Page 72 of Smoky Mountain K-9
“Fine. Fill in some holes for me. You were behind all the vandalism? And the tear gas?”
She nodded.
“How did you get your hands on that stuff? And the mine you used at Mara’s? It’s not like you can walk into an army surplus store and buy those.”
“Well, after you got my husband killed, I spent years planning my revenge. I cultivated friendships with some influential and knowledgeable people. They got me everything I needed. Including the fake check I used to get into Mara’s good graces.” She glanced at Mara, then turned back to Carter. “You know, your relationship was rather fortuitous. I’ve been following your movements for a few months, waiting for the right time to pay your mother a visit, when Mara entered the picture. It was like fate handed me a present wrapped in a pretty bow.”
Mara rolled her eyes. The woman was crazy. But smart. She still didn’t know what Carter’s plan was to get them out of this. She hoped he had one. Because she didn’t. Her immediate goal was to get off this chair. She squirmed against the ropes.
“I get that you’re angry. But what happened was an accident. No one knows exactly what happened. I checked that entire section of road and a hundred meters out in every direction. It’s possible Bob missed it, yes. But it’s also possible the insurgents came back after I searched, saw all my flags and added a few more mines and IEDs just to screw with us.”
Constance let out a mirthless laugh. “No. It’s your fault. Yours and that damn dog’s.” Her gaze traveled to Maverick, who still sat by Carter’s side, giving the woman a low growl. “Why anyone would trust an animal is beyond me. They’re stupid. I don’t care how well they can smell. It doesn’t replace human eyes or modern equipment. Maybe if you’d been out there with a metal detector, you’d have found the mine.”
“Actually, a lot of what I found wasn’t metal. It was plastic bottles filled with chemical agents. A metal detector wouldn’t have helped much.”
Her face turned bright red. She took a quick step toward Carter. Maverick scooted forward several inches, barking, and she froze.
“Make him lie down.”
Carter held her gaze, but did as she asked. “Mav,platz.”
Still barking, the dog lowered to the ground.
“Perfect. Now make sure he stays there.” She walked over to the fireplace and picked up a roll of duct tape off the mantle. “Hold up your hands.” Tucking it under her arm, she peeled the tape free of the roll.
Mara watched Carter’s jaw twitch. His hands curled into fists, and he slowly raised them. Constance came out from behind the shield, and with quick movements—all while keeping her gun trained on Mara—she wrapped the tape around his wrists. She tucked the roll under her arm again and severed the tape, then tore off a shorter piece.
“Tell your dog to stay.”
Eyes never leaving their captor, Carter complied. “Maverick,bleib.”
That mirthless smile returning to her face, she stepped closer to Carter and slapped the tape over his mouth. “Go behind the shield.” She gestured to the plates separating the room.
He grunted and shook his head. Constance raised an eyebrow, readjusting her grip on her gun, which was still pointed at Mara. “I can make her death painful.”
Mara sucked in a breath and held it. She didn’t want that. She didn’t want to die at all, but she didn’t see how she could get out of this. Carter was bound and unable to command Maverick. She was bound to this damn chair. And Constance had a gun.
Carter let out a grunt and stomped across the floor and around the barrier. Constance followed. Maverick’s barks resumed a fevered pitch, but he stayed on the floor.
“Sit.” Constance pointed to another wooden chair.
Carter sat. Despair made Mara’s chest ache. Tears pressed against her eyes and spilled free. Anguish filled Carter’s silvery eyes as he stared at her.
“I love you,” she mouthed.
A single tear slid from Carter’s eye a moment before his expression changed. His eyes hardened with a fierce determination. His gaze flicked to Maverick and back.
Mara frowned and glanced at the dog. His dark eyes were focused on his handler, waiting for his next command.
Carter grunted. Mara looked at him. Again, he glanced at the dog, then back at her. Her eyes grew round as she realized what he was trying to tell her. He wasn’t the only one to whom the dog listened.
“You know, it’s a shame I won’t be here to witness your anguish as she and your dog die. I just can’t take that chance. Being in the same room while we waited on you was chance enough. Part of me hoped you’d trip the mine as you came up. But I also had a feeling you’d be too smart for that. I can’t have an injury slow me down, though. Your friends are probably out there somewhere, just waiting.”
He grunted again as she walked around behind him and held up the tape roll. Mara realized she planned to tape him to the chair.
Using her teeth, Constance peeled the tape back, but when she tried to secure it to him, it wouldn’t stay stuck to him when she pulled to wrap it around his torso. With a huff, she tucked her gun into her waistband.
Mara didn’t hesitate. She wouldn’t get another chance. “Maverick,fass!”