Client 09-31, Day Eight

Spent yesterday on the Eastern Shore, outside. It's not as warm as usual this time of year, but good to get away for the day.

In early this morning, left Dorothy the staff directory. Talked to S. after staff meeting. Why did Senator X hire us – to tell them there’s nothing? S. says keep looking, travel if necessary.

The last number for Emily F. had been disconnected, but Dorothy managed to track her through sorority alumni network. Amazing. She got a phone number that turned out to belong to Emily's parents; I called, talked to her mother. Her mother said she didn’t feel comfortable giving Emily's number out, but would pass on the message. Not holding my breath.

Spent the afternoon making more calls, to the Senator's major contributors. It was easiest to identify myself as working with Senator X’s reelection campaign (I am, technically), so I got a lot of assistants and voice mails. Routine drudgery, except I did manage to reach one of the "homemaker” contributors; her husband is insurance company exec, on the campaign committee. Nothing illegal about this, just a loophole.

The “inseparable” campaign aide disappears from the staff list in 2004. Wonder what happened to him; asked Dorothy to find out.

Knocked off early and went to the gym. Checked voice mail after: voice mail from contributor, returning my call. "Sorry I missed you.” Right. Voice mail makes it possible to avoid calls forever.