Deadly Animals

The police capture Harry Ca Nab, who is little Adam Booth, one of John’s friends. Adam returned to tag his graffiti after being chased off by John and was caught by a custodian. Delahaye meets Adam in the station and lectures the boy. Adam explains that the graffiti was his way of expressing his fear. There was a mysterious response to his most recent message, which stopped him long enough to get caught. Delahaye believes the response—someone claiming that they “DON’T TORTURE”—was written by the killer. Delahaye brings Adam home and takes pictures of the graffiti before it’s washed away.

In mid-October, Keith “Trigger” Magaw, a 12-year-old boy, sneaks out of his foster care home. Keith packed his essentials to live on the streets while he makes his way to his aunt’s house in Scotland. Keith left a note explaining his purpose, hoping to avoid a large police search. Keith isn’t afraid of the killer because he thinks it was Bob Aster, whom the kids scared off with their mob attack.

Colleen takes her daughters to visit Nanny Ash on her birthday. Ava sneaks into her grandmother’s room to look at her old pictures. She sees photos of the family on their old farm, which is now the Marlowe scrapyard. Ava visited the scrapyard once with Trevor, but she stayed in the car because of the dogs. Nanny Ash walks in on Ava snooping around and explains the pictures. The other young girl in the pictures is Orla, Nanny Ash’s sister, whom Neville Coleman mistook Ava for when she visited him at Joseph Sheldon Hospital. The family sold their farm to Coleman, who then sold the land to his son-in-law to make the scrapyard.

University students and hobbyists assist the police in searching for underground bunkers with metal detectors. Delahaye visits a costume shop and taxidermist and learns that the killer likely made the wolf suit himself. At the station, Delahaye reveals his suspicion that Ava is Miss Misty. Detective Perrin wonders if the girl is involved in the crimes, but Delahaye thinks Ava only wants to help. Delahaye worries that Ava and the other children might be in danger for inserting themselves into the investigation. Perrin sends Delahaye to question Ava.

Curious about her connection to Neville Coleman, Ava visits him again. She walks Fizz to Joseph Sheldon Hospital and asks to see Maureen, who lets Ava in before visiting hours start. Coleman again mistakes Ava for Orla. Ava corrects him but reveals their connection through Ava’s grandmother. As Coleman plays with Fizz, Ava looks at his framed pictures, where she spots the teddy bear from Banlock Farm. The bear was Tisiphone’s, but Coleman conceals how he got the toy back from the farm. Ava and Fizz leave, promising to come back for another visit.

In the War Room, Ava writes out new questions about the case concerning Gary’s discovery and Coleman’s teddy bear. John is skeptical that Coleman would leave the hospital to get the bear after all this time. He tries to slow Ava from jumping to conclusions about the man faking his illness. Ava rejects John’s plea to go with her, as she wants to ask Coleman more questions.

In mid-November, Ron Millward accidentally hits Keith with his car when the boy runs out into the road. Keith mumbles unintelligibly and points into the bushes. Ron hears a loud growl and snapping twigs as the hidden figure retreats. Residents on the street call an ambulance.

The foster home manager explains Keith’s troubled history to Delahaye at the hospital, where the boy is in an induced coma. Some of Keith’s injuries are older than those caused by the accident, and Professor Simmons notes the similarities to the other missing boys. Keith’s injuries also show signs of care, as if the killer treated his wounds. Delahaye notices unique marks on the boy’s wrists, likely where he bit himself to use his blood to slip out of his restraints. Police find Trigger’s notebook, and Delahaye flips through it. He sees the boy’s diary entries and a hurried drawing revealing the location of the “Wolf King’s” lair.

Detective Gibson reports that Neville Coleman owned several properties until 1971, when he sold all but Banlock Farm and a small piece of urban land. Delahaye and Lines drive to Digbeth to investigate the site. On the way, Delahaye apologizes for not socializing with the team. The men arrive at the site, which is enclosed by a brick wall. Delahaye jumps the wall, and Lines stays behind.

The small site is full of rusted oil drums and vehicular scrap. Delahaye follows fresh footprints to a derelict car that someone has been sleeping in. He finds Trigger’s missing backpack and other trophies from the deceased boys. Delahaye spots a figure moving in the shadows, growling softly at him. The figure swiftly jumps over the wall. Detective Lines chases the figure but loses him.

Delahaye and Lines wait for Ava as she leaves school. Ava gets into the detectives’ car and tearfully confirms that she is Miss Misty. Delahaye has known that Ava was Miss Misty for a while, but he kept it a secret because she’s been so helpful. Ava admits to having found both bodies and reluctantly discusses her roadkill body farm. Delahaye reveals that Keith escaped the killer and that Neville Coleman has a living teenage grandson. Ava is curious about the confidential information, but she conceals what she has learned about Coleman so she can investigate on her own. The detectives thank her for her help thus far and drive her home.