We refuse to believe that Prime Minister Bruce Golding has gone into hiding so soon after his swan song of remorse on Monday.

Could it really be that all that talk about being sorry for his handling of the US’ extradition request for Mr Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke and wanting to fix the fallout meant nothing?

Or is the prime minister keeping his powder dry pending the execution of some grand plan that will resolve the fiery crisis between Tivoli, the capital of his West Kingston garrison, and the law-abiding among us?

If the latter’s the case, surely the political beast in him must recognise the prudence of coming forward to dispel any notion that he couldn’t give two hoots about the growing tension in that community and the fact that Mr Coke appears to be hunkering down for a fight.

This is, after all, day four of the stand-off between the police and residents of Tivoli who say they are prepared to forfeit their lives in the name of shielding Mr Coke from the authorities.

How much longer before the ultimate showdown?

As things stand now, it’s do or die for the prime minister’s political future.

Another display of dithering on his part will completely erode whatever confidence the more tolerant among us have placed in him since his apology on Monday.

That Mr Golding is in desperate need of good guidance and advice is obvious to us. For if he was privy to sound advice, he would never have allowed himself to be bamboozled into believing that his alliance with Mr Coke could have a happy ending.

Neither would he have thought it appropriate to signal to Mr Coke and his supporters in West Kingston the Government’s intention to green-light the extradition process.

But all of that’s water under the bridge now.

The hell fire that is threatening to toast so many in Tivoli will also burn the entire country if Mr Golding fails to intervene and prevent the first spark.

Already there is talk of criminal elements capturing — or as it may well turn out, formalising their links with — the State to the detriment of those of us who can and are still able to articulate the difference between what is right and what is wrong.

Up to a few months ago we would have dismissed such talk as mischievous and far-fetched.

We dare not now.