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

“In case you all have forgotten,” he called, “and I had until a minute ago, Monday is Christmas.”


“It can’t be. I’m not ready,” someone called out.


“I am,” one of Jim’s crew replied. “But then I have kids. I don’t have a choice.” She groaned, getting laughs from everyone else.


“Do you have any plans?” Alan asked Jim.


“Nope. Hell, I don’t even have a tree. I did remember to buy stuff to send to my folks, but that was a couple of weeks ago, online.” Alan shook his head. “Modern day Christmas shopping. Spend half an hour visiting websites, deciding on things they probably don’t need, then having them gift wrapped and sent off to them. The impersonal, personal touch.”


Jim laughed. “Same here, but I’ve got an excuse. I didn’t have the time, or the energy, to get my ass out to a real store.”


“If you want, we can fix Christmas dinner at my place. Then go downtown to see the lights.”


Chapter 51