Beadles parked his Mustang down the block, waiting until he saw his lawyer arrive before getting out of his car. He met Ruby on the stoop and they went inside. The middle-aged secretary ushered them into a conference room looking out on a rose garden and asked if they wanted something to drink.Beadles asked for a Coke. Ruby sat pat."I've spoken with Asst. DA Nancy Warner and the state has agreed to reduce the charges regarding Mr. Whitfield to criminal negligence. The state has no desire to crucify you for something that was obviously out of your control," Ruby said softly. "You'll be sentenced to six months community service.""If I plead guilty.""That's right. As for the Whitfield suit, I'm not qualified to speak to that. Ask Mel. He'll know."The door opened admitting a slight senior citizen with close-cropped white hair and rectangular glasses.Old Elihu White himself, class of '51. His body was frail but his mind was as sharp as ever as laid a manila folder on the mahogany table and shook Ruby's and Beadles' hands.They all sat."Gentlemen," White said in a phlegmy voice.
