Idea I Had After Seeing A Book Title

First Woman, Detective

Eve called her family in for dinner, but only Adam and Cain showed up. “Where’s Abel?” she asked. Adam and Cain looked at each other. “I don’t know,” said Cain. “He was with his sheep last I saw,” said Adam.

Eve went looking for Abel. She saw the crows circling over the field and went to look. There was Abel, face down, his blood drying in the sun. Near his body was a rock with blood and hair on it. She leaned over to look at it and then at her son’s head. She touched him and he felt cold. He was not asleep. Abel is dead, she thought, this is the first one. We will die, just like the Lord said.

She walked slowly back home. “Abel is dead. His head is dented by a stone. Someone has killed him.” She looked at her husband and son. “Did you kill Abel, Adam?” Adam looked stunned. “No!” he said, “why should I?” Eve turned to Cain, “Did you kill Abel, Cain?” Cain licked his lips and then burst out, “Why do you accuse me, Mom?” “I’m only asking, Cain,” said Eve patiently. “Why do you take Dad’s word for it?” he challenged. “Just answer the question, my son,” she said. “You always liked him best!” Cain accused. “Did you kill him?” Cain stared for a moment and then looked away. 

“Is this about the offerings to the Lord again?” asked Eve. “He never accepts my offerings!” cried Cain. “It’s always lamb, lamb, lamb!” Adam put his hand on Cain’s shoulder, but he shook it off. “Of course he accepts your offering,” he said. “Not with favor,” sneered Cain. “How can you tell?” asked Adam, who hadn’t bothered to offer anything since leaving the Garden.

“We’re getting off the point,” said Eve. “Someone has killed Abel and there are only three of us. I didn’t do it. Adam says he didn’t do it. Cain, did you kill your brother?” Cain lowered his head. “Yes, Mom. I lured him to the field and struck him down. I did it in anger.” Adam rolled his eyes. “Oh, boy – we’re in trouble now.”  “Why?” asked Cain. “There’s no one to tell.” “The Lord already knows!” exclaimed Adam. “He knows everything! But first He’ll pretend He doesn’t and will ask you and what are you going to say?”

“Look,” said Cain, “if we all just keep calm and say nothing, no one will find out and no one will get hurt.” He dragged his toe in the dust. “It’s not like there is anyone else.”

“Dinner’s getting cold,” said Eve. “We’ll discuss this later, young man.”

“Why am I always the one getting in trouble?” grumbled Cain.

Eve was sad, but at the same time she was oddly satisfied. I have solved a mystery, she thought. And she wished there were more.

“Who’s watching the sheep?” asked Adam.

“Oh, shit,” said Eve.