Американские боги

           Ibisunlockedwithakeyfromhiskeychain,andtheywereinalarge,unheatedroom,occupiedbytwopeople:averytall,dark-skinnedman,holdingalargemetalscalpel,andadeadgirlinherlateteens,lyingonalong,porcelainobjectthatresembledbothatableandasink.

           Therewereseveralphotographsofthedeadgirlpinneduponacork-boardonthewallabovethebody.Shewassmilinginone,ahighschoolheadshot.Inanothershewasstandinginalinewiththreeothergirls;theywerewearingwhatmighthavebeenpromdresses,andherblackhairwastiedaboveherheadinanintricateknot-work.

           Coldontheporcelain,herhairwasdown,loosearoundhershoulders,andmattedwithdriedblood.

           "Thisismypartner,MisterJacquel,"saidIbis.

           "Wemetalready,"saidJacquel."ForgivemeifIdon’tshakehands."

           Shadowlookeddownatthegirlonthetable."Whathappenedtoher?"heasked.

           "Poortasteinboyfriends,"saidJacquel.

           "It’snotalwaysfatal,"saidMr.Ibis,withasigh."Thistimeitwas.Hewasdrunk,andhehadaknife,andshetoldhimthatshethoughtshewaspregnant.Hedidn’tbelieveitwashis."

           "Shewasstabbed…,"saidMr.Jacquel,andhecounted.Therewasaclickashesteppedonafootswitch,turningonasmallDictaphoneonanearbytable."Fivetimes.Therearethreeknifewoundsintheleftanteriorchestwall.