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From
Cameron's Eye,
Elliott Smith mystery #5:
07-31-14
"Hmm.
So tell me a little more about the place. You said it was from the
eighteen-sixties? On Mohawk? Wasn't that whole area lost in the Fire?"
"Ah, I see you know your Fire history. But only a part of Mohawk
burned. It missed Cameron's place by less than two blocks to the south
and a short distance to the east—I checked it out. The fire took
everything from there east to the lake and north, roughly paralleling
Mohawk, to Fullerton, where it finally stopped."
Elliott had always been fascinated by the Chicago Fire, and had heard
various accounts of its exact boundaries, but he knew that Larry was
nothing if not thorough in checking his facts.
"Interesting. So tell me more about the building."
"It's a classic two-and a half story, brick, pitched roof. I really
think you'd like it. But here's the thing; Fred and the family are
understandably anxious to sell it so that probate can close. You'd have
to act fast."
"So it's an empty shell with four walls and a roof?"
"Exactly. But a classic, pre-Great Fire shell with a hell of a lot of
potential for someone like you. Apparently a couple members of the
family don't think anyone will take it in its present condition and
want to just knock it down and sell the land. That would be a real
shame!"
"When can I see it?"
"As soon as I can set it up."
"Okay. Give me a call."
"Will do."
When he disconnected and put the phone back in his pocket, Steve was
looking at him, smiling.
"I gather the vacation is over?"
Elliott gave him a small grin and a nod. "Afraid so."
"What was that about the Chicago Fire? And who disappeared?"
"Larry's found a pre-Fire property he thinks I might be interested in.
It belonged to Cameron King—I'm sure you've heard of him: The House of
King fashions?"
Steve gave a slow head nod of recognition.
"Oh, yeah: fashion photographer turned fashion designer. I remember the
big to-do when he disappeared. They never found his body, I understand."
"Right. It was a real mystery. His sailboat was found abandoned in Lake
Michigan, and the dingy always towed behind it was missing. They found
it a week or so later about twenty miles from the boat.
King liked taking the boat out alone, and there were no signs of foul
play."
"Interesting."
"That it is. So, I'd like you to come with me when I look at his
building. It could be interesting." |
