Mischa parked the Ford Explorer as instructed, took the package in hand, and locked the vehicle as she got out.
Whomever had chosen a sanitorium for a den had either been mad or a genius. Possibly both. The place would be notoriously difficult to assault, and equally as challenging to defend. The possibilities for improvised booby traps would make breaching the place a nightmare. And then there were the delicious opportunities for standard defence with with a variety of weapons.
Mischa smiled. The inverted castle had it's limitations, but she was certain the fiend(s) who had chosen Shady Pines as the Operations Centre knew what they were doing. Mischa pushed open the entrance doors and passed into the reception area, making note of the surveillance camera's as she made her way to the desk. The decor left something to be desired. But this was a sanitorium after all.
"Welcome, Miss Karnovich." The receptionist said politely, as she looked up from her desk.
"Privyet." Mischa answered in return as she placed the package on the counter.
"I am here to make personal delivery for Mr. Tobi. From New Jersey."
Package for Tobi (attn. Tobi)
The black Ford Explorer pulled up to the guard station by the gates. The shadows of the overhanging trees and the tinted windows of the vehicle made it impossible for the guard posted at the entrance to see who was behind the wheel, and the driver obviously took her time to wind down the window and stare at him.
"Welcome to Shady Pines. Name and Identification please."
The guard said pleasantly, one hand hovering near the silent alarm as the woman continued to stare at him silently, her eyes unblinking as she studied him.
For a moment the guard thought she wasn't going to comply, when she handed him a white plastic card with a magnetic strip. No name, no details. Just a card.
The guard took the card and ran it through the reader. He swallowed nervously at the information his computer relayed back to him, and he quickly pulled his hand back from the alarm switch.
She lazily took the card back from the guard and smiled.
The guard tried not to flinch. The smile was more unsettling than reassuring.
"Enjoy your stay at Shady Pines, Ms. Karnovich. You can temporarily park your vehicle to the right of the main building entrance."
Mishca Karnovich nodded as the double gates slowly swung open.
"Spasiba, tovarisch. Remain vigilant."
The window closed as the Ford Explorer passed through the gates. The guard let out a sigh of relief as the vehicle passed by, and wiped the sweat from his brow. What the hell did she mean by, 'remain vigilant?'
Mischa Karnovich
18 years ago