Cass took a deep breath. “I worked late. When I got home, I immediately noticed that someone had been rummaging through my house. Things were strewn everywhere. He was definitely looking for something. As I was surveying the damage, a man jumped me from behind. I was able to fight him off. I fired a warning shot, and he started running. I could’ve taken him out, but I didn’t.”

“Did you recognize him?” Layla had shaken off the cobwebs of sleep and was now fully awake.

“No.” Cass’s hands shook as she clasped them in front of her. “But he had Mejía tattoos on his arms.”

The Mejía cartel was the most dangerous and brutal cartel in Honduras. The DEA had recently performed an operation in Honduras, and Layla had been brought on to the team to give her more field experience—something the Agency was pushing her hard on. “There’s no way that could be a coincidence.”

“Exactly. I’m sorry to barge in on you in the middle of the night, but since you’re only a few minutes away, I thought I needed to warn you ASAP in case he decided to head here.”

“You did the right thing. Have you noticed anything before tonight? Anything out of the ordinary?” Layla had, but she didn’t think this was the time to bring it up. Cass was agitated enough, given her harrowing night.

“No. It’s been business as usual since we got back stateside. Everyone at the DEA was satisfied with the outcome, even if we didn’t get all the way to the top of the cartel.”

“I assume you don’t bring work materials home?” Layla had to put that out there.

“You know I don’t. That would be against all security protocols.”

“Could you have been mistaken about the tattoo? Could he have just been a thief?”

“None of my jewelry was taken.”

“Electronics?” Layla questioned.

“He did take my tablet, but there won’t be anything work related on it. But I’m pretty certain about the tattoo.”

“We got a boatload of cash from the op. Maybe he thought you might have some of it.”

Cass groaned. “If he was looking for confiscated money, then he had to think I’m a dirty agent.”

Layla lifted her hands. “I’m just throwing out possibilities. I’m not saying that about you. But I’m wondering whether the cartel could have a reason to think that.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just on edge. But no, I play by the book.” Cass’s voice became steadier.

Layla didn’t know Cass that well, but she didn’t have any reason to suspect she was playing both sides. Although, Layla had heard rumors that the DEA had their fair share of dirty agents. “Have you reported it to the DEA?”