sean finally discovers the secret behind the 100% remission: the institute itself created the cancer using transformed st. louis encephalitis virus and also invented an antibody to the disease. the institute procured social security numbers and other identifying details of wealthy people and their dependents, and as opportunities arose from those people undergoing surgeries or being on iv therapy, infected with them. because the virus was encephalotropic, it manifested with early neural symptoms in the infected patients, in the form of seizures and convulsions. the infected people, once they were completely cured of the disease, were usually willing to donate large sums to the forbes. sean and janet however end up with them facing the charges of conspiracy, grand larceny, burglary, burglary with deadly weapon, assault, kidnapping, mayhem, and mutilation of a dead body. they are saved by the intervention of sean's lawyer brother brian.