"My sister's husband, Herman, works in the laundry at the White House. I called and asked him about you. He said he never met you, but that you just came on board. He couldn't remember the name of the doctor you replaced, but you answered me quickly enough to seem genuine."

Immediately Gabe's mind began to race.

"Is he home now?" he asked.

"Herman? Actually, he's just getting ready to head into work."

Gabe could barely conceal his excitement.

"Do you think I could speak with him?"

Sharon Turner picked up the phone, dialed, then handed it across to him.

"Herman," Gabe said after introducing himself, "can you get a piece of paper and a pencil or pen? . . . Great. I need you to get a short note to the president. Do you think you can do that?"

"We have people that bring the linens up to the residence. I help sometimes."

"I'd rather have you deliver the note personally if it's possible. Okay, you ready? The note should read: 'The man who rides Condor needs you to call him.' Then I want you to write down Sharon's number at the bottom of the note. If for any reason your supervisor won't let you go up to the residence, see if you can get one of the Secret Service people to deliver the note. But it would be much better if you do it. Any questions?"

Herman said there weren't, and Gabe set the receiver back on the wall. Then he settled back with his coffee, trying to conjure up a way to separate the president from all those who might be a threat to him, including his Secret Service protectors. By the time the phone rang, in just over forty-five minutes, an idea had germinated and begun to grow. It was an idea that would take some quick planning and some incredible luck, but given what was at stake, it was an idea that had to be made to work.

Sharon answered the phone, listened for a few moments, and then, rather shakily, handed it across to Gabe.

"It's for you," she said. "Man on the other end says he's—"

"That's who he is," Gabe said, managing a grin at her reluctance to give the caller a name or a title.

"What's the address here?" Gabe asked.

Sharon grabbed a piece of paper and wrote it down.

"That you, Gabe?" the president asked.

"In the flesh."

"I've been trying to reach you all night. Where in the hell have you been?"

"Long story. I'll tell you when I see you."

"Roger that. Good move with that Condor note. I never forget a horse."

"Mr. President, I need you to send someone out to get me."

"I'll send a car right out."

"Terrific."

Gabe read the address.

"Twenty minutes," Stoddard said.