The hotel suite smells like coffee and electronics as I enter, the hum of multiple devices creating a background buzz that feels like the team's heartbeat. Hardison is hunched over a laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard, while Eliot sharpens a knife at the kitchen counter with meticulous attention.

Nate looks up from the table covered with files and photos when I close the door behind me. "You're late," he says without accusation, gesturing to the empty chair beside him.

"Got held up at the Met - ran into an old contact who might have information on Michaels' authentication process," I explain, sliding into the seat and opening my tablet. "He confirmed what we suspected - Michaels relies heavily on provenance documents and rarely does a proper technical analysis."

Parker drops down from the ceiling vent with a soft thud, causing me to jump despite myself. She grins, obviously pleased with the reaction. "The roof access is clear," she reports. "I could be in and out of the gallery's HVAC system in under three minutes."

"Not yet," Nate says, tapping a photo of a Thomas Rosenstern landscape. "First we need the centerpiece. Hardison, you heard from your brother?"

Hardison looks up, a smile tugging at his lips. "Neal's in. He'll be here in an hour with the initial sketches for the forgery. He wants to go over the Rosenstern technique with our resident art expert." He nods at me meaningfully.

"Just so we're clear," Eliot says, setting down his knife with a sharp click, "I don't care how good he is at drawing - if he tries any funny business, I'm taking him down."

"Relax, Eliot," Hardison says, rolling his eyes. "Neal's family. He's got more reason to hate Michaels than any of us - guy rejected his job application years ago."

The doorbell rings, and Tara moves to answer it with a practiced smile that could charm a safe open. "Showtime," she says. "Let's see if this forger lives up to his reputation."

As the team positions themselves subtly around the room, each ready to assess Neal Caffrey from their unique perspective, I adjust my position to get the best view. The success of the entire operation hinges on this man's talent - and on my ability to ensure the forgery is convincing enough to fool a man who's made his living appraising art.