Garner working as a waiter at an upscale restaurant with a growing attraction to a man named Alonzo, who always asks to be put in his section for dinner. One night after work, the man is assaulted while trailing Garner. Garner goes to his aid, but is shot for his trouble.<br><br>Taking time off from work to recover, Garner is resting on a park bench when Alonzo suddenly appears at the other end of the bench. Garner never saw him approach. He asks why Alonzo is trailing him.<br><br>After some hesitation, Alonzo explains he wants to recruit Garner to help fight against others who systematically hunt people like himself. Garner isn’t inclined to get involved in anything dangerous, but he does finds Alonzo more and more attractive, so he agrees to consider the idea. As he learns more about Alonzo’s bizarre and dangerous subculture, what Garner really wants to know is whether Alonzo is romantically interested in him at all.

Call to Love

He must have looked interested, for Vera said impulsively, “They’re doing a stakeout tonight, I think. And I’m invited. Why don’t you come along?” Then she hesitated and added half to herself, “I’m sure it would be okay. We could surprise them.”


Wondering why she didn`t just ask them, and despite a certain reluctance, Garner felt intrigued. Seeing Vera’s eager expression, he laughed and shrugged. “Okay. Sure. Why not?”


“I can get off at eleven tonight. Is that okay?”


“Sure! Meet me at the corner of Grenville and Barker at 11:30. Okay?” Vera looked at her watch. “Oh dear! Gotta run.” She got up and paused, looking at him with a mixture of apology and annoyance. “You were late, Garner.”


Garner nodded sheepishly. He was always late. It just sort of happened. She shook her head, kissed him quickly on the cheek, and said, “Okay. See you then! But be on time!”


Chapter 17