"Blackmail, or maybe an insane attempt to bit the Russians first."

"Can't be done," Metcalf replied simply. "There are too many built-in safeguards. Why hell, even the President couldn't launch our nuclear arsenal on his own, in a fit of madness. The order to start a war has to be transmitted through Secretary of Defense Simmons and the joint Chiefs. If any of us knew for certain the order was invalin, we could countermand it."

"All right," said Simmons, "we temporarily shelve a Soviet conspiracy or an act of war. What are we left with?"

"Damned little," grunted Mercier.

Metcalf looked squarely at Oates. "As things stand, Mr. Secretary, you are the constitutionally designated successor."

"He's right," said Simmons. "Until the President, Margolin, Larimer and Moran are found alive, you're the acting President."

For several seconds there was no sound in the library. Oates's flamboyant and forceful facial exterior cracked ever so slightly, and he seemed to suddenly age five years. Then, just as suddenly, he regained control and his eyes took on a cold, visceral expression.

"The first thing we must do," he said in a level tone, "is to act as though nothing has happened."

Mercier tilted back and gazed unseeing at the high ceiling.

"Granted we can't hold a press conference and announce to the world we've misplaced the nation's four ranking leaders. I don't care to think about the repercussions when the word leaks out. But we can't hide the facts from the press for more than a few hours."

"And we have to consider the likelihood the people responsible for the kidnapping will give us an ultimatum or make a ransom demand through the news media," Simmons anded.

Metcalf looked doubtful. "My guess is that when contact is made it will come without a trumpet blast to Secretary Oates, and any demand will be for something besides money."

"I can't fault your thinking, General," said Oates. "But our top priority is still to conceal the facts and stall for as long as it takes to find the President."

Mercier had the look of an atheist buttonholed by a Hare Krishna at an airport. "Lincoln said it: 'You can't fool all the people all the time." It won't be easy keeping the President and Vice President out of the public eye for more than a day, at most. And you can't simply erase Larimer and Moran; they're too highly visible around Washington. Then there is the Eagle's crew to consider. What do you tell their families?"

"Jack Sutton!" Fawcett blurted as though he was having a revelation.

"Who?" Simmons demanded.

"The actor, the spitting image of the President who plays him in TV commercials and on comedy shows."