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And, of course, Brogan of CIA must be called in to check out the international conspiracy angle"

"You've just touched on an ungodly thought, General," said Simmons

"Sir?"

"Suppose the President and the rest have already been spirited out of the country?"

Sirim possibility none of them had dared consider With the President beyond reach of their vast internal resources, their investigative effectiveness would be cut by 80 percent

"They could also be dead," Oates said in a controlled voice "But we'll operate on the premise they're alive and held somewhere in the United States"

"Lucas and I will brief Ean," Fawcett volunteered

There was a knock on the door A Secret Service agent entered, walked over to Lucas and spoke softly in his ear Lucas' eyebrows arched upward and he paled slightly Then the agent retreated fro the door behind him

Oates stared at Lucas questioningly "A new development, Oscar?"

"Ben Greenwald," Lucas answered vacantly "He wa

s killed thirty o His car struck a city maintenance vehicle"

Oates wasted no words of sympathy "With the powers temporarily vested in me, I name you as the new Director of the Secret Service"

Lucas visibly recoiled "No, please, I don't think I can-"

"Doesn't make sense to select somebody else," Oates interrupted him

"Like it or not, Oscar, you're the only man who can be named for the job"