Over the last ten years, their company had been sued for almost as much as it grossed. Because of these lawsuits, it was imperative that GeoPharma took a look at the medicine they were producing and the formulas they were following.
Increased hospitalizations, uncommon side effects, and deaths linked to their drugs were indicators of a misalignment with their products and their patients. It would be my job to locate it and eliminate it. Reformulation would be key, but patient history and data would be major factors as well.
“Fuck.”
Four minutes later and there still wasn’t a connection. I raked my thumb up and down my chin, pondering my next move. Rachel wasn’t due in the office for another forty-five minutes. Before she arrived, I needed the data I’d collected in my hands to go over again so that there weren’t any inconsistencies in my pitch.
I wanted Todd, GeoPharma’s CEO, to understand how detrimental my presence was to the integrity, success, and longevity of their brand. They were quickly losing their reputable status, leading pharmacies to wonder if they were still a company they could trust. Within four years, they’d be bankrupt if something didn’t change. It was wise to start with Blackwood Pharmaceuticals. I was the change they needed.
I peered at the watch on my arm. Anthony’s tardiness was unacceptable. We were scheduled to arrive at the same time, geared with the understanding of what was to take place before Todd arrived. With a shake of my head, I stood from my desk.
Janeese, your love for this motherfucker is the only reason I haven’t sent his ass packing.
Anthony Furgeson was a piece of machinery that complemented Blackwood Pharmaceuticals well. His sharpness and attention to detail are the reasons I brought him onboard. The security of my niece’s future after he met and married my sister is the reason I allowed him to buy into the company. Fifteen percent was his share.
Fuck it.
I exited my office and made my way down the hall. A swift right led me to Anthony’s office. The door was sealed, but a simple twist of the knob granted me access. I flipped the light switch, illuminating the office.
The smell of freshly changed vanilla plug-ins confirmed housekeeping’s presence. They’d come during the night, while the rest of the world was asleep. I hadn’t noticed the changesin my office, because there was hardly ever a piece of paper out of place. The only task of theirs when inside my office was emptying the shredder.
I sat behind the cherry wood desk. The worn leather welcomed me with tenderness. I rested my hand atop the white mouse and moved it around slowly. Within two seconds, the screen livened and I was prompted to enter the passcode to access the computer.
Arb0424.
I didn’t have to think twice. Aubrey was the center of Anthony’s world. If there was a passcode to be made by him, it would involve the little girl that had us all wrapped around her finger.
Access was granted.
Bingo.
Icons began to appear on the screen, covering the beautiful girl with long, thick curls running down her back. Her skin was paper brown, almost matching the color of her eyes. She’d gotten those from her father’s side of the family. Redheads and hazel eyes were common. However, those genes had been recessive for Anthony, while dominant in Aubrey. She didn’t have red hair, but those eyes were undeniable.
I paused to gather my breath. My heart was on the screen. Somehow, it was in my chest as well. I tilted my head to get a better look at the image as if I hadn’t seen it a thousand times. As if I hadn’t seen her more times.
It never mattered. Aubrey’s was a face I could never get tired of. She was the most precious thing God had put on Earth. Her innocence left me in awe. Teaching her the ways of the world was my greatest passion. She was clueless and as cute as they came. But, by the time she was ready for the world, the world would not be ready for her. I’d make sure of it.
GeoPharma. It was the file I was interested in. It was a shared document that Anthony and I had teamed with Rachel on, collecting data and pinpointing inconsistencies that alarmed us. They’d all support BP’s case and getting another look at them was not an option, it was a requirement.
“Geo… Geo…”
Barely above a whisper, I repeated the name of the file I was in search of. The document tab didn’t prove to be helpful. Downloads were my next quest.
Ace Pharmacy.
AD Pharmacy.
A*
A**
A***
A****
I continued to scroll with my eyes, though my index finger had stopped moving. It wasn’t long before I located the file I was in search of. I pressed the Enter key, prepared for the GeoPharma data to appear.
Instead, my heart fell into the Bottega Orbits beneath the legs of my jeans. Redness surrounded me. Crimson blood ran down the walls of Blackwood Pharmaceuticals. Cuffed wrists flashed before my eyes as they closed, then opened again.
