Mistaken Identity

Summary – Ever notice the resemblance between Andrew Cook and Randolph Cummings? What if Andrew had been arrested for a crime he didn't commit? He'd need a good lawyer, naturally - and some help and support from the good folks in Colorado Springs wouldn't hurt either.

A/N – We all know how the show shamelessly used actors in multiple roles, asking the audience to suspend disbelief and ignore the resemblance. But this one is so blatant – and the two characters appeared just 10 episodes apart - my imagination started to run with it. I know Matthew said Cummings hadn't technically committed any crimes, but let's suppose another town had kept a copy of the diagram as evidence of the fraudulent refrigeration scheme.

Also, I have no legal background whatsoever. I'm sure this strains believability, but so did the show from time to time, so I figure I'm in good company. Right?

Disclaimer – Don't own the characters from the show. Just borrowing them for a bit :- ).

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Chapter 1

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It was a typical morning in Colorado Springs. Beautiful June weather, warm and sunny skies. People were starting their day, headed for work, heading out to visit friends or run errands. Several folks, mostly men who didn't have wives to cook for them, were gathered in Grace's Café eating breakfast.

One conversation that morning was decidedly not typical for Colorado Springs.

"I'm tellin' ya, that's him," one man insisted.

His companion glanced again at the sheet of paper in his hands, then back in the direction of a table where two other young men were seated. "Are ya sure, Frank? He ain't wearin' spectacles."

Frank looked annoyed. "You're the one needin' spectacles! Course he ain't wearin' em. It's a disguise."

"So, what are we gonna do? We can't turn him into the sheriff – he's eatin' with the sheriff! Look at the pair of em, all chummy."

"Yeah, he's probably got him on the take to look the other way. We're gonna have to take matters into our own hands."

"Now?"

"No, not now, not in front of everybody! We gotta time it just right. We'll wait until he's alone, then get him."

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"Come in," Andrew called in response to the knock on the clinic door.

It opened, and two men that he didn't recognize entered the room. That wasn't unusual – he was still familiarizing himself with the locals. Not everyone journeyed into town on a daily basis, and it was hard to get to know people if you didn't see them regularly. He himself had only been around for a month or so. And the train, obviously, was bringing in new people every day – some for a few days, some for just a few hours.

"Gentlemen," he greeted. "I'm Dr. Cook. How can I help you today?"

One of the men closed the door behind him while the other one said, "You can come with us, Cummings."

Andrew frowned. "I'm sorry, I think you have me confused with someone else. My name isn't Cummings."

"Sure, it aint." The two men gave each other knowing glances.

"No, really. My name's Cook. Did Loren put you up to this? Or Jake? Because this…" Andrew's voice trailed off as one man pulled his gun out of his holster and pointed it right at him! Andrew swallowed nervously. "Whoa. Easy…"

"Shut up, Cummings," the man with the gun said. "You're comin' with us."

"Look, I told you, you've got the wrong man," Andrew tried explaining again. "My name isn't Cummings."

"Yeah, sure, whatever ya say," said the second man, who began unfolding a piece of paper. "But whatever name you're usin' now, it's still you."

He held up the Wanted poster for Andrew to see, and Andrew swallowed again. The likeness on the poster was uncanny. No wonder they mistook him for this outlaw – the man could have been his twin! He had heard of people having doppelgangers but had never encountered the phenomenon in real life. Just his luck that when he did, it would be him! And the poster indicated that he – rather, the outlaw – was wanted for fraud and had several aliases. Obviously these two men thought 'Cook' was another alias.

"That… that's not me," Andrew managed to say, knowing full well that nothing he said would convince them otherwise.

"Tell it to the judge. Now, let's go," the man with the gun said.

Andrew reached for his medical bag on the desk.

"Stop!" the man ordered.

"But it's my-"

"I said leave it!" The demand was accompanied by the gun cocking into place.

"All right, all right," said Andrew, putting his hands up to indicate he would leave the bag. Belatedly, he realized the man probably thought he had been reaching for a gun inside the case. That wasn't true, of course, but this was no time to argue the point. "May I at least take my hat and coat?"

The man with the gun gave a slight nod of agreement, and Andrew started for the corner before a hand grabbed him by the arm.

"Wait! Lemmie check the pockets first," the unarmed man said. He did so before reporting, "No gun." He handed the coat to Andrew, who slipped it on.

"Where are we going?" Andrew asked, as he retrieved his hat.

"Train station. And if you say anythin' to anyone, other than a polite how'd ya do, you'll wish ya were a real doc, get it?" The man hid the gun from view with his coat front.

Andrew thought it best if he didn't protest that he was a real doc. They would no more believe he was a real doctor than they would that they had the wrong man. "Yes. Got it."

"Good."

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