Page 123 of Mistaken Intention

How is that I belong here on this lovely property?

I have money, but where did it come from? And what did I used to spend it on?

Hunter confirmed I’m a photographer, but why? Why would I work, when I have all this?

I sigh, stopping, and look over at the building in the distance. I still don’t know what that’s about, either. It’s another blank.

I’m struggling to focus on anything, my thoughts drifting from one unknown detail to another. Regardless of what Josie said, I feel like I won’t be able to think straight until I’ve bridged at least some of the gaps in my past, and that being the case, I need answers.

I turn, surprised by how far I’ve walked, and start to re-trace my steps, taking them more slowly this time.

Obviously, I could go back to the cottage and speak to Josie, but it seems unlikely she’ll be able to give me the information I need. I think there’s only one person who will, and I head for the main house, hoping my brother is still feeling communicative.

He’s lying on a lounger by the pool and sits up when he hears me approach, swinging his legs around so he’s perched on the edge.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon,” he says.

“I know. But there are things I can’t work out… things I need to know.”

He nods his head and waves his arm toward the lounger beside him. “Sit down. I’ll tell you what I can.”

I do as he says, facing him, my hands resting on my knees. “I’m gonna start with a question I’ve already asked you once before.”

“Which is…?”

“What was I like? The last time I asked that, you said you couldn’t answer, but you can now. You’ve told me I didn’t have relationships. So, what was I? Some kind of player?”

He tilts his head, like he’s thinking about that description, which makes me a little uneasy. “I don’t know I’d go that far. I’d say you avoided taking things too seriously, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You were a guy, like any other guy… trying to find your way. You had your fair share of women, as did I.”

“Did I hurt anyone?”

“There were a few casualties.”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure I like the sound of who I was back then.”

“Why?”

“I hurt people.”

“In situations that couldn’t be avoided, and that weren’t necessarily of your own making.”

“Such as?”

“The one I know most about was a woman called Keira.”

“What did I do to her?”

“You dated her for a while, but then you got the chance to go to Australia on a long-term assignment and she didn’t want you to go.”

“I’m guessing I took the job?”

“Yeah. I think you were just having fun with Keira, like you did with all the other women you dated. Only she thought it was more than that. She didn’t take it well.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because she used to call me from time to time, just to talk.”

I’m liking myself even less. “Was I that serious about my career?”

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