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

Alan wasn’t certain what to expect, as he parked then walked down to join Jim in front of the restaurant. He’d spent some of the afternoon puzzling over why they were doing this, before deciding whatever the answer was, he’d find out over dinner. He hoped that it was only because Jim didn’t want to wait until Saturday to see him again—but he wasn’t counting on it.


When they got inside, the hostess greeted them, saying, “Your table is ready, Jim.” She took them to one along the side wall, set for two, then told them their waitress would be along momentarily. For a second, she looked at Jim as if she wanted to say something more. Then, with a shake of her head, she left.


“At least tonight, I’m not a shy guy sitting in the back corner,” Alan said.


Jim cocked his head, frowning for a second, then smiled. “Nope. This is much better, for both of us. After all, I was here on my own that evening, too.”


Chapter 23