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

When the tender kiss ended, Alan sighed, whispering, “You’d better go, before…”


Jim smiled, tapping the tip of his nose. “I’ll see you Friday night.”


“Until then.” Jim stepped into the hallway, walking backward down to the elevator. “Night,” he called out when he got there.


“Night,” Alan called back. He stepped into his apartment, closing the door. “Friday can’t come too soon.”


Friday did come, and with it, an unexpected and unwanted call, as far as Jim was concerned.


“Mr. Foster, this is Detective Baines. I’ve been trying to reach you most of the day.”


“I’m sorry. I had my phone turned off.”


“So I gathered,” Baines replied dryly. “I have some news for you.”


“Part of it. Mr. Peters was arraigned this morning. A high bail was granted. However, since he can’t afford to post it, he’ll remain in jail until his trial.”


“Great. So…what’s the bad news? I’m presuming from what you said that there is some.”


Chapter 41