But even as the crucible struggles with the unexpected twists of events, the group holds on together and rides the storm. Even as Andrew and Chantal nearly get caught by the authorities after meeting with Tom Hayes at the fortune-telling shop of a certain Madame Sasostris, and Robert mistakenly belives he witnesses their deaths on television, the group pulls through with an unexpected achievement: a deal with the FBI to act as their consultants in exchange for time to uncover the true identity of the person behind the assualt.

With Andrew Everard and Vincent Fiorello helping the FBI interrogate the captured alleged Death Merchant, Shepherd Remmington uses the internet library of MIT to investigate on things that have come to mind while Robert Channing decides togo with Kate Denisson to make contact with Tom Hayes. But as Andrew and Vincent learn the hard way, a Skin-Rider with a scar over his face leaps out of the tortured doctor's body, kills the host, and makes to escape. With Vincent hot on the man's heels, Andrew learns that Sandra Chu is capable of seeing spooks as well and admits to being like him. Robert and Kate encounters Tom Hayes and find his change disturbing. Almost as if lost in thought too often, Tom seems to speak detachedly to his old friends until he suddenly opts to run off as he mutters "I have to find her." When Kate feels ill from an unexplained cause, she orders Robert to make sure he doesn't lose Tom. Following Tom, Robert encounters him confronting three pigment users who are attacked by two Fetches. Helping him bring down the Fetch, Robert is startled when Tom nearly attacks him for interrupting the fight.

Shep on the other hand... encountered Bishop.