“Chuck versus the Doppelganger”
Another Chuck/Scarecrow and Mrs. King crossover story set right after my story Chuck versus the GRETA. This story can stand on its own, although there are a couple references to the other story.
Author’s note: To my Scarecrow and Mrs. King friends, this story is slightly alternative universe—just having a little fun with the multiple roles played brilliantly by the talented Bruce Boxleitner.
A special thanks to Beth for the idea, beta reading, and her wonderful suggestions to improve the story.
Anne Riener
Another Chuck/Scarecrow and Mrs. King crossover story set right after my story Chuck versus the GRETA. This story can stand on its own, although there are a couple references to the other story.
Author’s note: To my Scarecrow and Mrs. King friends, this story is slightly alternative universe—just having a little fun with the multiple roles played brilliantly by the talented Bruce Boxleitner.
A special thanks to Beth for the idea, beta reading, and her wonderful suggestions to improve the story.
Anne Riener
Prologue
It was supposed to have been a joyous occasion, instead a young couple stood under an umbrella, rain beating softly on the canvas top. Images blurred around the man, and he looked over at his wife watching a steady stream of tears roll down her cheeks, while her shoulders trembled. He reached over to take her hand and gently squeezed it offering her comfort.
Somberly, they both watched the tiny casket slowly being lowered into the ground. With a heavy heart, he put his arm around her waist and led her away from the cemetery. Looking over his shoulder, he observed a grave digger shovel dirt into the hole. He then read the marker one last time, ‘baby boy Stetson’, before returning his attention back to his wife and guiding her toward the waiting car.
*****
Act One
Doppelganger – a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person - Webster Dictionary
The Buy More ~ Burbank, California
A man with salt and pepper hair, dressed in a tailored three-piece suit and coordinating crimson tie and pocket square sauntered through the double glass sliding doors entering the Burbank Buy More. Adjusting his glasses, he surveyed the big box electronics store, and then putting his left hand in his pant pocket, he headed toward the Nerd Herd desk in the center of the store.
Chuck Bartowski sat behind the desk skimming through a GamePro magazine, covertly hidden under the counter, when the older man approached him.
“Chuck,” the man said, laying both hands on the counter.
Chuck looked up. “Hey, Lee. Forget something? I thought you and Amanda were driving Emily back to Palo Alto.”
“What?” the man asked, a confused expression crossed his face. “I’m supposed to be meeting Devon here. Have you seen him?”
Chuck quickly rolled back from his chair and rose. “Doctor Woodcomb. I’m sorry, for a moment I thought you were someone else.”
“I thought I told you to call me Woody,” he said sternly, but his eyes twinkled.
Chuck walked around the circular Nerd Herd counter and extended his hand, however Woody pulled him into a bear hug.
“After all, we are family.”
“Yes. Yes,” Chuck replied, his voice muffled against the man’s suit jacket. He stepped back after Woody patted him on the shoulder. “Good to see you. What brings you to Burbank?”
Woody put his hands down to his sides and glanced around the store. “Honey and I are moving to Burbank for a few months to be closer to our granddaughter, Clara. We’re subletting a condominium and I’m looking to purchase a home theater system for the family room.”
“Of course, right this way.”
Walking over to the home theater staging area, Chuck looked over at Woody a second time and shook his head in amazement. ‘What was the saying again, everyone has a twin that looks exactly like them somewhere in the world,’ he thought, bewildered.
“Why do you keep staring at me Chuck? Do I have something in my teeth?” Woody asked him.
“No, Sir. But you wouldn’t perchance have a twin brother, would you?”
Woody laughed at the question. “No, I’m an only child.” He raked his hand through his graying hair and glanced sideways at Chuck. “Why?”
“No reason.” Chuck smiled weakly and replied noncommittally, “You just remind me of someone, that’s all.”
Woody laughed again. “Well, I’ve been told I look like the actor in the Tron movies, but I don’t see the resemblance.”
Now Chuck laughed. “No, I don’t see it either.” They stopped in front of a row of television sets. “Here we are. Should we start with televisions?” Chuck waved John Casey over.
Casey walked toward the two men. “Hey, Lee—”
Chuck interrupted him, and through gritted teeth, he said, “Casey, you remember Dr. Woodcomb from Ellie and Devon’s wedding?”
Casey arched an eyebrow and then nodded his head. “Yes. Of course.” He then turned to Chuck and whispered, “Creepy, isn’t it?”
Chuck whispered back, “I know.” Then louder, he proclaimed, “John here is our best floor salesperson. No one moves merchandise like Casey.”
Casey grunted in appreciation.
Chuck continued, “Dr. Woodcomb is looking to purchase home theater equipment and I suggested we start with televisions.”
“Good choice.” Casey stepped closer to the large aisle of televisions on display. “Doctor—”
“Woody, please.”
“Okay. Woody.” Casey pointed to a 46-inch television and grabbed a remote. “This is our number one seller. The Samsung 46-inch LED Backlit, LCD Television ranked high on Consumer Reports for picture quality and sound.”
“I’ll leave you in capable hands, Doctor. . . um, I mean Woody.” Chuck bowed out and the other two men briefly nodded to him and then to each other.
A moment later, Devon entered the Buy More and looked around the sales floor, spotting Chuck he rushed over to him. “Chuck, have you seen my dad?”
Chuck pointed over his shoulder.
“Dad.” Devon walked over to them and then stopped, sizing the man up and down, he raised an eyebrow in inquiry. “Right?”
“What the hell is wrong with everyone?” Woody glanced around the store and then over toward the Nerd Herd desk, where he observed Jeff hooked up to an electric shock therapy machine and Lester holding up telepathy cards. Lester shook his head and threw a switch. Jeff twitched and his chewing gum dropped from his mouth, landing on the counter. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
*****
She glanced around his apartment making sure everything was perfect. The dining room table was set eloquently, candles burned on the fireplace mantel, and dinner was in the oven. She then placed both hands on her stomach and smiled.
He entered the apartment and placed his keys on the entry hall table. Chuckling, he remembered a recent argument they had about misplaced keys. He drew in a deep breath and smiled appreciatively. He knew she was there making him dinner. The whole apartment smelled of sour dough and he knew she was making his favorite homemade biscuits.
“Honey, I’m home,” he called out.
She came around the kitchen wall and he observed she was wearing his apron and a bright red two-piece cotton dress. Her dark brown curly hair she wore down, framing her face. She took his breath away. “Supper will be ready in fifteen minutes.” She walked over to him and motioned for him to take off his jacket. He shrugged out of his suit coat and she took it from him, hanging it up in the coat closet. “How was your day?”
“Long.” He took her hand and led her toward the couch, and he pulled her down into his lap. “The peace talks broke down again.”
“Do you ever think we will see peace in the Middle East?”
He heaved a deep sigh and rested his chin against her shoulder. “Not in our lifetime.”
“Could I get you something to drink? A glass of wine, maybe some Scotch?” She tried to stand up, but he held her tight.
He shook his head. “No, don’t leave. I just want to spend a few quiet moments with my wife.” They sat there for several minutes enjoying their time just being close to each other. The clock on the mantel softly clicked off the minutes.
Finally, she broke the silence. “We need to talk.”
His face broke into a worried frown and he momentarily tightened his arms around her. Then with a resigned sigh, he loosened his grip and nodded his head. "Sure”
She stood up and began to pace the apartment. “I have some news to share and I’m not exactly sure how to share it?” Looking over at him, she could see the confusion on his face. She paced again and her hands gestured wildly. “It’s good or bad news depending how you want to look at it. But what a mess. No one knows we’re married and what about our jobs? I’m tired of the lying and sneaking and don’t you dare say it’s because we work for the government. We didn’t exactly plan for this; however, I am excited.”
“What are you trying to tell me?” His head hurt, trying to keep up with her rambling.
Stopping, she turned to look at him. “I went to the doctor, and well, let’s just say the rabbit died.”
“What? I don’t understand.” He looked questioningly at her with his head cocked slightly to one side.
She placed her hands on her stomach. “I am with child.” She averted her eyes staring at the floor and bit her bottom lip, afraid to look at him. A couple moments passed and she glanced up, but instead of anger on his face, she observed a mixture of bewilderment and astonishment.
He stammered, “You are. . . I mean. . . you and I are going to have a baby?”
She slowly nodded her head and he swiftly stood up and enveloped her in his strong arms, swinging her around.
“Put me down, you’re making me sick.”
He placed her back down and pulled her close to him.
“You aren’t angry?” Her words muffled against his chest.
“How could you think such a thing?” He planted a trail of kisses along her jaw and down her neck. She tilted her head to give him better access.
“But what about our jobs?” She pulled back slightly.
“Hang our jobs. I’m not married to my job—I’m married to you. And I think it is time we ended this stupid mystery marriage. I’m tired of the secrecy. I’m tired of the lies. I’m tired of the cold lonely bed I sleep in every night. I already told you our marriage was like working for the fire department. . . three days on, four days off. If I could, I would climb to the roof of this apartment complex and tell the world I am in love with my wife and she is carrying my baby.” He reached under her chin and tilted her head up to meet his eyes. “I love you, Mrs. Stetson.”
Seeing nothing but love and affection reflected in his hazel eyes, she told him in a soft British accent, “I love you, too, Matthew.”
He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply letting her know exactly how much he loved her.
*****
The Agency – Washington, D.C.
Present Day
Lee jogged up to his wife who was walking swiftly through the hallway of the Agency, carrying a load of books pressed close to her chest and a black leather book bag slung over her right shoulder.
“Hey,” he said.
She stopped in front of him. “Hi.”
He quickly kissed her on the cheek. “What has you so preoccupied?”
“Nothing. Really. I just got off the phone with Emily.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s fine—settling back into her studies.” Amanda shifted the weight of the books in her arms. “She told me to tell you she loves you.”
Lee smiled sheepishly and then he glanced around the hallway placing his hand on her arm. “Has she made a decision yet?” he asked plaintively.
“No. I think she’s still weighing the pros and cons herself and until she makes that determination, I don’t think she will make a decision. However, she asked if she could come home for the summer. I told her yes, of course.”
He nodded his head enthusiastically. “It will be good to spend some time with her.”
“Daddy misses his little girl,” Amanda teased.
“You bet.” The deep dimples Amanda loved so much appeared on his cheeks.
A smile quickly stretched across her face and Lee grinned back at her. “I’ve got to go, I’m late for class.”
“Here, I got you something.” He held up a bright red apple. “An apple for the teacher.”
“That’s really sweet of you.”
He glanced around the corridor again, kissed her briefly on the lips and whispered seductively in her ear, “Sweet wasn’t really what I was going for, but you can always show your appreciation later.”
“I think that can be arranged.” She playfully winked at him, before heading down the hallway.
*****
“Morning class.” Amanda stood up at the lecture podium looking out at the classroom full of freshman agents.
“Morning, Mrs. Stetson,” they readily answered back.
“As you know, Agent Beaman is on bereavement leave, so I will be teaching his Interrogations class this week.” She placed the books and the leather book bag on the table in front of her and removed a three-ring notebook from the front pouch. “Interrogation is interviewing a subject with the goal of extracting a confession or obtaining information. Today, I think we’ll start with ‘Class C’. Class C is a soft interrogation, lots of handholding and sweet-talking.” Maybe we can make up for lost time by practicing with me. Her mind wandered for a moment and she blushed at the memory and then cleared her throat. “As I was saying, Class C is all about developing a rapport with the subject, whether it is the victim, witness or suspect. You want the subject to feel comfortable. Ask about their hobbies or interests, and then pretend to have something in common with him or her. Talk about television shows, movies, or books.” Amanda felt an affectionate smile slowly spread across her face. “I remember my first Class C interrogation regarding a bogus Finnish passport and the subject was a big fan of old westerns, especially Maverick—”
“Mrs. Stetson,” one of the eager freshmen interrupted.
“Yes, Agent Martinez.”
“Aren’t you talking about the Looking Glass case and how your interrogation led to a full Agency scramble?” Rick Martinez asked.
Amanda could feel color creep up her cheeks and she walked around to the front of the table and sat down on the corner. “That is correct, Martinez.”
The students in the classroom began to murmur to each other and then another student raised her hand.
“Agent Alders,” Amanda nodded to her.
Anna Alders shifted in her seat and sat a little straighter in her chair. “What’s Looking Glass?”
“It was the Strategic Air Command Headquarters plane. The Russians were bold enough to have Alexis Tolst have plastic surgery to look like one of our U.S. Air Force pilots.”
“And surgery worked? He looked enough like this man to pass as the pilot?” asked Agent Alders bewildered.
“Yes, he was a doppelganger—which means a counterpart of a living person. In this case, someone was willing to have extensive surgery to look like someone else.”
The class broke out into low sound and buzzing again.
A third agent spoke up, “Why would someone want to go around with someone else’s face?”
“Good question Agent Patterson. Anyone care to answer?”
“Maybe for the money,” piped in Agent Martinez. “Or revenge. Maybe to steal secrets. Could you imagine someone infiltrating the Agency or the CIA because they looked exactly like another agent?”
The classmates looked around the room and nodded to one another.
“Actually, someone did try to infiltrate the Agency back in 1985. A man bent on revenge against Agent Lee Stetson persuaded a woman to have surgery to look exactly like me. She then watched videos of me to imitate my voice and mannerisms.” Amanda bit her lip and paused for a moment before continuing, “I always wanted to be a twin, so we could alternate school days.” She chuckled a little, and the class laughed with her, but then she turned serious. “But to really look at somebody, who looks exactly like you. . . ” She swept both hands over her face for emphasis. “Who could just walk right into your life and take your place. . . ” She left her sentence hanging and shook her head, just as she had done so many years ago after having the exact same conversation with Lee. She shook her head again. “Just be careful out there. That woman took out two of our top agents before she was stopped.”
“Could you imagine if there were two Scarecrow's?” Martinez teased, trying to break the tension in the room.
“Yeah, imagine,” Amanda said a tad slowly with a faint blush on her cheeks and a slightly unfocused smile.
*****
Lee entered through his office door and saw his wife sitting at his chair typing away on the keyboard. “What are you working on?”
“Lee, do you remember when we were in California and everyone thought you were someone else?"
He shrugged. “Some doctor in Burbank looks like me, so what? I don’t think he’s any sort of threat or it would have come out by now.”
“No, I don’t think he’s a threat either, but I was curious, so I asked Chuck to send me some pictures and he just emailed me photos from his sister’s wedding.”
Lee shrugged again, not sure, where his wife was going with this, but he played along. “Okay.”
Amanda clicked on a photo and enlarged it on the screen. She motioned for him to come closer and after putting on his reading glasses, he leaned toward the computer screen from behind her shoulder.
She shook her head. “The resemblance is uncanny.”
Lee had to admit Woody Woodcomb did look a lot like him—a dead ringer, and he wondered if that was how Amanda felt when she discovered her twin. Of course, Gordon Redding has persuaded Karen Brickman to have plastic surgery to look like Amanda. “You know it was really awful strange, looking at somebody that looked exactly like me," he remembered Amanda telling him. Looking at the doctor was like looking in a mirror and seeing his reflection staring back at him.
Momentary, he shuddered, but quickly schooling his features, he shrugged it off again. “I’m better looking.”
*****
Jennifer and Matthew Stetson sat in the family medical doctor’s office waiting room. About an hour had passed before Doctor Edward Hendrick poked his head out of the examination room, which also doubled as his office calling out, “Mrs. Stetson.”
Taking her hands, Matthew helped his five-month pregnant wife out of her chair and the two of them walked toward him.
“Dr. Hendrick, I know you don’t usually have husband’s attend appointments, but Matthew is a little concerned and could you please reassure him both the baby and I are all right.” Her hands gently rubbed her swollen belly.
The doctor in his late 40’s with dark brown hair and graying temples wore a white lab coat and brown tie, had a stethoscope around his neck and large rimmed glasses framed his pale blue eyes. Smiling at the couple, he opened the door for both of them to pass through. Then he extended his hand. “Good to see you, Matthew. How’s your mother doing?”
Matthew returned the handshake. “Just fine, thanks, especially since you started her on those vitamins and minerals.”
The doctor nodded his head and helped Jennie get up onto the examination table.
The small doctor’s office consisted of an exam table, a wooden chair, a desk cluttered with books, papers, microscope, medication bottles, a lamp, and a jar of lollipops. A couple of diplomas hung on the wall above the desk. Trying to stand out of the way of the examination, Matthew perched himself on the edge of the desk.
“How are you feeling?” Doctor Hendrick asked Jennie gently touching her belly and then checking her ankles.
“Tired,” Jennie supplied.
“That’s to be expected.” The doctor then placed the two ear buds into his ears and positioned his stethoscope on her belly over her white cotton blouse. “The baby moving?”
“Yes, feels like the baby is doing roundhouse kicks in there.”
“That’s my girl,” Matthew proudly proclaimed.
“Or boy.” Jennie turned her head slightly to smile at him.
The doctor was silent for a few moments, while he moved the metal chest piece over her belly. He then gently lifted the bottom edge of her shirt and placed the stethoscope down on her exposed skin. He saw her flinch when the cool steel touched her flesh and gave her an apologetic look. He continued to work in silence for a few more minutes and let out a couple incoherent noises in the back of his throat.
Alarm raced through Matthew’s veins. “There is something wrong, isn’t there? I just knew it.”
Doctor Hendrick finished the examination and carefully laid Jennie’s blouse back in place. Lifting his head, he took the stethoscope out of his ears, held them in his hands and then smiled.
“No, I don’t think so; however, I believe I am hearing two heartbeats.” He held up two fingers for them. “I would like you to go to the hospital and get an X-ray to verify my suspensions.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes as understanding began to dawn on her features and her hands flew to her mouth. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?”
“Yes, based on your weight gain and your fundus is too high—that is the top of your uterus,” he gestured pointing to her belly. “In addition, I hear a second sound, could just be an echo, however it could be—” he placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze.
“Could be what? You’re killing me here, Doctor,” Matthew replied anxious and concerned.
“Is it twins?” Jennie asked, finally finding her voice again. She cocked her eyebrow in question.
The doctor crossed his arms and gave her an affirmative nod.
Both Jennie and the doctor turned around to the sound of a loud thud and found Matthew collapsed on the hardwood floor, out cold.
*****
Jennie slowly fluttered her eyes open and looked around the bright maternity room.
A nurse, dressed in a white cotton-blend dress uniform and pillbox shaped hat, entered a second later and walked over to the bed. “Nice to see you join us, Mrs. Stetson.”
“How much longer before I have the babies?” Jennie asked her.
The nurse put her hand to Jennie’s forehead and then took out a mercury thermometer and shook it a few times. “You already did.”
“What? I don’t remember anything about the labor or delivery.”
“That’s the nice thing about ‘twilight sleep’,” she said, placing the thermometer in Jennie’s mouth, under her tongue, and then took her wrist to check her pulse. “No memory of the pain.”
Jennie waited patiently while the nurse took her vitals. Then when the nurse removed the thermometer from her mouth, she asked, “How are the babies? What sex are they?”
“They were both boys.”
“Were?” An icy ball formed in the pit of her stomach. “Where are the babies? What are you not telling me?”
A doctor entered the room. “Hello, Mrs. Stetson. My name is Dr. Richard Davies. I’m standing in for Dr. Hendrick.”
“Where is he?” Jennie asked in a shaky voice that conveyed her anxiety.
“Don’t you remember? Dr. Hendrick was involved in an automobile accident a few days ago. He and his wife are fine, but he broke his leg and won’t be working for a few months.”
Recognition came back to her. “Yes, now I remember.” She answered in a much-relieved voice. Jennie then clasped her hands in her lap and nodded her head. “Can I see my babies now?”
The doctor put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Let me examine you and after the examination I will have the nurse bring back your husband.”
“What about my sons!!” She asked the doctor and then she turned to the nurse. “You said they were boys.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this,” the doctor calmly began. “Baby one is doing quite well down in the nursery. He is 5 pounds 8 ounces, healthy and pink. However, baby two was born stillborn. I’ll have the nurse bring your son in after she brings in your husband.”
Jennie laid there stunned by the news. “Stillborn?”
The doctor squeezed her shoulder and slowly nodded his head. “These things happen and we don’t know why. Now, I need you to be strong for your surviving son.”
Jennie nodded her head, but her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
After he finished the examination, the doctor motioned for the nurse to bring back Matthew.
“Everything looks good. Can I get you anything for the pain?”
She shook her head and the doctor left the room. A second later, Matthew ran through the door and rushed over to her bed. His eyes were red and swollen.
“Matthew,” she cried out. “I’m so sorry.” She immediately burst into tears.
He sat down on the side of the hospital bed and pulled her toward him. “Shush. There. There.” Reassuring her, he rocked her back and forth.
*****
Act Two
Lee and Amanda’s House ~ Rockville, Maryland
Present Day
Lee stood on the crowded platform at the train station desperately seeking a friendly face to pass the vital information he had off—just like the ploy he had used in Munich with Dr. Frobisher’s formula. He scanned the large crowd of early morning commuters. Then he saw her. She was dressed in a long housecoat and nightgown and she looked like an angel as she walked toward him through the thick, dense fog; however, just before he grabbed her, his vision distorted and the faces of the people on the platform disappeared.
In the far-off distance, he heard a train whistle. Then everything stopped and faded to black except for a young boy and his mimic. They were walking through a large open cornfield and Lee followed them from a distance. He observed them playing and laughing with each other. They looked to be twins and were around seven or eight years old. The sun’s golden rays reflected off their sandy blonde hair and their hazel eyes twinkled with mischief. One of the boys motioned for Lee to join them; however, by the time he crossed the field they were both gone. The only thing there was a solitary scarecrow.
He then came to a familiar scene of his parent’s home in D.C. He saw two babies lying in separate cribs, his mother and father ignored the first boy, showing no interest in him at all. However, the second boy they loved, kissed, hugged, and held. He could not understand why they were ignoring the first baby. Then the monster without a face appeared and Lee ran down the hallway and pulled on the door handle that led into his parent’s room. He stepped through and found himself inside the Burbank Buy More. He saw Chuck approach him. “Hey, Woody. What brings you to the Buy More?” Lee shook his head. “You know me, Chuck. My name is Lee Stetson.” Jeff and Lester began to prance around him. “Cia, I told you it was Woody,” Jeff told Lester. Jeff now wore a plastic cowboy hat and pointed a revolver at Lee. “Reach for the sky!” Jeff then fired the weapon and he heard the sharp report. Lee staggered back, grabbing his chest, he crumpled to the floor. The Buy More gang laughed at him as he took his last breaths. “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us,” he heard a familiar voice say. He glanced toward the sound of the voice and saw himself standing over his body, smiling.
Lee woke up with a start, his breathing heavy and his heart was pounding rapidly. Gradually, he began to slow down his breathing and he sat up looking around the dark room.
Unable to fall back asleep, Lee gently removed the bedspread from his body and swung his long legs, draping them over the edge of the king size bed he shared with his wife. He then slowly rose trying not to jostle the mattress. Rubbing his stiff back, he then headed for the door. Padding across the plush carpet, he walked through the hallway into the home office and sat down at the desk. Turning on the monitor, he then glided the wireless mouse on the mouse pad, waking up the computer. The computer beeped and whined. Using the hunt and peck method on the keyboard, he began to search for the information he sought. He soon felt a pair of feminine arms wrap around his shoulders and she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Did I wake you?” he asked her.
“No, but the bed was lonely and cold without you.” She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and shoulders. “What are you doing?”
"I had the most bizarre dream. . . "
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” He turned to look at her and could see she was sulking. He sucked in a deep breath and then pulled her into his lap. “You are faster on this thing then I ever could be. I was looking up information on Woody Woodcomb.”
“Why?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Call it curiosity. Call it a hunch."
Her fingers flew over the keyboard and she clicked the mouse over the information he requested. “Woodrow Woodcomb, also known as Woody Woodcomb. Married to Honey nee Dane. Father to Devon, Dempster, and Daniel. Lives in Hartford, Connecticut. Head of Thoracic Surgery at Hartford General Hospital. Adopted parents are James and Patricia Woodcomb. His birth date is June 17. . . 1950.” Amanda stopped and turned her body slightly so she was looking at him. Confused, they both looked at the computer screen and then back to each other again.
“What is going on, Amanda? A look alike is one thing, but why the hell would this man be sharing my birth date?”
“I don’t know, Sweetheart. Maybe it is time we searched birth records and depending on what we find, we should have a chat with this Doctor Woodcomb. Perhaps he has the answers you are seeking?”
*****
Courthouse ~ Washington, D.C.
Lee and Amanda poured through a tall stack of birth record volumes inside the courthouse archive room.
“Sure were a lot of people born in 1950,” Amanda said with a sudden sense of déjà vu.
“That’s why they called it the ‘Baby Boom’,” Lee told her.
She shook her head remembering Lee had told her the exact same thing when they had gone over the same books looking for William Towne’s birth record several years earlier. Using her index finger, she glided over the page until she came to Lee’s record. “Here you are. Lee Stetson, born June 17, 1950 at 7:10 a.m. to Matthew and Jennifer nee Hamilton Stetson.” Lee’s name was the last name in that volume, so she flipped to the second page, keeping her finger on the first page as a bookmark, and on the top of the other sheet she read, baby boy Stetson, born June 17, 1950 at 7:18 a.m. to Matthew and Jennifer nee Hamilton Stetson. Stillborn.” A soft gasp escaped her. “Your poor mother.”
Lee looked over her shoulder, reading the same information. Stunned, he stammered, “What? I. . . I am or rather I had a twin brother? I don’t remember my parents ever mentioning I was a twin.” He stopped for a moment, struggling with rage and pain. Amanda could see pain had won. ”And this does not answer why a man is walking around with my face or my birthdate.” He raked his left hand through his hair, and dropped to both knees, he turned Amanda to face him. “Amanda,” he pleaded looking at her with the expression of a lost child. “I want answers.”
She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know you do. I think we need to book a flight.”
“To Boston?”
“No, Burbank.”
“Burbank? As in Burbank, California?”
She reached out and tenderly traced the line of his cheekbone and jaw. “Yes. I spoke with Chuck earlier and Dr. Woody Woodcomb took a sabbatical so he could spend some time with his son and daughter-in-law and his first granddaughter, Clara.”
A warm smile slowly spread across his face. “Ah, Claire-Bear. I have to admit she’s one cute baby.”
“Then let’s go home and pack for another trip to sunny California.” Amanda stood up and took Lee’s hand. Steering him out of the archive room and back home before they begun their journey in search for answers to their questions.
*****
Just settling in for an afternoon nap in his Lazy Boy recliner, a man heard a soft knock. He sighed and pulled back on the handle pushing the footrest back in place, then slowly rose from his chair. Before he could reach the door, he heard a second louder knock. “I’m coming. I’m coming,” he grumbled.
He opened the door. “Chuck? What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Doc. . . um, Woody. May I come in?”
“Sure.” He opened the door wider, and then closed the door once Chuck passed through the threshold.
“Where’s Honey?” Chuck asked, glancing around the room.
“She went to the salon to have her hair done.” He placed his hand on Chuck’s shoulder. “Why don’t we go to the living room and get more comfortable.”
“Sure.” Chuck nodded his head.
Woody led him into the living room, gestured toward the love seat, and then sat back down in the recliner. He then leaned forward, placing his hands in his lap. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Chuck was silent for a moment, glancing around the well-appointed room. “The home theater setup is really nice. I hope the Buy More installers did a great job. No complaints.”
“Very professional. On time delivery and quick installation.”
Chuck nodded in response, but shifted nervously in his seat.
Seeing Chuck’s discomfort, a knot formed firmly in his stomach. “Is something wrong with your sister or Devon or the baby?”
“No, no, no. Nothing like that.” He gestured wildly. “I’m sorry; I just don’t really know where to begin.”
“My mother always told me to start from the beginning.”
Chuck took in a deep shaky breath. “Do you remember the other week when I asked if you had a twin?”
Woody shrugged. “Vaguely. Sure. Why?”
“I said you reminded me of someone else.”
“Okay,” he said, not knowing where Chuck was going with this. “You seem really nervous—” he began, then he started to get up from his chair. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Chuck cleared his throat, but motioned for him to sit back down. “No, really. I’m okay.” He stood up and began to pace the room “I have a friend who would like to meet you.”
“Chuck, really I don’t have time for Tomfoolery.”
Chuck stepped into the foyer and opened the front door. Lee and Amanda stepped through the doorway and he quickly led them to the living room. “Dr. Woody Woodcomb, I would like to introduce you to Lee Stetson.” He quickly looked toward Woody and could see all the color had drained from his face.
Woody slowly rose out of his chair and walked around Lee not believing what he was seeing. “Oh, my God!” Woody’s mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide in disbelief. He then turned his attention back to Chuck. “Is this some sort of sick joke?”
Amanda placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and started to guide him toward another room. “Dr. Woodcomb, why don’t we all go into the dining room so we can talk, okay?” He took a tentative step and then followed her. She pulled out a chair for him and helped him sit down. Then she motioned for Lee to sit across from him and he complied. “Would you like me to make you some coffee or tea? Maybe something a little stronger,” she asked the doctor.
“Coffee, I guess.” His eyes never diverted from Lee and the two of them sized each other, examining feature for feature. They both absently raked a hand through their hair and then immediately stopped when they saw what the other was doing.
“I think I’ll go help Amanda,” Chuck nervously laughed and then left the room heading toward the kitchen.
Amanda and Chuck returned into the dining room a few minutes later. Chuck placed four coffee mugs around the table and then sat down next to Woody. His eyes darted back and forth between Lee and Woody. Amanda poured the coffee into the mugs. “Cream or sugar?” she asked Dr. Woodcomb.
“Cream, please.”
“That’s how Lee likes his—” she began to say and then bit her lip. Lee shot her a curious look.
Woody stirred the cream into his coffee and stared into the steaming dark brown liquid. There was an awkward silence for several minutes. He took a sip, then placed the cup down and pushed it aside, causing the contents to slosh. “Is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on?” the doctor demanded.
Lee reached across the table and shook Woody’s hand. “Actually, Dr. Woodcomb, we aren’t sure ourselves.” He looked over at Amanda who briefly nodded her head encouraging him to continue. “My name is Lee Stetson.” He held his hand to his chest and then pointed to Amanda. “And this is my wife, Amanda Stetson.” Amanda sat down next to him and put a comforting hand on his thigh. Lee cleared his throat. “It’s kind of a funny story. . . we’re friends with Chuck and his fiancé, Sarah Walker, and we were out visiting Burbank a couple of weeks ago, and a few times I was mistaken for you.”
Doing a double take, he swallowed. “That’s why Devon was looking at me oddly?”
Lee nodded his head and then chuckled at the recall. “Anyway, I didn’t think much of it to begin with, but when we got back home, I began to have some very strange dreams and like my wife will contest, I was like a dog with a bone. I couldn’t drop it. Therefore, I began to do some, excuse the pun, digging, and discovered my mother given birth to twins; however, one of the twins according to death records was born stillborn.” He paused for a moment, giving Woody some time to digest the information and giving himself some time to school his features. “They never told me I had been a twin, but then again they both died in a car accident when I was very young.”
Woody shifted in his seat and stared into his mug again. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Lee took in another shaky breath. “My parents were Matthew and Jennifer Stetson, and after they died, I was raised by my father’s half-brother, a career military Air Force Colonel, Robert Clayton, and lived on military bases throughout the world. Do any of these names sound familiar?”
Woody shook his head. “No, should they?”
“Dr. Woodcomb—” Amanda began to say.
“Call me Woody.”
“Okay, Woody. Why don’t you tell us about your life?”
He studied the three sitting at the table for a couple of moments and felt a small amount of apprehension, but seeing the determined looks on their faces he trudged forward, “I was adopted by James and Patricia Woodcomb. My parents never let it be a secret that I was adopted. They had tried for several years to have a child, but to no success. I was raised in Boston and an only child, but—” He hesitated not sure how much he should share.
“But what?” She gave him a tender smile, encouraging him to continue.
“I know I was loved. I was given the best schooling, had plenty of friends and pretty much given everything I ever wanted. Although, I was not a spoiled rich brat.”
“We can see that.” Amanda said softly.
“However, I always felt like something was missing.”
“What was missing?” Amanda asked him, she dragged her cup closer to her and took a sip of her coffee.
“It’s hard to explain. . . but it was like a missing puzzle piece. I didn’t feel complete. I never felt whole.” He shrugged, then pushed back from his chair, thrust his hands into his pant pockets and paced the narrow room. “I always thought it was because I never knew my birth parents.”
“What can you tell us about your birth parents?” Amanda continued her ‘Class C’ interrogation.
“According to the birth certificate, my mother was a Jane Doe. She was brought to the hospital by ambulance after suffering a brain hemorrhage. I was delivered via cesarean section. Mother died on the operating table. My father is listed unknown. Since no one came forward to claim me, I became a ward of the State and was sent to an orphanage, but adopted when I was two weeks old by the Woodcombs.”
Lee and Amanda exchanged glances.
Woody drew in a sudden involuntary breath. “What is this all about?”
This time Lee spoke up, “We think there might have been some sort of mix-up at the hospital where you were born.”
“Why do you think that?” Woody questioned, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Because. . . we both share the same birth dates, June 17, 1950, and we were both born in the same hospital, Parker General. Don’t you think it odd we share the same birthdate, were born in the same hospital, and look exactly alike?” Lee paused for a moment and then looking up hopefully, he continued, “I think you might be my brother.”
Woody leaned back against the wall and blew out the breath he did not realize he was holding. He then looked from one to the other of the faces sitting around the table. “Well, there’s one way to find out for sure. Are you ready for a DNA test?”
“You bet,” Lee answered fervently.
*****
Epilogue
The Agency ~ Washington, D.C.
A Few Days Later
Lee entered through the office door and noticed his wife on the phone, she mouthed 'one minute' to him, and he perched himself on the edge of his desk waiting for her to finish the conversation.
“That would be fine. . . yes, I’ll tell Lee. Hope to see you soon.” She let the receiver click back into place before turning her attention to Lee. “I just got off the phone with Honey; the Woodcombs would like to have us come stay with them for a few days in Hartford once they get back from Burbank.” She let out a small sigh. “Do you ever think we’ll find out what actually happened that morning in the hospital?”
Lee shook his head regretfully. “No, all the players are long gone.” Then he let his mind wander.
Amanda glanced over at Lee and could see he was lost in thought. She rolled back from the desk and walked around to the front and taking Lee’s hands, she pulled him up and ran her hands up his chest until they rested on his lapels. “A penny for your thoughts.”
He blushed slightly and shrugged one shoulder. “I was just thinking.”
“More strange dreams?”
He shook his head firmly. “No. . . the ‘what if’s’.”
Amanda then ran her hands over his shoulders and wrapped them around his neck.
“I was just wondering if my life would have been different if my mother had twins. Would she still have gone rogue with my father? Would they still have confronted Thomas Blackthorne? What if they both had not been killed? And if they still had died in a car accident, would being a twin helped with the loneliness of being raised by my uncle and constantly moving? But then again, all my experiences helped me become the man I am today.”
“A very special man indeed.” She ran her fingers through his hair, pulled his head down to meet hers and firmly kissed his lips. When suddenly there was a knock on the door.
They both groaned.
“Come in,” Amanda said with a half laugh and smile.
Scotty, from the mailroom, tentatively opened the door and poked his head around the corner.
“Hello, Mrs. Stetson, Mr. Stetson. This letter came for you Scarecrow.”
“Thanks, Scotty.” Amanda took the letter and she closed the door behind him. She then noticed the return address. “It’s from California University Hospital,” she said, handing the letter to Lee. “It should be the results from the DNA test.”
He took the envelope from her, and turned away, examined it for a second and then turned back toward her. “Amanda, could you?”
“You sure?” she asked tenderly.
Not trusting his voice, he nodded his head.
She walked back toward his desk, opened a drawer, took out a letter opener, and then ripped through the envelope. She paused for a moment, removed the contents, unfolded and read the letter, and then gave him a sly smile.
Lee quirked an eyebrow. “Well. . ."
It was supposed to have been a joyous occasion, instead a young couple stood under an umbrella, rain beating softly on the canvas top. Images blurred around the man, and he looked over at his wife watching a steady stream of tears roll down her cheeks, while her shoulders trembled. He reached over to take her hand and gently squeezed it offering her comfort.
Somberly, they both watched the tiny casket slowly being lowered into the ground. With a heavy heart, he put his arm around her waist and led her away from the cemetery. Looking over his shoulder, he observed a grave digger shovel dirt into the hole. He then read the marker one last time, ‘baby boy Stetson’, before returning his attention back to his wife and guiding her toward the waiting car.
*****
Act One
Doppelganger – a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person - Webster Dictionary
The Buy More ~ Burbank, California
A man with salt and pepper hair, dressed in a tailored three-piece suit and coordinating crimson tie and pocket square sauntered through the double glass sliding doors entering the Burbank Buy More. Adjusting his glasses, he surveyed the big box electronics store, and then putting his left hand in his pant pocket, he headed toward the Nerd Herd desk in the center of the store.
Chuck Bartowski sat behind the desk skimming through a GamePro magazine, covertly hidden under the counter, when the older man approached him.
“Chuck,” the man said, laying both hands on the counter.
Chuck looked up. “Hey, Lee. Forget something? I thought you and Amanda were driving Emily back to Palo Alto.”
“What?” the man asked, a confused expression crossed his face. “I’m supposed to be meeting Devon here. Have you seen him?”
Chuck quickly rolled back from his chair and rose. “Doctor Woodcomb. I’m sorry, for a moment I thought you were someone else.”
“I thought I told you to call me Woody,” he said sternly, but his eyes twinkled.
Chuck walked around the circular Nerd Herd counter and extended his hand, however Woody pulled him into a bear hug.
“After all, we are family.”
“Yes. Yes,” Chuck replied, his voice muffled against the man’s suit jacket. He stepped back after Woody patted him on the shoulder. “Good to see you. What brings you to Burbank?”
Woody put his hands down to his sides and glanced around the store. “Honey and I are moving to Burbank for a few months to be closer to our granddaughter, Clara. We’re subletting a condominium and I’m looking to purchase a home theater system for the family room.”
“Of course, right this way.”
Walking over to the home theater staging area, Chuck looked over at Woody a second time and shook his head in amazement. ‘What was the saying again, everyone has a twin that looks exactly like them somewhere in the world,’ he thought, bewildered.
“Why do you keep staring at me Chuck? Do I have something in my teeth?” Woody asked him.
“No, Sir. But you wouldn’t perchance have a twin brother, would you?”
Woody laughed at the question. “No, I’m an only child.” He raked his hand through his graying hair and glanced sideways at Chuck. “Why?”
“No reason.” Chuck smiled weakly and replied noncommittally, “You just remind me of someone, that’s all.”
Woody laughed again. “Well, I’ve been told I look like the actor in the Tron movies, but I don’t see the resemblance.”
Now Chuck laughed. “No, I don’t see it either.” They stopped in front of a row of television sets. “Here we are. Should we start with televisions?” Chuck waved John Casey over.
Casey walked toward the two men. “Hey, Lee—”
Chuck interrupted him, and through gritted teeth, he said, “Casey, you remember Dr. Woodcomb from Ellie and Devon’s wedding?”
Casey arched an eyebrow and then nodded his head. “Yes. Of course.” He then turned to Chuck and whispered, “Creepy, isn’t it?”
Chuck whispered back, “I know.” Then louder, he proclaimed, “John here is our best floor salesperson. No one moves merchandise like Casey.”
Casey grunted in appreciation.
Chuck continued, “Dr. Woodcomb is looking to purchase home theater equipment and I suggested we start with televisions.”
“Good choice.” Casey stepped closer to the large aisle of televisions on display. “Doctor—”
“Woody, please.”
“Okay. Woody.” Casey pointed to a 46-inch television and grabbed a remote. “This is our number one seller. The Samsung 46-inch LED Backlit, LCD Television ranked high on Consumer Reports for picture quality and sound.”
“I’ll leave you in capable hands, Doctor. . . um, I mean Woody.” Chuck bowed out and the other two men briefly nodded to him and then to each other.
A moment later, Devon entered the Buy More and looked around the sales floor, spotting Chuck he rushed over to him. “Chuck, have you seen my dad?”
Chuck pointed over his shoulder.
“Dad.” Devon walked over to them and then stopped, sizing the man up and down, he raised an eyebrow in inquiry. “Right?”
“What the hell is wrong with everyone?” Woody glanced around the store and then over toward the Nerd Herd desk, where he observed Jeff hooked up to an electric shock therapy machine and Lester holding up telepathy cards. Lester shook his head and threw a switch. Jeff twitched and his chewing gum dropped from his mouth, landing on the counter. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
*****
She glanced around his apartment making sure everything was perfect. The dining room table was set eloquently, candles burned on the fireplace mantel, and dinner was in the oven. She then placed both hands on her stomach and smiled.
He entered the apartment and placed his keys on the entry hall table. Chuckling, he remembered a recent argument they had about misplaced keys. He drew in a deep breath and smiled appreciatively. He knew she was there making him dinner. The whole apartment smelled of sour dough and he knew she was making his favorite homemade biscuits.
“Honey, I’m home,” he called out.
She came around the kitchen wall and he observed she was wearing his apron and a bright red two-piece cotton dress. Her dark brown curly hair she wore down, framing her face. She took his breath away. “Supper will be ready in fifteen minutes.” She walked over to him and motioned for him to take off his jacket. He shrugged out of his suit coat and she took it from him, hanging it up in the coat closet. “How was your day?”
“Long.” He took her hand and led her toward the couch, and he pulled her down into his lap. “The peace talks broke down again.”
“Do you ever think we will see peace in the Middle East?”
He heaved a deep sigh and rested his chin against her shoulder. “Not in our lifetime.”
“Could I get you something to drink? A glass of wine, maybe some Scotch?” She tried to stand up, but he held her tight.
He shook his head. “No, don’t leave. I just want to spend a few quiet moments with my wife.” They sat there for several minutes enjoying their time just being close to each other. The clock on the mantel softly clicked off the minutes.
Finally, she broke the silence. “We need to talk.”
His face broke into a worried frown and he momentarily tightened his arms around her. Then with a resigned sigh, he loosened his grip and nodded his head. "Sure”
She stood up and began to pace the apartment. “I have some news to share and I’m not exactly sure how to share it?” Looking over at him, she could see the confusion on his face. She paced again and her hands gestured wildly. “It’s good or bad news depending how you want to look at it. But what a mess. No one knows we’re married and what about our jobs? I’m tired of the lying and sneaking and don’t you dare say it’s because we work for the government. We didn’t exactly plan for this; however, I am excited.”
“What are you trying to tell me?” His head hurt, trying to keep up with her rambling.
Stopping, she turned to look at him. “I went to the doctor, and well, let’s just say the rabbit died.”
“What? I don’t understand.” He looked questioningly at her with his head cocked slightly to one side.
She placed her hands on her stomach. “I am with child.” She averted her eyes staring at the floor and bit her bottom lip, afraid to look at him. A couple moments passed and she glanced up, but instead of anger on his face, she observed a mixture of bewilderment and astonishment.
He stammered, “You are. . . I mean. . . you and I are going to have a baby?”
She slowly nodded her head and he swiftly stood up and enveloped her in his strong arms, swinging her around.
“Put me down, you’re making me sick.”
He placed her back down and pulled her close to him.
“You aren’t angry?” Her words muffled against his chest.
“How could you think such a thing?” He planted a trail of kisses along her jaw and down her neck. She tilted her head to give him better access.
“But what about our jobs?” She pulled back slightly.
“Hang our jobs. I’m not married to my job—I’m married to you. And I think it is time we ended this stupid mystery marriage. I’m tired of the secrecy. I’m tired of the lies. I’m tired of the cold lonely bed I sleep in every night. I already told you our marriage was like working for the fire department. . . three days on, four days off. If I could, I would climb to the roof of this apartment complex and tell the world I am in love with my wife and she is carrying my baby.” He reached under her chin and tilted her head up to meet his eyes. “I love you, Mrs. Stetson.”
Seeing nothing but love and affection reflected in his hazel eyes, she told him in a soft British accent, “I love you, too, Matthew.”
He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply letting her know exactly how much he loved her.
*****
The Agency – Washington, D.C.
Present Day
Lee jogged up to his wife who was walking swiftly through the hallway of the Agency, carrying a load of books pressed close to her chest and a black leather book bag slung over her right shoulder.
“Hey,” he said.
She stopped in front of him. “Hi.”
He quickly kissed her on the cheek. “What has you so preoccupied?”
“Nothing. Really. I just got off the phone with Emily.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s fine—settling back into her studies.” Amanda shifted the weight of the books in her arms. “She told me to tell you she loves you.”
Lee smiled sheepishly and then he glanced around the hallway placing his hand on her arm. “Has she made a decision yet?” he asked plaintively.
“No. I think she’s still weighing the pros and cons herself and until she makes that determination, I don’t think she will make a decision. However, she asked if she could come home for the summer. I told her yes, of course.”
He nodded his head enthusiastically. “It will be good to spend some time with her.”
“Daddy misses his little girl,” Amanda teased.
“You bet.” The deep dimples Amanda loved so much appeared on his cheeks.
A smile quickly stretched across her face and Lee grinned back at her. “I’ve got to go, I’m late for class.”
“Here, I got you something.” He held up a bright red apple. “An apple for the teacher.”
“That’s really sweet of you.”
He glanced around the corridor again, kissed her briefly on the lips and whispered seductively in her ear, “Sweet wasn’t really what I was going for, but you can always show your appreciation later.”
“I think that can be arranged.” She playfully winked at him, before heading down the hallway.
*****
“Morning class.” Amanda stood up at the lecture podium looking out at the classroom full of freshman agents.
“Morning, Mrs. Stetson,” they readily answered back.
“As you know, Agent Beaman is on bereavement leave, so I will be teaching his Interrogations class this week.” She placed the books and the leather book bag on the table in front of her and removed a three-ring notebook from the front pouch. “Interrogation is interviewing a subject with the goal of extracting a confession or obtaining information. Today, I think we’ll start with ‘Class C’. Class C is a soft interrogation, lots of handholding and sweet-talking.” Maybe we can make up for lost time by practicing with me. Her mind wandered for a moment and she blushed at the memory and then cleared her throat. “As I was saying, Class C is all about developing a rapport with the subject, whether it is the victim, witness or suspect. You want the subject to feel comfortable. Ask about their hobbies or interests, and then pretend to have something in common with him or her. Talk about television shows, movies, or books.” Amanda felt an affectionate smile slowly spread across her face. “I remember my first Class C interrogation regarding a bogus Finnish passport and the subject was a big fan of old westerns, especially Maverick—”
“Mrs. Stetson,” one of the eager freshmen interrupted.
“Yes, Agent Martinez.”
“Aren’t you talking about the Looking Glass case and how your interrogation led to a full Agency scramble?” Rick Martinez asked.
Amanda could feel color creep up her cheeks and she walked around to the front of the table and sat down on the corner. “That is correct, Martinez.”
The students in the classroom began to murmur to each other and then another student raised her hand.
“Agent Alders,” Amanda nodded to her.
Anna Alders shifted in her seat and sat a little straighter in her chair. “What’s Looking Glass?”
“It was the Strategic Air Command Headquarters plane. The Russians were bold enough to have Alexis Tolst have plastic surgery to look like one of our U.S. Air Force pilots.”
“And surgery worked? He looked enough like this man to pass as the pilot?” asked Agent Alders bewildered.
“Yes, he was a doppelganger—which means a counterpart of a living person. In this case, someone was willing to have extensive surgery to look like someone else.”
The class broke out into low sound and buzzing again.
A third agent spoke up, “Why would someone want to go around with someone else’s face?”
“Good question Agent Patterson. Anyone care to answer?”
“Maybe for the money,” piped in Agent Martinez. “Or revenge. Maybe to steal secrets. Could you imagine someone infiltrating the Agency or the CIA because they looked exactly like another agent?”
The classmates looked around the room and nodded to one another.
“Actually, someone did try to infiltrate the Agency back in 1985. A man bent on revenge against Agent Lee Stetson persuaded a woman to have surgery to look exactly like me. She then watched videos of me to imitate my voice and mannerisms.” Amanda bit her lip and paused for a moment before continuing, “I always wanted to be a twin, so we could alternate school days.” She chuckled a little, and the class laughed with her, but then she turned serious. “But to really look at somebody, who looks exactly like you. . . ” She swept both hands over her face for emphasis. “Who could just walk right into your life and take your place. . . ” She left her sentence hanging and shook her head, just as she had done so many years ago after having the exact same conversation with Lee. She shook her head again. “Just be careful out there. That woman took out two of our top agents before she was stopped.”
“Could you imagine if there were two Scarecrow's?” Martinez teased, trying to break the tension in the room.
“Yeah, imagine,” Amanda said a tad slowly with a faint blush on her cheeks and a slightly unfocused smile.
*****
Lee entered through his office door and saw his wife sitting at his chair typing away on the keyboard. “What are you working on?”
“Lee, do you remember when we were in California and everyone thought you were someone else?"
He shrugged. “Some doctor in Burbank looks like me, so what? I don’t think he’s any sort of threat or it would have come out by now.”
“No, I don’t think he’s a threat either, but I was curious, so I asked Chuck to send me some pictures and he just emailed me photos from his sister’s wedding.”
Lee shrugged again, not sure, where his wife was going with this, but he played along. “Okay.”
Amanda clicked on a photo and enlarged it on the screen. She motioned for him to come closer and after putting on his reading glasses, he leaned toward the computer screen from behind her shoulder.
She shook her head. “The resemblance is uncanny.”
Lee had to admit Woody Woodcomb did look a lot like him—a dead ringer, and he wondered if that was how Amanda felt when she discovered her twin. Of course, Gordon Redding has persuaded Karen Brickman to have plastic surgery to look like Amanda. “You know it was really awful strange, looking at somebody that looked exactly like me," he remembered Amanda telling him. Looking at the doctor was like looking in a mirror and seeing his reflection staring back at him.
Momentary, he shuddered, but quickly schooling his features, he shrugged it off again. “I’m better looking.”
*****
Jennifer and Matthew Stetson sat in the family medical doctor’s office waiting room. About an hour had passed before Doctor Edward Hendrick poked his head out of the examination room, which also doubled as his office calling out, “Mrs. Stetson.”
Taking her hands, Matthew helped his five-month pregnant wife out of her chair and the two of them walked toward him.
“Dr. Hendrick, I know you don’t usually have husband’s attend appointments, but Matthew is a little concerned and could you please reassure him both the baby and I are all right.” Her hands gently rubbed her swollen belly.
The doctor in his late 40’s with dark brown hair and graying temples wore a white lab coat and brown tie, had a stethoscope around his neck and large rimmed glasses framed his pale blue eyes. Smiling at the couple, he opened the door for both of them to pass through. Then he extended his hand. “Good to see you, Matthew. How’s your mother doing?”
Matthew returned the handshake. “Just fine, thanks, especially since you started her on those vitamins and minerals.”
The doctor nodded his head and helped Jennie get up onto the examination table.
The small doctor’s office consisted of an exam table, a wooden chair, a desk cluttered with books, papers, microscope, medication bottles, a lamp, and a jar of lollipops. A couple of diplomas hung on the wall above the desk. Trying to stand out of the way of the examination, Matthew perched himself on the edge of the desk.
“How are you feeling?” Doctor Hendrick asked Jennie gently touching her belly and then checking her ankles.
“Tired,” Jennie supplied.
“That’s to be expected.” The doctor then placed the two ear buds into his ears and positioned his stethoscope on her belly over her white cotton blouse. “The baby moving?”
“Yes, feels like the baby is doing roundhouse kicks in there.”
“That’s my girl,” Matthew proudly proclaimed.
“Or boy.” Jennie turned her head slightly to smile at him.
The doctor was silent for a few moments, while he moved the metal chest piece over her belly. He then gently lifted the bottom edge of her shirt and placed the stethoscope down on her exposed skin. He saw her flinch when the cool steel touched her flesh and gave her an apologetic look. He continued to work in silence for a few more minutes and let out a couple incoherent noises in the back of his throat.
Alarm raced through Matthew’s veins. “There is something wrong, isn’t there? I just knew it.”
Doctor Hendrick finished the examination and carefully laid Jennie’s blouse back in place. Lifting his head, he took the stethoscope out of his ears, held them in his hands and then smiled.
“No, I don’t think so; however, I believe I am hearing two heartbeats.” He held up two fingers for them. “I would like you to go to the hospital and get an X-ray to verify my suspensions.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes as understanding began to dawn on her features and her hands flew to her mouth. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?”
“Yes, based on your weight gain and your fundus is too high—that is the top of your uterus,” he gestured pointing to her belly. “In addition, I hear a second sound, could just be an echo, however it could be—” he placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze.
“Could be what? You’re killing me here, Doctor,” Matthew replied anxious and concerned.
“Is it twins?” Jennie asked, finally finding her voice again. She cocked her eyebrow in question.
The doctor crossed his arms and gave her an affirmative nod.
Both Jennie and the doctor turned around to the sound of a loud thud and found Matthew collapsed on the hardwood floor, out cold.
*****
Jennie slowly fluttered her eyes open and looked around the bright maternity room.
A nurse, dressed in a white cotton-blend dress uniform and pillbox shaped hat, entered a second later and walked over to the bed. “Nice to see you join us, Mrs. Stetson.”
“How much longer before I have the babies?” Jennie asked her.
The nurse put her hand to Jennie’s forehead and then took out a mercury thermometer and shook it a few times. “You already did.”
“What? I don’t remember anything about the labor or delivery.”
“That’s the nice thing about ‘twilight sleep’,” she said, placing the thermometer in Jennie’s mouth, under her tongue, and then took her wrist to check her pulse. “No memory of the pain.”
Jennie waited patiently while the nurse took her vitals. Then when the nurse removed the thermometer from her mouth, she asked, “How are the babies? What sex are they?”
“They were both boys.”
“Were?” An icy ball formed in the pit of her stomach. “Where are the babies? What are you not telling me?”
A doctor entered the room. “Hello, Mrs. Stetson. My name is Dr. Richard Davies. I’m standing in for Dr. Hendrick.”
“Where is he?” Jennie asked in a shaky voice that conveyed her anxiety.
“Don’t you remember? Dr. Hendrick was involved in an automobile accident a few days ago. He and his wife are fine, but he broke his leg and won’t be working for a few months.”
Recognition came back to her. “Yes, now I remember.” She answered in a much-relieved voice. Jennie then clasped her hands in her lap and nodded her head. “Can I see my babies now?”
The doctor put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Let me examine you and after the examination I will have the nurse bring back your husband.”
“What about my sons!!” She asked the doctor and then she turned to the nurse. “You said they were boys.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this,” the doctor calmly began. “Baby one is doing quite well down in the nursery. He is 5 pounds 8 ounces, healthy and pink. However, baby two was born stillborn. I’ll have the nurse bring your son in after she brings in your husband.”
Jennie laid there stunned by the news. “Stillborn?”
The doctor squeezed her shoulder and slowly nodded his head. “These things happen and we don’t know why. Now, I need you to be strong for your surviving son.”
Jennie nodded her head, but her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
After he finished the examination, the doctor motioned for the nurse to bring back Matthew.
“Everything looks good. Can I get you anything for the pain?”
She shook her head and the doctor left the room. A second later, Matthew ran through the door and rushed over to her bed. His eyes were red and swollen.
“Matthew,” she cried out. “I’m so sorry.” She immediately burst into tears.
He sat down on the side of the hospital bed and pulled her toward him. “Shush. There. There.” Reassuring her, he rocked her back and forth.
*****
Act Two
Lee and Amanda’s House ~ Rockville, Maryland
Present Day
Lee stood on the crowded platform at the train station desperately seeking a friendly face to pass the vital information he had off—just like the ploy he had used in Munich with Dr. Frobisher’s formula. He scanned the large crowd of early morning commuters. Then he saw her. She was dressed in a long housecoat and nightgown and she looked like an angel as she walked toward him through the thick, dense fog; however, just before he grabbed her, his vision distorted and the faces of the people on the platform disappeared.
In the far-off distance, he heard a train whistle. Then everything stopped and faded to black except for a young boy and his mimic. They were walking through a large open cornfield and Lee followed them from a distance. He observed them playing and laughing with each other. They looked to be twins and were around seven or eight years old. The sun’s golden rays reflected off their sandy blonde hair and their hazel eyes twinkled with mischief. One of the boys motioned for Lee to join them; however, by the time he crossed the field they were both gone. The only thing there was a solitary scarecrow.
He then came to a familiar scene of his parent’s home in D.C. He saw two babies lying in separate cribs, his mother and father ignored the first boy, showing no interest in him at all. However, the second boy they loved, kissed, hugged, and held. He could not understand why they were ignoring the first baby. Then the monster without a face appeared and Lee ran down the hallway and pulled on the door handle that led into his parent’s room. He stepped through and found himself inside the Burbank Buy More. He saw Chuck approach him. “Hey, Woody. What brings you to the Buy More?” Lee shook his head. “You know me, Chuck. My name is Lee Stetson.” Jeff and Lester began to prance around him. “Cia, I told you it was Woody,” Jeff told Lester. Jeff now wore a plastic cowboy hat and pointed a revolver at Lee. “Reach for the sky!” Jeff then fired the weapon and he heard the sharp report. Lee staggered back, grabbing his chest, he crumpled to the floor. The Buy More gang laughed at him as he took his last breaths. “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us,” he heard a familiar voice say. He glanced toward the sound of the voice and saw himself standing over his body, smiling.
Lee woke up with a start, his breathing heavy and his heart was pounding rapidly. Gradually, he began to slow down his breathing and he sat up looking around the dark room.
Unable to fall back asleep, Lee gently removed the bedspread from his body and swung his long legs, draping them over the edge of the king size bed he shared with his wife. He then slowly rose trying not to jostle the mattress. Rubbing his stiff back, he then headed for the door. Padding across the plush carpet, he walked through the hallway into the home office and sat down at the desk. Turning on the monitor, he then glided the wireless mouse on the mouse pad, waking up the computer. The computer beeped and whined. Using the hunt and peck method on the keyboard, he began to search for the information he sought. He soon felt a pair of feminine arms wrap around his shoulders and she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Did I wake you?” he asked her.
“No, but the bed was lonely and cold without you.” She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and shoulders. “What are you doing?”
"I had the most bizarre dream. . . "
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” He turned to look at her and could see she was sulking. He sucked in a deep breath and then pulled her into his lap. “You are faster on this thing then I ever could be. I was looking up information on Woody Woodcomb.”
“Why?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Call it curiosity. Call it a hunch."
Her fingers flew over the keyboard and she clicked the mouse over the information he requested. “Woodrow Woodcomb, also known as Woody Woodcomb. Married to Honey nee Dane. Father to Devon, Dempster, and Daniel. Lives in Hartford, Connecticut. Head of Thoracic Surgery at Hartford General Hospital. Adopted parents are James and Patricia Woodcomb. His birth date is June 17. . . 1950.” Amanda stopped and turned her body slightly so she was looking at him. Confused, they both looked at the computer screen and then back to each other again.
“What is going on, Amanda? A look alike is one thing, but why the hell would this man be sharing my birth date?”
“I don’t know, Sweetheart. Maybe it is time we searched birth records and depending on what we find, we should have a chat with this Doctor Woodcomb. Perhaps he has the answers you are seeking?”
*****
Courthouse ~ Washington, D.C.
Lee and Amanda poured through a tall stack of birth record volumes inside the courthouse archive room.
“Sure were a lot of people born in 1950,” Amanda said with a sudden sense of déjà vu.
“That’s why they called it the ‘Baby Boom’,” Lee told her.
She shook her head remembering Lee had told her the exact same thing when they had gone over the same books looking for William Towne’s birth record several years earlier. Using her index finger, she glided over the page until she came to Lee’s record. “Here you are. Lee Stetson, born June 17, 1950 at 7:10 a.m. to Matthew and Jennifer nee Hamilton Stetson.” Lee’s name was the last name in that volume, so she flipped to the second page, keeping her finger on the first page as a bookmark, and on the top of the other sheet she read, baby boy Stetson, born June 17, 1950 at 7:18 a.m. to Matthew and Jennifer nee Hamilton Stetson. Stillborn.” A soft gasp escaped her. “Your poor mother.”
Lee looked over her shoulder, reading the same information. Stunned, he stammered, “What? I. . . I am or rather I had a twin brother? I don’t remember my parents ever mentioning I was a twin.” He stopped for a moment, struggling with rage and pain. Amanda could see pain had won. ”And this does not answer why a man is walking around with my face or my birthdate.” He raked his left hand through his hair, and dropped to both knees, he turned Amanda to face him. “Amanda,” he pleaded looking at her with the expression of a lost child. “I want answers.”
She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know you do. I think we need to book a flight.”
“To Boston?”
“No, Burbank.”
“Burbank? As in Burbank, California?”
She reached out and tenderly traced the line of his cheekbone and jaw. “Yes. I spoke with Chuck earlier and Dr. Woody Woodcomb took a sabbatical so he could spend some time with his son and daughter-in-law and his first granddaughter, Clara.”
A warm smile slowly spread across his face. “Ah, Claire-Bear. I have to admit she’s one cute baby.”
“Then let’s go home and pack for another trip to sunny California.” Amanda stood up and took Lee’s hand. Steering him out of the archive room and back home before they begun their journey in search for answers to their questions.
*****
Just settling in for an afternoon nap in his Lazy Boy recliner, a man heard a soft knock. He sighed and pulled back on the handle pushing the footrest back in place, then slowly rose from his chair. Before he could reach the door, he heard a second louder knock. “I’m coming. I’m coming,” he grumbled.
He opened the door. “Chuck? What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Doc. . . um, Woody. May I come in?”
“Sure.” He opened the door wider, and then closed the door once Chuck passed through the threshold.
“Where’s Honey?” Chuck asked, glancing around the room.
“She went to the salon to have her hair done.” He placed his hand on Chuck’s shoulder. “Why don’t we go to the living room and get more comfortable.”
“Sure.” Chuck nodded his head.
Woody led him into the living room, gestured toward the love seat, and then sat back down in the recliner. He then leaned forward, placing his hands in his lap. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Chuck was silent for a moment, glancing around the well-appointed room. “The home theater setup is really nice. I hope the Buy More installers did a great job. No complaints.”
“Very professional. On time delivery and quick installation.”
Chuck nodded in response, but shifted nervously in his seat.
Seeing Chuck’s discomfort, a knot formed firmly in his stomach. “Is something wrong with your sister or Devon or the baby?”
“No, no, no. Nothing like that.” He gestured wildly. “I’m sorry; I just don’t really know where to begin.”
“My mother always told me to start from the beginning.”
Chuck took in a deep shaky breath. “Do you remember the other week when I asked if you had a twin?”
Woody shrugged. “Vaguely. Sure. Why?”
“I said you reminded me of someone else.”
“Okay,” he said, not knowing where Chuck was going with this. “You seem really nervous—” he began, then he started to get up from his chair. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Chuck cleared his throat, but motioned for him to sit back down. “No, really. I’m okay.” He stood up and began to pace the room “I have a friend who would like to meet you.”
“Chuck, really I don’t have time for Tomfoolery.”
Chuck stepped into the foyer and opened the front door. Lee and Amanda stepped through the doorway and he quickly led them to the living room. “Dr. Woody Woodcomb, I would like to introduce you to Lee Stetson.” He quickly looked toward Woody and could see all the color had drained from his face.
Woody slowly rose out of his chair and walked around Lee not believing what he was seeing. “Oh, my God!” Woody’s mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide in disbelief. He then turned his attention back to Chuck. “Is this some sort of sick joke?”
Amanda placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and started to guide him toward another room. “Dr. Woodcomb, why don’t we all go into the dining room so we can talk, okay?” He took a tentative step and then followed her. She pulled out a chair for him and helped him sit down. Then she motioned for Lee to sit across from him and he complied. “Would you like me to make you some coffee or tea? Maybe something a little stronger,” she asked the doctor.
“Coffee, I guess.” His eyes never diverted from Lee and the two of them sized each other, examining feature for feature. They both absently raked a hand through their hair and then immediately stopped when they saw what the other was doing.
“I think I’ll go help Amanda,” Chuck nervously laughed and then left the room heading toward the kitchen.
Amanda and Chuck returned into the dining room a few minutes later. Chuck placed four coffee mugs around the table and then sat down next to Woody. His eyes darted back and forth between Lee and Woody. Amanda poured the coffee into the mugs. “Cream or sugar?” she asked Dr. Woodcomb.
“Cream, please.”
“That’s how Lee likes his—” she began to say and then bit her lip. Lee shot her a curious look.
Woody stirred the cream into his coffee and stared into the steaming dark brown liquid. There was an awkward silence for several minutes. He took a sip, then placed the cup down and pushed it aside, causing the contents to slosh. “Is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on?” the doctor demanded.
Lee reached across the table and shook Woody’s hand. “Actually, Dr. Woodcomb, we aren’t sure ourselves.” He looked over at Amanda who briefly nodded her head encouraging him to continue. “My name is Lee Stetson.” He held his hand to his chest and then pointed to Amanda. “And this is my wife, Amanda Stetson.” Amanda sat down next to him and put a comforting hand on his thigh. Lee cleared his throat. “It’s kind of a funny story. . . we’re friends with Chuck and his fiancé, Sarah Walker, and we were out visiting Burbank a couple of weeks ago, and a few times I was mistaken for you.”
Doing a double take, he swallowed. “That’s why Devon was looking at me oddly?”
Lee nodded his head and then chuckled at the recall. “Anyway, I didn’t think much of it to begin with, but when we got back home, I began to have some very strange dreams and like my wife will contest, I was like a dog with a bone. I couldn’t drop it. Therefore, I began to do some, excuse the pun, digging, and discovered my mother given birth to twins; however, one of the twins according to death records was born stillborn.” He paused for a moment, giving Woody some time to digest the information and giving himself some time to school his features. “They never told me I had been a twin, but then again they both died in a car accident when I was very young.”
Woody shifted in his seat and stared into his mug again. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Lee took in another shaky breath. “My parents were Matthew and Jennifer Stetson, and after they died, I was raised by my father’s half-brother, a career military Air Force Colonel, Robert Clayton, and lived on military bases throughout the world. Do any of these names sound familiar?”
Woody shook his head. “No, should they?”
“Dr. Woodcomb—” Amanda began to say.
“Call me Woody.”
“Okay, Woody. Why don’t you tell us about your life?”
He studied the three sitting at the table for a couple of moments and felt a small amount of apprehension, but seeing the determined looks on their faces he trudged forward, “I was adopted by James and Patricia Woodcomb. My parents never let it be a secret that I was adopted. They had tried for several years to have a child, but to no success. I was raised in Boston and an only child, but—” He hesitated not sure how much he should share.
“But what?” She gave him a tender smile, encouraging him to continue.
“I know I was loved. I was given the best schooling, had plenty of friends and pretty much given everything I ever wanted. Although, I was not a spoiled rich brat.”
“We can see that.” Amanda said softly.
“However, I always felt like something was missing.”
“What was missing?” Amanda asked him, she dragged her cup closer to her and took a sip of her coffee.
“It’s hard to explain. . . but it was like a missing puzzle piece. I didn’t feel complete. I never felt whole.” He shrugged, then pushed back from his chair, thrust his hands into his pant pockets and paced the narrow room. “I always thought it was because I never knew my birth parents.”
“What can you tell us about your birth parents?” Amanda continued her ‘Class C’ interrogation.
“According to the birth certificate, my mother was a Jane Doe. She was brought to the hospital by ambulance after suffering a brain hemorrhage. I was delivered via cesarean section. Mother died on the operating table. My father is listed unknown. Since no one came forward to claim me, I became a ward of the State and was sent to an orphanage, but adopted when I was two weeks old by the Woodcombs.”
Lee and Amanda exchanged glances.
Woody drew in a sudden involuntary breath. “What is this all about?”
This time Lee spoke up, “We think there might have been some sort of mix-up at the hospital where you were born.”
“Why do you think that?” Woody questioned, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Because. . . we both share the same birth dates, June 17, 1950, and we were both born in the same hospital, Parker General. Don’t you think it odd we share the same birthdate, were born in the same hospital, and look exactly alike?” Lee paused for a moment and then looking up hopefully, he continued, “I think you might be my brother.”
Woody leaned back against the wall and blew out the breath he did not realize he was holding. He then looked from one to the other of the faces sitting around the table. “Well, there’s one way to find out for sure. Are you ready for a DNA test?”
“You bet,” Lee answered fervently.
*****
Epilogue
The Agency ~ Washington, D.C.
A Few Days Later
Lee entered through the office door and noticed his wife on the phone, she mouthed 'one minute' to him, and he perched himself on the edge of his desk waiting for her to finish the conversation.
“That would be fine. . . yes, I’ll tell Lee. Hope to see you soon.” She let the receiver click back into place before turning her attention to Lee. “I just got off the phone with Honey; the Woodcombs would like to have us come stay with them for a few days in Hartford once they get back from Burbank.” She let out a small sigh. “Do you ever think we’ll find out what actually happened that morning in the hospital?”
Lee shook his head regretfully. “No, all the players are long gone.” Then he let his mind wander.
Amanda glanced over at Lee and could see he was lost in thought. She rolled back from the desk and walked around to the front and taking Lee’s hands, she pulled him up and ran her hands up his chest until they rested on his lapels. “A penny for your thoughts.”
He blushed slightly and shrugged one shoulder. “I was just thinking.”
“More strange dreams?”
He shook his head firmly. “No. . . the ‘what if’s’.”
Amanda then ran her hands over his shoulders and wrapped them around his neck.
“I was just wondering if my life would have been different if my mother had twins. Would she still have gone rogue with my father? Would they still have confronted Thomas Blackthorne? What if they both had not been killed? And if they still had died in a car accident, would being a twin helped with the loneliness of being raised by my uncle and constantly moving? But then again, all my experiences helped me become the man I am today.”
“A very special man indeed.” She ran her fingers through his hair, pulled his head down to meet hers and firmly kissed his lips. When suddenly there was a knock on the door.
They both groaned.
“Come in,” Amanda said with a half laugh and smile.
Scotty, from the mailroom, tentatively opened the door and poked his head around the corner.
“Hello, Mrs. Stetson, Mr. Stetson. This letter came for you Scarecrow.”
“Thanks, Scotty.” Amanda took the letter and she closed the door behind him. She then noticed the return address. “It’s from California University Hospital,” she said, handing the letter to Lee. “It should be the results from the DNA test.”
He took the envelope from her, and turned away, examined it for a second and then turned back toward her. “Amanda, could you?”
“You sure?” she asked tenderly.
Not trusting his voice, he nodded his head.
She walked back toward his desk, opened a drawer, took out a letter opener, and then ripped through the envelope. She paused for a moment, removed the contents, unfolded and read the letter, and then gave him a sly smile.
Lee quirked an eyebrow. “Well. . ."