Page 203 of Power
Despite the intensity of the case, she was not backing down. Fear would not win… not this time.
She told Nikki she had a few more questions for Ms. Benderson. Together, the women returned to the living room.
“Ms. Benderson, where do you work?” Simone asked.
“SSA,” Trish replied. “Social Security Administration.”
“What department?” Simone pressed.
“I don’t see how that’s relevant. My boyfriend wasmurderedand I’m being told it was a suicide.”
“We believe you,” Nikki said. “Please answer Special Agent James’s question. What department do you work in at SSA?”
“I run the Office of Systems. My department manages the computers that generate and assign social security numbers.”
“Are you an SES like Mr. Newburg?” Simone asked.
“I am,” she replied.
“You wouldn’t happen to know a good friend of mine, Peter Hirzog, Deputy Director with the Bureau,” Simone asked.
Trish’s ashen-white face morphed from pink to crimson, the color brightening her cheeks and her nose. “No, I don’t know him.”
Yes, you do.
“You sure about that? He and Mr. Newburg are friends.”
“No, they’re not.”
“I saw them together at Mac’s bar in Arlington.”
“Why ask me if you already knew,” Trish snipped. “Look, this is not a good day for me.”
“Ms. Benderson, do you know Peter Hirzog?” Simone pressed.
“I… um… I’ve met him.”
Still lying. She knows him.
“If it would make it easier on you, I can tell Peter about Mr. Newburg.”
“I’ll do it,” Trish’s beady eyes drilled into Simone. “You’d think it was a crime to know someone,” she snapped.
“It’s only a crime if you do something illegal,” Nikki said. “Have you done anything illegal, Ms. Benderson?”
“Of course not,” Trish quipped. “My boyfriend is dead. I don’t remember who I know, who I don’t know, and I don’t give a damn about any of it!”
“Thank you for talking to me.” Simone slid her attention from Trish to Nikki. “I’m gonna take off.”
“Excuse me, Ms. Benderson,” Nikki said. “I’ll be right back.”
At the front door, Nikki said, “Let me get an officer to drive you back to the station.”
“I’m good. Thanks for letting me tag along. I’ll be in touch.”
“You were super helpful.” Nikki opened the front door and they went outside. “Are you calling an Uber?”
“No,” Simone said removing her shoe coverings. “See that black SUV parked up the street. “He’s with me.”
