THE RIVER THAT RUNS BACKWARD

Chapter One: The Empty Evidence Bag The evidence bag on Sheriff Patel’s desk was empty. Eli Carter stared through the clear plastic window and felt the same cold twist in his stomach that he had felt when the black truck appeared at his grandfather’s cabin. The bag’s label read: BLACK COMPASS— RECOVERED SEPT. 29. But the compass was gone. “It was here this morning,” Sheriff Patel said. She did not sound angry. She sounded careful, which was worse. “The room was locked. No forced entry. Only two other people had authorized access.” “Gideon Voss?” Mason asked. “Mr. Voss has no access to my evidence room.” Nora leaned closer to the desk. “Was anything else taken?” “Nothing.” Sofia crossed her arms. “So whoever took it wanted the compass specifically.” Eli thought of the note found with it: