‘Sorry I missed the last few. Been busy campaigning for my vice president. Wish we could talk, but I leave for Detroit in ten minutes. Next time call ahead and make an appointment.’

The rabbi casts a worried look at the redhead.

‘Now what’s so damn important you had to fly up to Washington instead of using the video-com?’

‘Your assassination.’

For a moment, Chaney’s raccoon eyes narrow, then the president rasps out a laugh. ‘Is that all? Hell, I’ve received more death threats than the FBI can count.’

‘Mr. President, this is Kimberly Ward, a professor at Washington College. Her background is in parapsychology.’

‘I deal with paranormal phenomena, Mr. President.’

‘Well, if I ever run into a ghost, I’ll be sure to call you.’

Kimberly Ward is not amused. ‘I’m a scientist, sir. I deal with the science of extrasensory perception, clairvoyance, telepathy, and precognition, and I assure you my time is just as valuable as yours.’

Chaney perks up, his ego always ready for a battle of wills. ‘Go on, Miss, uh?’

‘Ward. Kimberly Ward.’

Chaney signals them to sit, then hobbles to his favorite easy chair. ‘Okay, Ms. Ward, you’ve got five minutes.’

‘Have you ever heard of the theory regarding mind-body dualism?’

‘No.’

‘Psychokinetic researchers such as I are convinced there are two separate but coexisting facets of human beings: the physical body, which does not survive material death, and the nonphysical mind, or soul, that can live forever.’

‘If this is a religious thing—’

‘This is science, Mr. President, with studies that date back to the late 1930s. Our latest research can measure the electrostatic radiation that is expelled by a human being when the subject undergoes an out-of-body experience. The study of paranormal phenomena has made huge strides over the last decade. Along with the material forces of gravity, electromagnetic, and weak and strong nuclear forces, scientists now believe a fifth force may be present in the known universe—a force that relates to psychokinesis. Your godson, Jacob, exhibits abilities in this field that dwarf any subject I’ve ever studied.’

‘It’s the Hunahpu gene,’ Rabbi Steinberg interjects. ‘Somehow, the boy is able to tap into a higher dimension of consciousness.’

‘Really?’ Chaney glances at his watch. ‘You know, I think my watch is slow.’ He stands to leave.

Steinberg blocks his path. ‘Jacob saw something. He had a vision, a precognition. You’ll never make it to Detroit this afternoon, Ennis. One of Air Force One’s flight crew is planning to crash your plane into the Washington Monument moments after takeoff.’

The president glares at the rabbi. ‘How could a seven-year-old boy—’

‘Jacob claims he saw the man’s security badge,’ says Kimberly. ‘He’s even given us a name: Fred Botnick.’

Chaney hesitates, then touches the office intercom. ‘Kathy, get me a list of the flight crew scheduled this afternoon for Air Force One.’

‘Yes, sir. Transferring information to your monitor.’