Simmons sucked noisily on his pipe. "I think Alan makes a good case."

"Okay," Oates said, "foreign blackmail rates a low score. So what are we looking at from the domestic angle?"

Dan Fawcett, who had previously been silent, spoke up. "It may sound farfetched, but we can't eliminate a corporate plot to overthrow the government."

Oates leaned back and straightened his shoulders. "Maybe not as farfetched as we think. The President went after the financial institutions and the multinational conglomerates with a vengeance. His tax programs took a hell of a bite out of their profits. They're pumping arty's campaign coffers faster than their banks can print the checks."

"I warned him about grandstanding on the issue of helping the poor by taxing the rich," Fawcett said. "But he refused to listen.

He alienated the nation's businessmen, as well as the working middle class. Politicians just can't seem to get it into their heads that a vast number of American families with a working wife are in a fifty-percent tax bracket."

"The President has powerful enemies," Mercier conceded. "However, it's inconceivable to me that any corporate empire could steal away the President and congressional leaders without its leaking to a law-enforcement agency."

"I agree," Emmett said. "Too many people had to be in on it. Somebody would have gotten cold feet and spilled the scheme."

"I think we'd better call a halt to speculation," said Oates.

"Let's get back on the track. The first step is to launch a massive investigation while keeping up a business-as-usual frodt. Use whatever cover story you feel is plausible. If at all possible, don't even let your key people in on this."

"What about a central command post during the investigation?" Emmett asked.

"We'll continue to gather here every eight hours to assess incoming evidence and coordinate efforts between your respective investigative agencies."

Simmons pushed forward in his chair. "I have a problem. I'm scheduled to fly to Cairo this afternoon to confer with Egypt's Minister of Defense."

"By all means go," Oates replied. "Keep up normal appearances.

General Metcalf can cover for you at the Pentagon."

Emmett shifted in his chair. "I'm supposed to speak before a law class at Princeton tomorrow morning."

Oates pondered a moment. "Claim you have the flu and can't make it." He turned to Lucas. "Oscar, if you'll forgive me for saying so, you're the most expendable. Substitute for Sam. Certainly no one would suspect a presidential kidnapping if the new Director of the Secret Service can take time out to give a speech."

Lucas nodded. "I'll be there."

"Good." Oates looked around the table. "Everybody plan on being back here at two o'clock. Maybe we'll know something by then."

"I've already sent a crack lab team over to the yacht," Emmett volunteered. "With luck they'll turn up some Solid leads."

"Let's pray they do." Oates's shoulders sagged and he appeared to stare through the tabletop. "My God," he muttered quietly. "Is this any way to run a goverrnment?"