Mitch meets Abby at the Carlyle Hotel near her office. He explains that the phone is probably a tracking and monitoring device. Abby suggests they leave with the kids, and Mitch tries to assure her they will be fine. Upstairs in a rented suite, they join Cory, Jack, and Darian Kasuch from Crueggal. Darian examines the phone, identifying it as a Jakl, a specialized phone made in Vietnam for a Hungarian company. He confirms that it emits a tracking signal even when it is off, but it is not currently recording.

Abby recounts her encounter with the woman who delivered Noura’s note to the team, who takes notes: young, about Abby’s height, slight Middle Eastern accent, but otherwise unidentifiable beneath robes and veil. Cory and Mitch review the five surveillance photos on the device. Mitch is concerned about their children’s safety, and they think of places they could go.

The group debates involving the FBI or CIA but decides against it, noting the problematic relations between Libya and the US, and the CIA’s history of failed operations. They also postpone telling Luca the news due to his fragile health. Jack proposes a plan: Cory’s team will watch Abby walk the boys to school, then Mitch will secretly remove them at noon and fly to Isleboro, a secluded island in Maine, where his brother owns an estate. Abby must remain in the city as the kidnappers’ contact point. They all agree to Jack’s proposal.

That evening, Mitch and Abby convince Clark and Carter that a weekend in a Maine mansion with boats and a private jet will be an adventure. Mitch calls the head of their school and arranges the boys’  leave. Abby calls her parents, Harold and Maxine Sutherland, and arranges for a private jet to bring them from Louisville to Maine on Saturday.

Mitch reflects bitterly on his difficult relationship with his in-laws, thinking about how he must spend time with them. 

Later, Abby asks when Noura will call again, and Mitch guesses within 48 hours. They debate whether this is purely about ransom or if the terrorists might kill Giovanna anyway. Mitch argues Giovanna is worth more alive. They both admit their fear, and Mitch says he wants a gun. Abby objects, saying he has never held one. Mitch rarely speaks about his difficult childhood years to her, but reveals that his father used to take him hunting as a boy in Appalachia. He killed his first deer at six and was proficient with rifles, pistols, and shotguns. After his father’s death, his mother sold all the guns, fearing for his and his brother’s safety. Abby pleads with him to stay away from guns, and he promises not to touch one.

Cory visits Mitch and Abby and gives them new phones for secure communication, mentioning another team member named Alvin. Cory reminds them of the plan: Abby must walk the kids, just like a normal morning, and Mitch will take them to the airport before noon. He emphasizes that their people are watching them but cannot reveal to Mitch how many are involved. 

Abby walks the boys to school under Cory’s surveillance, who later informs Mitch that no one follows them. Mitch goes to his office and calls Luca in Rome with a vague update, then is picked up by Cory in an SUV.

Mitch gets the boys from school, and they drive to the airport. The boys are thrilled with the private jet, playing around during the flight to Maine. Cory and Alvin accompany them. After landing, they drive to Camden and have lunch at a waterfront restaurant overlooking the harbor.

Later, they board the ferry to Islesboro, a remote 14-mile-long island dotted with old summer mansions. They arrive at Wicklow, Barry Ruch’s estate, a sprawling house with classic Cape Cod architecture, 18 bedrooms, weathered blue shingles, and ocean views. Barry greets them warmly. Tanner, the housekeeper and handyman, helps them with the luggage. The boys are immediately enamored with the house and their new surroundings.

As Mitch predicted, Noura calls Abby on the Jakl phone on Saturday morning. Noura instructs Abby to meet her on Sunday at the Central Park ice rink entrance, standing by an ice-cream vendor on the east side. Noura knows Mitch is a Mets fan and tells Abby to wear a Mets cap, scaring her about how much she knows about them. Noura emphasizes that Abby must come alone and not make any mistakes. The call unsettles Abby, and she calls Mitch.

In Maine, the boys enjoy breakfast and become friends with Tanner. Outside, Cory tells Mitch that after Abby’s parents arrive, they will fly back to New York early Sunday and observe the ice rink from the Everett Hotel. Mitch suggests Noura might be a hoax, but Cory says they cannot control the situation now. They speculate about the ransom amount, acknowledging they have no negotiation advantage.

That afternoon, Tanner brings Abby’s parents to the mansion. The boys rush to greet them, and Mitch is “touched” by their bond despite his feelings. Barry joins everyone for lunch, bonding with Harold over fly-fishing. After the meal, Tanner takes the boys boating. In the library, Mitch tells Harold and Maxine the truth: Terrorists photographed Abby and their grandsons on Manhattan streets. They agree to hide with their grandsons in Maine as long as necessary.

Early Sunday morning, Mitch and Cory fly to Westchester, leaving Alvin and another guard to protect the family. Soon, they are in a suite at the Everett Hotel with Jack and Darian, overlooking the Wollman ice rink. Soon, Mitch spots Abby in her Mets cap entering the park.

Abby waits at the ice-cream vendor. The Jakl phone vibrates; Noura redirects her to a bench on the Mall. Minutes later, a woman in a navy jogging suit, pushing a stroller, sits beside her. Confirming she is Noura, she leads Abby to a secluded spot and delivers the demand: $100 million, non-negotiable, due May 25 at 5 pm or else Giovanna will be executed. She promises a video will arrive in 15 minutes, then leaves.

Abby returns to the hotel. Darian connects the Jakl phone to a laptop, and they watch Giovanna on video, gaunt but claiming she is unharmed, repeating the ransom and deadline. The group is stunned by the enormous amount, thinking it is impossible to pay. Mitch insists they must assume the threat is real. He asks Darian about British and Italian government contributions. Darian notes that governments officially refuse to negotiate with terrorists but have paid quietly before. Mitch announces he is flying to Rome to tell Luca and explore funding options. Thirty minutes after Abby’s meeting with Noura, terrorists firebomb Scully’s Barcelona office. Mitch drives to JFK airport.

Monday morning, Scully’s nine-member management committee holds an emergency meeting. Jack Ruch presents the surveillance photos from Noura’s phone and Giovanna’s video. The partners are shocked that the firm is being watched and a partner is held hostage, and debate asking Jack to involve the FBI or the CIA. Some criticize Mitch’s unilateral actions and worry about the ransom. After heated discussions, Jack postpones the executive session, and Cory returns to brief the committee on the Barcelona bombing. He emphasizes the enhanced security and surveillance measures for the Scully offices worldwide.

In Rome, Roberto Maggi picks up Mitch at the airport. Roberto says Luca is weakening physically but feels better knowing Giovanna is alive. Luca believes the amount can be negotiated down and has been contacting Italian politicians. Mitch plays Giovanna’s video for Roberto, who is brought to tears. They agree it might be too upsetting for Luca.

At Luca’s mansion, Mitch, Luca, and Roberto decide to amend the Lannak arbitration complaint against Libya, adding damages for the deaths and kidnapping to increase pressure for a settlement. Luca notes that there are laws against governments paying ransom to terrorists, but deals happen through “back channels.” Mitch calls Stephen, giving instructions. He also contacts Omar Celik’s son to discuss the company’s strategy, without yet revealing the ransom demands. Roberto reveals to Mitch that Luca discusses mortgaging everything he owns, putting all his assets on the table to save his daughter.

That afternoon, Luca meets with Diego Antonelli, a career Italian diplomat and old friend, who is considered a confidant. Mitch and Roberto also attend the meeting. Luca explains the situation: Noura’s contact in New York, the $100 million ransom demand, the May 25 deadline, and Giovanna’s video. No one knows who the terrorists are. Antonelli emphasizes that Italian law forbids negotiating with terrorists or paying ransom, but Luca argues that there are loopholes. He asks Antonelli to inform the foreign minister and the prime minister. Mitch explains he is going to London to request funds from the British government. He mentions Scully has $25 million in kidnapping insurance, and the firm will contribute more, but they cannot pay the full ransom alone. Antonelli agrees to act only as a messenger.

That night, Libyan commandos lead another attack near Ghat, a village on the Algerian border, after surveillance and informants claim Giovanna might be held there. Three teams totaling 30 soldiers plan to rescue her from Barakat’s camp. Alerted by their own drones, Barakat’s forces ambush the commandos. In a fierce firefight, one truck explodes, and another is disabled. The commandos retreat, leaving eight men behind: five presumed dead and three missing. The Libyan government does not report the second failed operation. Barakat captures the three Libyan soldiers, while Giovanna, held nearby, hears the battle and weeps in terror.

Mitch arrives at Scully’s London office in Canary Wharf, the business district, and faces new and stringent measures of security and monitoring. He meets with managing partner Riley Casey and Sir Simon Croome, an 82-year-old former High Court judge serving as of counsel who has many political connections. Sir Simon knows Luca and Giovanna and also believes Colonel Gaddafi was not involved in the abduction but desperately wants to be the hero and save her. He advises pressuring Libya’s and Italy’s ambassadors to settle the Lannak lawsuit quickly to generate funds, but Mitch stresses the trial is scheduled a year later. He warns them not to rely on opposing counsel, Jerry Robb. Simon expects that the British government will help, but they will initially object because nobody knows the terrorists. Mitch feels the meeting is unproductive again.

Later, Mitch and Riley meet with Mona Branch, a Third Secretary at the Foreign Office. When they reveal the kidnappers’ contact and ransom demand, she is shocked and promises to arrange a meeting with the foreign minister. During lunch, Darian calls to inform Mitch and Riley about unconfirmed reports of a second failed Libyan commando attack near Ghat, intensifying fears that Gaddafi might launch a full-scale war in Libya.

That evening, Mitch and Riley meet with Second Secretary Madam Sara Hanrahan. 

During the meeting with Sara Hanrahan, she appears dismissive, claiming “her government” cannot get involved without a role in negotiations. However, she promises to push the matter upward. The meeting ends within 10 minutes, leaving Mitch and Riley frustrated.

Leaving the Foreign Office, Riley receives a call from Sir Simon inviting them to the Connaught Hotel. There, Sir Simon introduces them to Phinney Gibb, a former deputy minister from the Thatcher era. Riley is suspicious of him. Phinney claims he has several “back channels” to work with and good connections to arrange meetings with the prime minister’s office and Libya’s ambassador. Mitch remains skeptical, worried that too many people are getting involved and time is being wasted. Only eight days are left until the deadline.

Back in Rome, Luca takes a “calculated risk” by inviting Samir to his mansion for dinner, hoping to extract information. Exhausted, Luca eventually falls asleep, and Roberto talks with Samir. Roberto asks him about Gaddafi’s intentions and mentions the second raid in Ghat, which Samir did not know about. He also reveals that the kidnappers demand a large ransom and have set a deadline. Roberto shares worries about a full military attack against Barakat by Gaddafi that could kill Giovanna. He asks Samir to deliver a two-part message to the colonel or his inner circle: first, cease military operations until Giovanna is safe; second, settle the Lannak lawsuit immediately on their terms. He explains that settling the lawsuit will help raise the ransom money. Samir hesitates, claiming his connections are not that strong.

In London, Mitch reflects on the lack of progress and the weight of his responsibility. He admits to himself that nobody knows what to do and calls Abby for updates. Her parents and the boys are safe and enjoying Maine.