Subj: The Talented Mr. Ripley 2 Chapter Two The Return Home
Date: 7/11/00 4:20:51 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Melissa

Quentin Collins stepped out of the cab, and looked up at the house. Why was he coming back, after years of avoiding it, traveling around the world, living the way that he wanted, here he was back to the place that seemed to have made him a prisoner.

"It's beautiful," Izzy said, as she got out of the cab, she took off her sunglasses and tried to take in all of the house.

"I'm sure hell looks like that when you first see it too," he said.

Izzy laughed and hugged him, "I'm sure that we'll be able to make it our own. How bad could it have been?"

*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*

Tom Ripley sat in a private compartment on the train, he hadn't left it since they left New York. She was here, he had heard her voice. He had nothing to worry about really, there was no prove of what she accused him of. It was just that he didn't want to deal with her now. He opened the newspaper and began to read, when he got to the World news he was surprised to see Peter's obituary on the front page. It said that foul play was suspected, but as of yet there was no proof that it was a homicide. He folded the paper up again.

He didn't know why he was going to Collinsport. It seemed like fate had made it possible for him to meet Quentin Collins. He wouldn't have to lie to him to make friend with him or his wife. He was like Dickie, but he reminded Tom of Peter. The thought of Peter reminded Tom that he had to send that letter. He took it out and read it again.

Dear Peter,
I'm sorry that I couldn't meet you in Rome. I didn't think that I would find a reason to stay, but Fran. . . well you know all I do, don't you. I hope that we will see each other soon. Good luck with the concert. I'll call you as soon as I can. By the way if you see Marge tell her that I hope we are still friends and that "Tom still loves her."

I must go,

Yours,
Tom Ripley

It was good, when the police began to question people about Peter's death, they would see this letter. Marge would tell them that he had done it, but why would they believe her, the people in Rome thought that Dickie was still alive somewhere in Rome. Meredith would help him with that, even if she didn't know that she was doing that herself.

"Bangor Maine, next stop," the attendent said sticking his head in the door.

"Thank you," Tom said. He had time to write a letter to Meredith.

Dear Meredith,
You must hate me, I had to leave you again like that. Will you ever forgive me? I had to leave as when we because the police needed to speak with me. I guess you heard about Peter, I just saw it in the paper. I had no idea that he was traveling on the same boat. If I had known we could all have had dinner before I left. What happened? Did you find anything out? I will write you again, and I hope that we see each other again soon.

Yours,
Dickie

When he got to Bangor he posted the letters and made his way to a hotel. He made inquires about Quentin Collins. He found out that Quentin had left Collinsport seven years ago after the death of his brother. He wasn't like the other Collins'. It was his attitude that made his father mad at him. A couple months ago, there was some kind of accident and the family was killed. in his father's will it said that Quentin would have to live in Collinwood for a year before he would inherit the Collins money. Everyone was surprised that Quentin came home at all.

"Well if it isn't Tom Ripley," a voice said from behind him. It caught him by surprise and he turned quickly and stood face to face with Herbert Greenleaf I. "What are you doing here, I thought you were on your way to Rome?"

"I decided to get away for awhile," Tom said.

"I understand. Did you get the check?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Did you see Marge?"

"No is she here?" Tom asked.

"Yes, she just arrived, she still believes in my son. I only wish that she really knew what he was like."

"It helps her to believe that he was the person she always thought he was and not some stranger that he really turned out to be."

"Your right, well it was good to see you again Tom."

"Good-bye sir," Tom said shaking Herbert's hand.

Tom watched Herbert leave, when he was out of sight Tom walked up the stairs to his room. Tomorrow he would go to Collinsport.

To be continued. . .