The rush of events leading up to Christmas have Jack and everybody else on edge as pressure mounts for each side to deliver the votes. 

 

Slanetti get pressured from President Norwalk, and follows Matt Hawkins, now seen to be a crucial vote, to Miami where he’s gone with his new lover, Patricia Vaughan, as Jack’s guest.

 

When Slanetti has a Secret Service agent try to rough up Matt, Jack ends up accidentally killing the agent in self-defense, causing a major disaster for Norwalk.

 

The Cubans continue expanding their Mediclinica and Cambio Xtra chains as they drain millions from the U.S. Treasury.

 

Lucy Azzinaro, who has been sleeping with Derek Gilbertson as well as helping him with the illegal wire transfers, says she wants $100,000 to keep quiet. Or else. 

 

Christmas Eve, Sam introduces Eve Harrington to everybody. She’s the new antiques curator. As the British Ambassador finalizes plans to have Matt assassinated, Sam makes love to Eve in another room.

 

Across town, Lucy has picked up the $100,000 Derek promised her, but on her way home is killed by Derek’s Russian friends.