I pulled back slightly only to see her loving eyes still focused on me with an even greater intensity than before. I sobered up a little and she spoke, "You may not see it right now Kim, but I see a Divine plan emerging through all this. Good is going to come of what was meant for evil. I'm going to leave you with two things I want you to do."
I nodded, willing to do anything this woman asked of me.
"First I want you to get with God in a private moment and ask for His forgiveness over whatever it is that haunts you and has driven you to this point."
I nodded.
"Then I want you to do whatever you know is the right thing to do regardless of the risks as you trust God that He will be there for you."
I nodded again willing to do both things.
"Now let me get you a coat dear, it's freezing out here and you don't even have a jacket on. Jim will you go down and hail a cab for her please?"
Jim eased by me toward the street and Grace was back moments later with a fur coat that probably cost several thousand dollars.
"I can't ta……." I said, but she waved a hand motioning my words to a stop.
"Yes you can my dear besides I've gained a few pounds sad to say over the years and I haven't worn it in a long time, but it should be a perfect fit for you."
It was and it felt warm just like the heart of its owner.
"I'll bring it back!" I said.
She just smiled, "Keep it dear, but I wouldn't mind you coming back to have tea next week with me at all."
Slowly, as I formulated a plan in my head as to what do I said, "I would love that, but I'm going to be out of the country then."
She smiled, "I thought you might be."
There was a taxi pulled up at the curb and Jim was waiting by it. I whispered a thank you to Grace, who gave me another hug anyway.
I walked up to cab as Jim held the door open for me. I stopped and looked up at him. It was time to do the right thing.
"You're going to receive a packet in the mail in a day or so. In it will be everything you need to bury Francesca and all her enterprises. You'll be able to reclaim Panolic Enterprises and give the people back their jobs."
He looked overcome with emotion at my words, "Thank you! On behalf of all the worker's families I say thank you!"