  Dual quasars at small physical separations are an important precursor phase
of galaxy mergers, ultimately leading to the coalescence of the two
supermassive black holes. Starting from a sample of dual/lensed quasar
candidates discovered using astrometric jitter in Gaia data, we present a pilot
case study of one of the most promising yet puzzling candidate dual quasars at
cosmic noon (z$\sim$1.8). Using multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopy from
X-ray to radio, we test whether the J0823+2418 system is two individual quasars
in a bound pair at separation$\sim$0.64'', or instead a single quasar being
gravitationally lensed by a foreground galaxy. We find consistent flux ratios
($\sim$1.25-1.45) between the two sources in optical, NIR, UV, and radio, and
thus similar spectral energy distributions, suggesting a strong lensing
scenario. However, differences in the radio spectral index, as well as changing
X-ray fluxes, hint at either a dual quasar with otherwise nearly identical
properties, or perhaps lensing-based time lag of $\sim$3 days paired with
intrinsic variability. We find with lens mass modeling that the relative NIR
positions and magnitudes of the two quasars and a marginally detected central
galaxy are consistent with strong lensing. Archival SDSS spectra likewise
suggest a foreground absorber via Mg II absorption lines. We conclude that
J0823+2418 is likely a lensed quasar, and therefore that the VODKA sample
contains a population of these lensed systems (perhaps as high as 50%) as well
as dual quasars.
