Американские боги

           "

           "Yoopie?"

           "UpperPeninsula.UP.Yoopie.WheretheYooperscomefrom.It’sthelittlechunkofMichigantothenortheast."

           Thechiefofpolicecameback.Hepickedupthehotchocolateandslurpedit."Mabel,"hesaid,"areyouforcingthisniceyoungmantoeatoneofyourpasties?"

           "It’sgood,"saidShadow.Itwas,too—asavorydelightwrappedinhotpastry.

           "Theygostraighttothebelly,"saidChadMulligan,pattinghisownstomach."Iwarnyou.Okay.So,youneedacar?"Withhisparkaoff,hewasrevealedasalankymanwitharound,apple-bellygutonhim.Helookedharassedandcompetent,morelikeanengineerthanacop.

           Shadownodded,mouthfull.

           "Right.Imadesomecalls.JustinLiebowitz’ssellinghisjeep,wantsfourthousanddollarsforit,willsettleforthree.TheGunthershavehadtheirToyota4Runnerforsaleforeightmonths,uglysonofabitch,butatthispointthey’dprobablypayyoutotakeitoutoftheirdriveway.Andifyoudon’tcareaboutugly,it’sgottobeagreatdeal.Iusedthephoneinthemen’sroom,leftamessageforMissyGuntherdownatLakesideRealty,butshewasn’tinyet,probablygettingherhairdonedownatSheila’s."

           ThepastyremainedgoodasShadowchewedhiswaythroughit.Itwasastonishinglyfilling."Stick-to-your-ribsfood,"ashismotherwouldhavesaid."Stickstoyoursides.