Thanks Queen. I was afraid I was going to get booted from the forum for my inane ramblings, but rereading it, I really believe it.

I'm not so sure what the old lady is as I said, yes, she could be the island... or, if you noticed, there was a grey haired gentleman leaving the store as Desmond was looking. Perhaps these people (all of US will die) are in cahoots, knowing already who should be there, and he came to the lady's store to warn her about Desmond. I don't know.

In the Dark Tower Series, by SK, there is a group of people who exist in all times and all places, because they alone control the doorways. They help the main character along his path, but, are they really 'helping' him, or helping themselves, or all of humanity.
Thomas Mittlework believes he is helping humanity, at the cost of a few.