Baines is a reporter from the Paradise Gazette and affiliated blog. He is present after the house fire at Mark James' house and questions John about rumours that he entered the fire and rescued Sarah and Mark's dogs and flying out the back like superman.
Baines is suspicious that John is lying and questions him intensely, causing the police to intervene, though he continues until John eventually walks away.
The following Monday, Baines publishes a blog article named:
THE JAMES HOUSE FIRE: THE UNTOLD STORY.
A story that attracts the attention of the Mogadorians. It also attracts Number Six who notices the key signs of a Garde from what was written by Baines: new to town and hard to get solid information from.