Summary

Chapter 10 began in a Montreal jazz club, years before Eli arrived. There sat Christopher, a detective who specialized in “malevolent patterns,” or the development of violent tendencies as a result of a traumatic childhood. After a while, his old friend Peter arrived, carrying a Bible, and asked for his help on a project. He opened the Bible to reveal Lilia’s note. Peter told Christopher that she was 11 years old and had been missing for four years. He told Peter he could find her in 10 minutes. Peter then told him that Lilia’s mother had a house in St. Jean, Canada, not far from the U.S. border. Lilia’s father, he said, was American and Lilia had dual citizenship. A salesman had discovered the note three year ago.

After leaving the club, Christopher considered his immediate fascination with Lilia’s language...