docks, but even then, we didn’t have this building. They built this about fifteen years ago. Temperature controlled. Clean. A real emphasis on safety.”
“Do you feel like Kilton Pharmaceuticals has been a good company to work for?” She directed her questions to the older man but cast her gaze around the table as the men and women ate their lunches.
Almost all nodded but allowed the older man to answer. “It would be real easy to say I wouldn’t be working here if it wasn’t a good place, but the truth of the matter is, like most of us, I need a paycheck. But I’ve got no complaints. There’s a lot of rules and regulations to follow considering we’re handling a lot of high-powered drugs every day. We’ve got to make sure they’re stored correctly, ready for transport the right way, and then shipped out where they’re needed.”
A burly man with a heavy beard leaned forward and pinned her with a hard stare. “Ms. Hogan, I know you said you work for Kilton’s marketing, but we’ve never had anybody come down here and talk to us before. What exactly are you looking for?”
She sucked in her lips and looked at the faces staring back at her. Hoping she could find the right words to express what she was looking for, she sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I’ve spent the last four years working in the marketing department, designing material that goes to doctors and hospitals, patients, even education. Most of it is very clinical, and certainly presents Kilton as a leading pharmaceutical company.”
She hesitated, then plunged ahead. “A few months ago, Kilton was raked over the coals when it hit the news that some of our opioid drugs had been stolen and were being sold on the streets, encouraging addiction.”
Several snorted and others rolled their eyes.
“Yeah… ol’ Terry was gettin’ some on the side from that sales rep—”
A hand slapped down on the table causing Kimberly and the others to jump. Blinking, she jerked her wide-eyed gaze to one of the older men.
“I work long and hard to make the money I take home to my family. I got grandkids that I teach to leave drugs alone and that shithead made a lot on the side by screwing more than that piece of skirt. Don’t give him any credit for anything other than being a snake in the grass!”
The table grew quiet and the man let out a ragged breath. He lifted his gaze and, after a long moment, finally said, “Sorry, Ms. Hogan.”
“No, it’s fine. And that’s partially why I want to show a different side of our company. The real people who work here who care a great deal about not only their job but the company.”
Her response seemed to have the desired effect of nods and smiles as many of the workers around the table murmured their appreciation. She continued to write down their musings, especially the ones who had been around for years. When lunch finished, she shook their hands, thanked them profusely, and made her way back to Bob’s office. Stepping inside, she said, “You know, I’ve never been in here.”
“Hey, you work up in the big house with all the fancy people.”
“Hmph. I’ve worked in the main building for three years, and until last week I’ve never been to the third or fourth floor. They’ve got carpet up there!”
He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “Were you nervous talking to the bigwigs?”
“Oh, my God, yes! I talked to several of the vice presidents and department supervisors. My goodness, their assistants were dressed better than I do!”
“You make good on this assignment, you might move up the corporate ladder. Who knows, one of them may want you to be their assistant.”
Shaking her head, she grinned at his teasing. “No, thank you. But I figure this is good experience for continuing to write articles for the magazine. Who knows, one day I might get paid full time to write what I want.”
Just then, an older woman popped her head into Bob’s office. “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t know you had a visitor.”
“Tammy, this is perfect timing,” Bob said, standing and walking toward her. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine who works for Kilton and is doing some articles about the people who work in our company. You’d be a perfect person for her to talk to.”
Tammy was a bundle of energy, and before Kimberly knew what was happening, she was being