“Gimme a cup o’ coffee and two sinkers,” the driver hurled after her. “And make it snappy too! I’m in a hurry.” Once the coffee and doughnuts had been set before him, the man was in no haste to consume them. He read a newspaper and fed a dollar and a half into a pin-ball machine. Penny and Louise ordered coffee. Knowing that Salt might be waiting for them, they swallowed the brew scalding hot and arose to leave. At the cashier’s desk Penny paid the bill. Upon impulse she quietly asked the man behind the cash register if he knew the driver. “Fellow by the name of Hank Biglow,” he answered. Before Penny could ask another question, a police patrol car screeched to a standstill just outside the restaurant. The cafe owner turned to stare as did the driver. “What are those cops comin’ here for?” Hank Biglow demanded. “How should I know?” retorted the cafe owner. “Maybe they want to ask you a few questions about that cargo you carry!” “What do you mean by that crack?” the driver asked harshly. As the cashier shrugged and did not reply, Hank allowed the matter to pass. Although he remained at the counter, he kept watching the police car through the window. The brief interchange between cafe owner and driver had interested Penny. To delay her departure, she bought a candy bar and began to unwrap it. Only one policeman had alighted from the car. Tramping into the cafe, he pounded his hands together and sought the warmth of a radiator. “Mind if I have a little of your heat?” he asked the cafe owner. “Help yourself.” Penny had been watching Hank Biglow. A moment before the man had sat tense and nervous at the counter. Now he seemed completely relaxed and at ease as he sipped his coffee. “Hello, Hank,” the policeman greeted him. “Didn’t see you at first. How’s the trucking business?” “Okay,” the trucker growled. “Workin’ me night and day.” The casual conversation disappointed Penny. Her first thought had been that Hank Biglow feared a police investigation. Seemingly, she had indulged in wishful
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