, and tell Mandy she can go. I'll stay and look after the doc tonight."

"Okay. By the way, Jeff and I invite you for dinner sometime next week," Nurse Nolan replied. Barbara told her she didn't know her and Patrick's schedule yet, but that she would be delighted. Beth left the office, and after another couple of minutes Barbara got up and walked out to the waiting area. Claire was standing waiting for her.

"Hi, Claire, let's go to the kitchen to talk," Barbara said, and the two women walked to the kitchen. Once inside, Claire took a seat at the table while Barbara offered something to drink. Claire politely declined.

"I heard you and Patrick Andrews got engaged." Claire had heard it first thing that morning. "To be honest, it was quite a shock."

"It was for me, too."

"You know what this means?" Claire asked.

"Yes." Barbara still had lingering uncertainty whether she was doing the right thing. The last year on the run had been both mentally and physically exhausting. Now she had found sanctuary in the most unlikely way. Was the price worth it?

"I'm sure it must have been a difficult decision," Claire replied. "I really am happy for you."

Barbara lit up a cigarette. "I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing."

"This town needs you," Claire insisted. "Patrick needs you. You might never find that one-armed man, or even if you did, prove he killed Helen."

Barbara puffed on the cigarette. Claire was right. 'I've got what I want, a medical practice and my freedom, just in a slightly different form.'

"I'm going to keep that medallion, never know if it would be valuable someday," said Claire.

"It's yours, not mine," Barbara replied, wondering for the hundredth time if she was doing the right thing.

Claire could see the turmoil in her friend's face. She did not plan on getting rid of Richard Kimble's belongings quite yet. If she was in his shoes, she would be feeling the same way, she felt.

Barbara and Claire sat there in silence for a few minutes. Then Doc Porter appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"Frank, you shouldn't be up now," Barbara said, getting out of the kitchen chair. She was going to take the country doctor back upstairs.
 

~*~
 
"Cut!!!!!!!" yelled the Director. All the actors and actresses on set, plus most of the production staff, were surprised by the sudden interruption. "Thank you, Jessica, Dana, Laurence. People, it's a wrap."

The television production began to shut down, but actress Dana Wynter approached the director. "Why?"

"David is back on the wagon," the director said, referring to the show's star, David Jansen. "The studio told us to stop shooting. Don't worry, the studio will pay you as normal."

It took several hours for the set to shut down. Not till everyone was finished would the director be able to call it a day.

But first a few loose ends had to be taken care of.

"Mr. Spielberg, what am I to do with these?" asked one of the production staff who was pushing a trolley with several large cans full of film on it.

'What a shame. This would have been a classic episode,' Steven Spielberg thought to himself. "We're to ship them back to the studio." Probably to be never seen or heard of again.

About fifteen minutes later Steven Spielberg was just about to leave the set when someone from the prop department approached him. "What are we to do with this?" the prop assistant asked, holding up a necklace.

"Put it away," the director replied. "After all, there is no such thing as a magic necklace. It's just a legend." Steven Spielberg then left the studio, turning off the light on his way out.
 

~*~
 
Los Angeles Times November 17, 1963

News Briefs Three-year-old girl found wandering around Television Set.

Police are still baffled by the discovery of a small child on the set of Universal Studios Television. The young girl was found late last Friday night wandering around the studio while having absolutely no clothing on.

So far the child's parents have not been found, and the child is being cared for by Children's Services. If anyone has information as to this child's identity, please call Officer Doug Thomas of the LAPD at 213-555-9877.

The End