Tonton (A Hunter Kincaid Novel) - Page 24
“I do not know. He was an evil man, and that was enough.”
Hunter said, “He was never charged with any crimes?”
“No.
“Is he the only one who came to the States?”
“Oh no. Many came, and then, in the Haitian exodus where tens of thousands of Haitians came to Florida on boats and rafts, others came.”
John said, “We’re talking the Tonton Macoute coming, mixed in with the others.”
“Yes, hiding in plain sight as it were.”
Hunter said, “Do you think these photos indicate that Jean Claude is Tonton Macoute?”
“No way to tell for sure, but he is certainly associated with the way of the Macoute, maybe an associate or follower. The Tonton Macoute is not recognized by law enforcement as existing here. I can tell you something else, there is someone more powerful involved in this. The Bokor who this one serves,” Young pointed at the photo of the altar, “is supreme in the hierarchy of their group.”
John said, “And you’re telling us that local law enforcement is wrong.”
“Perhaps I should have said, officially recognized.”
Hunter looked at the photos again, “So, these evil spirit gods you mentioned, Marinette Bois Sèch and Agaou, they might be indicators of Tonton Macoute?”
“Maybe, but there is no way to be sure from only them. Or these photos. You would need more than that. Besides, they are not official, but a shadow group in Florida. Haitians do not like to mention them.”
Andre said, “I remember my father talking about how the vodou priests and priestesses are possessed by these type gods and then the gods speak through them.”
“Yes, they are called Houngan, for the male high pr
iest, and Mambo, for the female. These two then pray to these gods and are possessed by them. They can either direct others to do things, or act themselves.”
Hunter said, “So, this Agaou, he would bring an earthquake or something.”
“Maybe only lightning, or a bad storm. It depends on the power of the priest, and the thing to be accomplished.”
John said, “Like lightning to kill someone.”
Young said, “It is not so direct, but in a sense, yes.”
Hunter looked at the photo on her phone again, “How about the boar’s skulls with the big snake skeleton draped on them?”
“The snake represents Damballa, the oldest of all and the creator of the world, but since it is a poisonous snake, I assume the purpose is for dark things. That, with the boar skulls, reinforces this.”
“Would you know if that snake skeleton is a Gaboon Viper? I thought it might be, because of the fangs.”
A twenty-something black man and woman suddenly bumped into the back of Young’s chair. The young couple appeared embarrassed and the woman said with a slight Caribbean accent, “Oh, we are so sorry.”
The young man said, “It’s our honeymoon, and we are getting a little crazy, I guess. We’ll move away.”
Young said, “It is no problem.” He noticed their camera and said, “Would you like for me to take a picture of both of you together?”
The woman said, “Would you? That’s so nice, Mr…?”
“Anson. Young Anson, and it will be my pleasure.” The couple introduced themselves to the others at the table, shaking hands and saying how nice it was to meet everyone.
Young posed them, then snapped four photos and gave the camera, a Canon Powershot, to the woman, who thanked him again.
The couple continued moving around the food court, posing for photos as the other snapped away, and then switching roles and places for different poses.
Source: readsnovelonline.net