Wonderry Plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy Who early and add free on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app.

Before we begin, a note that this episode contains depictions of violence and may not be suitable for all.

And a thank you to our listener Charlotte, who requested that the Spy Who tells the tale of Anna Montez by emailing us at The Spy Who at Wondry.com.

The Spy Who Colluded with Castro is dedicated to the memory of Karen Lowe.

1994, Bowling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

Inside the offices of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, a polygraph examiner prepares his lie detector kit. He looks up as the woman he's scheduled to test walks in without waiting to be invited.

Her name is Anna Montez, and she's not one for pleasantries.

Is this where I sit? Sure is.

He steps aside as Montez sits. She's short-haired, athletic, with family

ties to Puerto Rico, and she works as an analyst at the Defence Intelligence Agency. It's

one of America's less high-profile intelligence agencies, charged with collecting intel on foreign

military capabilities and intentions.

The examiner finishes setting up his equipment. Montez keeps glancing at her watch.

Are you ready? I've got a meeting I need to be at. Montez seems irritated. That's unusual.

Most people seem nervous when they're about to undergo a polygraph.

But the examiner doesn't dwell on it.

People show nervousness in different ways.

Besides, she's not under suspicion.

Today is just a routine test.

But it's the first Montez has had since joining the DIA.

And these random security checks matter.

Her current role, analyzing intelligence about Cuba,

...