A snubbie revolver or any firearm would do little good against a professional assassination team. (Assuming she was "suicided".)
The only idea I can think of is an "insurance policy". Some method of sending the list of telephone numbers and/or names to every major news agency and every anti-government web site (including those in foreign countries) if you didn't check in at certain time intervals. The idea of how to go about doing this might provide for an interesting discussion.
Of course, if she actually set up such a scheme, it's possible the people who were behind the suicide found how or where it was and eliminated the chance of exposure.
A hammerless snubbie is a good choice as a self defense weapon for most situations. Yes you can shot through the pocket of a loose jacket or bathrobe or even a purse. A S&W model 642 is a fine and very popular example of the weapon you describe.
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m642.htm. The S&W "lemon squeezer" revolvers which have a grip safety were out of production for years, but I believe Smith & Wesson produced some as part of their "classic" series of throwback revolvers last year. Right now S&W's home page appears to be down, so I can't verify if the Model 40 is still in production. Most revolvers aren't equipped with safeties similar to those on a semi-auto. The operator is the safety on a revolver. If he pulls the trigger it goes "bang".
I did find some info about the "new" S&W model 40 at this link
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/new_products/shot07_012207/index4.html