Американские боги

           FromtimetotimeChadwouldcomethrough,checkingtoseeifShadowneededtousetherestroom,oncetoofferhimahamrollandasmallpacketofpotatochips.

           "Thanks,"saidShadow,takingthem."AmIunderarrest?"

           Chadsuckedtheairbetweenhisteeth."Well,"hesaid,"we’llknowprettysoon.Itdoesn’tlooklikeyoucamebythenameMikeAinsellegally.Ontheotherhand,youcancallyourselfwhateveryouwantinthisstate,ifit’snotforfraudulentpurposes.Youjusthangloose."

           "CanImakeaphonecall?"

           "Isitalocalcall?"

           "Long-distance."

           "It’llsavemoneyifIputitonmycallingcard,otherwiseyou’lljustbefeedingtenbucks’worthofquartersintothatthinginthehall."

           Sure,thoughtShadow.Andthiswayyou’llknowthenumberIdialed,andyou’llprobablybelisteninginonanextension.

           "Thatwouldbegreat,"saidShadow.Theywentintoanemptyoffice,nexttoChad’s.Thelightwasslightlybetterinthere.ThenumberShadowgaveChadtodialforhimwasthatofafuneralhomeinCairo,Illinois.Chaddialedit,handedShadowthereceiver."I’llleaveyouinhere,"hesaid,andwentout.

           Thetelephonerangseveraltimes,thenitwaspickedup.

           "JacquelandIbis.CanIhelpyou?"

           "Hi.MisterIbis,thisisMikeAinsel.IhelpedoutthereforafewdaysoverChristmas.