“They wouldn’t tell me. I heard one of the Sensitives had a vision that they were getting worried about…The Detectives don’t really tell me this stuff. I’m not exactly high on the, you know, the totem pole.”

Skulduggery wandered over, hands in his pockets, seemingly back to his old self. “You’re not here to arrest me, are you?”

Weeper shrank away. “I…I don’t know.”

“Because technically, I have broken no laws recently. I didn’t rescue myself, now did I?”

“I suppose not…”

“So it’s Valkyrie you’re after, is that right?”

“Uh, yes.”

“Excellent.”

“Although…” said Weeper hesitantly.

“Although?”

“Technically, you’ve just assaulted me and I’m a Sanctuary agent.”

“Well, yes,” Skulduggery said, “but you’re not a very good one, are you? I mean, they told you to watch my house. That’s not exactly a high-profile case you’re running. How long have you been watching my house?”

“Uh, three…three months.”

“Three months. And what is the result of your investigation? Has my house been involved in any illegal activities? Has it robbed a bank? Has it mugged anyone?”

“No…”

“Has it moved, even a little?”

“I don’t…think so…”

“Made a prank phone call?”

“No.”

“I see. And just now, did I run you off the road? Or did you crash, all by yourself?”

“I suppose I, uh, crashed.”

“And I pulled you from the wreckage, did I not? That car could have exploded for all you know. I saved your life and now you want to arrest me for it?”

“Well, not any more…”

“I’m glad to hear it. Do you want to stand up?”

“Yes, please.”

“Stand.”

Weeper stood.

“My friends have been taken into custody,” Skulduggery said. “Ghastly Bespoke and Tanith Low. What do you know about it?”

“Just what I heard on the updates. They broke into the Sanctuary and one of them assaulted Detective Marr.”

“Marr,” Skulduggery murmured. “Davina Marr? American?”

“That’s her,” Valkyrie said.

“Oh, she hates me,” said Skulduggery. “For no reason, I might add. At least no reason that I care about. Snivelling boy, will you tell the Grand Mage that I have returned, and from what you have seen, I have been slightly unhinged by my dreadful experiences in an alternate dimension? Could you also tell him that I would appreciate it if he released my friends at his earliest convenience?”

“Yes. OK. Sure.”

“And then threaten to shoot him.”

“Uh…I don’t know if that’s wise…”

“Nonsense,” Skulduggery said, patting him on the shoulder. “The Grand Mage hates getting shot. It’s quite funny. You’ll be fine. Run along now.”

“Can I…can I get back in my car?”

Skulduggery pondered the question and shook his head. “No.”

Weeper sagged.

16 THE TEMPLE

16
THE TEMPLE

“You’re quiet,” Skulduggery said when they were back on the road.

“I am,” Valkyrie agreed.

“Are you in awe of me?”

“Something like that.”