---
12
---
Mort made his way across town to 'Bernie's book store'. Bernie was slightly a friend of his.
He lay the book open across Bernie's desk.
"Son of a bitch... Where did you get this?" Bernie asked, both jealous and amazed at the same time.
"This guy Balkan. He wants me to research it," Mort said.
"He owns a 'Nine Gates'?" Bernie asked, still amazed.
"Recently acquired from a Mr. Milner," Mort explained. "Or so I'm told..," He muttered to himself, thinking of his strange encounter that morning with the man that calls himself 'John Shooter'
"What's that?" Bernie asked, not hearing Mort's second phrase.
Mort shook his head, "Nothing."
Bernie shrugged and continued, "Trust this Balkan. What does he need you for? I don't suppose he plans to sell it," Bernie said.
"He wants me to compare it with the other two surviving copies which are in Portugal and France. Therefore, I'm off to Europe," Mort explained, smiling faintly.
"Compare it?" Bernie asked.
"Yeah. Only one of the three is authentic, he says."
"Well, this one looks genuine enough. Christ, it's gotta be worth a million. Take care of it," Bernie said, still gushing over the book.
"That's why I'm here. I need you to stash it for me. I'm starting to uh.. see things," Mort said, somewhat nervous at his 'friend's' reaction.
Bernie stared at him for a moment, then spoke, "Like what?"
"Uninvited visitors, unfamiliar faces. I don't trust anyone, not even Balkan. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure I trust you."
"You know I wouldn't screw you without a good reason. Money; Women; Business. Anything else, you can relax," Bernie said.
Mort tapped on the book with his finger. "You'll answer for this with your balls, Bernie," Mort said. It had sounded cynical, but Mort was actually serious.
Bernie didn't pick up on the seriousness, "Sure, man, sure. You can castrate me personally," Bernie said, grinning.
"I'll pick it up later," Mort said.
"No problem," Bernie said.
He continued to gush over the book, turned another page. "These engravings are terrific!" Bernie exclaimed."
Mort leaned over Bernie's shoulder. The book was open to an engraving of a man hung up from a rope by his leg. The engraving somewhat disturbed him. "Or horrific, whichever."
Bernie nodded absently. He smiled to himself, still totally taken aback with the book. "Beautiful, just beautiful..."