As for the girl whose name he held in his pocket, he would discuss the matter with Rav Alter. If her family was part of the Bobelger community, it would be best if Rav Alter informed the Bobelger Rebbe, giving him the opportunity to deal with Grub and all the other terrible things going on in his community right under his nose. Loss of the rebbe’s support would be the most devastating blow they could inflict on Grub. He and his family would be shunned, banished from their place in the community. While he felt sorry for the man’s wife and children, it was a punishment Grub himself richly deserved.

As all this flashed with lightning speed through his consciousness the way thoughts do, he found himself almost buoyant with a newfound peace. You can never know if something is a good thing or a bad thing, he thought, smiling at his lovely young wife, who smiled back. Instead of destroying them, all these difficulties were just bringing them closer, exposing their hidden wounds to the healing sunlight of truth. God of the Universe, thank you! You are so good to us in so many hidden ways, he prayed with exultation.

Later that evening, they all sat around the dining room table enjoying tea and some of the rugelach Fruma Esther had sent.

“But what did he say, Tateh?” Shaindele probed.

“What you would expect a rosha to say!” he answered, frowning. “Shameless.” He shook his head in disgust.

“You mean he denied everything?” Leah asked.

“Nu? You think he beat his breast and said, ‘Guilty’?”

“So, then, Tateh, why are you so sure? Why do you believe me and not him?”

“Because I saw it with my own eyes! I went to the back door near the service elevator and waited. A young girl, no more than thirteen, was running out, but he grabbed her. Only when he noticed me, he let go. Later, I spoke to her. I can’t believe he’s gotten away with this behavior for so long and that prominent rabbis—the Bobelger Rebbe himself!—back him up, send him other young girls. He is a very good liar! But now it’s over for him.”

“But what about my school?” Shaindele asked. “Rabbi Halpern?”

“I’ll call him tomorrow from work and go in to see him when I get a chance. I can’t take off any more time.”

“But I missed today’s appointment. What if Grub called the school? They won’t let me in tomorrow!”

“I’ll go with you and talk to Halpern,” Leah offered.

Yaakov thought it over. “Yes, thank you. And maybe you should take Fruma Esther with you.”

“That’s a good idea. But you’ll have to call her and explain first so she knows what’s going on.”

“Do we have to, Tateh?” Shaindele gnawed on her lips apprehensively. She was terrified of her grandmother finding out about Duvie.