Scarlett picked up her yellow coffee cup. “I know I sound very suspicious about this, but I can’t help it. What I haven’t told you yet is that I’ve lived through this process.”

“Really?” That came as a surprise.

“Yes. I was a young DEA field agent. An investigation was opened on my entire field team. They put us through the wringer, but I never, not once, showed weakness. In the end, they folded, we were all completely cleared, but that put a bad taste in my mouth forever when dealing with internal investigations. So if it seems like I’m coming in hot on this, I am.”

It was just like Scarlett to lay it all out there. It was one of the things that made their friendship work so well. Layla didn’t like passive-aggressive types. “Thanks for sharing that. At least I’m in good company.”

Scarlett smiled. “I did make some informal requests from my side to Langley.”

“And?”

“They’re being tight-lipped. Usually I can call in a favor and get what I need, but not on this one.” Scarlett sighed. “And that’s what really concerns me. Everything about this screams to me that they think they have something big on you, but they don’t have quite enough evidence yet to act on it.”

Layla groaned. “But I’m telling you, there’s nothing.” She had spent countless hours thinking about this, and absolutely nothing came to mind. She was a rule follower through and through. She had memorized Agency protocol from day one and had never broken it.

Scarlett patted her arm. “I believe you, but that’s all the more cause for concern, because it means someone set you up.”

“We talked to Bryce.”

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “That guy is a piece of work, but I don’t know that I can see him taking things this far. Anyone else you can think of on your enemies list?”

“My what?”

Scarlett lifted her hands. “C’mon. We all have one.”

Layla didn’t think she did, but now, staring at Scarlett, she wasn’t so sure. “I don’t try to make enemies.”

“Of course not, but our intentions don’t always matter. I’m sure there are other people at the Agency who would like to get rid of you. Think of your competition.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your contemporaries who want promotions and see you as a threat. It’s no secret that you’re a rising star with unlimited potential. You’ve already been rapidly promoted, leaving others in the dust. They can’t compete with the substance you bring to the table, so maybe someone has decided to play dirty to get what they want.”

Maybe Layla was living in too insulated of a bubble, because these things hadn’t crossed her mind.