That statement got some affirmative murmurs from the group.
“And, Layla, I can’t tell you what to do about the Agency, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they have you under surveillance that goes beyond the security detail at your condo, so just keep that in mind.”
As Mason said those words, she wondered immediately if the tail she’d suspected from the past few weeks was CIA and had absolutely nothing to do with the cartel. She wasn’t going to verbalize that concern to the whole group, but a sick feeling formed in the pit of her stomach. If she was being watched as a result of this IG investigation, then the subject matter was even more serious than she had previously considered. Someone was really out to get her.
Mason had requested a one-on-one meeting with Hunter after the group meeting, so Layla was waiting for him in the living room. He wasn’t sure what Mason wanted, but he was open-minded as he followed Mason into the kitchen.
Mason took a quick drink of coffee. “I need you to add another project to your plate.”
“What is it?” Hunter asked.
“For now, I’m going to ask you to keep this aspect of your work to yourself. No one else, understood?”
He didn’t like the direction this conversation was going. “What is it?” he repeated. He needed more information before he made any decisions.
Mason ran his hand through his hair. “More bad news. We’ve discovered that we’re missing five hundred thousand dollars from the money seized on the op.”
Hunter felt his mouth drop open. He hadn’t been expecting that. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“And you want me to investigate the team to see if any of them took it?” Hunter assumed that would be the task.
Mason nodded. “Yes. Everyone on the op has to be investigated. That means a deep dive on financials and the money trails. Hopefully you’ll be able to exonerate the core team, and we can move on to everyone else who made the trip, but I have a bad feeling about this.”
Hunter did too. One thing he knew in his gut was that Layla was no thief. He doubted any of the team was, but his emotional reactions wouldn’t satisfy the DEA. They wanted cold, hard facts. The problem was that he was concerned this could end badly once Layla realized he was trying to dig up dirt on her—and the others. But he didn’t really have a choice in the matter. This was his job and his reputation. “I’m on it.”
“Good. We’ll have to talk to everyone about this, but first I wanted you to dig in and see what you can find. Then, after you get some investigating done, we’ll start questioning everyone.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“Any updates on the mole investigation?” Mason asked.
“Everyone is a suspect until they’re not.” Well, almost everyone.
“Even me?” Mason quirked an eyebrow.
“Yes, sir. Even you.”
Mason nodded. “I can handle that.”
“What about Layla’s involvement in this?”
“She’s not the insider. One, she doesn’t fit the profile, and even more importantly, she has only worked one op with us. There’s no way she has the connections and background to be useful to the cartel. It has to be someone who has experience working this stuff.”
Hunter wanted to make sure this was crystal clear. “So you’re okay if she provides me with input on the investigation?”
Mason nodded. “As long as you don’t bring up the money, yes. And I know she has her hands full right now with all the op fallout and the IG investigation.”
That was an understatement. “Tell me about it.”
“Anything you can share?”
“I think she’s being set up. I guess there’s a possibility the cartel is behind it, but that doesn’t sit well with me. I believe it’s something else, but we haven’t figured out what it could be yet. But I plan to keep pushing.”
“The cartel’s style is more direct. Unfortunately, we don’t have to look further than Diaz’s death to show us that. And that’s on top of all the other threats and attacks.”
“Yeah.”
“I hope you’re considering the possibility that Layla has crossed someone at the CIA—and they are seeking revenge. Agency types can be pretty brutal once you pull back the spy exterior.”
Hunter knew that fact all too well. “Yeah. We’re looking at all angles, but it’s slow going.”
“Seems like you’ll have time to work on this, and since there is a tie to Layla, I know you’ll want to get to the bottom of things.” Mason paused. “I may be overstepping my bounds here, but were the two of you a thing?”
Hunter sighed. “We used to be together years ago. It ended badly. Very badly.”
“And now?” Mason raised an eyebrow.
“We’re just trying to get through this mess, but we’re on good terms. At least I feel like we are. Who knows where things could go after all this is over. Assuming it’s ever over.”
Mason patted him on the shoulder. “It’s going to be. We’re going to take down the Mejía cartel. I can feel it. We’ve been close before, but they’re getting sloppy because Diego is acting emotionally, not as a shrewd leader. That will be their downfall.”
“I hope so. I’ll do my part.”
Mason slid a USB drive across the table. “This has everything that has been accumulated so far on both investigations, including bank records and a possible suspects list within the DEA. You’re not bound by anything on here, but use it as you see fit.”
“Thanks. I’ll start reviewing this right away and then let you know what else I might need access to.” Hunter could only hope that he wouldn’t find a traitor in their midst.
CHAPTER
NINE
The next morning at Hunter’s office, Layla sat at the large oak table, staring at the piles of paper in front of them. “I’m telling you
