Американские боги

           Shadowdidnothitthemanback.Hepretendedhewasbackinprison.Doyourowntime,thoughtShadow.Don’ttellthemanythingtheydon’tknowalready.Don’taskquestions.

           "Thesearedangerouspeopleyou’repallingaroundwith,sir,"saidthespookwithglasses."Youwillbedoingyourcountryaservicebyturningstate’sevidence."Hesmiled,sympathetically:I’mthegoodcop,saidthesmile.

           "Isee,"saidShadow.

           "Andifyoudon’twanttohelpus,sir,"saidtheclean-jawedspook,"youcanseewhatwe’relikewhenwe’renothappy."HehitShadowinthestomachagain,withhisfist.Itwasn’ttorture,Shadowthought,justpunctuation:I’mthebadcop.Heretchedinpain.

           "Iwouldliketomakeyouhappy,"saidShadow,assoonashecouldspeak.

           "Allweaskisyourcooperation,sir."

           "CanIask…"gaspedShadow(Don’taskquestions,hethought,butitwastoolate,thewordswerealreadyspoken),"canIaskwhoI’llbecooperatingwith?"

           "Youwantustotellyouournames?"askedtheclean-jawedspook."Youhavetobeoutofyourmind."

           "No,he’sgotapoint,"saidthespookwithglasses."Itmaymakeiteasierforhimtorelatetous."HelookedatShadowandsmiledlikeamanadvertisingtoothpaste."Hi.I’mMisterStone,sir.MycolleagueisMisterWood.