“It could’ve happened once the money was back in the States. Maybe she had access to the vault on the op. Could there be some weak links there?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know enough about DEA operations and how the transport and security works.”

“Do you remember the denominations of the money?”

“Yes. Everything I saw was in hundreds.”

“Then she could easily fit five hundred thousand into a standard briefcase. Do you remember her ever being alone with the money?”

Layla didn’t immediately respond. “I’m thinking.”

“Take all the time you need.” For some reason, he couldn’t help himself and took her hand in his. When she smiled, he squeezed her fingers.

“The answer is yes. Cass was alone with the money for a short time period while we were loading up the vehicles in Honduras. Only a few minutes, though.”

“That is all it would take. I assume you all had standard gear, including large backpacks.”

“Yes, but wouldn’t that be bold, to stash the money in her gear?”

“Bold, yes, but given her stature on the team, maybe she thought no one would ever check. Although standard protocol for DEA on ops like this is a gear check back stateside.”

“That didn’t happen. We got back, and there were no searches or anything like that. It was a bit hectic, and we did do immediate debriefings, but if my belongings were searched, I didn’t know it.”

“Maybe she caught a break.”

“This would rule her out as the mole, though, because I can tell you one thing, she wouldn’t be stealing from the cartel if she were working for them.”

Hunter nodded. “It might just mean that she got in some trouble, became desperate, and decided to take the cash. However, if she’s vulnerable, that could make her a target for the cartel to blackmail into helping them.”

“Yeah, but if she was on their payroll and stole from them, it would be over for her. What are you going to do with this?”

“I have to take it to Mason ASAP.”

Layla nodded. “I know. I just hate it. I wonder what kind of trouble she got into.”

“It has to be pretty substantial to need that kind of cash.” He hated to say it, but he felt like he had to. “You know that if what I found pans out, she’s going to be done at the DEA and will probably face criminal charges.”

“You don’t think there’ll be any lenience?” she asked.

He doubted it. “I can’t imagine they’d ever trust her to go into the field again. If they put her on desk duty, it would be a huge gift, but I think the most likely thing is that they will terminate her.”

Layla gasped. “But what about her safety? Would they pull her out of the safe house?”

“I hope not, but I can’t guarantee it.”