Американские боги

           Andthereweremenontheicenearthebridge,fourorfiveofthem,pushingadarkgreencarintothecenterofthewhitelake.

           "Marchthetwenty-third,"Shadowsaidtothelake,underhisbreath."NineA.M.toninetwenty-fiveA.M."Hewonderedifthelakeortheklunkercouldhearhim—andiftheywouldpayanyattentiontohim,eveniftheycould.Hedoubtedit.InShadow’sworld,luck,thegoodkind,wassomethingthatotherpeoplehad,nothim.

           Thewindblewbitteragainsthisface.

           OfficerChadMulliganwaswaitingoutsideShadow’sapartmentwhenhegotback.Shadow’sheartbegantopoundwhenhesawthepolicecar,torelaxalittlewhenheobservedthatthepolicemanwasdoingpaperworkinthefrontseat.

           Hewalkedovertothecar,carryinghispapersackofbooks.

           Mulliganloweredhiswindow."Librarysale?"hesaid.

           "Yes."

           "IboughtaboxofRobertLudlumbookstheretwo,threeyearsback.Keepmeaningtoreadthem.Mycousinswearsbytheguy.ThesedaysIfigureifIevergetmaroonedonadesertislandandIgotmyboxofRobertLudlumbookswithme,Icancatchuponmyreading."

           "SomethingparticularIcandoforyou,Chief?"

           "Notadamnthing,pal.ThoughtI’dstopbyandseehowyouweresettlingin.YourememberthatChinesesaying,‘Yousaveaman’slife,you’reresponsibleforhim’?Well,I’mnotsayingIsavedyourlifelastweek.