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

The lady in question stretched, yawned, then jumped down to stroll casually over to Alan. He bent to pet her, getting a low purr in response.


“She’s lovely,” Alan said, petting her again.


“Keep that up, and she’ll be your friend for life.” An idea that Jim liked, because for it to happen meant that Alan would be around for a long time to come.


“Are you going to show me around?” Alan asked. “I’m nosy.”


“You bet. Here we have the grand salon.” Jim waved his arm to encompass the living-dining room. Off to your right is the epicurean kitchen. Here—” he opened one of the doors on the other side of the living room, “—is the palatial master bedroom, and last—” he opened the second door, “—the bathing facility.”


Alan was laughing by the time Jim had finished playing tour guide, which had been Jim’s intention. “Feel free to explore at your leisure while I put dinner on the table. I have coffee or wine. Which would you like?”


“A small glass of wine, maybe? But just one.”


Chapter 38