Fatal Consequences by Marie Force Page A

they were ushered into the offices of JoAnn Smithson, the owner of the company.
    Mrs. Smithson looked to be in her late fifties or early sixties, and judging from her haggard appearance, Sam deduced she hadn’t slept well the night before.
    After giving them permission to record the interview, Mrs. Smithson folded her hands on top of her cluttered desk. “What can I do to help you find the person who did this to Regina?”
    “How long had she been in your employ?” Sam asked.
    “Just over two years.” She retrieved a file from a stack on the desk and handed it to them. “Here’s her personnel file. As you can see, she had all the proper paperwork.”
    Freddie reached for the folder and flipped through the contents.
    “If we checked the rest of your files, we’d find that to be true of all your employees?” Sam asked.
    Mrs. Smithson stiffened. “We do not hire undocumented workers. We work for Congress , Lieutenant. How long do you think we’d hold that contract if I had illegal workers traipsing through the Capitol?”
    “Not long I’d imagine. How well did you know Regina?”
    “Quite well. I make it a point to know all my employees.” She sagged into the chair. “Her poor mother and children. Have they been told of her death?”
    “Yes. Were you aware of her relationship with Senator Lightfeather?”
    Mrs. Smithson sat up straighter. “Relationship? What relationship did she have with a senator? She cleaned his office.”
    “According to the senator, they were romantically involved.”
    The color drained from Mrs. Smithson’s face. “That’s not possible,” she sputtered. “We have rules…strict rules about decorum and behavior. She wouldn’t have…” She glanced up at Sam and Freddie. Their expressions must have confirmed the truth. Once again she sagged. “I can’t believe this.”
    “How much was she paid?”
    “Seventeen dollars an hour, plus benefits.”
    “We’d like to speak to some of her friends or coworkers, anyone who might’ve been aware of what was going on between Regina and the senator. We’re also looking for some insight into her life outside of work.”
    “Maria Espanosa,” Mrs. Smithson said. “They were close friends.”
    “Where can we find her?”
    Mrs. Smithson wrote down an address, also in Columbia Heights, and handed it to Sam. “She didn’t come into work last night, and no one has heard from her. I planned to check on her when I leave the office.”
    Sam churned with anxiety. “Is it like her to miss work?”
    “She’s never missed a shift.”
    Sam glanced at Freddie and sensed they were on the same wavelength.
    Mrs. Smithson watched their silent communication. “You don’t think…”
    “We’ll check on her and let you know what we find.”
    “Will it be all over the media that Regina was messing around with a senator?”
    “We haven’t confirmed that information to the press yet,” Sam said. “But it’s only a matter of time before it becomes public.”
    “Oh God,” Mrs. Smithson said, massaging her temples as tears flooded her already-reddened eyes. “God. Everything I’ve worked for…all these years. We have rules…”
    “You might want to look into hiring a firm that specializes in crisis communication,” Freddie suggested. “So you can be prepared to deal with the media.”
    “Yes,” Mrs. Smithson said, brightening. “That’s a good idea. Thank you.”
    “We’ll be in touch if we need any further information.”
    “I’d appreciate that,” Mrs. Smithson said as she escorted them past the wary glances of several other employees on their way to the main door. “Please let me know when you find Maria.”
    “We will,” Freddie assured her.
    “While we’re on the Hill,” Sam said to Freddie once they were outside, “let’s take a look at the senator’s office.”
    He grunted in reply.
    Sam stopped and turned to him. “I know you’re pissed with me, and that’s your prerogative, but try to keep in mind that I