Midnight Caller by Diane Burke

The excerpts come from a book, Midnight Caller - Diane Burke, as indicated by the title page information and dedication to the author's family and professional contacts at the beginning of the text. The narrative centers on Erin O'Malley, a single mother with a son, Jack, who has cerebral palsy, who becomes the target of a serial killer known as "Death." Detective Tony Marino, who initially connects with Erin while on Easter Bunny duty for a Wish for the Stars Foundation fundraiser, quickly becomes personally and professionally involved as the killer's profile matches Erin, and her best friend, Carol Henderson, becomes the killer's latest victim. The killer, revealed to be Mr. Peters, a hospital janitor and children's clown, targets single mothers of children with special needs due to his own childhood trauma and a distorted sense of duty to facilitate adoptions. Tony is shot while protecting Erin, but both survive, and the killer is apprehended after Erin defends herself with Tony's gun, leading to Tony and Erin finally accepting their mutual feelings despite Erin’s reluctance to date a police officer.