Spoilers for this episode.
Jack and Assad follow Masheer, the handler from the subway attack, while Fayed demands the release of prisoners held at Palmdale. Palmer agrees to prepare the transfer to buy time, hoping CTU can locate Fayed before the deadline. With satellite coverage delayed, Jack stages a car crash that leaves Masheer needing a ride. Assad offers to drive him, then leaves a telephone connection open so Jack and CTU can hear their conversation.
Curtis Manning joins the pursuit but openly objects to working with Assad. When Masheer reaches Newhall, Curtis takes Assad into custody despite Jack's protests. CTU tracks the handler to a storage facility and moves in. Masheer opens fire before detonating a grenade, destroying the locker and killing himself. With their suspect dead, Palmer allows the prisoner transfer to proceed. Sandra secures her own release from detention but cannot persuade her brother to free Walid.
Ahmed holds the Wallace family at gunpoint and sends Ray to buy a component, threatening his wife and son if he fails. When the seller demands more money, Ray fights him and accidentally kills him. CTU recovers a schematic from Masheer's damaged laptop that Assad identifies as part of a nuclear detonator. The investigation points to imprisoned engineer Hasan Numair, the real target of Fayed's demand. CTU stops the transfer, but a cooperating guard has already helped Numair slip away.