chapter 4: The Job

Rory received the details of the job the next day, via a secure email from Julian. She read through the instructions carefully, her heart racing with excitement and nerves.

The job was to create a forgery of a rare and valuable painting, one that was currently on display at a museum in New York. The painting was called "The Whispering Lady," and it was said to be worth millions.

Rory's task was to create a perfect replica of the painting, one that would fool even the most discerning eye. She would have to work quickly, as the museum was hosting a charity gala in just a few days' time, and Julian wanted the forgery to be ready by then.

Rory felt a surge of adrenaline as she read through the instructions. This was the biggest job she'd ever taken on, and she was determined to get it right.

Rory's eyes narrowed as she studied the forgery. She had been so careful, so meticulous in her work. But now, as she looked closer, she saw it - a small, almost imperceptible detail that seemed out of place.

It was a tiny brushstroke, one that didn't quite match the rest of the painting. Rory's heart sank as she realized that she had made a mistake.

She felt a surge of panic as she wondered what Julian would say. Would he reject the forgery? Would he refuse to pay her?

Rory took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She could fix the mistake, she told herself. She could make it perfect.

She worked tirelessly, re-painting the tiny brushstroke and re-touching the surrounding area. As she worked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

She glanced over her shoulder, but she was alone. The studio was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner.

Rory shivered, despite the warmth of the studio. She felt a sense of unease, a feeling that something was off.

But she pushed the feeling aside and continued to work. She had to get the forgery perfect, no matter what.

As the sun began to set, Rory finally finished the forgery. She stepped back to admire her work, her eyes scanning the painting for any imperfections.

But as she looked closer, she saw something that made her heart skip a beat. A small, almost imperceptible message, hidden in the brushstrokes of the painting.

Rory's eyes widened as she realized what it meant. Julian had included a secret message in the forgery, one that only she could see.

But why? And what did it mean?