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

“This is good,” Alan said a few minutes later, after tasting everything. “Almost as good as the food at Laterza’s.”


“Maybe because that’s where I got it?” Jim winked.


When they finished eating, Jim cleared the table after telling Alan to go sit on the sofa. “And don’t argue. I’m quite capable of washing a few dishes, believe it or not. Hell, if Callie was here, I’d let her lick the plates clean.”


“Callie?” Alan asked as he complied, settling on the sofa with his coffee.


“My cat. She’s a mixed-breed stray I adopted. Do you like cats?” He hoped Alan did, or they might have a problem.


“I do. I’ve never owned one, though, or—” Alan grinned, “—been owned by one, which I think is what happens when it comes down to it.”


“No kidding. You’ll like her, I think. More to the point, she’ll like you. I’ll introduce you someday soon.”


“That means, I get to see where you live,” Alan said, almost under his breath.


Chapter 34