Американские боги

           Everydamntampondownthatjohncoststhecountyahundredbucksinplumbers’fees.So,Icankeepyououthere,ifIcuffyou.Oryoucangointhecell."Shelookedathim."Yourcall,"shesaid.

           "I’mnotcrazyaboutthem,"hesaid."ButI’lltakethecuffs."

           Shetookapairfromherutilitybelt,thenpattedthesemi-automaticinitsholster,asiftoremindhimthatitwasthere."Handsbehindyourback,"shesaid.

           Thecuffswereatightfit:hehadbigwrists.Thensheputhobblesonhisankles,andsathimdownonabenchonthefarsideofthecounter,againstthewall."Now,"shesaid."Youdon’tbotherme,andIwon’tbotheryou."Shetiltedthetelevisionsothathecouldseeit.

           "Thanks,"hesaid.

           "Whenwegetournewoffices,"shesaid,"therewon’tbenoneofthisnonsense."

           TheTonightShowfinished.Jayandhisguestsgrinnedtheworldgoodnight.AnepisodeofCheersbegan.ShadowhadneverreallywatchedCheers.Hehadonlyeverseenoneepisodeofit—theonewhereCoach’sdaughtercomestothebar—althoughhehadseenthatseveraltimes.Shadowhadnoticedthatyouonlyevercatchoneepisodeofshowsyoudon’twatch,overandover,yearsapart;hethoughtitmustbesomekindofcosmiclaw.

           OfficerLizButesatbackinherchair.