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.