Deadly Animals

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of mental illness, child abuse, child death, death by suicide, animal death, and graphic violence.

In December, Ava sends a letter to Neville Coleman including a photo of Nanny Ash and Orla. Ava visits Coleman, who takes Fizz for a walk. Ava casually asks Maureen about the teddy bear. The bear has been there since spring, and Maureen figures it came from Coleman’s previous hospital residence. Despite his mental sharpness around Fizz and Ava, Maureen worries Coleman’s health is declining because he has been mumbling at his window again. Maureen removes Coleman’s sunglasses to wipe his eye and reveals his heterochromia. Ava realizes Coleman looks familiar because he resembles Nathaniel. She tries to cover up her shock and leaves in a hurry.

Later that day, Ava shops for Christmas gifts with her family at the Birmingham Rag Market. Ava still feels shocked by her visit with Neville Coleman and wants to talk to John. She sees little kids teasing each other and realizes that the killer must be another kid, not an adult. Ava mentally flips through the evidence and reluctantly concludes that the top suspect is Nathaniel.