Darnell focused on her. “You’re right, but I have no hesitation in doing so. Zane is the type of guy you want to have your back in a fight. He’s fiercely loyal. And he’s not driven by power or money or anything like that. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and truly wants to help people, and that’s a rare find, in my opinion.”

She looked over at Hunter, who was jotting down notes.

“Zane never expressed any frustrations to you about promotions or anything like that?” Hunter asked.

Darnell shook his head. “No. We’ve never even talked about promotions, period.”

It was clear that Darnell wasn’t going to speak one ill word against Zane, but she let Hunter finish up his line of questioning.

“All right,” Hunter said, shifting topics a few minutes later. “What about Cass Ruiz?”

Darnell laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Layla asked.

“The fact that anyone could think Cass is a double agent is laughable. She’s a firecracker. One of the toughest agents I know—man or woman. Strongly committed to the DEA’s mission. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“Money can convince a lot of people to do things they would not otherwise do,” Hunter said. “Even good people can be corrupted.”

Darnell nodded. “But nothing Cass has ever done would make me question her.”

“But you didn’t have an absolute reaction like you did to Zane,” Layla had to point out.

“True. I can’t be as certain about Cass because I don’t know her as well as I do Zane, but I still think she’s clean. You asked my opinion, and I’m giving it to you.”

Hunter shifted in his seat. “What about this—is there anyone you’ve ever worked with at the DEA who you do believe could have divided loyalty?”

Darnell didn’t immediately respond. Layla wondered what he was keeping to himself.

“The answer I could give you is one you won’t like,” Darnell said.

“I don’t have an agenda here except getting to the truth,” Hunter said. “Don’t give us a sanitized version. The truth is the truth.”

“I appreciate hearing you say that.” Darnell took a breath. “Here’s the thing. I don’t think anyone inside the DEA is working with the Mejía cartel.”

Well, that wasn’t what she’d thought Darnell was going to say. “What do you mean?”

He cleared his throat. “It’s more likely that someone outside the DEA is the problem. Most likely CIA.”

Layla sucked in a breath, but thankfully neither man saw her reaction. Could it be possible that someone at the Agency was behind this?

“Do you have anything concrete that you’re basing this on?” Hunter asked.