In Death 21 - Origin in Death

women.
    "DNA matches. No question to the ID. What we've got in there are all legally, biologically Avril Icove."
    "It should be unbelievable," Tibble commented.
    "What it is, is fraught with legal minefields," Reo put in. "How do you question a witness and/or suspect when you have three who are the same ?"
    "By using the fact they're coming here as a single unit," Eve said to Reo. "That's their stand, so we use it."
    "Physiologically that may be true. But emotionally . . ." Mira shook her head. "They haven't had the same experiences, they haven't lived the same lives. There will be differences between them."
    "DNA samples. One gave me a tear. Rolled it out on command. The other two went with saliva. Number one was showing off. But all three made identical requests that the children be protected."
    "The relationship between mother and child is one of the most primal. While only one gave birth . . ."
    "Two kids," Eve interrupted. "We don't know, unless they agree to an exam, if two of the three gave birth."
    A fresh flicker of horror ran over Mira's face. "Yes, you're right. If. . . in any case, with the intimate connection between these women, their primal instinct toward the children could very well be just as intimate."
    "Could they communicate telepathically?"
    "I can't say." Mira lifted her hands. "Genetically, they're identical. It's likely their early environment was as well. But at some point they were separated. Identical siblings are known to have a unique bond, to sense each other's thoughts. Even those separated by years of time or miles of distance have proved to have this connection. It's also possible they might be sensitives. That this quality was either inherent in the cell used to create them or evolved due to their extraordinary circumstance."
    "I need to get started."
    They looked up, as one, as Eve entered the room. For form she walked to a recorder, engaged.
    "Interview with Avril Icove regarding the unlawful deaths of Wilfred B. Icove, Sr., and Wilfred B. Icove, Jr. Mrs. Icove, have you beer. informed of your rights and obligations?"
    "Yes."
    "Do you understand these rights and obligations?"
    "Yes."
    "It would make it easier, for the purposes of this interview, if you would speak one at a time."
    They glanced at each other. "It's difficult to know what you expect from us."
    "Let's shoot for the truth. You." She pointed to the woman at the corner of the table. "For now, you can answer. Which one of you lived at the location where Wilfred Icove, Jr., was murdered?"
    "We've all lived there, at one time or another."
    "Through your choice or because you were directed into this situation by your husband or father-in-law?"
    "It was the arrangement our father dictated. Always. Choice? It isn't always an option."
    "You call him your father."
    "He was the father. We're his children."
    "Biologically?"
    "No. But he made us."
    "As he did Deena Flavia."
    "She's our sister. Not biologically," Avril added. "But emotional'. She's like us. Not us, but like us."
    "He created you, and others like you, through illegal procedures."
    "He called it Quiet Birth. Should we explain?"
    "Yeah." Eve sat, kicked back in the chair. "Why don't you?"
    "During the wars, the father became friends with Jonah Wilson, the noted geneticist, and his wife, Eva Samuels."
    "First, what's your relationship to Eva Samuels? You have the same maiden name."
    "There's no relation. We're not of her. The name was a convenience for them."
    "Were your biological parents those listed as such on your official data?"
    "We don't know who our parents were. But it's doubtful."
    "Okay, go on. Icove, Wilson, and Samuels hooked up."
    "They were very interested in each other's work. Though the father was, initially, skeptical and wary of Dr. Wilson's more radical theories and experiments-"
    "Even then, you see," the second Avril continued, "there were experiments. Though he was skeptical, he couldn't deny his fascination. When his wife was killed, grief took him. She was carrying their daughter, and both were lost. He tried to reach them in time, to get to her body. But nothing was viable. He was too late."
    "Too late to attempt to preserve her DNA, and potentially re-create her."
    "Yes." The third Avril smiled. "You understand. He couldn't save his wife and the baby she carried. For all of his skill and knowledge, he was helpless, as he'd been to save his own mother. But he began to see what could be done. How many loved ones might be saved."
    "By