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In a desperate undertone, George asked, “Why’d you come here tonight?”

“Aren’t I welcome in the home of one of my closest and dearest friends?”

“I didn’t mean to imply that.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” David gave his fresh coffee a languid stir. “Now that we’re alone, I’ll get down to business.”

“Which is…?”

“I’d like your opinion of the health care bill Congress has submitted. I value your viewpoint as a physician.”

Taken completely off guard, George stammered, “I… I’m only familiar with the major points.”

“Which should give you a basis for an opinion. What do you think of it?”

When the telephone rang, George practically leaped from the sofa to answer it. “Hello. Dr. Allan speaking.” He listened. “Yes, he’s here.”

He turned and extended the telephone to David. “It’s urgent,” he whispered.

“Put it on speakerphone.”

George gave him a puzzled look, but did as requested. “This is the President,” David said.

He listened as the caller informed him that the First Lady had been taken from Tabor House.

“What do you mean, taken?”

“Abducted, Mr. President. Kidnapped.”

David came slowly to his feet. “What?” he said tightly.

The hapless messenger repeated the message.

“Where was the goddamn Secret Service?” he barked.

“The agents were overpowered, Mr. President. Mrs. Merritt was carried from her room, placed in a vehicle, and driven away. The operation was well rehearsed and executed, sir. The hospital security force and Secret Service agents did their best to stop the abductors at the gate. However, they couldn’t risk shooting at the vehicle and wounding the First Lady. The pickup truck failed to stop despite the warning shots fired. It crashed through the barrier and, unfortunately, escaped.”

The loud conversation had drawn Amanda from another part of the house. David noticed that she didn’t appear unduly surprised by the news.

“Has anyone claimed responsibility? A terrorist group?”

“Gray Bondurant and Barrie Travis have been identified as the suspects, Mr. President.”

Upon hearing that, David’s breath left his body in a rush. “Christ Almighty!” He plowed his fingers through his hair. “Has Bondurant gone completely around the bend?”

“He boldly approached the Secret Service agents guarding Mrs. Merritt’s room, sir, and pretended to be acting on your behalf.”

“Well, he wasn’t!” David shouted, outraged by the suggestion. “He’s to be treated like any other criminal. Is that understood?”

“Absolutely, Mr. President. The FBI’s been notified. Local law enforcement has already located the vehicle. It was left parked at a truck stop several miles from the hospital. There was no sign of the First Lady or her kidnappers. Apparently they switched vehicles, sir.”

More collected now, David said, “I’m returning to the White House immediately. I can be reached in the car.”

“Certainly, Mr. President.”

When the call was disconnected, David rounded on George. “How could you let this happen?”

“It wasn’t my fault!” the doctor cried. “I wasn’t even there. There must have been a breach in security.”