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“I told you, Daniel will answer questions; I am a busy woman! We are trying to bring back multiple animals at once which is why we need a large patch of land. We are trying to prove that the animals can survive, coexist and be sustainable on the land. Moreover, we need to prove that the animals can live alongside people, even the predators.”

At this, Martina paused to examine Steph’s reaction. Steph was not quite sure what her face said, but it was enough to make Martina smile slightly before she continued.

“We have some people living on the grounds with these animals. However, that is not all.”

Martina seemed unable to help herself but smiled now.

“We are also working on something far more impressive! We have been able to bring back some animals which have not exactly been around for a while. Not long extinct, but dead all the same. Many have close relatives; however, we are the first to bring them back successfully.”

Every ounce of Steph was dying to ask more. Her throat strained to be released. She could see that Martina was taking great delight in it all. Steph’s eyes flicked left towards Daniel who gave a small nod.

“Your job – although I do not see what you can say that we have not already – is to help us establish whether it is all working or not,” Martina said. “You will go out, do whatever it is you do that seems to make your opinion more valid than our own and come up with a report for Kelvin. Hopefully, it will say what we want to hear, but if it doesn’t, it is no matter as we will get there in the end by doing what is needed to make it all work. If some animals work, great, if they don’t, that is how it is.”

Martina stood up at that point, satisfied that she had fulfilled her role in Steph’s integration into the experiment.

“Now, I have more pressing matters to be seeing to. I shall see you around. Daniel, you can take it from here.”

The pair of them watched her stroll out of the room without a backward glance. The door shut. Steph turned to Daniel who shrugged apologetically.

“She’s a bit like that,” he explained. “She tends to take the fat off anything if you get my meaning. Anyway, I bet you have a thousand questions, but I would venture to ask, would you like me to answer them whilst I give you a tour of the grounds – or at least some of them – or a tour of the rest of the house… facility… thing. Where we are now, might be a better description. It is all a bit how I imagine a high-end modern tech office to look like, except it also has a laboratory and…”

It was pleasing to Steph that Daniel was aware enough to read her facial expression.

“Yes, anyway,” he muttered. “Grounds or house… place?”

“Grounds!”

“Good!” Daniel beamed, getting to his feet. “I was hoping you’d say that, as I can explain that better and it is so much more exciting. Probably far more up your street from what I hear too!”

ELEVEN

Daniel took Steph back through the main house and out into a small courtyard filled with basic-looking vehicles. There were a few quad bikes and what looked like a couple of oversized golf buggies that had been given a makeover. Although, Steph suspected they had a little more power than a golf buggy. They were also caged around the outside. It was one of those buggies that Daniel had taken the keys for and was opening when he heard a voice.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

Steph turned around to see Michael walking lazily towards them. Daniel growled to himself.

“I was going to show… Steph, is it?” Daniel asked, turning to Steph. Steph nodded. “I was going to show Steph around and answer some of her questions.”

“Ah, gave her a job, did he?” Michael replied, rolling his eyes. “I have honestly never seen a recruitment strategy like it. Wait for people to break in and then give them jobs!”

Michael winked at Steph.

“He hired me the normal way!” Daniel protested.

“Did he?” Michael asked.

Daniel paused for a moment.

“Well, sort of. He was sitting in on a guest lecture at my university and liked how I argued with the lecturer despite him being an esteemed palaeontologist and me being a ‘wet-behind-the-ears little slug with my head in the clouds’. I think the two concepts are somewhat juxtaposed but… Anyway, we’re going out to look around. I’m showing Steph where a few things are.”

“Not without me you’re not!” Michael said.

Daniel sighed.

“Don’t you sigh at me. I didn’t make the rule. If you don’t likeit, take it up with the boss. Anyway. Give me a moment to fetch some tranquillizers and I will be right with you.”

Steph watched as Michael wandered back around the house.