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6
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The next day Mort immediately began his job. He decided to visit a friend that he had tracked down of the previous owner of his client's book, Mr. Milner.
Mort arrived at the house, by taxi of course. This was no house, though. It was a mansion. He sat in the main hall, gazing at the vast luxury as he waited.
Whilst eyeing various expensive paintings on the wall, a woman came down the stairs. It was Liana Telfer, friend of the so-called Mr. Milner. And boy, was she fine.
She looked Mort over and then made her way over.
"Good morning. Mort Corso." He said, getting up and approaching her. "Terribly sorry to disturb you at a time like this."
Liana motioned for Mort to follow her into the living room and sat in the armchair that faced the couch. She crossed her legs and looked at Mort.
Mort sat down on the couch with his bag between his feet. He bent over, opened it, and produced 'The Nine Gates'.
Liana involuntarily stiffened at sight of it.
"Um... It would be very helpful, ma'am, if you could tell me what you know about this book," Mort said, holding it out to her. After a momentary pause, Liana slowly reached for the book. She opened it at random, turned a page or two.
She looked back up at him, "Isn't this one of my friend, Milner's?" She asked.
"Right. It was in his collection until very recently. He sold it to a client of mine. I'm trying to authenticate it," Mort explained.
"He sold it, you say? How strange. This was one of his most treasured possessions," Liana said.
"He never mentioned the sale?" Mort asked, curiously.
"No. It's news to me. Who bought it?" Liana asked, trying to sound casual.
"A private collector," Mort replied.
"May I know his name?" Liana asked.
"I'm afraid that's confidential," Mort replied. He smiled a small friendly smile at her.
"I suppose he has a bill of sale?" Liana asked.
"No problem there," Mort replied.
"Is this your job, authenticating rare books?" Liana asked.
"And tracking them down, yes, " Mort added.
A smile spread over her face. "You're a book detective."
Mort smiled back. "Kind of...," He said and paused."Do you know when and where Milner acquired this book?" Mort asked.
"In Spain. He and I were vacationing together in Toledo at the time. He got very excited -- paid a great deal of money for it. He's a fanatical collector," Liana explained.
"So I gather," Mort said.
Liana placed 'The Nine Gates' on the coffee table and stood up.
"Well, Mr. Corso. I've got some business that I need to take care of now. It would be best if you would go," Liana said.
Mort nodded, understandingly. He was disappointed, though, because he hadn't had the chance to ask her what he wanted. But, he stood up as well to follow her to the doorway. Suddenly, he stopped and turned back to the coffee table. He picked up the book, placed it back into his bag, and then proceeded with following her.
"Look," Liana said, walking ahead of him. She pointed to some shelves lining the walls that were filled with books. "I'm a bit of a collector, myself," She said.
Mort followed behind her, staring at her rear. "Magnificent...," Mort commented. Reluctantly, he dragged his eyes away from Liana and surveyed the crowded shelves. "Really magnificent...," He said, and walked over to inspect the bookshelves.
Liana looked at her watch and made a face. "Goodbye, Mr. Corso," Liana said, opening the front door of the mansion.
A terribly important question suddenly came to mind, "Did he ever try it out?" Mort asked, walking into the open doorway.
Liana frowned at him, "I don't understand."
"The book -- did Mr. Milner ever use it to perform some kind of ritual intended to... well produce a supernatural effect?" Mort asked.
She uttered a small laugh. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely," Mort insisted.
She laughed again. "My friend's a trifle eccentric, Mr. Corso, but he's not insane. It's true that's he's always acted a bit strange," She said and paused. She looked at Mort. "But whatever he was up to, I certainly can't see him chanting mumbo-jumbo or trying to raise the dead."
Mort smiled at her and patted his book bag. "The Devil, Mrs. Telfer. This book is designed to raise the Devil."