The Birth Of Eve by E. S Hoy

weapon
    “Oh no we have both put our finger prints on it, they won’t
be able to lift any now” Michael seemed far too cool about the whole thing.
    “Ian’s fingerprints would have worn off by now anyway, if they
can match the hairs with Leila’s at least will confirm whether it is the murder
weapon or not.” Eve sort of agreed but was still cross he had snatched it from
her and contaminated the handle. She rang Detective Newton and fetched a
carrier bag to put it in. An hour later it had been taken away, the forensics
officer was also unimpressed they had been sloppy with the handling. He took
their prints anyway to eliminate them in case any others were found. The rest
of the day passed by uneventfully, Michael stayed until quite late, Eve loved
having him around and by the looks of it so did Tara.
    “I am just going back to Michael’s with him to borrow a
book, I won’t be long” Eve was unhappy at the bond growing between them, she
knew Tara too well. It was obvious Michael would not entertain a relationship
with her, but Eve could already see an attachment forming on her friend’s side.
This may be something she should talk to Michael about if it started to get too
intense.
    The morning of the funeral arrived, as did a letter from the
hospital. Eve stared down at it knowing Michael was probably doing the same
thing. Slipping into her all-purpose black dress, hair tied back she grabbed
the envelope and headed to the church. Father Michael was waiting to greet her
at the steps of the enormous arched doors. He was also holding his letter,
    “Did you get your letter? I decided to wait for you so we
could find out the results together.” Eve got hers out from her bag and she
slid her finger along the edge and slid out the letter. Michael closed his eyes
and waited; Eve read the words over and over allowing them to sink in. Michael
grabbed her wrist unable to wait any longer
    “Tell me please I can’t bear it” Eve looked up at him tears
in her eyes, he could see the answer written on her face; smiling he pulled her
into an awkward embrace.
    “Welcome home daughter” they stayed like that for a while
until the funeral directors arrived with her mother’s coffin. Drying her face
they held hands and walked behind the coffin containing the remains of Leila,
up the aisle to the pulpit.
     Only Eve and Michael were present, Eve had arranged for her
mother’s rosary and a family photo to be buried with her. Paying for the
funeral had wiped had some out of Ian’s remaining savings but after killing her
it was the least he could do. Eve sat whilst Michael spoke a little on her
behalf he paused mid-sentence and a look of resentment came over his face. Eve
turned and saw Nathan walking down the aisle towards her, he had come to
support her. Her heart soared but she looked anxiously at the two men; hoping
they would not spoil what was supposed to be a memorable goodbye for her
mother.
    Nathan nodded to Michael and sat beside Eve taking her hand
she beamed gratefully at him. They sat through the rest of the prayers, Michael
seemed put out he was there. Eve felt he was becoming a little possessive of
her it would only get worse now their relationship had been confirmed. But in a
way that made her feel more cherished. She felt emotional today, but not about
Leila’s murder but about the fact she had never been told her who her father
was. She had spent sixteen years feeling abandoned; she could have been with her
father who would have loved her. Pushing her resentments away she followed the
casket to the graveside. The three of them threw rose petals onto her as she
was lowered into the ground.
    “Rest in peace now mum” Eve thought and felt good that she
was finally at peace. They wandered up to the pub for a drink, Tara arrived
thankfully so distracted Michael from giving Nathan evil glances. Eve took Nathan
to one side to tell him about the test results.
    “Thank you for coming Nathan I really appreciate it. I