Nolan's pulse quickened as he maneuvered out of a conversation with a German man and made a loop around the ballroom. He couldn't find Xavier or Fredrick Halberg. Had Grace already left without him?

"Excuse me," he said to one of the butlers carrying a tray of champagne, "Do you have a bathroom here?"

"Of course, sir. Down that hallway to the left."

"Thank you," Nolan hurried out of the ballroom and began searching for Grace. He was careful to avoid the servants pacing the gold-carpeted halls.

After clearing the first floor, he jogged up the staircase to the second floor. Both sides of the hallway were empty until he heard a muffled scream.

Nolan unclipped his pistol from its holster and quickened his pace down the hall.

He turned the corner to see the governor's son trapping Grace against the wall.

Grace struggled, but her arms were pinned at her sides

Her face was the image of sheer panic.

"Nolan!" She cried.

Nolan turned the gun around and held the barrel as he slammed the butt into Fedrick's temple just as he turned around.

The man crumpled to the floor, swearing in Russian. He lunged at Nolan, but Nolan grabbed a fistful of his shirt and slammed him against the wall. Every muscle screamed for him to put a bullet in his head, but he refrained.

Tightening his grip, Nolan leaned in. "I've killed eighty-one men in my lifetime," he whispered, "if you ever even look at her again, much less touch her, I won't hesitate to make it an even eighty-two. Do you understand me?"

Fredrick tried to wriggle free and Nolan bashed his head against the wall.

"Do you understand?"

Fredrick nodded with a groan.

Nolan released him and watched as he stumbled back down the hall, offering curses and threats as he went.

Grace was sitting against the wall, wide-eyed. Part of her lace sleeve was torn and her hair had partially tumbled down.

Nolan knelt next to her and cupped his hand on her cheek, searching for any wounds. "Did he hurt you?"

"No," she whispered. She took in a shaky breathe and suddenly drew Nolan into a hug.

He stiffened before hesitantly wrapping his arms around her.

He realized that this was probably the first time Grace had needed someone in a long time.

"Thank you," she murmured. "I'm so, so sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because I was so stupid. I figured I could get a shoe in by questioning the governor's son. I started asking about the EMPs; he said he knew how they worked. He told me he could show me and I followed and..." Her voice faltered as a shudder coursed through her body. "He overtook me before I could react...I'm such an idiot," Her cheek rested on his shoulder as she gave a shaky sigh. "I was just too desperate to get the code."

"Hey, it's okay," Nolan said, rubbing his thumb against her back.

Disgust churned inside of him towards the coward who'd taken advantage of her. However, he wasn't surprised to see what scum a man could be. He knew it too well.

Grace pulled away, her expression tense and worried. She let out a nervous laugh. "Sorry...about that. That was really awkward."

Nolan got up and helped her to her feet. "No problem. It's not every day I get to play the knight in shining armor to a damsel in distress."

Grace picked up her purse and retrieved the gun inside, cocking it back. She gave a halfhearted smile. "Don't get used to it."

"You are okay, though?" He asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded. "I'll get over it."

They hurried down the hall, taking guesses on where the governor was residing. They had to get out quickly before anyone missed them from downstairs.

Grace suddenly jabbed her elbow into Nolan's ribs and pushed him behind a corner.

"Ow!" He growled, peering around the wall. A young woman in light blue scrubs was walking down the hall, carrying a clipboard.

She entered the last door on the right.

Nolan pressed his back against the wall and glanced at Grace. Halberg had to be in there. "The nurse could be a while,"

"We'll just have to keep an eye out and wait,"

They stayed silent for a long time.

"Do you think the governor's son actually knew about the EMPs?" Nolan asked.

Grace shook her head, "I don't know. He could've been bluffing...I can't imagine Halberg telling him, to be honest," she paused before adding quietly, "He might've just wanted to get me away from the party."

Nolan nodded. "At least we're here now."

"If I ever see him again, I swear—"

"You can't kill him."

"Don't tell me what to do. After what he did..." Grace averted her eyes. "He deserves it."

Nolan realized she was sparing him details.

The door ahead creaked open and Nolan caught sight of the nurse walking out.

He signaled for Grace to follow and they crept across the tile.

Nolan made sure his pistol was ready as he opened the door. The plan was to try and negotiate with Halberg and then smuggle him out of the mansion without being seen. They would try to get the information without having to kidnap him, but Nolan wasn't betting on that.

They went inside to find Fredrick Halberg, the governor's son, standing at his window.

They froze, but not before Fredrick heard them. Grace swore bitterly under her breath.

He turned around slowly, his eyes nervous yet sharp. He held an ice pack to his temple and his expression settled into anger.

"What is the meaning of this?!" He demanded.

"Can I just kill him?" Grace whispered. "It'd be doing the world a favor."

"Stop," Nolan hissed as he stepped forward, although the ease with which he could pull the trigger was tempting for him as well. "Do you know about the EMPs your father built?"

Fredrick's eyes sparked with anxiety. "No, I have no idea!"

"He's lying," Grace snapped.

Nolan closed the space between them and lifted his gun to Fredrick's forehead. "Would you like to try that again?"

Beads of sweat broke out across the man's skin and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down sporadically. "He promised this wouldn't come back on me..."

"Who?" Nolan demanded, shoving the barrel deeper into Fredrick's forehead.

"Oh, you know who," Fredrick spat, gritting his teeth. "Dimyan Egor."

Grace stepped forward. "You're the one who created the EMP?"

Fredrick's eyes narrowed at the sight of her. "What? You really thought it was my father? That fool is too old...too political."

"I don't really care," Nolan said, "I just need one thing from you."

"Oh?"

"I need to you to give me the counteractive code to the EMPs you created."

"Go ahead and pull that trigger."

Nolan was sorely tempted.

Fredrick suddenly yanked free of Nolan's grasp and gave him a solid punch to the jaw.

Nolan stumbled backwards as Fredrick made a run for it.

Grace took swift aim and promptly shot him behind the knee. Fredrick screamed and fell flat on his face.

Nolan stretched his jaw and took off his tie. "Thanks,"

"It was my pleasure," Grace muttered, "We need to get out of her fast. Everyone in the house probably heard that."

Nolan jerked Fredrick's hands behind his back and used his tie to bind them. "I try to play good cop bad cop," he sighed heavily, "But unfortunately, you've only left the desperate criminal." He yanked the man to his feet. "Let's go."

Fredrick wailed in pain, his face contorted with agony.

Grace took one of the gloves she'd cast off long ago and stuffed it in his mouth.

Nolan shoved him towards the door, but checked the area before moving out. Fredrick didn't offer much resistance.

"There should be an elevator that leads outside on your three," Grace said. Marching a few paces behind them.

"Mr. Halberg? Mr. Halberg, are you alright?"

The voice came from down the hall, followed by a knock on the door of the room they'd just left.

Nolan turned the handle of the nearest room and went inside, all but dragging Fredrick with him.

They entered into a spacious office that was neatly decorated with hardwood furniture. Nolan immediately went over to a large wardrobe in the corner.

He heard multiple footsteps coming upstairs.

"Mr. Halberg? Are you in here?"

A woman gasped loudly. "There's blood on the floor!"

"Get in," Nolan told Grace, jerking his chin towards the wardrobe. She helped him get Fredrick inside.

It was incredibly small for the three of them, but Nolan managed to get the doors closed.

"If you make one sound," Nolan told Fredrick, raising his pistol. The man, who was curled in a fetal position, nodded.

Nolan could hardly see except for the tiny slats in the wood. He and Grace were pressed tightly together and could barely breathe. Grace wasn't much shorter than Nolan, so the side of her face smashed into his nose.

"You smell horrible," Grace whispered.

"You don't exactly smell like roses either,"

They heard frantic steps coming down the hall, speaking in frantic low tones.

Nolan kept a close eye on Fredrick to make sure he didn't try to alert them. He kept his pistol trained on his head.

Doors opened and closed outside as people searched for the governor's missing son.

"We need to call the police," someone said.

The door to the office creaked open. Nolan stiffened.

Footsteps circled the room.

Just as they began to recede, Fredrick kicked open the wardrobe door.

Nolan fired his pistol, but missed by inches.

Screams and shouts followed as Fredrick tumbled to the floor.

So many voices began at once that it was impossible to tell what anyone was saying.

Nolan cursed and turned to Grace. "Stay here,"

He stepped out of the wardrobe, careful to stay partially in the shadows, and raised his pistol. "Everyone freeze."

There were seven people crowding around Fredrick, who was lying on the floor. Their heads snapped up to look at Nolan.

"Put your hands up and step away or he dies right here," he instructed.

Slowly, the group moved back.

Keeping his gun on them, Nolan grabbed Fredrick by the arm and hauled him up.

"This man," he explained, "is responsible for creating the EMP attacks and I've been appointed by the United Nations to see that he is properly questioned."

"Impossible!" One man said. "This is the governor's son!"

"And Adolf Hitler was a devoted military officer's son," Nolan retorted. "Now I'm just going to take him down the elevator. After I'm finished, I'll leave him right where I left him. Grace,"

Grace stepped out of the wardrobe and shouldered Fredrick's arm.

"If any of you try to follow us, I'll shoot," Nolan said.

Keeping their heads low and guns raised, they exited the room. As soon as they closed the door, they bolted for the elevator.

It was going to be a long night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello again, everyone!  I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was kind of short =P

~ What do you think about the situation with Grace? After doing some research, I realized how difficult it is for women in these political/military positions. These types of things happen every day, which really made me stop and think how much women are willing to sacrifice to keep our country safe.

~ Plot twist! Did you suspect Fredrick to be the culprit of the EMPs?

~ What are your thoughts on the chapter?

Thank you so much for reading! (Don't forget to vote, comment, and share!)