Американские боги

           EitherI’ll…"Andhemadeagunofhisfirsttwofingers,andputthefingertipsintohisopenmouth,andremovedthem."…putabulletthroughmybrain.OrI’llwaitanothercoupleofdaysuntiltheiceismostlygone,andtieaconcreteblocktomylegandjumpoffthebridge.Orpills.Sheesh.MaybeIshouldjustdriveawhile,outtooneoftheforests.Takepillsoutthere.Idon’twanttomakeoneofmyguyshavetodotheclean-up.Leaveitforthecounty,huh?"Hesighed,andshookhishead.

           "Youdidn’tkillHinzelmann,Chad.Hediedalongtimeago,alongwayfromhere."

           "Thanksforsayingthat,Mike.ButIkilledhim.Ishotamanincoldblood,andIcovereditup.AndifyouaskedmewhyIdidit,whyIreallydidit,I’mdarnedifIcouldtellyou."

           Shadowputoutahand,touchedMulliganonthearm."Hinzelmannownedthistown,"hesaid."Idon’tthinkyouhadalotofchoiceaboutwhathappenedbackthere.Ithinkhebroughtyouthere.Hewantedyoutohearwhatyouheard.Hesetyouup.Iguessitwastheonlywayhecouldleave."

           Mulligan’smiserableexpressiondidnotchange.Shadowcouldseethatthepolicechiefhadbarelyheardanythingthathehadsaid.HehadkilledHinzelmannandbuilthimapyre,andnow,obeyingthelastofHinzelmann’sdesires,orsimplybecauseitwastheonlythinghecoulddotolivewithhimself,hewouldcommitsuicide.