4:00 A.M.
Since it has stealth technology, the missile can't be traced. Michelle figures out that the target might be anywhere in the continental United States.
4:01 A.M.
Jack informs the White House that he is unsure if Trepkos can help them find the missile. Palmer and Novick discuss the possibility that Washington is the target. Palmer instructs Novick to move the high-ranking government officials to safe houses, but not tell them why. They need this to remain a secret until Jack finds out more.
4:04 A.M.
With time slipping away, Jack informs Trepkos about the missile McLennan launched. Trepkos calmly says he has no idea what Jack is talking about. Angered, Jack grabs Trepkos's throat and tells him that Lee Jong alleged that he conspired with Stephen Saunders to detonate a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles and plunge the United States into an illegitimate war, as well as unleashing the Cordilla virus. And now Jack is assuming he's helping McLennan kill millions with this missile. Jack releases Trepkos, who gasps for breath. As Curtis pleads for restraint, Jack takes out his gun and aims it at Trepkos's face. Trepkos breathlessly admits that he worked for Saunders, but strongly states that he never authorized McLennan to go ahead with his own plan to melt down the nuclear reactors. He considered it a risky operation with no chance of success. Jack says that had it worked, millions of Americans would have been slaughtered, which apparently Trepkos has no problem with. Trepkos smugly tells Jack that he would have gladly welcomed the nuclear holocaust. Jack is disgusted and asks Trepkos how much he knew of McLennan's preparations for today and how to find him. Trepkos demands a full presidential pardon, but instead Jack cocks his gun and threatens to kill Trepkos if he doesn't comply. When Trepkos accuses Jack of violating his rights, Jack says that no one will be asking about a traitor's rights when millions are being buried. Trepkos gives in, and explains to Jack that he only knows what McLennan told him. He had no direct involvement in the planning and has no idea where McLennan could be now. Jack coldly says any information will be helpful. Trepkos begrudgingly reveals that McLennan told him that once Richard Heller disclosed that his father was coming to visit, they had found a sufficient target for the first phase. Jack is floored, and asks Trepkos if he's being serious. "Why, yes, McLennan told me himself," Trepkos says casually. "Richard Heller gave him the information." As Jack excuses himself to alert CTU, Carson hears everything over a recording device.
4:07 A.M.
Jack tells Heller and the CTU staff about the allegation about his son. Heller shakes his head in disgust. Chloe alerts the field teams near Richard's house to pick him up.
4:08 A.M.
Tony lets Audrey know about Richard, but she refuses to believe that her brother might be linked to McLennan-Forster. Meanwhile, Jack and Curtis get news that the location Chloe traced the missile feed to was found deserted. Jack wants to take Trepkos back to CTU immediately.
4:09 A.M.
As the agents take Trepkos to the SUV, a sniper hits Trepkos in the chest. He falls to the ground, bleeding profusely. The agents fire back at the unseen sniper above, but receive no return shots. Jack furiously pounds Trepkos's chest, while Curtis radios CTU that Trepkos has been shot.
4:10 A.M.
Running through the woods, the sniper calls Carson to inform him that Trepkos was shot. Carson says that it had to be done.
-Commercial Break-
4:15 A.M.
Chloe cannot find where the sniper was located or his current position on the satellite. Tony gives Jack the bad news that Trepkos died in the ambulance in transit. Heller says that their priority is now focused on Richard. Jack and Curtis head back to CTU to interrogate him.
4:16 A.M.
The President addresses the Cabinet assembled in the White House bunker on the nuclear missile threat. Speaker of the House Donald Ashton questions why the Administration is not informing the public. Logan leaves to confer with Palmer, and Ashton notices the body language between the two men. It's clear that Palmer is in the dominant, confident position to Logan.
4:18 A.M.
After discussing the fact that Jack will be torturing Audrey's brother to get information, Tony wonders whether he and Michelle can continue their relationship if they don't leave CTU for good. He asks her to quit the job that she loves so much in order to be with him.
4:20 A.M.
Richard Heller creates a scene as he is dragged into CTU. Audrey tells Richard that they found a call from a week ago on his cell phone to Forbes, one of McLennan's top executives. Richard furiously denies this. Jack enters, and Audrey begs him not to hurt her brother. She wants to talk to Richard herself. Jack allows her to take five minutes with him.
4:21 A.M.
Congressman Ashton tries to get information out of Novick about Palmer's role as advisor. He makes his feelings known that it is his role as Speaker of the House - and not David Palmer's job - to take over the country if Logan is not up to the task. Novick assures Ashton that Logan is in complete control.
4:22 A.M.
Novick tells Logan and Palmer about Ashton's concern over succession of command. Palmer is aware of Ashton's ambition. He could cause problems for them. Palmer suggests that they show him who's in charge.
-Commercial Break-
4:28 A.M.
Audrey meets with Richard in the interrogation room. He claims he doesn't know anything about McLennan or the missile.
4:30 A.M.
Heller sees that Audrey isn't making any headway. Curtis can tell from Richard's heart rate that he is holding something back. Heller goes in and demands that his son reveal what he knows. Richard finally gives up that a man and a woman picked him up in a bar a week ago. He took them home and had sex with the man. The woman might have used his phone.
4:33 A.M.
Richard accuses his father of being disgusted with him because of his lifestyle. Yet Heller is angry that Richard didn't divulge this earlier to prevent putting the whole country in jeopardy.
-Commercial Break-
4:39 A.M.
Chloe finds the cab driver who picked up the couple from Richard's apartment. He drove them to a housing complex called Mercerwood. Edgar discovers that the phone call from Richard's cell to Forbes activated a listen-in so that the company could hear all of Richard's calls. That is how the terrorists knew that Heller was going to visit his son. When Heller refuses to give up Curtis to the field, Jack asks for Tony's help.
4:40 A.M.
President Logan greets his Cabinet and explains that he asked Palmer in as an advisor. Congressman Ashton is quick to question what Palmer's position will be, and Logan asserts that he will function outside the chain of command. Palmer goes on to control the meeting, and Logan puts him in his place. Palmer excuses himself from the room and the situation. This prearranged performance seems to satisfy Ashton's worries.
4:41 A.M.
Palmer walks into another office, where Novick has watched the Cabinet meeting. Novick thinks that everything went according to Palmer's plan and that they won't have to worry about Ashton anymore.
4:42 A.M.
As Tony prepares to go out into the field with Jack, Michelle tears up. "I can't spend another day without you," she weeps. They kiss, and she agrees to leave CTU for good.
4:43 A.M.
Heller lets Audrey know that Richard will be released once he identifies the suspects. She admits to her father that she feels lost.
4:44 A.M.
Jack calls Audrey from the helicopter. He expresses his feelings, explaining that he wasn't sure she would still love him if she knew everything he's done at CTU. Jack asks if they can talk once everything is all over.
4:45 A.M.
Edgar sends Jack the composite sketch based on Richard's descriptions.
4:46 A.M.
In the Mercerwood complex, a couple finishes having sex. Katie tells Gary that they still have time to get to McLennan. Suddenly, Katie hears helicopters outside.
4:47 A.M.
Jack briefs the SWAT team in the chopper using the composite sketches sent from CTU. Curtis confirms over radio that Richard is ready to make the I.D. The helicopter lands near the Mercerwood and the teams empty out.
4:48 A.M.
Katie dresses and loads her weapons. She informs Gary that they have been found, and now one of them will be forced to stay in the apartment to allow the other to escape. She shoots Gary.
-Commercial Break-
4:54 A.M.
Jack sends Tony and Agent Castle to the roof of the complex. He enters through the main gate.
4:55 A.M.
Jack and another agent break into Katie's apartment and find Gary's dead body slumped in a chair. They send his photo back to CTU for confirmation. Jack radios Tony to look for the girl.
4:56 A.M.
Katie climbs up to the rooftop and shoots Agent Castle in the arm. She brings Castle out at gunpoint to Tony. When Tony doesn't drop his weapon, she shoots Castle again. Tony relents, handing over his gun and radio. He offers himself up as hostage instead of the wounded Castle.
4:57 A.M.
Katie has Castle handcuff Tony. She then kills Castle and leads Tony out.
At CTU, Richard verifies that the dead man is the one he met with.
4:58 A.M.
After getting confirmation, Jack radios his teams. Neither Tony nor Castle responds. Jack runs up to the roof and finds Castle's body. He radios that Tony is missing and could be a hostage. Jack alerts them that their transmission may be compromised. Michelle listens from CTU with fear.