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The relief they wereoff the personal and onto something she was comfortable with whistledthrough her. "I pay attention to detail. I also have excellentwriting skills."
"What do youknow of the company?"
She noticed he didn’tmention it by name and wondered why. "You started in thebasement of a rundown house and slowly built-up Hamilton Industriesfrom scratch.
The company'sreputation and abilities are well known." She paused brieflybefore pushing ahead. "I also know that the company has beengetting a lot of negative press regarding the airline that wasrecently acquired."
His amber eyes boredholes into her, and she had to force herself not to fidget.
“What can youdo to counteract the negative publicity?"
"Excuse me?"
"I think I spokeclearly enough."
"I- er-"She flexed her fingers slowly. "You want me to write a press-"
"Not write, butgive me an idea what you would say to the press."
It was a test, andshe should have prepared for it, she thought, panicking. Right hereand now, she would have to show what she was about. "I don'tknow all the salient-"
"Go with whatyou know." Leaning back against his chair, he watched herintently.
Taking a deep breath,she searched in her mind for the facts. "The pilot slipped pastthe drug testing and went off the flight plan, managing to fly theplane into a remote area of Texas. The press is blaming the company,claiming that because of the haste to get the airline up and running,the proper screening procedures were not applied."
"You’retelling me what I already know, Ms. Hamilton, and wasting my time.I’m asking for solutions. How would you deal with it?"
She took another deepbreath before responding. “I’d have to find out why thepilot was allowed to slip through the drug testing. The airlinebelonged to a small outfit that had been allowed to slide intobankruptcy by the previous owners.
Damage control, whichhas already started with the PR department putting the word out andapologizing for the lapse. I’d go further by offering fulltransparency and reassuring the public that the matter is in hand.Free flights, lots of giveaways and an overhaul of the airline shouldbe considered."
She suffered anotherchilly look before he dropped his gaze to the computer. Her fingersgripped the pocketbook in her lap as she waited with bated breath forhis response.
"See Ms. Jacksonabout the compensation package. How soon can you start?"
She settled back in adaze. "As soon as you want me to."
"Tomorrow ateight. Come with a portfolio and something to feed the press with."With a flick of one hand, she was dismissed.
*****
"I got the job,Mama.” She’d left Hillary's office where they’dironed out the fine print of her contract, with the compensationpackage staggering her into silence. "You’re going to haveto work for it." Her friend had warned her.
"I’m not ashirker."
"I know. See youtomorrow."
She’d gone tothe upscale nursing home where her mother was receiving care. RachelSimpson had been placed into a private room with her own bathroom andsitting room where she could take afternoon tea or just sit by thewindow and enjoy the view.
It was fall and theleaves carpeted the dried and parched grass with their colors. She’dlost her beloved husband and son to a car crash four years ago andhad never recovered.
Some days she waslucid and others, she couldn’t recall who she was or recognizeher daughter.
It wrenched atAllison's heart that the woman who’d always been so vivaciousand happy had turned into a person who needed around the clock care.
"Allison."Turning from her contemplation out the window, she gazed at herdaughter with a fond smile. "You’re here."
"I’m here,Mama." Walking into the room, she leaned down to kiss her cheek.
