Ashley chuckles ruefully before continuing, “But really, if we’ve been successful these past years the community will protect us as they will their own. We’re here without a safety net and I’m sorry for bringing you out here without explaining that first.” After considering this, Kevin shrugs and then grins, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I wanted ‘normal’ I would have stayed home!” Then a half second later, “But seriously, do you have any comms setup with Port? It’s one thing to be on a limb but it’s another when no one even knows.” Ashley laughs sardonically, “Oh yeah? Does anyone know where you are right now?” Kevin pauses a beat or two, “Well, shit… Good point. That’s going to be a problem when I show up at the station tomorrow.”
A loud burst of automatic weapon fire erupts nearby and interrupts the conversation, so they move from the courtyard back inside the house. Kevin does a brief inventory of their communication gear and concludes that his old short-wave receiver is all they have. It’s already out of his backpack and tuned to Voice of America. Matt comments, “Really, Kevin? VOA?” Without hesitation Kevin replies, “Always good to monitor enemy comms!”
There’s no phone in the house and there aren’t any pay phones in Haiti. Kevin usually goes to a local Telco office to place calls and wait for callbacks, but the Telco offices aren’t open on weekends. They all take turns switching the radio between Radio Protestant and local AM stations but none are mentioning a coup attempt. The French news services don’t start airing until later in the day. The absence of local coverage doesn’t mean much. Kevin explains that Radio Protestant won’t air anything until there’s an official statement from whoever claims to be in control of the government.
For the next hour, the rattle of gunfire continues sporadically but doesn’t seem to be getting closer. After scanning all the usual radio frequencies without hearing any new information Kevin finally asks, “How do we know anything is happening at all? We could be hiding in this house just because of a rumor. Maybe we should drive around a bit to see what’s really going on.” Ashley opens her mouth to reply, pauses, and then looks over to Matt who slowly shakes his head. She sighs. “I didn’t want to tell you this because it’s probably just alarmist. The local women insist that we not go into the streets. There’s a lot of “pale cho” among their husbands, basically saying that the blan won’t get away with it this time. Some of the local thugs are talking about kidnapping foreigners and holding them hostage as retaliation. Since we’re the only blan within miles, we’re being closely watched.”
Kevin suddenly recalls Tim’s warning, “Just so we’re clear, I’m operating independently down here with the agreement that my NGO will not make any ransom payments. Reasons. Long story.” Matt shakes his head, “Wow, mate. They really sent you down here dirty!” Ashley just lowers her face and looks at the table. Kevin stands up, grabs his coffee cup and says, “If we’re putting our security in the community’s hands, we should do as instructed.” They agree to keep stay in the Mirogoane Stronghold for the rest of the day.
Ashley has some letters to write, so Matt and Kevin climb up onto the roof to see if traffic is moving on Highway 1, the only road that connects Mirogoane to Port-au-Prince. As they look around, they see a plume of smoke rising a few blocks away. Matt points toward it, “That’s not good. The police station is right over there.” As if in reply, they hear a rapid series of booms and pops. Kevin, “Sounds like shotguns and handguns. No automatic weapons.” Matt nods, “Still small arms fire but that was a LOT closer.”
People start running by in all directions. Kevin and Matt call down to them from the roof, “Sak pase?” Eventually, a few young men stop in the alley below them. They start arguing among themselves about what’s happening. Matt listens and quietly explains what they’re saying. “Rumors are that the police are plotting the next coup. People are rising up against them all over Port-au-Prince. Other than the warning shots we heard, the Mirogoane police have not engaged but a crowd has gathered and is burning tires and debris in front of the station.” Kevin sniffs the air, “I think that smoke is getting thicker.”
It’s too hot on the roof in the mid-day sun, so they climb back downstairs and spend the rest of the afternoon listening to the radio and trying to figure out what’s really happening. Periodically, someone will look into the sky in the direction of the police station but the plume of smoke doesn’t seem to be getting any larger. It isn’t getting thinner either. Ashley comments, “Someone is definitely keeping that blaze going. I’m surprised the police aren’t shooting at them.”
By dinner time, there have been no official statements from the Government of Haiti. Ashley and Jocelyn report that the neighbor women are just rehashing old rumors. No one has new information. The sun sets and Kevin realizes he’s not getting back to Carrefour tonight. He comments about this to Ashley. She smiles shyly, “Well, I haven’t been up on the roof yet. Let’s go up there and see what happens!”