“Hard evidence? No. But there are rumors among some of my contacts in the field. My informants have heard rumblings about an insider working for the cartel. I pushed them to try to get more facts, and I couldn’t get a name, but all of them said it wasn’t a DEA person.”

Layla looked at Hunter. If this was true, then that could have big implications. “But wouldn’t it have to be someone, even if it was CIA, who had connections to the cartel?”

Darnell nodded. “Absolutely. But unfortunately, there are a lot of CIA officers in South America. It’s a long list, and I don’t have anything specific to go on.”

“This is very helpful,” Hunter said. “If you hear anything else from your sources, can you contact me right away?”

“Will do. I hope this thing can be wrapped up quickly.”

After Darnell left, Layla turned to Hunter. “That was a curve ball.”

“But one that you’re uniquely situated to handle. You need to see what you can dig up from your Agency contacts, but you need to be discreet.”

“For a million different reasons.” She sighed. “Darnell seemed to have solid intel, but I still think you have to push through vetting the DEA people in case he’s wrong.”

Hunter gave her an affirming nod. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”

“I’ll get right on the Agency angle.” She wondered if all roads would end up leading back to the CIA.

Izzy had been frantically trying to get ahold of her friends all morning, and she finally ended up at Viv’s door.

“Izzy, what’s wrong?” Viv asked. “You sounded distressed on the phone.”

Izzy let out a sigh of relief when Viv opened the door. “Thank you for seeing me. I’m so glad you’re not at work.”

“I’m working the late shift tonight. What’s going on?”

Izzy knew her red eyes showed she’d been crying. Ever since the visit yesterday from Arlington PD, things had become a whirlwind. But she’d told them that if they wanted to talk to her, she’d need an attorney present. Given that she used to be one of them, they seemed cooperative, but they had insisted that she be ready for the interview Thursday morning. Which meant she needed an attorney ASAP, because she had yet another secret hanging over her head.

Viv hadn’t been her first choice. Not that Izzy didn’t love and trust her, but Bailey was the only one of them who knew the history. Given Bailey was out of town today on assignment, Izzy had come to Viv because Layla had so much on her plate.

“We’re going to need to sit.” Izzy looked into her friend’s hazel eyes and decided that she had no other choice but to cross this bridge right now.