“I tend to believe that, too, but the heat is on everyone except you.”
“That’s because I haven’t done enough DEA-related work to cultivate the types of relationships needed to pull this off.” She thought for a moment. “But the rest of the team has.”
“That’s where we need to begin. If we can clear people, then we can move on to the next person and at least narrow down the pool of possibilities. I’ve printed out everything from the file that Mason gave me.”
“You’ve worked with Zane and Mason before. You don’t think it could be them, do you?”
Hunter shook his head. “No, but I told Mason I wouldn’t cut any corners. So I still need to review their files and look for any red flags. But before all of that, I wanted to see if you’d be interested in helping out with interviews of other DEA personnel.”
“Of course. Who are we targeting first?” She might as well stay busy and help Hunter, because she couldn’t do any work for the Agency right now, and sitting around twiddling her thumbs wasn’t an option.
“There are two people who have worked with Cass and Zane. Mason pretty much told them they needed to cooperate. The first one should be here any minute.”
“Name?”
“Darnell Lopez. Forty-five, been with the DEA for fifteen years. Before that, he was a cop. Solid record.”
“I don’t think I’ve met him, but honestly, everything was so fast and furious with preparing for our Honduras op that I know I don’t remember everyone I met at the DEA.”
Layla took a few minutes to study Darnell’s file so she could be helpful in the interview, although she planned to defer to Hunter, since this was his gig. She’d only pipe in if she thought she could be useful.
It occurred to her that she was completely focused on the investigation—and not letting her thoughts be preoccupied with the past or even the present with Hunter. She thought that was a big step forward for her and an important piece of being able to leave the past in the past. Maybe Viv had been right all along and this was exactly what she needed to get some real closure once and for all.
When Darnell entered Hunter’s office, she rose from her seat and introduced herself, but she kept her State Department cover firmly intact. It wasn’t unusual for State and the DEA to work closely together. Darnell had jet-black wavy hair and big brown eyes, but she definitely didn’t remember meeting him before.
“Thanks for coming in on such short notice.” Hunter offered him coffee, and they all sat around the table.
“Mason said it was important, so here I am,” Darnell said. “Although I will tell you that I’ve already talked to the internal investigators at length. Twice, actually.”
Hunter nodded. “I’m sorry if this will be redundant, but we’re just trying to get to the truth.”
“If the DEA decided to hire a PI, it has to be serious.” Darnell’s dark eyes shifted from Hunter to Layla. “I’m an open book. Ask away.”
Hunter opened the folder in front of him. “Let’s talk about your experience with a few people, starting with Zane Carter.”
“Zane is the real deal. We had an instant connection because we were both Marines. If you’re looking for someone dirty, Zane is not your man.”
“You say that with a lot of confidence,” Layla said.
Darnell focused on her. “You’re right, but I have no hesitation in doing so. Zane is the type of guy you want to have your back in a fight. He’s fiercely loyal. And he’s not driven by power or money or anything like that. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and truly wants to help people, and that’s a rare find, in my opinion.”
She looked over at Hunter, who was jotting down notes.
“Zane never expressed any frustrations to you about promotions or anything like that?” Hunter asked.
Darnell shook his head. “No. We’ve never even talked about promotions, period.”
It was clear that Darnell wasn’t going to speak one ill word against Zane, but she let Hunter finish up his line of questioning.
“All right,” Hunter said, shifting topics a few minutes later. “What about Cass Ruiz?”
Darnell laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Layla asked.
“The fact that anyone could think Cass is a double agent is laughable. She’s a firecracker. One of the toughest agents I know—man or woman. Strongly committed to the DEA’s mission. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“Money can convince a lot of people to do things they would not otherwise do,” Hunter said. “Even good people can be corrupted.”
Darnell nodded. “But nothing Cass has ever done would make me question her.”
“But you didn’t have an absolute reaction like you did to Zane,” Layla had to point out.
“True. I can’t be as certain about Cass because I don’t know her as well as I do Zane, but I still think she’s clean. You asked my opinion, and I’m giving it to you.”
Hunter shifted in his seat. “What about this—is there anyone you’ve ever worked with at the DEA who you do believe could have divided loyalty?”
Darnell didn’t immediately respond. Layla wondered what he was keeping to himself.
“The answer I could give you is one you won’t like,” Darnell said.
“I don’t have an agenda here except getting to the truth,” Hunter said. “Don’t give us a sanitized version. The truth is the truth.”
“I appreciate hearing you say that.” Darnell took a breath. “Here’s the thing. I don’t think anyone inside the DEA is working with the Mejía cartel.”
Well, that wasn’t what she’d thought Darnell was going to say. “What do you mean?”
He cleared his throat. “It’s more likely that someone outside the DEA is the problem. Most likely CIA.”
Layla sucked in a breath, but thankfully neither man saw her reaction. Could it be possible that someone at the Agency was behind this?
“Do you have
