Американские боги

           "

           "Idon’tknowanyofyours,"saidShadow.

           "Well,youknowthatitwasmyideatopaintthisthingpurple,thusforcingPaulGunthertobecomesuchanobjectofscornandderisionforseveralcountiesaroundthathewasforcedtoleavetownentirely.Wewerekindofstoned,"sheadmitted.

           "Idoubtthatbitofit’smuchofasecret,"saidShadow."EveryoneinLakesidemusthaveknown.It’sastonersortofpurple."

           Andthenshesaid,veryquiet,veryfast,"Ifyou’regoingtokillmepleasedon’thurtme.Ishouldn’thavecomeherewithyou.Iamsodumb.Iamsofuckingfuckingdumb.IshouldhaverunawayorcalledthecopswhenIfirstsawyou.Icanidentifyyou.Jesus.Iamsodumb."

           Shadowsighed."I’veneverkilledanybody.Really.NowI’mgoingtotakeyoutotheBuck,"hesaid."Orifyougivetheword,I’llturnthiscararoundandtakeyouhome.I’llbuyyouadrink,ifyou’reactuallyoldenoughtodrink,andI’llbuyyouasodaifyou’renot.ThenI’lltakeyoubacktoMarguerite,deliveryousafeandsound,andhopeyouaren’tgoingtocallthecops."

           Therewassilenceastheycrossedthebridge.

           "Whodidkillthosemen?"sheasked.

           "Youwouldn’tbelievemeifItoldyou."

           "Iwould."Shesoundedangrynow.Hewonderedifbringingthewinetothedinnerhadbeenawiseidea.LifewascertainlynotaCabernetrightnow.