Американские боги

           Heturnediton,andcutthroughtheribsatbothsidesofherbreastbone.

           Thegirlopenedlikeapurse.

           Shadowsuddenlywasawareofamildbutunpleasantlypenetrating,pungent,meatysmell.

           "Ithoughtitwouldsmellworse,"saidShadow.

           "She’sprettyfresh,"saidJacquel."Andtheintestinesweren’tpierced,soitdoesn’tsmellofshit."

           Shadowfoundhimselflookingaway,notfromrevulsion,ashewouldhaveexpected,butfromastrangedesiretogivethegirlsomeprivacy.Itwouldbehardtobenakederthanthisopenthing.

           Jacqueltiedofftheintestines,glisteningandsnakelikeinherbelly,belowthestomachanddeepinthepelvis.Heranthemthroughhisfingers,footafterfootofthem,describedthemas"normal"tothemicrophone,puttheminabucketonthefloor.Hesuckedallthebloodoutofherchestwithavacuumpump,andmeasuredthevolume.Thenheinspectedtheinsideofherchest.Hesaidtothemicrophone,"Therearethreelacerationsinthepericardium,whichisfilledwithclottedandliquefiedblood."

           Jacquelgraspedherheart,cutitatitstop,turneditaboutinhishand,examiningit.Hesteppedonhisswitchandsaid,"Therearetwolacerationsofthemyocardium;aone-point-five-centimeterlacerationintherightventricleandaone-point-eight-centimeterlacerationpenetratingtheleftventricle."

           Jacquelremovedeachlung.