Американские боги

           Insidethewalletwasadriver’slicensewithShadow’sphotographonit,inthenameofMichaelAinsel,withaMilwaukeeaddress,aMasterCardforM.Ainsel,andtwentycrispfifty-dollarbills.Shadowclosedthewallet,putitintoaninsidepocket.

           "Thanks,"hesaid.

           "ThinkofitasaChristmasbonus.Now,letmewalkyoudowntotheGreyhound.Ishallwavetoyouasyouridethegraydognorth."

           Theywalkedoutsidetherestaurant.Shadowfoundithardtobelievehowmuchcolderithadgotteninthelastfewhours.Itfelttoocoldtosnow,now.Aggressivelycold.Thiswasabadwinter.

           "Hey.Wednesday.Bothofthescamsyouweretellingmeabout—theviolinscamandthebishopone,thebishopandthecop—"Hehesitated,tryingtoformhisthought,tobringitintofocus.

           "Whatofthem?"

           Thenhehadit."They’rebothtwo-manscams.Oneguyoneachside.Didyouusedtohaveapartner?"Shadow’sbreathcameinclouds.HepromisedhimselfthatwhenhegottoLakesidehewouldspendsomeofhisChristmasbonusonthewarmest,thickestwintercoatthatmoneycouldbuy.

           "Yes,"saidWednesday."Yes.Ihadapartner.Ajuniorpartner.But,alas,thosedaysaregone.There’sthegasstation,andthere,unlessmyeyedeceivesme,isthebus."Itwasalreadysignalingitsturnintotheparkinglot."Youraddressisonthekey,"saidWednesday.