RADIO | AUDIO | some idle curiosity

[skeletonenigma]

[The message over the handsets is short, succinct, and to the point. Long story short: the detective is bored, so the first thought to capture some of his idle curiosity gets put to the Foreigners at large.]

Who else has received letters from themselves?

Comments

[redlightgreenlight]

Because I don't remember writing it...and I'm pretty sure I haven't touched a bible in years.

[skeletonenigma]

[Ah. A cryptic Bible passage. That's new.]

Does it tell you anything useful?

[redlightgreenlight]

It might if I knew what that particular verse said, but Psalms is a rather long section and I'm afraid I do not have it memorized.

[skeletonenigma]

You need a Bible.

[He hesitates.]

Well, if you don't mind my knowing the details, I can probably tell you what the passage is.

[redlightgreenlight]

There really isn't much to it, it simply said Psalm 139:12.
.

[skeletonenigma]

[Leaving aside some of the more pretentious language which fell out of fashion with the passing centuries...]

'Even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to you.'

[It has the rhythmic cadence of someone who once memorised it for a purpose, and recited it often enough not to notice or care what the words actually said. The minor pauses are because of changes in wording, but even those minor pauses seem somehow rehearsed.]

Does that tell you anything useful?

[redlightgreenlight]

Not particularly...

[But she doesn't sound entirely certain]

How do you have that memorized?

[skeletonenigma]

A long childhood filled with tedious tutors and a totalitarian father. Are you sure?

[redlightgreenlight]

Quite sure.

[Said sharply]

[skeletonenigma]

[So 'no', in other words, but none of Skulduggery's business. Or possibly something Valdis isn't willing to admit to herself yet. The content of the verse is more than enough to satisfy Skulduggery's sharper curiosity.]

Well, I'm glad I could help.

[redlightgreenlight]

Thank you. [More softly, and then she disconnects]