I will say I would also like to give cash money to Mr Church and/or a publisher for this scenario (and the post soviet followup one as well would be great).
My theory is Tom saw what publishing did to Ross and not wanting to become such a horrible monster has decided to walk a gentler path. He may even be wandering the US at this very moment righting wrongs with a blend of martial arts, high powered handguns, and the infectious sound of his laughter.