Американские боги

           Thewhitehaircrackledandflared,andtheroombegantofillwiththesmellofcharringflesh.

           "Itwasn’tmurder.Itwasself-defense,"saidShadow.

           "Iknowwhatitwas,"saidMulligan,flatly.Hehadalreadyturnedhisattentiontothesmokinglogshehadscatteredabouttheroom.Hepushedoneofthemtotheedgeofthesofa,pickedupanoldcopyoftheLakesideNewsandpulleditintoitscomponentpages,whichhecrumpledupanddroppedontothelog.Thenewspaperpagesbrownedandthenburstintoflame.

           "Getoutside,"saidChadMulligan.

           Heopenedthewindowsastheywalkedoutofthehouse,andhesprangthelockonthefrontdoortolockitbeforeheclosedit.

           Shadowfollowedhimouttothepolicecarinhisbarefeet.Mulliganopenedthefrontpassengerdoorforhim,andShadowgotinandwipedhisfeetoffonthemat.Thenheputonhissocks,whichwereprettymuchdrybynow.

           "WecangetyousomebootsatHenning’sFarmandHome,"saidChadMulligan.

           "Howmuchdidyouhearinthere?"askedShadow.

           "Enough,"saidMulligan.Thenhesaid,"Toomuch."

           TheydrovetoHenning’sFarmandHomeinsilence.Whentheygottherethepolicechiefsaid,"Whatsizefeet?"

           Shadowtoldhim.

           Mulliganwalkedintothestore.Hereturnedwithapairofthickwoolensocks,andapairofleatherfarmboots.