Читать книгу The Perestroika Effect - Cecilia Tanner - Страница 13

Then, not wanting to put the man on his guard with a testy attitude, Sergey softened his tone, adding, "Keep on top of it, Elovach,"

Before Elovach could launch into his self-praise on how he took pride in doing more than was necessary, more than was expected, Sergey cut him off.

"One thing, Elovach. Our visiting Safety Inspection Engineer will need an upgraded security access card. Make one up allowing her to access the nuclear reactor complex and the plutonium storage vault," instructed Sergey.

"Of course, Colonel. No time at all to prepare the computer file. If you will sign the authorization on this digital signature pad, I will attach it to the pass file. I’m afraid that the photo-printing and laminating process takes about ten minutes. I could bring the pass to your office when it is finished," suggested Elovach.

Preparation of a high-level security pass required that the Director of Security's sign the electronic file containing the photograph and vital statistics of the pass cardholder.

"Fine," agreed Sergey reluctantly.

Elovach wiped the face of the digital signature pad clean and handed Sergey the stylus pen. Sergey reluctantly came into closer range with the man’s breath, encouraging Sergey to sign his name quickly in his unreadable flourish before plopping the stylus down.

Elovach punched some keys on the keyboard, frowned, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Colonel. It didn't capture. Could you do it again?"

Thinking about Katya and the handgun, Sergey picked up the stylus pen and again applied his signature to the yellow square of the digital pad. This time he heard Elovach grunt with satisfaction.