Spoilers for this episode.
Marwan escapes the search by discarding the stolen CTU gear and boarding a city bus. Jack learns he worked for McLennan-Forster, the contractor behind the override. Paul offers to accompany Jack because his company supplied its computer system and he knows ways into the files. Audrey returns to CTU and asks Jack to protect him. Driscoll struggles to continue after Maya's death, and Heller eventually appoints Tony as interim director. Curtis objects to being passed over, while Tony insists that finding Marwan is his immediate concern. The team still cannot be sure whether the stopped nuclear attacks exhausted the terrorists' plans.
At McLennan-Forster, executives learn that Marwan operated inside their company and fear exposure of their own dealings. They allow Jack and Paul to inspect the system while security chief Conlon deletes incriminating material remotely. Paul rebuilds files through hidden access routes, forcing the executives to authorise an electromagnetic pulse device that will destroy nearby electronics. CTU notices communications failing and warns Jack through the computer connection. Paul prints a recovered file while Jack searches for the device. Jack cannot stop the pulse, and the surrounding area loses power. Conlon catches Paul at the entrance and demands the printout. Back at CTU, Michelle arrives as Driscoll's replacement, surprising Tony.