Mal Learns The Truth

To be honest, Mal didn't really think much of Alex Heller.

He'd seen him on tv a lot, and even bought his cereal a few times.

Even when he'd met him in person when he first got blessed, he couldn't really find it in himself to make a judgement about him. 

But as he listened to this woman fight the urge to sob while she trembled with anger, he realized the man that he'd formerly thought nothing of was actually the kind of person he despised most.

Joanne explained that she had gotten a tip about Alex about two years ago, and began closely investigating him and all of his movements.

One night, she was tailing him at a cocktail party in DC, when her body suddenly began to feel heavy and she passed out. 

When she woke up, she had that strange bracelet on her wrist and Alex Heller was by her side.

Without understanding why, she was obeyed his every command.