A cannibalistic serial killer targeting gay men is on the loose. Devin, who has become increasingly erratic in the last two months, just split up with Gary, his lover of three years. Vanni, a habitué of the gay clubs, makes extra spending money on his knees in the club johns. Is one of these men the killer? Or will one of them instead become the killer’s next target? Detective Hollis Robbins is in charge of the case. He intends to stop the killer, if he can. When the killer strikes again the four men’s lives intertwine as the search for the murderer intensifies. Will the attraction that two of them begin to feel for each other survive the hunt? Do they have the strength to continue on after tragedy strikes and teaches them that love can be bittersweet?

The Beast Within

When he reached the sidewalk he paused, decided to eat first, and walked two blocks over to his favorite restaurant. After a good meal he was back on the sidewalk again. Music wafted out from one of the clubs across the street as a couple entered. After a moment’s consideration, he decided he had time to stop in for a beer, not at that club but another one he’d discovered when he’d first moved to the city.


The Alibi was packed but Marsh managed to snag a spot at the end of the bar just as another man left. He smiled when the bartender said “Once a week, every week,” and set a beer down in front of him.


“You’d think the world had come to an end, Mitch, if I didn’t show up,” Marsh told him, grinning. “And someday I’ll surprise you and order something else to drink.”


Mitch cocked his head to study him. “Nope, you’re a beer man down to the core.”


“Is that a compliment or a put-down?”


“Around here it’s a compliment.” Mitch saluted him then left to take care of other customers.


Chapter 42