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

He was so involved in the story that, unbelievably, he wasn’t aware that Jim was standing there until he said, “Another mystery?”


“Sort of,” Alan replied, looking up at him. “Based on a murder in Savannah, but in nineteen-eighty-one.” He showed him the cover.


Jim chuckled. “You have a thing for the south?”


“Not really. I found both of them at a yard sale.”


“I wish I had a chance to go to some of them, but by the time I get off, most of the people have shut down. Anyway, your usual?”


Alan thought for a moment then shook his head. “I’m going to be daring and try the French toast.”


Alan had to check the menu to see what he meant, since he’d ordered without thinking. “I’ll live dangerously and get the fancy, and hope I don’t fall asleep at work when the sugar rush wears off.”


Jim grinned. “I think you’re finally beginning to loosen up. Do you mind if I ask what you do?”


“Probably just what you’d expect from looking at me. “


Chapter 18