The Detroit Electric Scheme (43 page)

I turned over his words in my mind as I watched him walk out the door. Riordan was right. Everyone
was
guilty of something.

But not everyone had been punished.

 

While there are many genuine historical characters in this book, it is a work of fiction. I have done my best to make the actions and personalities of the characters consistent with the historical record, but have taken liberties with the particular events that occur in this book. (Note: Detroit Electric was a real and thriving electric car company in 1910, and the mileage records are real, which makes one wonder about the advancements, or lack thereof, in battery technology over the past hundred years.)

Many people are responsible for the good things in
The Detroit Electric Scheme.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank my early readers—the people who gave me good suggestions and much needed support throughout the writing of this book—Shelly, Nicole, Grace, and Hannah Johnson, and Yvonne Cooper. I can't thank you enough for the help you've given me.

Thanks to the UICA Writers Workshop, the crucible that molded the book to its current form—with particular thanks to Steve Beckwith, who has no qualms about beating my ideas into submission, Albert Bell, whose support and guidance over the past four years has been crucial to whatever success I can claim, and also to Christine Ansorge, Patrick Cook, Greg Dunn, Vic Foerster, Jane Griffioen, Fred Johnson, Norma Lewis, Karen Lubbers, Roger Meyer, Paul Robinson, Dawn
Schout, and Nathan TerMolen, as well as the others who orbit the strange planet that is our writers group.

Thanks to Marc Schupan, who gave me a nudge in the right direction at a crucial time in my life, Galen Handy, the last vestige of Detroit Electric, who so unselfishly shared his time and a wealth of information about the company (and gave me the idea that led to the opening scene), Greg Rapp, for vetting the legal aspects of the story, Emilie Savas and Yvonne Cooper, for medical advice, the Benson Ford Research Center at the Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Public Library and their National Automotive History Collection, the Michigan State Library, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Gilmore Car Museum. The information given to me by these people and organizations was priceless. All mistakes are mine.

Thanks to Cherry Weiner for believing the book had potential, and to Daniela Rapp—first of all for liking the book, but also for making the editing process so painless.

Finally, I'd like to thank Loren Estleman, without whose help this book may not have been noticed.