When the first note shows up at the restaurant where he works -- when he isn't designing costumes for a local theater -- Jim Foster laughs it off. When the notes keep coming, he doesn't find the fact that he might have a secret admirer quite so amusing. Alan North, a lonely, bookish customer at the restaurant, is too shy to even think of talking to Jim -- as much as he wants to. Then the killings begin. Two of Jim's friends are murdered in what appear to be muggings. However, the detective in charge of the cases believes they're more than that, and that Jim is either the killer ... or being stalked by one. When Jim and Alan finally connect, can they help find and stop the stalker, or will Alan end up dead before their budding relationship can become more than friendship?

His Secret Admirer

“Hell, no. It’s just coincidence that I knew Neil, and Vic. Nothing more.”


“Is it?” Detective Baines looked dead at Jim as he asked his question.


“Yes, damn it! What are you implying?”


“Absolutely nothing. Just asking, is all. Did Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Howe know each other?”


“Not that I know of. Neil’s…Neil waspretty much of a homebody. Vic? Well, he liked to hang out at the clubs.”


Detective Baines closed his notebook. “That’s all I need from you for the moment. If I think of anything else, I’ll be in touch. I’d appreciate it if you’d call if anything occurs to you that you think I should know.”


He handed Jim a business card, which Jim immediately dropped on the side table as he said, “I have one more question. If Neil was killed early Saturday morning, why wasn’t it on the news?”


“We’re downplaying what happened, for the time being. We don’t want the news outlets speculating that there might be someone targeting gay men. That only gives the crazies ideas.”


Chapter 13