Spoilers for this episode.
Palmer arrives at the White House and receives authority to act for Logan during the nuclear crisis. Chloe's recovered computer data identifies Lee Jong, a Chinese scientist linked to the weapon's trigger. Lee is sheltering at the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles. Palmer asks the consul, Koo Yin, to surrender him, but the promised diplomatic process would take hours. Marwan's recorded message suggests the attack could happen before dawn, leaving CTU far less time.
Palmer authorizes Jack to extract Lee secretly, warning that the government cannot acknowledge the operation. Tony supplies surveillance while Jack and a masked team enter the consulate. Lee is captured and wounded during the escape. Koo is accidentally killed by his own guards, and one guard briefly exposes Agent Bern's face. The raid secures the suspect but leaves evidence that could connect CTU to the intrusion and the consul's death.
Audrey has decided to accompany Paul to a specialist hospital, but his condition worsens and he needs another operation. Lee also deteriorates on the journey back to CTU before revealing Marwan's location. Jack brings him into the operating room and forces the only doctor to stop treating Paul. He argues that Lee can lead them to the nuclear weapon. Jack tries to keep Paul alive while the doctor works on Lee, but Paul dies. Audrey attacks Jack in grief and blames him for the death.