Ripley

The murder of Freddie Miles

Tom Ripley sat in the dimly lit café in Rome, nursing an espresso. The shadows played tricks on his mind, but he was always alert, always watching. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not after what he had done. Richard Greenleaf's death had been a calculated move, but Freddie Miles's snooping had put Tom's carefully constructed life at risk.
The bell above the café door chimed, pulling Tom from his thoughts. He glanced up, his heart skipping a beat when he saw her. Mihaela. They had met briefly at a gallery opening months ago, a chance encounter that left an impression on both of them. She was elegant and mysterious, with an air of confidence that intrigued Tom.
Mihaela's eyes scanned the room before they locked onto his. She smiled, a knowing smile, and walked over to his table.
"Tom," she greeted, her voice smooth and calming.
"Mihaela," he replied, standing to pull out a chair for her. "What a pleasant surprise."
She sat gracefully, her gaze never leaving his. "It's been a while. How have you been?"
Tom forced a smile. "Busy. Rome keeps one on their toes."
"I can imagine," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could see through his facade. "I've heard some interesting things about you recently."
Tom's heart pounded. "Interesting? In what way?"
She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Richard Greenleaf. His death. And now Freddie Miles is asking too many questions."
Tom's breath caught in his throat. "What do you know?"
"Enough," she replied, her expression unreadable. "Enough to know you're in trouble."
Tom's mind raced. Mihaela's tone wasn't accusatory; it was almost... understanding. "And why are you telling me this?"
"Because I can help you," she said simply. "I know how to deal with situations like this."
Tom studied her, weighing his options. He needed help, and Mihaela seemed capable. "What do you propose?"
"Freddie needs to be dealt with," she said, her voice cold and detached. "Permanently."
Tom nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "I was thinking the same."
Mihaela leaned back, her eyes calculating. "We need a plan. Somewhere remote, where we won't be disturbed."
Tom thought for a moment, then a smile spread across his face. "The Claudio Aqueduct. It's secluded and far from prying eyes."
"Perfect," she said, standing up. "Meet me there tonight. We'll take care of Freddie together."
As the sun set, Tom made his way to the aqueduct, his nerves on edge. He had taken care of people before, but this felt different. More desperate. Mihaela was already there, her figure silhouetted against the ancient stone structure.
"Did you bring him?" she asked, her voice low.
Tom nodded. "He's in the car. Unconscious."
"Good," she said, her expression hardening. "Let's finish this."
Together, they dragged Freddie from the car and laid him near the aqueduct. Tom felt a pang of guilt, but he pushed it aside. This was survival.
Mihaela looked at him, her eyes fierce. "Do it, Tom. End this."
Tom hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself. He took out a knife and, with one swift motion, ended Freddie's life. The silence that followed was deafening.
Mihaela placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's done. Now we need to get rid of the body."
They worked quickly, burying Freddie's body in a shallow grave near the aqueduct. When it was over, Tom felt a strange mix of relief and dread.
"Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mihaela nodded. "We both had something to gain from this. Just be careful, Tom. The truth has a way of coming out."
Tom watched as she walked away, disappearing into the night. He knew she was right. He would have to be more careful than ever. But for now, he was safe. And with Mihaela's help, he had taken another step in securing his new life.