Page 56 of Smoky Mountain K-9
Ben gave him a quick rundown.
“You’re sure it’s a land mine?” His gaze wandered between Ben and Carter.
“We haven’t laid eyes on it, but based on Mara’s description, that would be my guess. I think it’s a World War II-era German S-mine. What most people know as a Bouncing Betty.”
Gunderson frowned. “Where would someone get one of those?”
“Black market.” Carter crossed his arms. “But they’re lucky it didn’t go off before they ever got it here. After almost eighty years, those things are highly unstable.”
“That’s no lie.” Gunderson cocked his head. “You former EOD?”
Carter nodded. “I had a detection dog. I was going to ask to suit up with whoever you send in. I’ve seen Betty’s before. Not many, but insurgents did use them.”
“That’s fine by me. Sheriff?”
Ben nodded. “If you’re willing.”
“Sure. None of my guys have ever seen one outside of the classroom. Myself included.” He tipped his head toward the rear of the truck. “Come on. Let’s get you suited up.”
Carter followed the man around to the double doors and climbed in behind him. After some quick introductions, Gunderson’s men helped the two of them into bomb suits.
Nerves blasted Carter. He wrapped a hand around the neckline of the suit and tugged, trying to make some room. But it wasn’t the tightness of the outfit that truly bothered him. He hadn’t been around explosives—except in training—since he left the Marines. That part of his mind where his guilt over what happened to his squadmates lived rebelled at the idea of going in to defuse another explosive.
He dropped his hand and clenched his fists. This wasn’t the time or place for him to relive the past. It didn’t help him now. It wouldn’t ever. No, right now, he needed to stay in the present and do his best to get the device under control and make it safe, so no one got hurt.
“You ready?” Gunderson picked up a tool kit. The others were going to have the robot bring a lead-lined box up the drive and wait.
Carter nodded and reached for his helmet, putting it on. Gunderson did the same, then tested their communications. His voice rang into Carter’s ears loud and clear.
“How do you want to approach this?” Gunderson asked as they headed toward the house.
“Slowly. With its age, vibrations could set it off if it’s rusted enough.”
“That woman’s lucky. It’s a miracle she didn’t set it off.”
That same knife that twisted his gut when Mara called to tell him about the device dug deeper. Gunderson didn’t need to tell him how lucky she was to be alive. He was fully aware.
When they reached the porch, they took slow, steady steps, rolling their feet to avoid jarring the floorboards. Once they were close enough, Carter took a breath to steel his nerves and grabbed the welcome sign, moving it to the side.
Gunderson let out a low whistle. “Yeah, that ain’t no grenade.”
“Definitely not. Have them roll the robot and box closer. We’re going to have to pick this thing up. Unless your robot can climb stairs?”
“Nope. I keep asking for that kind, but I keep getting denied. So we just pick Herbie up and carry him. It’s never been a problem until now when the device is vibration sensitive.”
“Well, use this the next time you ask. Maybe they’ll give you a longer arm too.”
“That’d be nice.”
“It would,” Carter said, distracted as he played out his path to the robot. “Have your men roll the robot there.” He pointed to a spot at the edge of the porch. “I don’t want to go any further than necessary.”
Relaying the information, Gunderson swiveled to watch the robot roll closer. Carter crouched, shining his light on the device to get a better look. It was in fairly good shape. Less rust than on some he’d seen. This one had probably been stored well somewhere. He could see the fishing line still attached to the safety pin. It wasn’t in all the way, but it was in far enough to have kept the mine from exploding. Whoever set it up did a poor job. The tripwire wasn’t supposed to give on the anchor end.
“How’s that?”
Carter glanced back. Gunderson pointed to the robot. It was in position and had the box elevated so he wouldn’t have to bend to put the mine inside. “Works. Get the lid off the box.”
“You sure you don’t want me to pick that up?”