Client 09-31, Day 12

Started the day with the local paper: another rant from the columnist who hates X so much. Seems like steady work ...

Emily F. was the day's objective, though. Called first, got the machine again. Drove over to visit in person, thwarted by a security gate. She lives in a gated complex, pretty nice for someone who doesn't appear to have a current job (Dorothy checked). Family money?

Here's a tip for anyone worried about being investigated: the fastest way to make us go away is to be available and answer our questions. If you duck me, all it does is make me wonder why.

Dorothy hooked me up with a golf tournament tomorrow morning. I hate golf, but it's a way to spend four hours getting local gossip.

Spent the afternoon at the Senator's district office, talking to the district rep about campaign strategies; where's the opposition based, who's likely to try dirty tricks, etc. He mentioned the columnist again, and said he hangs out at a bar near the Capitol.

Headed to the bar after the workday, had no trouble finding the columnist. Right out of an old movie -- made me wonder whether he thought of himself that way. Bitter man. Bought him a few rounds but actually got more out of the bartender, who went to high school with Emily F. He called her, left a message asking if she wanted to have drinks tomorrow.