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“His parents died in the hurricane last year. He was an only child, and now lives on the street.”
“Are the dogs his?”
“No. At least I don’t believe so. They are strays, all of them.”
“But they follow his commands.”
“I would say that, yes, they do.”
Malice nodded. “You’ve done well, Selvin. Arrange for travel, and bring several of the Tonton Macoute from Pètionville to go with us, in case of trouble.”
“When do you wish to go?”
“Tomorrow, or the next. Make the arrangements and let me know. I’m curious to see this boy with the eyes of a leopard.”
“I will make arrangements immediately.”
“Selvin, how is the boy called?”
“He said his name is Marc Dessaline.”
They left Port Au Prince the next day, travelling west through Carrefour on Route Nationale 2 and paralleling the shore before the road curved south and intersected Route de L’amite, which took them on a weaving, climbing route into and over the mountain ranges between Port Au Prince and the southern shores of Haiti.
They could see the turquoise waters in the Bay of Jacmel after topping out and descending the southern slopes of the mountains, with the town of Jacmel huddled around the entire bay like hands around a cup. Route 208 turned west, and the caravan of Tonton Macoute, dressed in their official dark blue uniforms, straw hats and sunglasses, knew they would be in Bainet in a short time.
People in Bainet grew wary as soon as Malice and her vehicles drove into town. To see the Tonton Macoute en masse like this meant trouble, and maybe the worst kind. Selvin drove to the part of town where he last saw the boy and parked on the street.
As the vehicles emptied, people on the streets moved away, going into houses or into alleys, out of sight of the Boogeymen and their terrible, beautiful female leader, whose reputation was known all over the country.
Malice stood in the street and waited for someone to approach, but no one came. A goat wandered by, and several chickens, but no people. She cupped her hands around her mouth and said, “Come out, I have questions. If you do not come out, I will send my men in your homes.”
Several men appeared and walked to her. She said, “I want Marc Dessaline, the boy. Where is he?”
Two of them didn’t know, but the third man pointed down a dusty side street and said, “In the trees where the road ends. I have seen him there.” Selvin drove in the lead as they bounced over potholes and fist-sized rocks until the road deteriorated to two ruts through short grass to end at the tree and brush line. Selvin turned off his key and they exited again. He pointed and said, “There.”
The boy crawled out of a crude shelter made of limbs, and thatched with leaves and pieces of plastic sheeting and torn garbage bags. Several dogs flanked him. Malice instantly noticed his eyes, like fresh honey in a jar as light shines through it. The boy’s face hinted of handsomeness in the future. She said, “Marc Dessaline, I’ve been looking for you.”
He wasn’t afraid of them, Malice noticed that at once. Watchful, yes, but no fear. He said, “Why are you looking for me?”
“I wish to take you with me, to give you a home.”
“Where?”
“Port Au Prince, the big city.”
He considered it. “To live with you, in a house.”
“Yes,” she said, “A big house.” She felt his questions before he spoke, and she answered before his mouth opened. “I am lonely, I have no one, the same as you. I can give you a home with all the food you wish, and clothes. You will have a bed to sleep in, with covers and soft pillows, all in your own room. There are books to read, many of them, and a pool to swim in, if you wish to.”
Marc considered it for a minute. “Can I bring my dogs?”
Malice looked at the three skinny mongrels beside the boy. She had no love for dogs. “No.”
Marc took a deep breath and nodded. He walked to her and said, “Do you have a shotgun?”
Malice looked at one of her men, who returned with a pump shotgun. Marc held out his hands and the man gave it to him. The men glanced at each other and kept their hands close to their sidearms.
Malice showed him how to work it, and put one in the chamber for him, showing him the safety and explaining how it worked.
