Американские боги

           Hiswalletwasstillintheinsidepocket,apparentlyuntouched.Laurapulledopenacoupleofcardboardboxes,filledwithcandybars.

           Theguards,nowhecouldseethemproperly,werewearingdarkcamouflageuniforms,buttherewerenoofficialtagsonthem,nothingtosayforwhomtheywereworking.Theymighthavebeenweekendduckhunters,dressedfortheshoot.

           Laurareachedouthercoldhand,andsqueezedShadow’shandinhers.Shehadthegoldcoinhehadgivenheraroundherneck,onagoldenchain.

           "Thatlooksnice,"hesaid.

           "Thanks."Shesmiled,prettily.

           "Whatabouttheothers?"heasked."Wednesday,andtherestofthem?Wherearethey?"Laurapassedhimahandfulofcandybars,andhefilledhispocketswiththem.

           "Therewasn’tanybodyelsehere.Alotofemptycells,andonewithyouinit.Oh,andoneofthemenhadgoneintothecelldowntheretojackoffwithamagazine.Hegotsuchashock."

           "Youkilledhimwhilehewasjerkinghimselfoff?"

           Sheshrugged."Iguess,"shesaid,uncomfortably."Iwasworriedtheywerehurtingyou.Someonehastowatchoutforyou,andItoldyouIwould,didn’tI?Here,takethese."Theywerechemicalhand-andfootwarmers:thinpads—youbrokethesealandtheyheateduptoalittleabovebodytemperatureandstayedthatwayforhours.Shadowpocketedthem.

           "Lookoutforme.Yes,"hesaid,"youdid.