"Two Heartbeats Away" unveils two plots to murder U. S. government officials. Arab terrorists set out to murder the President and Vice President in order for the half-Arab Speaker of the House of Representatives to ascend to Oval Office. At the same time, a senior U. S. Congressman hires a team of racist mercenaries to kill the House Speaker because he resents having a half-Arab two heartbeats from the presidency--behind the Vice President and President. Neither group is aware of the other's intentions. When the terrorists succeed, the congressman steps up his efforts to have the new President assassinated. This story illustrates how political maneuvering and ethnic bias can change abruptly the leadership of the world's most powerful democracy. "Two Heartbeats Away" was conceived and partially written prior to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and is eerily prophetic.