“This is probably even worse than we thought and most likely connected to the Mejía cartel. A drive-by on the streets of DC. A team member dead. It has to be linked.” She paused. “I called this in to Langley while I was waiting to see the doctor. They’re working on getting a security detail posted outside my condo. I figured they would want to do it just to keep an eye on me, if nothing else, but given what happened today, I think it’s the right move.”

“I agree. I’ll feel a lot better knowing you’re not alone there. While you were being treated, I did some research on the relationship between the two Mejía brothers.”

“And?”

What he had uncovered made him even more fearful for Layla’s life. “They were tight. Really tight. A big age difference between the two meant that Diego was pretty much a father to Roberto.”

“That makes a lot of sense. Seeking revenge on behalf of a family member can cause you to act irrationally. The cartel usually wouldn’t be so brash, but given the relationship between them, it explains a lot.”

“The normal rules aren’t applying right now.” There was another thing bothering him. “How much money did the DEA seize?” It had to be a big amount.

“In cash, about five million, but the drugs we seized were worth upward of fifteen mil. The response hasn’t been the same to each team member. Nothing has happened to Zane. And Cass’s place was trashed, but the guy who did it fled. He didn’t try to engage.”

“Diaz is dead, though, and look at what’s happened to you.” Thoughts started to come together in his head. “Any reason that they could specifically be out for you and Diaz?”

“If Diego thinks that either of us killed his brother, then maybe. What if they don’t even know Zane was on the op?”

“Possible,” he said, considering the options.

“What do you think of Zane? You’ve worked with him before.”

He thought the world of Zane and hoped he hadn’t misjudged his character. “He’s solid. Or at least that’s been my experience.”

“Mine too.” She grimaced as she shifted.

“Can I ask you something a little off topic?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you ever wonder what your dad would think of all of this?”

She looked away. “He still believes I work at State.”

“You never told him?” He found that hard to believe. Layla and her father were close.

“No. Once I made the decision in the beginning, it just became too difficult to tell him. He’s skeptical of the CIA. I understand why he has those reservations.”

“But you obviously feel differently, or you never would’ve taken the job.”