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

“You really are a wonderful person, Vera.”


“No,” he said firmly. “You are.”


“Well—thanks.” She gave him a final kiss on the cheek. “I’d better go. The taxi’s still waiting—like you told him to,” she added, frowning at him.


“Of course!” he said defiantly. And, as she turned and started to walk toward the stairs, he added, “And I’m payingthe fare.”


Without turning, Vera waved her hand, and Garner turned, chuckling, and went inside. When he had closed the door, he leaned back against it, still chuckling.


“Man!” he murmured. “This stuff is good.”6: Pain


Chapter 23