After his estranged wife, Elizabeth Edwards, died of cancer in early December, the chef at Crook's Corner, Bill Smith, would slip in an extra dessert for their children.

"We all just feel for him, no matter what he's done," Mr. Smith said. "And you know there is more to come."

That "more" is the possibility that a federal grand jury in Raleigh could soon hand up an indictment against him in a case centering on campaign finance practices.

One issue is whether Mr. Edwards knew that some of the millions of dollars given by at least two wealthy donors was being used to help support - and hide, some contend - Rielle Hunter, the campaign videographer with whom he had a prolonged affair, and the daughter they conceived.

The money used to support Ms. Hunter could be considered campaign contributions if prosecutors can show that Mr. Edwards helped orchestrate donations for that purpose, or that he knew the money would be used to keep the affair hidden so it would not hurt his 2008 presidential candidacy.