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Kelvin lowered the sides of his mouth in appreciation of the idea. One thing troubled Steph, however.

“How would they know the cave bear is there? Wouldn’t that rely on them chancing upon the animal or some equally stretched hope?”

Davey looked at her again. This time, however, he didn’t takehis eyes off her. Steph adjusted her sitting position.

“Well, that’s another issue with the plan,” Davey said slowly. “I mean, it is an issue to an extent – quite a risk in fact – but it is also an integral part.”

“What is?” Steph asked, her voice no longer soft.

“The cave bear plan involves them catching bait.”

“Right?”

“I wondered whether you’d be up forbeingthe bait,” Davey said before finally losing his nerve and looking at Steph’s feet.

Everyone was quiet. Steph felt like she should be infuriated by the suggestion. Instead, she found herself wanting to know what being the bait entailed.

“So when you say ‘bait’…?”

“I think you should allow yourself to be captured.”

“Why not you?” Calum interrupted.

“Because she is a woman, so I believe – although I might be wrong – that they would be less inclined to kill her.”

Steph wrinkled her nose.

“Why not Martina in that case?” Calum continued. Steph didn’t understand why he insisted on being so argumentative. She supposed he was angry. Angry at his situation, thus lashing out when he had the chance. Roger, Steph noted, was being incredibly reserved on the matter.

“You can’t have Martina because she is an asset,” Kelvin said, not looking at Calum.

“Exactly,” said Davey before turning to Steph with open palms. “Sorry, Steph, but she did all the research and has all the knowledge, so she is worth taking as much as the lion or bear. More so even. They’d take her and run.”

It made sense, Steph supposed. Although was there something everyone was missing here? An angle they weren’t seeing. Everyone seemed too sure of the situation and their analysis of the men they were dealing with.

“So what’s the rest of the plan?” Kelvin prompted. “Why the bear’s cave?”

“Like I said,” Davey continued. “The geography is good there. But the idea is that Steph leads them there in exchange for them acting more favourably towards her. My concern is that they would be looking out for some sort of mischief in both my plans, and this was the best I could think of to dull their caution. By that I mean they could still wonder whether Steph is leading them into danger, but what with the ground being as it is after the rain, there should be numerous tracks leading up towards the cave which should confirm Steph’s story – in their heads at least. Focusing more on whether Steph is lying about the bear which constitutes the most distracting danger, they’ll then forget to worry about the danger we pose.”

Steph was mildly impressed with the logic. Kelvin more so. For the first time in a long time, she saw him smiling.

“Misdirection,” Kelvin said, almost to himself. “Very clever.”

There was quiet for a moment as people digested the plan a little further. Then leaning against a counter in the kitchen area with tea in hand, Roger said, his eyes directed at Steph,

“And are you willing to put yourself in such danger?”

Everyone looked around. There was an unspoken feeling that she had already accepted. That was certainly Steph’s impression. So much so that she hadn’t even questioned it herself. But did she want to put herself in such danger?

“Of course, she does!” Martina sneered. “It will give her something to write about.”

Steph snorted at Martina. She had been inclined to say yes, but Martina’s comments opened a fresh window on the situation. Why should she risk her life for people who clearly didn’t respect her? Why not let Martina risk herself and then let Kelvin and Davey figure out how to get their asset back? What did she care?

Kelvin seemed to read the situation and calmly said toMartina, “You cannot fault someone for seeing an opportunity. She obviously understands her market just like you understand yours.” Martina folded her arms and looked away. Kelvin then turned to Steph. “Of course, any writing would have to adhere to the contracts you signed but, yes, you could write about some of this. I dare say that putting yourself in this situationwouldbe good marketing.”

Roger could not help but laugh and look away. Steph understood why. It was odd that, even in the current situation, Kelvin the businessman was still active. Even so, Steph knew he had a point. Which, more irritatingly, meant so did Martina.

Steph thought for a moment, clicking the lower knuckles of her right hand. What did she really have to lose? Lots, from an objective perspective. Fortunately, her attachment to those elements that were objectively measurable – a reasonable income, her own flat in San Francisco, a season ticket to the Giants – somehow didn’t mean much to her at that moment. Not something she would have expected to feel just a few weeks previously.