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Russell tried to distract his mind throughout the whole negotiation. He yelled for them to hurry up and trace it – find the location.

The typing of the best analysts in the country echoed through the room – each one communicating with everyone – each one felt the tension in the air – the life-threatening situation.

He listened as Conrad's voice went from commanding to angry. And then desperate. Desperate as he tried to pull out every stop to stop what now might have been the inevitable.

But there was no distraction once the screen went blank.

No distraction to pull him away – to allow his mind to focus on something else. Nothing.

Instead he watched as one of the strongest women he knew – someone who had been through the coup in Iran – one who sat in on negotiations that would affect the world.

He watched her break.

Falling to her knees – groans that rent Russell's heart echoing through the room.

She rocked back and forth – no words uttered. There on the floor of the situation room – with the most powerful men and women in America there, watching.

Russell's eyes darted to Conrad – who almost stumbled to Bess' side – wary to get too close.

Looking at the stunned and horrified analysts and directors, he said, "Everyone out."

He knew that they needed some privacy – he wondered if later he'd consider why he didn't think about the danger of the secret getting out – but that wasn't even on his mind. He knew that this needed to be something not observed by twenty people all around them.

As the room cleared, he could hear both adult's cries mingling together. Bess gasped in breath, Conrad just quietly cried.

It wasn't until he tried to step outside – to give them some space – that he heard words.

"Henry…" An almost last ditch effort. He looked over and say Bess staring at him. Face caked with tears, her entire body breaking.

He nodded, "I'll call him over right away."

And then he stepped outside.

Leaning his back against the wall, he tried to take deep breaths. He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

Which lasted maybe 30 seconds before he heard, "Mr. Jackson, Sir…"

Blake.

Russell didn't even open his eyes. "Really, right now isn't a good…" He paused, and said, "Send an envoy out – I want them to find Henry and get him here like there was a terrorist attack."

Which, in his mind, this had been.

"Of course." Blake agreed, but then asked, "Mr. Jackson…"

Russell looked at the young man, standing there – he wasn't an idiot.

"What…?" Blake asked, unable to say the words

And Russell said, "She's gone. And hell has opened up."