The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-21
CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VI
 The evening dragged after Larry left. Being together Sunday nights had become an established custom these last few months. And yet Pat had to admit to herself that she was relieved when he was gone. The narrowing of his eyes, the slight infection of his voice as he had mentioned his interest in Pats ability to fix the boys ticket trou- bled her.
 After all fixing a ticket wasn't so important. The boys hadn't actually been involved In an ac- cident. A traffic violation was not a serious offense, and she knew from her months at court that such procedure was accepted. The ticket could be SO handled that the boys would be let off with a few words of warning, Nothing too irregular and 1t would save their pal the embarrassment of paying @ fine.
 still she hated to impose on her position, on the fact that 1t would be her friends that would ease the way. She eventually shrugged oil the whole matter. She'd see what tomorrow held.
 Monday came quickly enough Q day of brilliant sunshine, Of trees still more green following the week -end rain, of breezes soft and warm. The feel of spring was contagious. Problems somehow seemed less difficult, suspicious were lulled by the clear light of daytime reality.
 Pat approached one of the ser- geants before the days sessions began. She couldn't bring herself to 20 to Tom after his Kindness the other evening "If this leads to any complications please tel! me" she begged. "It's a speeding ticket, My brothers were with Q friend and they goaded him into doing AS SO they could see 1T ms car would be a good buy, NOW they feel responsible ana nave passed 1t of to me"
 The big officer grinned ana winked. Sure it's done every day and It's not complicated" It wal that simple, but she wished she hadn't had to do 1t,
 The paper campaign over the Sat urdnv hit-run case had resulted m n,orc stringent tightening of traf" fic regulations during the week-eno Desk Oflcer Timothy O'Shea nao a mick sheaf of orange cards TOT dr,,nken and reckless driving, leav' inr the scene of accidents, and a co,,nie of arrangements on negli- gent homicide and involuntary manslaughter, A..
 .Judre Kelly was in no mood to nuibbie that morning. He saw through alibis before Tom nao chance to break them down py his own questioning. Straight laii terms were meted out Tn 2o-oay periods. ..ov. that when defense attorney at. tempted to argue on the grouno that his client had not bothered to stop after hitting a parked car when he believed the damage was ineligible, Tom struck out hke lightning. .uSu,s mt up to you to decide on the seriousness of an act. We'll do mat here. Decent sportsmanship should rule that @ driver stop to give his name to the owner Of the hit car. Common courtesy VIII stop many of these traffic oifenses, How did your client know ne hadn't killed or injured someoneI The drever of the car that Killed that woman Saturday was funda- mentally like your client: in too great d hurry to stop and see what he had done. A coward, crim- inal-" .u.,. down notes. The words woula make good copy, she supposed; even then feeling a little shiver oI nossessive pride along through her sS she turned looking at rom leaning forward as she spoke-ail nrosecutor, law enforcement agent
 
 Across the red and white check ed table down in the little restau" rant where Tom took her during the lunch hour she wondered again how he could be so driving, so un- Swerving, so unalterable when pros. ecutine those people in court, and then change to this considerate, Snailing. sometimes ever naive young man who sat across from her now;
 "A nice quiet morning" ne sala while studying the menu. T usea to think headquarters was mad house, but this place has them all beater. We handled enough cases this morning for an ordinary week. Well, anyway. I've had one break 50 far"
 Breaking of bit of roll she glanced at him questioningly ss,We." he said his face lighting; .You finally broke down ana came to lunch. didn't see tne young man you were with at the dance or I might not have had the courage to ask you to come nere' But as 1t Is we're here and for little while we can forget trafiic."
 eyes" she said, "only you know ike my work. I really even Ike to talk about 1t. guess some times I bore my friends with it.'