 Etta Kibbey, Virgil Tibb s aunt, recognizes Jimmy Ray, who was in partnership with Etta s husband Marcus twenty years before and embezzled and fled with the company funds, indirectly causing Marcus  untimely death. Jimmy has come to reconcile with his estranged wife Carla, who wants no part of him. Jimmy also embezzled all of Lester Meacham s money, which left Lester a broken man. Now Lester lives with his daughter Connie and son Perry, who has sworn vengeance against Jimmy Ray. Carla variously entertains Lance Carter romantically and connives with Perry Meacham. Etta is conflicted in her feelings of outrage against Jimmy Ray and her religious principle of forgiveness.