WESTERN UNION SAYS we’re on.” Tidwell handed the one-page telegram to the president. “Next Tuesday at one o’clock.”

     “Does that give us enough time?”

     “To spare,” Tidwell said, “But I have no intention of putting you at risk,” he continued, remembering his primary task: to protect the president.

     “But won’t he know he’s being set up?”

     “Not if we use your double,” Tidwell said calmly. “You can watch it all from the comfort of the Oval Office. We’ll run security as if it was actually you sitting outside, sipping soda.”

     “But up close -- he’ll be able to tell that it’s not me!”

     “If he even gets up close,” Tidwell said. “Our guys will take him out as soon as we get a positive ID."

     “But we know he’s good with disguises.”

     “He can’t change his height,” Tidwell said, smiling.

     “I’ll leave the gory details in your capable hands,” the president said. “Make it so.”