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

Jim did, after taking off his jacket, collapsing on the sofa, leaning his head back. Alan went into the kitchen, returning with two cups of coffee. He handed one to Jim then sat down beside him. “How bad was it?”


“Well…the first half hour was spent with everyone dissecting what had happened and trying to come to terms with it. Some people didn’t believe Ken could have killed Neil and thought Bob was lying. Others, of course, said they suspected something was going on with him, they just didn’t know what. I came firmly down in the ‘I’m not talking’ camp.’” Jim smiled sourly. “A camp of one. Once that was over, the two men who own the theater said they’d be talking with people over the next few days who could, potentially, take over as the director—at least for the next show. If necessary, they’ll postpone the opening and keep the one that playing now running until then.”


“Makes sense to me. I hope they have some decent choices.”


Chapter 46