Illusions of Evil by Carolyn Keene

should just sell the park. Someone doesn’t want me to keep it open.” She dabbed the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “If only we knew who Matthews’s client is.”
    â€œWhat’s happening on that angle?” Carson asked Nancy.
    â€œNed went to see the realtor this afternoon,” Nancy told her father. “That reminds me, I want to check the machine at home to see if he left a message about what he discovered.”
    â€œYou can use the phone on my secretary’s desk,” her father offered.
    â€œGreat,” Nancy said, heading out of the office. She called her home number and entered the message playback code. There was a beep, then Ned’s voice:
    â€œHi, Nan, it’s Ned. Boy, do I have some news for you! I stopped by Matthews Realty. The boss was gone, so I chatted up his secretary—don’t worry, she’s not half as gorgeous as you. Anyway, she wouldn’t reveal who Larry Matthews’s client is, but she did say that Riverfront is a valuable piece of property, provided the buyer can get it zoned to suit his purposes.”
    There was a pause, then Ned’s voice started up again: “I hope this tape doesn’t run out, because there’s more. I started thinking about the zoning thing after I left Matthews’s. So, on a hunch, I went over to the Conklin Falls Hall of Records. And I found some pretty interesting stuff there.
    â€œIt turns out that back during Prohibition some old-time gangster dug a million tunnels under Riverfront for storage. In fact, the system is so extensive that the city considers the land on top of them unstable and won’t rezone the property for development of any kind. But there’s a legal loophole. The amusement park was built back when zoning regulations were less strict. It can stay there forever. It just can’t be replaced—by anything. Pretty amazing, huh?
    â€œI’m going straight back to Matthews’s now to tell him what I found out. In exchange for the information, I figure he’ll open up about who his client is. I’ll call you from home with the news.”
    Nancy put her finger on the receiver button, waited for the dial tone, and then dialed Ned’s home number. His mother answered.
    â€œHi, Mrs. Nickerson. It’s Nancy. Is Ned home yet?”
    â€œNancy,” she said, “I’m so relieved you called. Ned’s not home. In fact, he didn’t show up for his racquetball date with his father, and I’m worried about him.”
    Nancy frowned. “He was doing some legwork for a case I’m on. Maybe he got tied up,” she said.
    â€œBut it’s not like Ned not to call,” Mrs. Nickerson protested.
    Nancy had to agree, but she told Ned’s mom to stay calm. Still, she felt a twinge of concern when she hung up.
    Back in her father’s office, Nancy filled Adriana and Carson in on what Ned had learned.
    â€œTunnels beneath the park!” the magician exclaimed. “Uncle Nicos never said anything about them. I wonder if he even knew.”
    â€œIt’s strange that someone would want to buy the park if the city of Conklin Falls won’t zone the land for rebuilding,” Nancy said, trying to remember the details of Ned’s message.
    â€œYou’d think a potential buyer would know about that,” Carson put in, “or at least his realtor would.”
    â€œCould the buyer want something that’s hidden in the tunnels?” Adriana wondered aloud.
    â€œIt’s a possibility,” Nancy agreed. “But I don’t know why the person couldn’t just sneak down there and look.”
    â€œMaking an offer to purchase the park is going to a lot of trouble,” Carson said.
    â€œLook, Dad,” Nancy said, “I can’t sit still until I get to the bottom of this. I’m going back up to Conklin Falls to see if I can catch Larry Matthews. He may still be around.”
    â€œWhy not wait