Kat 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 pulling you out here without explaining that first.” Kevin’s face changes as he considers this, his expression of anxiety changing to determination. Kevin assembles his widest grin and says, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I wanted ‘normal’ I would have stayed home!” Then a half beat 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.” Kat 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 from nearby, interrupting the conversation so they move inside to the kitchen/living area. Kevin does a brief inventory of their communication gear, just to make sure no one has missed an option. His short-wave receiver is already out of his backpack and tuned to Voice of America. Dirk mentions this, “Really, Kevin? VOA?” Without hesitation Kevin replies, “Always good to know what the enemy is up to!”
There’s no phone in the house and there aren’t any pay phones anywhere in Haiti. Usually, Kevin goes to a local Telco office and places a call from there. But they’re closed on the weekend. Kevin and the gang keep switching the radio between local AM stations (including Radio Protestant) but none are mentioning a coup attempt. The French news services don’t start airing until later in the day. However, the absence of local coverage doesn’t mean much. Kevin explains that Radio Protestant will not air anything until there is an official statement from whoever seems to be in control of the government at the time.
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 can be bunkered down in this house just because of a rumor. Maybe we should drive around a bit to see what’s really going on.” Kat opens her mouth to reply, pauses, and then looks over to Dirk, who slowly shakes his head. She sighs. “I didn’t want to tell you this because it’s probably just alarmist. But the local women were insisting that we not go out into the streets. They said there is 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 are being closely watched.”
Kevin suddenly recalls what Tim had thrown in his face just a few days ago and says, “Just so we’re clear, my NGO is national but not well funded. I’m operating independently down here, with the agreement that my NGO will not make any ransom payments. Reasons. Long story!” Dirk shakes his head, “Wow, mate. They really sent you down here dirty!” Kat just lowers her face and looks at the table. Kevin stands up from the table, grabs his coffee cup and says, “Well, if we’re putting our security in the community’s hands, I guess we should do what they say.” They agree to keep a low profile and stay home the rest of the day.
Kat has some letters to write, so Dirk and Kevin climb up onto the flat concrete roof to see if there is traffic moving on Highway 1, the only road that connects the country from south to north. As they look around, they see a plume of smoke rising a few blocks away. Dirk points toward it and says, “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 says, “Sounds like shotguns and handguns. No automatic weapons.” Dirk nods, “Still small arms fire, but that was a LOT closer.”
People start running by in all directions. Kevin and Dirk start calling down to them from the roof, “Sak pase?” Finally, a few young men stop in the alley below them. They start arguing among themselves about what’s happening. Dirk listens and quietly explains what they’re saying. Since the police are suspected of leading the attempted coup, the people are rising up against them all over Port-au-Prince. There hasn’t been more than warning shots here in Miragoane, but a crowd has gathered and is burning tires and debris in the street directly in front of the station. The wind shifts, and they can smell of smoke is much thicker.
It’s getting way too hot to stay up on the roof in the mid-day sun, so they climb back down 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. But the smoke isn’t getting thinner either. Kat says, “Someone is definitely keeping that blaze going. I’m surprised the police haven’t started shooting on sight!”
By dinner time, there’s still no official word on what’s happening. Kat says that the neighbor women are just rehashing the same old rumors, so no one seems to have new information. As the sun sets and Kevin realizes he’s not getting back to Port-au-Prince tonight. He comments about this to Kat. She smiles shyly and says, “Well, I haven’t been up on the roof yet. Let’s go up there and see what happens!”