"Now, you were going to
tell me something?"

The Border is the international boundary, the imaginary line running down the middle of the Detroit River which at the narrows separates Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. The Cities - strung along the Canadian shore - are Ojibway, Sandwich, Windsor, Walkerville, Ford City, and Riverside. The Stories are fictional, beginning roughly at the turn of the century but projected to run up until 1935 - the year the four core municipalities were amalgamated, bringing an end - at least politically - to the Border Cities.

Rather than set these up with a long-winded introduction by yours truly, I'd rather just present them this way and simply say I hope you enjoy them. I like to think there is a little something here for everyone. A couple of the stories have even been award-winners.

The vintage postcard images are an extra - providing not only an interesting visual accompaniment, but actual voices from the past.


Michael Januska

The Stories
(click on the title to go to the story)

The Lusty Beg
August 1907: Young Jack McCloskey is getting some first-hand experience in the family business. His father is one of the biggest smugglers on the Canadian shores downriver from Detroit.

Delivery
May 1915: For Archie, it's life-as-usual during wartime - odd jobs for pocket money; homework; and giving bicycle lessons to pretty girls. But there are always thoughts of what news the next letter from overseas might bring.

Evidence
January 1917: Tensions mount as the ferry Promise is caught in an ice jam on the Detroit River. Two of the passengers however seem too lost in their own world to let this prevent them from doing what needs to be done.

Not Even the River Would Have Him
May 1920: An inexperienced Detective Campbell enlists the aid of the city's coroner, Dr. Laforet to solve a crime. The river just can't keep a secret. This story took Second Prize at the Scene of the Crime Author's Festival in 2010.

The Moxleys
June, 1920: This Campbell and Laforet tale begins with a confession of murder - but no body and no murder weapon, and a doubtful witness. Either this puzzle has too many pieces or not quite enough.

Alternating Current
July 1920: The millionaire-son of a late inventor wanders the halls of his Walkerville home in search of sleep. His housekeeper thinks he should get out more and take advantage of the electricity in the air.

The Amateur Astronomer's Club
August 1920: Donald Trustcott feels trapped in a role he inherited from his father, but when he meets the lovely Susan Guildford - a stenographer at the bank branch - the world seems to open up for him. 

Enough Money for Popcorn
September 1920: Nothing is going to stop Vera Maude from catching Buster Keaton's latest two-reeler, not even a little dental surgery. A breath of fresh air before you settle into the next feature.

They Gave Him the Gears
October 1920: An accident at a Ford City factory has left a worker and the business in pieces in this Campbell and Laforet tale. This story took Third Prize at the Scene of the Crime Author's Festival in 2011.

As the Ice Melts In the Hay Barn
March 1922: A short-short story that references Detective Campbell. Death by misadventure?

(new) Vera Maude's Christmas In the Village
December, 1922: The season's first snowfall in Greenwich Village. The story is a Christmas card strung between Riverside Drive and the forthcoming Maiden Lane (May, 2015).


Where are the Border Cities?

Ojibway: Exists only as a ghostly outline on a map. It centered roughly around the present-day intersection of Ojibway Parkway and Broadway but extended as far south as Turkey Creek.

Sandwich: The Old Town survives as a wedge fanning from Prince Road east to Rankin Avenue. Its centre was at the intersection of present-day Brock and Sandwich streets.

Windsor: The keystone of the Border Cities, the original city of Windsor stretched from Partington east to Gladstone Avenue. City Hall Square has been at the heart of the city for generations.

Walkerville: A model industrial town, historic Walkerville fit snuggly between Lincoln and Walker Road (Fifth Street), but its farmland stretched deep into the county.

Ford City: Initially more of an industrial park, Ford City occupied lands from Walker Road east as far as Pillette but was concentrated around Riverside Drive and Drouillard Road.

Riverside: Primarily a residential community, Riverside extended from Ford City east as far as Little River. Its town hall was located on Lauzon Road, just south of Riverside Drive.