As Marc began to look into the case, his research led him to interview former patients of the hospital and, in the process, he discovered that all of them had seemingly been cured miraculously (190). Knowing that he was at the start of an amazing story, Marc grew frustrated that he was running into dead-ends and meeting resistance from the Clarion. In discussing his problems with his supportive girlfriend Susan, Marc realized that he was going to have to start breaking some rules if he was going to get anywhere (191). When an anonymous phone call came in with info about the St. Anthony's fire, it was exactly the tip Marc needed – the name of Jim Downing (194).

Following up on the lead, Marc met met Mr. Downing and his friend Sara, a former nurse at the hospital. It didn't take long before Marc realized that Jim was the common thread he had been looking for. Anyone who had come into contact with Jim Downing had been mysteriously cured of any illness. So excited by the revelation, Marc barely cared that he was fired from his job at the newspaper (198). He set out immediately to become close with Jim and even when Jim continually asked to be left alone, Marc persisted in trying to develop a business relationship. Without even rally realizing it, Marc had shifted his career from a journalist to becoming the manager of a man whom he had just recently met (200).

Acting as Jim's manager, Marc struggled to keep up with demand. Jim found himself involved in more and more media events, and Marc barely had time to answer the phone calls. He enlisted his girlfriend Susan to help out, but the sudden media whirlwind started to take its toll on their relationship. Marc became obsessed with striking it rich off Jim and Susan felt slighted by his lack of attention (202). As if he weren't busy enough as it was, Jim entrusted Marc with a photograph from his past – a wedding photo with an unknown wife – and asked Marc to use his connections to try and find any information about it (203). Marc sent the photo out to a number of his acquaintances he had acquired through his time as a journalist (204), and continued to field calls for Jim - a seemingly endless number of media outlets wanted to book Downing for interviews as his celebrity status continued to rise (205).

 
Eventually, one of Marc's contacts paid off and called him with a lead about the wedding photo. The man refused to give information over the phone, however, and Marc agreed to meet him in person. Little did Marc know that he was walking in to a dangerous trap. At the time and place of the meeting, Marc received a bizarre phone call telling him that his life was in danger. He was instructed over the phone on how to escape and then he was confronted by a government agent who claimed to be an ally. The man gave Jim his card and told him to call him should he require protection – the name on the card was Terrence Fitzgerald (214).

Like the rest of the world, Marc was stunned to watch Jim Downing be shot on live television. He was perhaps more stunned to watch Jim get up immediately, seemingly uninjured. Nonetheless, Marc decided to contact Mr. Fitzgerald (217).