 Why do Reston-Farrell and Brett-James bring Joe to the future?
Joe had been born in Naples and his mother had died in childbirth. Reston-Farrell, the one Joe had already met, was tall and drawn of face and with a chainsmoker's nervousness. Reston-Farrell said, "Suffice to say, you are now one hundred and seventy-three years after the last memory you have." The two men of the future said nothing more for long minutes while Joe Prantera's mind whirled its confusion. Reston-Farrell said, "You know, that is one aspect we had not considered." Brett-James said to Joe Prantera, "Had we not, ah, taken you at the time we did, do you realize what would have happened?"
 Joe is a hitman. They want him to kill someone.
 Joe was going to kill Al Rossi. Reston-Farrell and Brett James need Rossi alive.  Joe is a caregiver. They want him to take care of someone.  Joe is a hitman. They want him to kill someone.  Joe is a variant. They removed him from 1960 to correct the timeline.