Disturb Read Online Free Page A

Disturb
Book: Disturb Read Online Free
Author: J.A. Konrath
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fatigue. Lack of sleep makes a person physically tired. Before Manny was put on the drug, we did a series of control scores. Prior to N-Som, he could stay on a Stairmaster for three hours before collapsing from exhaustion.”
    Bill studied Theena. She was acting like a professional again. Part of him was disappointed.
    “And while he was on N-Som?”
    “We had to quit at nine hours because the machine blew a gear.”
    She took him to a room across the hallway. Bill recognized several machines, including an EEG and an oscilloscope. Both were in operation, the electroencephalogram drawing a jagged polygraph line on an endless ream of paper.
    “Is someone being tested right now?”
    “Those are Manny’s. He has remote sensors surgically implanted in his scalp, and they send the signal here. It’s the only way to be sure he never sleeps, since it is almost impossible to watch him twenty-four hours a day.”
    Bill was familiar enough to interpret the data. The frequency of the peaks and troughs indicated beta waves. Manny was awake and aware. Curiosity made Bill flip through the pile of folded pages, all with the same, continuous pattern.
    He looked for a variation which would indicate unconsciousness. Delta, theta, or spindle waves were obvious signs of sleep; the frequency would slow and the voltage would increase, making bigger and wider peaks. But he couldn’t even find alpha waves.
    “Doesn’t he ever close his eyes?”
    “Amazing, isn’t it? Normally closed eyes slow down electrical activity, because the brain isn’t being visually stimulated. Manny’s brain remains in beta, even when he keeps his eyes closed for hours.”
    “Shouldn’t this show when he was put under for his operation last night?”
    “Manny didn’t go under. He insisted on a local anesthetic.”
    “To repair a collapsed lung?”
    “He didn’t want to jeopardize the experiment.”
    Bill thought about invasive surgery while being conscious. He shuddered. The guy was either very committed, or out of his mind.
    The EEG needle began to move faster, the small peaks and troughs so close together it was hard to see the cycles between them.
    “What’s happening now?”
    Theena looked closely at the readouts and frowned.
    “Beta 2 waves. I’ve seen this before, usually when he’s very irritated, or having an argument. But the police have a guard on him, and no one is allowed into his hospital room.”
    “Maybe some reaction to medication.”
    “No. He’s not on any medication.”
    “Not even antibiotics?”
    “He doesn’t need them. His immune system is incredible.” Theena pursed her lips. “No, he’s definitely arguing with somebody. I wonder who?”

“H ow did you get in here?”
    Manny’s voice was high pitched, frantic. The flimsy hospital gown he wore made him feel even more vulnerable.
    David smiled at him.
    “Your armed guard is taking a nap outside. Remember naps, Manny? Don’t you miss them?”
    Manny tried to rise out of the hospital bed, but David put a hand on his shoulder.
    “Don’t bother getting up. I won’t stay long. Pity about Dr. Nikos, isn’t it? You know what I saw in his eyes when I slit his throat? Not fear. Not pain. Just disappointment. It was delicious. How’s your chest?”
    David lifted up Manny’s gown and peeked.
    “Looks nasty. What is that tube?”
    Manny tried to melt into his mattress.
    “A drain.”
    “Does it hurt?”
    David prodded at the protruding plastic, pinching it between his fingers. Manny forced courage.
    “What do you want, David? Did you come back to finish the job?”
    “I wasn’t after you, Manny. You know that. But you tried to get in the way. Don’t you see the only way we can be free is if the experiment ends?”
    “I told the cops.”
    David grinned, patting his brother on the cheek.
    “No, you didn’t. You lied to them. I know you did. Now—who should we kill next?”
    “Please…”
    “How about the computer geek, Dr. Townsend? All those ridiculous graphs
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