Американские боги
Chapter 8
Thejunkiewhinehadvanishedfromhisvoicenow,replacedwitharesignedflatness,asifthewordswerebeingbroadcastfromalong,longwayaway,deadwordsbeingsentoutonadeadfrequency.
ThelightturnedgreenandShadowputhisfootgentlydownonthegas.
"Butgivemeawaketonight,nonetheless,"saidMadSweeney."Setmeaplaceattable,andgivemeastinkingdrunkwaketonight.Youkilledme,Shadow,youowemethatmuch."
"Ineverkilledyou,MadSweeney,"saidShadow.It’stwentydollars,hethought,foraticketoutofhere."Itwasthedrinkandthecoldkilledyou,notme."
Therewasnoreply,andtherewassilenceinthecarfortherestofthejourney.Afterheparkedattheback,Shadowwheeledthegurneyoutofthehearseandintothemortuary.HemanhandledMadSweeneyontotheembalmingtableasifhewerehaulingasideofbeef.
HecoveredtheJohnDoewithasheetandlefthimthere,withthepaperworkbesidehim.Ashewentupthebackstairshethoughtheheardavoice,quietandmuted,likearadioplayinginadistantroom,whichsaid,"Andwhatwoulddrinkorcoldbedoingkillingme,aleprechaunoftheblood?No,itwasyoulosingthelittlegoldensunkilledme,Shadow,killedmedeadassureaswater’swetanddaysarelongandafriendwillalwaysdisappointyouintheend.
