The Source

Part 1

"Another successful mission, Nathaniel. Tell the boss I'll see her later tonight at the usual spot, same time as always." 

Nate released the breath that he had been holding in. Last time Freen had to turn off her microphone so the radio frequencies wouldn't be detected. She did the same this time, just to get his panties in a twist.

"Roger that miss Freen. Enjoy the event. I'll inform The Source." 

Freen put away her phone and smiled to herself completely certain that no one had noticed what she did. That was the beauty of how she worked. She stole the real paintings but made sure to first have almost a replica. By the time the art gallery realized that it had been robbed any evidence had already been erased from the scene and any video footage of the security cameras.

The guards and the police were thinking that the thief that they now called The Artist was going to rob one of the items of the bidding war as they did a few months ago, but Freen decided on a new strategy. A less important painting that barely anyone paid attention to was worth more money to The Source than the ones in the bidding war. If she stole those it would imply breaking into the owner's home, which would be much trickier and the risk of getting caught was higher. She also had the advantage that the media made it seem like The Artist was a man. It was kind of misogynistic, but she wasn't going to fight it. Only one news reporter ever thought of the possibility that it could be a woman, but the police dismissed it immediately when The Source implanted evidence to make it look like The Artist was a man.

As the bidding war progressed a certain 34-year-old cop piqued Freen's interest and attention. She had seen her before, but not as close as right now. She was sitting in the front row three chairs away looking all around the room. Freen could tell the young woman was an experienced cop because of her demeanor although her beautiful face said otherwise. Freen had her and the whole police station investigated to make sure none of them were clever enough to mess with her plans. She found herself re-reading the woman's file. If she weren't a cop Freen certainly would have hit that already, but we all know that will happen eventually. Their eyes met for a second, but they looked away when the host spoke.

"Thank you everyone for the past five bids. Between the art gallery and many charity foundations, I'm sure all of you have helped thousands of families and children all around the world. And now for an oil painting of the year 1630 by French artist Georges de la Tour called The Fortune Teller with a current value of 50 million dollars. Let's start the bidding at 75 million. Is anyone going for 75 million?" 

Someone raised their hand. Good lord... Why would I spend 75 million dollars on a painting when I could buy three to four houses? Rich people are so weird. Anyways, moving on. 

"75 million going once. Is anyone up for paying 80 million? That beautiful young woman in the back 80 million going once, going twice." 

Young woman?? That woman must be older than 100. 

"Do I hear 85 million?" 

Three other idiots, I mean people, raised their hands. 

"Ok, there's three of you. Do I hear 90 million dollars?" 

They all lowered their hands. 

"95 million? 100 million dollars?" 

Freen raised her hand. Why?? Why would you do that? Why waste your money on a painting? I am much, much cheaper than that and I'll take care of you and Becky for free if she also wants to join. (laughs/crickets chirping/clears throat).