Left on the Doorstep

“Sir, the bomb squad has arrived.” Cadet Madsen announced around the back of the police van.

“Tell them I’m on my way.” Inspector Reese took a few final pulls from his cigarette, crushing it on the road before grabbing his coffee from the front seat.

The flashing lights from the police cars that formed the perimeter around Senator Dryden’s home blinded him as he stepped around the side, hustling to the other large van within the wall of cars.

“You must be my bomb disposal guys. Inspector Reese, pleasure.” He stuck his hand out to the two men working feverishly at the fold-out table covered in electronics. One looked up at him while the other leaned into the van to work on what looked like a metal and wire bonsai tree on treads.

“Hey, names Foxer, that’s Deacon. Almost set up here, then we should be good to go.” A shorter muscular man with a buzz cut and thick beard of brown hair smiled at him as he grabbed Reese’s hand. Deacon, a lean, younger-looking man with dirty blonde hair, looked up for a moment before continuing his work.

“Alright, let me know whenever you’re ready.”

“Yes, sir.”

He walked a ways away and lit another cigarette, downing the rest of his coffee and throwing it away while he smoked. Who would have wanted to threaten Senator Dryden? He wasn’t necessarily known for controversial statements. Maybe it was something else, a random act of violence to spark fear? Reese continued to ponder possibilities while he pulled on his cigarette.

“Bot’s up and ready. We are ready to go in.” Foxer shook Reese from his train of thought.

“Alright, show me what we’re working with.” Reese followed the specialist to the box of a computer screen they had set up, the flickering image of the interior of the van visible on-screen.

“Ok, Deac, roll him out.” Foxer nudged his partner.

Deacons hands hovered over the controls for a moment before slowly grasping them, the feed shaking erratically as the robot came to life.

The metal ramp rattled as thick treads rolled over it, an amalgamation of wires and metal on top. Two clamps shook loosely on metal appendages as the construct rolled down the street towards the doorstep. Deacon guided the robot, his head barely peeking over the box of a control panel that he had set up minutes prior.

“Reel it in, Deac, control your nerves.” Foxer placed a hand on the younger man’s shoulder, eyes glued to the screen in front of the trio.

The robot slowed as it approached the curb, crawling over it with minimal effort, though the mountain that was the stairs lay before it. A glance from Deacon towards Reese and Foxer sent the robot forward once more, slowly ascending the stairs one by one.

The package was near the door, left in the early hours of the morning on the Senator’s doorstep. It was no bigger than a shoebox, brown paper covered the interior, and numerous pieces of tape lay across the outside like a maze. Foxer let out a breathless gasp at the labyrinth of tape crossing the package.

Reese heard Deacon’s shaky breaths over the milling noises of the perimeter and loose gathering crowd. He didn’t envy the kid as he watched the clamps come to life.

Deacon carefully extended the clamp, grasping at a minor flap of loose tape and pulling, holding the package steady with the other. Reese flinched with each struggle against the box, expecting it to level the building any second. Minutes ticked by in tense apprehension as Deacon peeled pieces away.

Another look signified the last of the bindings, the paper now slowly unfurling, returning to its prior shape. Deacon’s nose nearly brushed the screen as he angled the robot to peer inside the box.

The paper unfolded to packing peanuts and a smaller present wrapped within, bright red wrapping paper glinting in the flashing lights.

“Foxer, take it, man.” Deacon barely finished his sentence before Foxer’s hands were reaching over to take the controls. Settling in, Foxer began untying the ribbon holding the present wrapped when Reese put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Hold on.”

“What, sir?” Foxer froze, not even turning to look towards the Inspector.

“No wires in the outer container?”

“I didn’t see any, did you? Deac, any wires?”

“Nothing but packing stuff, man.” Deacon looked over, still wringing the excess adrenaline from his hands.

The three looked at one another for a moment, quiet contemplation across each. Foxer turned back to the controls, pulling the ribbon undone.

The paper loosened but stayed, stuck in place by something within; Foxer held his breath as he pulled the sides of the present down. Smeared across the paper and squashed from the movement was a large dog pile.

“Holy shit.” Foxer muttered, leaning back and letting go of the controls. The robot froze, holding the paper open.

“There is no damn way.” Reese leaned in closer, anger, and amusement mixing inside him. Deacon craned to see behind the two, still getting the adrenaline out, when he burst out in laughter.

“Well, guess I’ll go let the Senator know there’s no threat.” Reese straightened and stretched, heading in the direction of his car. “You guys have disposal sorted, right?”

“Hell no, we’re bomb disposal!”

“Exactly, that’s one hell of a bomb!”