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.”