Power of Suggestion Read Free Page A

real clear on that,” Ned told her. “The way I understand it, they’re tapes that have a hidden message underneath the music. You listen to the music and your subconscious mind hears the message.”
    Bess shot Ned a doubtful glance. “And that works?”
    â€œBeats me,” he said, laughing. “You’ll have to ask Parker about it. There’s the psych building up ahead.”
    He pointed to an ivy-covered stone building a dozen yards in front of them. There were only a few lights on inside, Nancy noticed as they approached. It looked peaceful and inviting.
    They had just reached the steps when the air was shattered by a muffled report. Nancy, Ned, and Bess froze in their tracks.
    â€œWas that a gunshot?” Bess asked, her voice a whisper.
    Nancy’s heart started pounding. “Definitely,” she said. “I think it came from inside the psych building!”
    She was halfway up the steps when the front door of the psych building flew open, and Parker Wright stumbled out. He tripped as he hit the steps and fell to his hands and knees.
    â€œParker!” Bess exclaimed, vaulting past Nancy. Nancy and Ned were right behind her. As they helped him to his feet, Nancy realized he was wearing only his jeans and sweater and he was shivering. Peering into his eyes, she saw nothing but a dazed look.
    â€œParker, what happened?” Nancy asked urgently. “Did you hear that gunshot?”
    Parker stared at her blankly. When she repeated the question, he blinked, then shook his head, as if he were trying to gather his wits. “I—I don’t know . . . the music stopped . . . he fell down . . .” he finally stammered.
    â€œWho fell, Parker? Was it Wayne?” Nancy asked.
    â€œThe song . . . the song is the same . . . always the same,” Parker babbled.
    Nancy turned to Bess and Ned, who were supporting Parker, their arms around his shoulders. “He’s not making any sense,” Nancy said. “I can’t stop thinking about that gunshot. We’ve got to find out what’s going on!”
    â€œI’ll take Parker into the lobby so he can warm up,” Bess offered. “But you guys, be careful!”
    As Bess slowly led Parker back up the stairs and into the building, Ned and Nancy raced inside. “I’m pretty familiar with the building,” Ned told her. “Edberg’s lab is this way.”
    He led Nancy down a deserted hallway, up a flight of stairs, and around a corner. Nancy’s eyes searched every inch they passed, but she didn’tsee anyone else or spot anything that looked suspicious.
    â€œIn here!” Ned said, stopping at a doorway at the end of the second-floor hallway. The door was ajar, and he pushed it open with his gloved hand.
    Nancy burst into the room right behind him and took in the scene.
    It was a small room, not much bigger than a faculty office. The first thing Nancy noticed was a mirror that covered almost an entire wall of the room. There was a door beside it. A comfortable reclining chair sat in the middle of the room, facing the mirror.
    â€œNed, look!” Nancy gasped, pointing.
    There, partially hidden by the recliner, a crumpled form lay in a pool of blood on the carpet. Ned’s face went white as he knelt beside the form.
    â€œIs it—” Nancy began.
    â€œYeah, it’s Wayne,” Ned responded, panic creeping into his voice. “He’s been shot!”

Chapter

Three
    N ANCY COULD hardly breathe as she bent down beside Wayne. Pulling off one glove, she felt his neck for a pulse. There was none.
    â€œHe’s dead,” she said, trying to ignore the sick feeling that welled up inside her.
    â€œBut who . . . ? How . . . ?” Ned’s voice trailed off as he stared down at Wayne’s body.
    â€œThat’s what we’ll have to find out,” Nancy said grimly. She was