Backlash

by Rachel Dylan

  “What?” she asked.

  “The Agency is being cagey about you, Layla. I couldn’t get a word out of them on this supposed investigation they’re conducting, and I’m going to be totally frank here. I got the sense that they’re trying to disassociate themselves from you.”

  She’d had the same feeling. “I know, but I have no idea why. I guess the cartel could be linked to that, too, but then again, if they’re trying to kill me, why go through the trouble of cooking up something with the IG’s office?”

  Hunter cleared his throat. “Regardless, Layla is a prime target here. I hope the DEA isn’t going to throw her to the curb like CIA has.”

  “No. At least not if I have anything to do with it,” Mason answered. “Layla was a key part of this entire operation and the success we had. I don’t know what kind of games Langley is playing, but we want no part in it. However we can help, we will, and that includes you, Hunter, providing her with personal protection.”

  Hunter laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” Mason asked.

  Hunter looked at her. “Layla’s the one who saved me from getting shot, but yes, I’m here to do whatever I can.”

  Layla was thankful again that her training had kicked in yesterday, and as a result, they both got away relatively unscathed. “You know that the Agency stripped me of my passport and wants me to stay in town.”

  “You could defy them,” Cass suggested. “Go off the grid. We could help you.”

  “To what end? I can’t hide forever.” Frustration was building up inside her. “And I’ve got Agency security detail posted at my condo, watching my coming and going. Feels more like surveillance than security, but at least it’s something.”

  Mason finally took a seat. “I get that this situation is far from ideal, but all we can do is take it one step at a time. We’re investigating Diaz’s death as hard as we can. We’re putting resources behind this thing. If anyone wants a DEA safe house, just say the word. All options are on the table. But I do ask that you not reveal to anyone the larger plan for Mejía, because that investigation is critical to being able to determine who is dirty on the inside.”

  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 yo
u right now, I don’t think anyone on the team is the mole.” She’d been giving it a lot of thought and couldn’t bring herself to suspect any of them.

  “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 anything concrete that you’re basing this on?” Hunter asked.

  “Hard evidence? No. But there are rumors among some of my contacts in the field. My informants have heard rumblings about an insider working for the cartel. I pushed them to try to get more facts, and I couldn’t get a name, but all of them said it wasn’t a DEA person.”

  Layla looked at Hunter. If this was true, then that could have big implications. “But wouldn’t it have to be someone, even if it was CIA, who had connections to the cartel?”

  Darnell nodded. “Absolutely. But unfortunately, there are a lot of CIA officers in South America. It’s a long list, and I don’t have anything specific to go on.”

  “This is very helpful,” Hunter said. “If you hear anything else from your sources, can you contact me right away?”

  “Will do. I hope this thing can be wrapped up quickly.”

  After Darnell left, Layla turned to Hunter. “That was a curve ball.”

  “But one that you’re uniquely situated to handle. You need to see what you can dig up from your Agency contacts, but you need to be discreet.”

  “For a million different reasons.” She sighed. “Darnell seemed to have solid intel, but I still think you have to push through vetting the DEA people in case he’s wrong.”

  Hunter gave her an affirming nod. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”

  “I’ll get right on the Agency angle.” She wondered if all roads would end up leading back to the CIA.

  Izzy had been frantically trying to get ahold of her friends all morning, and she finally ended up at Viv’s door.

  “Izzy, what’s wrong?” Viv asked. “You sounded distressed on the phone.”

  Izzy let out a sigh of relief when Viv opened the door. “Thank you for seeing me. I’m so glad you’re not at work.”

  “I’m working the late shift tonight. What’s going on?”

  Izzy knew her red eyes s
howed she’d been crying. Ever since the visit yesterday from Arlington PD, things had become a whirlwind. But she’d told them that if they wanted to talk to her, she’d need an attorney present. Given that she used to be one of them, they seemed cooperative, but they had insisted that she be ready for the interview Thursday morning. Which meant she needed an attorney ASAP, because she had yet another secret hanging over her head.

  Viv hadn’t been her first choice. Not that Izzy didn’t love and trust her, but Bailey was the only one of them who knew the history. Given Bailey was out of town today on assignment, Izzy had come to Viv because Layla had so much on her plate.

  “We’re going to need to sit.” Izzy looked into her friend’s hazel eyes and decided that she had no other choice but to cross this bridge right now.

  “Go into the living room. I’m going to bring in some water.”

  Izzy took a few steadying breaths—something she’d been forcing herself to do since Jay had called yesterday. She sat down, and a minute later Viv walked into the room with a bottled water.

  “Whatever it is, just tell me, and we’ll figure out a plan.”

  Izzy smiled. “Thank you.” Viv was probably the quietest of the group of friends, but she had a huge heart. “This is a very difficult conversation to have.”

  “Take it slow. I’m in no rush.”

  Izzy closed her eyes for a second, asking God to help her. “Back when I was an officer for Arlington PD, I was assaulted by a sergeant.”

  Viv’s eyes widened, but she didn’t say a word.

  “I was able to fight him off and escape, but it was the scariest and most horrific time of my life. It happened late at night in his office. My clothes were ripped, my body was bruised. But more than that, I was severely traumatized by it.”

  “I’m sure you were,” Viv said softly. “Izzy, I had no idea about any of this.”

  “I’ve only ever told a few people about it, but it’s definitely shaped my life and continues to impact me personally and my relationships.”