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A small gleam of light momentarily distracted Steph. Davey had turned on a heat sensor. He was directing it at the bison to check it was working. Sure enough, red figures tinged with a yellow/green outline graced his screen.

“Right, you two, stay in the vehicles whilst Davey and I go and find this thing,” Michael said. “We’ll radio you once we have it and you can drive the buggy with the…”

Michael stopped as he realised who was in the buggy with the trailer.

“Maybe swap over and then Steph can bring the buggy with the trailer attached.”

“Why do we need to stay here?” Steph asked.

“Because,” Davey butted in, “Daniel can’t walk and you don’t know what you’re doing – you’re a liability we could do without.”

“Of course, I know what I am doing!” Steph spat, struggling to keep her voice low. “Part of my job entails the ability to track animals. And anyway, I thought you said I was going to be your spotter?”

“I didn’t mean you are a liability in that you can’t be trusted!”

“Oh.”

“I meant that you would be another person at risk. It just doesn’t seem necessary to me. I only said the spotter thing to keep you from kicking off in the house.”

“Right.”

Steph thought for a moment. She couldn’t leave it there.

“But wouldn’t an extra pair of eyes be safer?”

“In this case, she might be right,” Michael said.

Steph heard Davey trying to subdue one of his growls in his throat.

“Who would bring the trailer over then?”

“I can!” Daniel whispered excitedly.

“Don’t be stupid!” Davey moaned. “You have a gaping wound in your leg and less blood inside you than an anorexic mosquito!”

“It hurts, sure, but I can do it!”

There was quiet whilst Michael and Davey considered their situation.

“Fine!” hissed Michael, causing Davey to click his tongue in irritation. “But if you can’t bring it over, let me know and I’ll come to you whilst the other two stay with the lion.”

Michael and Davey then leapt out of the buggies. Steph followed. It felt odd when her feet hit the grass. She suddenly realised just how open the surrounding grassland was. It was incredibly exposed. She supposed for the bison there was less chance of an ambush, but even so, had they known what she knew she doubted they would be quite so relaxed.

Michael and Davey walked a couple of steps before Davey turned to Steph.

“Listen. Michael and I will find and tranquillize the lion. Your job is to be the lookout behind us. Essentially, be the eyes in the back of our heads – keep the night-vision goggles handy. Right?”

“Right,” Steph whispered.

Davey turned to continue walking but stopped instantly to prevent himself from bumping into a still-static Michael.

“What’s the problem?” Davey asked.

“The wind is blowing to the east.”

“So?”

“The deer are right in front of us.”