“I can see I’ve unloaded a lot on you. I don’t want to stress you out, but I wouldn’t be a very good mentor or friend if I didn’t help you navigate these troubled waters, and to do so, you need to have your eyes wide open. You must fight for this the same way you’d fight on a mission or in your analytical work. I’ve seen how tenacious you are when you’re working. Take that same passion and focus and use them here. Don’t let them railroad you, Layla. You’ve worked too hard for that to happen.”

“And the Agency wonders why I want a desk job.”

Scarlett laughed. “You’re more talented than you even realize, you just don’t have the confidence yet to see it. But enough of all this. If I do hear anything, I’ll contact you immediately, and my earlier advice stands. Lawyer up before you submit to any questioning. Even if they claim it will be informal. There’s no such thing. Okay?”

“Understood.” Layla would just have to be patient, because the IG was clearly running at their own speed.

“Anything new on Mejía from your side?” Scarlett took another sip of coffee.

“Our best guess is that either the team was caught on a surveillance camera we missed or that someone on the inside sold us out. The same person they suspect has been feeding intel to the cartel for quite a while to help them stay one step ahead of DEA.”

“How careful were you with the electronic surveillance?” Scarlett asked.

“I thought we were completely buttoned up, but Mason thinks we missed one of the cameras. DEA is actively investigating the mole. Hunter has also been hired to conduct a separate independent investigation.”

“Really?” Scarlett smiled. “How are things going with him?”

She’d told Scarlett about the Hunter saga years ago. “It’s not easy, but our personal baggage has to wait. There’s no time to get distracted by all of that right now.”

“I know you may think that, but baggage has a way of always being there. That’s why they call it baggage.” Scarlett sighed. “But I am a complete and utter failure in the romance department, so don’t take advice from me on that front.”

That wasn’t true, as far as Layla was concerned. “You’re single by choice, Scarlett. You’ve had plenty of guys interested in you.”

Scarlett grinned. “Thanks for helping support my narrative.”

Both of them laughed, but Layla had one more serious topic to get to. “There’s something else I wanted to run by you.”

“Shoot.”

“There’s new information that the DEA mole could actually be CIA.”

Scarlett’s eyebrows went up. “Really? Now, isn’t that interesting. How reliable is the intel?”