Up ahead, the president glanced back at him and smiled. Then he gathered the reins and prodded the gray with a single brisk kick against the animal's flanks.

"Keep going!" Gabe shouted, pulling alongside.

They galloped that way, shoulder to shoulder, for another minute before Gabe spotted the marker he had built and pointed first to it, then to the woods on the left where the narrow trail would materialize.

The president pumped his fist.

Gabe tried to look as enthusiastic, but he knew he missed. He was consumed by a voice in his head that kept shouting one thing, over and over.

What in the hell have you done?

CHAPTER 61

With the lights off, the President of the United States driving, and his personal physician hanging on behind, the ATV negotiated the crooked dirt roads and trails up Flat Top Mountain to The Aerie. It was dark by the time they reached the castle and parked the four-wheeler in a concealed spot just inside the edge of the woods.

For a few moments, the two men stood by the drawbridge over the moat and watched what were probably three helicopters and a couple of fixed-wing aircraft circling off to the east.

"We made it!" Stoddard exclaimed. "I can't believe it. We made it! It must be absolute chaos back there in Washington."

"Like I said, this country is built to go from one leader to another at a moment's notice and with the minimum of chaos. If all that Twenty-fifth Amendment reading I did when I first arrived in D.C. taught me anything, it taught me that. The country is and always will be bigger than any one man."

"Maybe so. Still, I'd like to think I'm being missed right about now."

"I'm sure you are. You're doing an incredible job."

"Thanks. Speaking of missed, I've got to call Carol. I left her an envelope of instructions including the numbers of a chief with the Virginia State Police whom I trust and a federal magistrate judge as well. Carol can contact them, and they can get the warrants we need and some reliable officers to serve them. They'll meet you at Lily's place first thing tomorrow."

"Perfect. You've been a real hero, Drew. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to walk away from your job."

"I'm certainly hoping to get it back."

"As long as we keep you safe from those transmitters, I'm sure you will."

"Speaking of heroes, you've been one, too . . . and more. You've been a hell of a friend, Gabe. Better than I deserve."

What an odd thing to say, Gabe thought.

"Nonsense," he said. "Go reassure Carol that you're okay and I'm not a madman. Then I want to show you where Ye Olde Royal Physician has decreed you'll be spending the night."

"I already think I know."