Chapter Text
EVERYONE’S HEARD OF THE BUTCHER, BUT FEW PEOPLE KNOW THE *REAL* STORY– WHAT HAPPENED TO LITTLE NATHANIEL?
Intro music plays: solemn violin interspersed with thunderstorm sound effects. When Kathy Ferdinand speaks, she uses a low murmur– like she’s sharing secrets with close friends.
KF: An international trail of bodies. Millions of dollars. A sealed court case.
KF: This grisly tale is not for the fainthearted.
Another thunder sound effect.
KF: Join me, Kathy Ferdinand, in my first foray into true crime podcasting. And what better case to start with than the Butcher of Baltimore?
Pause for audience reaction– Kathy is used to working in a live studio environment. To cover this moment of silence, she inserts a gasp sound effect.
KF: To say this case is famous would be an understatement. Entire news specials have been dedicated to covering the Butcher’s crimes. However, I’ve always thought that it’s widely misunderstood– don’t get me wrong, the Butcher is my favourite serial killer. But I think all those retellings focus too much on the grisly details… you know, the bone spards in the basement walls… the bloodstained cleaver collection… the, ahem, trophy room. Etcetera.
KF: What the average person doesn’t know is that the Butcher had a family. A wife and son: Mary Wesninski and Nathaniel Wesninski, named after his father.
KF: Now, Mary is easier to track down a photograph of. I’ve got it in front of me; she’s a pretty young woman with dark hair and these absolutely haunted eyes. I wonder how much she knew about her husband’s crimes.
KF: It’s generally believed The Butcher killed her, but her body was never found.
KF: Though Nathan was briefly arrested on the 16th of October in 2010, the police had no real evidence, so they had to release him on the 17th. Nevertheless, him being out of the house gave Mary the chance to flee with Nathaniel. Nathan even filed a missing person’s report!
KF: Nathan was, of course, killed in late 2017 during a raid on his Baltimore residence– there was still a criminal court case against him and his associates, though. Here’s the really interesting part: every single document from that case is sealed. The witnesses, the evidence. Everything is secret. Which brings me to the real kicker.
KF: Despite extensive research, I’ve only been able to find one picture of Nathaniel: a family photo taken about a month before Mary fled. I have it in front of me, next to Mary’s. Nathaniel is quite small and scrawny, but he’s got the famous blue eyes and red-brown hair. He’s a miniature version of his father.
KF: Now, don’t worry, I’m getting to the important part– the part that prompted me to insist to my agent that I simply must cover this case in my very first episode. Dear listeners, I know my sleuthing has… upset some people in the past.
Here, presumably, a well-versed listener would remember the various lawsuits brought against Ferdinand. This includes one from Tetsuji Moriyama following her speculation of foul play in star hockey player Riko Moriyama’s suicide. Another notorious scandal was the restraining order from hockey player Kevin Day for “borderline breaking-and-entering”.
KF (continued): That being said… my famous dedication has really paid off this time. You see, I was able to track down some witnesses who were outside the house on the day the Butcher died. And they told me they saw agents carrying a young man, absolutely covered in blood, kicking and screaming from the house and into an ambulance.
Another gasp sound effect.
KF: Now, I know what you’re thinking– “Kathy, couldn’t that just be one of the Butcher’s victims?” That’s what I thought, too, until the witness referred to the man as “The Butcher”.
KF: You see, listener, this witness had always just assumed that the man must have been Nathan Wesninski himself, as he looked just like him: auburn hair, pale skin. They even saw the blue eyes!
KF: However, through my careful reconstruction of what the FBI has told us, I know there’s no way that man could have been the Butcher. You see, Nathan died in the house– the FBI killed him in his own basement! And the witness saw that young man moving– he was very much alive. But who could it have been? Who else do we know with a striking resemblance to The Butcher?
KF: You know where I’m going with this, listener. Could that young man have been Nathaniel Wesninski himself?
A thunderclap sound effect. It continues to echo as Kathy resumes speaking, shouting slightly. It’s unclear whether the sound effect was added live or if Kathy just started yelling and then tried to disguise it during editing.
KF: Join me on this five-part journey into uncharted territory, where I examine never-before-seen evidence, weigh up the theories, and maybe even answer some of your questions!
Her voice quiets. Calm, windchime-like music begins to softly play.
KF: But first, a word from today’s sponsor, BetterHelp…
Direct Message: Nicky Hemmick to Andrew Minyard
Nicky: heyy!! are u still into true crime stuff??
Nicky: because eriks been listening to american podcasts to copy the accent and he found this one
Nicky : https://open.spotify.com/killings-with-kathy/episode/ehotbbfpktrswhtln
Nicky: its already trending on twitter lol
Nicky: its hosted by kathy ferdinand. I think shes that lady that broke into kevin’s place last year?
Nicky: could be interesting for you lol
Nicky: xxxx
(Read 12:23)
Direct Message: Andrew Minyard to Kevin Day
Andrew : https://open.spotify.com/killings-with-kathy/episode/ehotbbfpktrswhtln
Andrew: Ferdinand is expanding her career. She must be out of TV work after you ruined her life.
Kevin: First of all, I know you’re being facetious but I’m going to remind you yet again that I didn’t ruin her life. She did that herself.
Kevin: Second, do I want to know? It’s not about me is it?
Andrew: Some random true crime thing about Nathan Wesninski.
Kevin: What
Andrew: AKA Butcher of Baltimore. Inaccurate nickname– he didn’t exclusively kill in Baltimore and he never worked as a butcher.
Kevin: Got to go. Practice.
Andrew: You need to work on your excuses. I know your rink is closed. You whined about it last night.
Andrew: I can see you are still online.
(Delivered 12:38)
Direct Message: Kevin Day to Neil Josten
Kevin: Where are you?
Neil: your place
Neil: mine flooded again, jean said i could stay with you guys for a while
Neil: also i’m using your laptop to look for new apartments. thanks for lending it :)
Kevin: We both know I didn’t.
Kevin: Are you alone?
Neil: i know you have the social skills of an alpaca but this is ominous even for you
Kevin: Neil
Neil: no i’m not alone, jean’s here
Neil: what’s going on
Kevin: I need you to remember that your father’s network is destroyed. You’re safe.
Kevin : That being said https://open.spotify.com/killings-with-kathy/episode/ehotbbfpktrswhtln
Kevin: Neil?
(Read 12:42)
Direct Message: Kevin Day to Jean Moreau
Jean: Qu'as-tu dit ?
Kevin: Are you with Neil?
Jean: Ouais. Il panique, pourquoi ?
Kevin: Shit
Kevin : https://open.spotify.com/killings-with-kathy/episode/ehotbbfpktrswhtln
Kevin: It’s trending on Twitter and there’s already articles.
Jean: Fuck
THE NEW YORK TIMES
True Crime Podcast Sparks Mass Speculation into the Disappearance of The Butcher of Baltimore’s Son
By Mathilda Bernard
Kathy Ferdinand is no stranger to publicity.
First known for her talk show, Sports with Kathy , she has since cultivated a reputation for unorthodox journalistic practice; she attracted widespread criticism for speculating live on television that Riko Moriyama , who died by suicide in late 2018, was murdered.
The final straw came last year, when Ferdinand was filmed scaling a fire escape in an attempt to unlawfully enter the residence of hockey player Kevin Day . Ferdinand alleges that her conduct was entirely lawful on the grounds of “truth-seeking” and that it was an attempt to gain an “unguarded” interview for her docuseries Inside the Minds of America’s Top Players . Nevertheless, Day successfully gained a restraining order against her, alleging breaking and entering and destruction of property (Ferdinand broke a window during the incident). It is also worth noting that, at the time, Day lived on the ninth floor of a high-rise apartment complex.
It was this allegation which reportedly prompted NBC to terminate her contract and cancel Sports with Kathy , a move which Ferdinand described as “a gross overreaction”. Some could posit that, following the widespread coverage over the last week, the career setback paid off for Ferdinand and acted as a useful recalibration.
The true crime podcasting genre is notorious for speculation and, at times, a lack of sensitivity towards victims. Ferdinand, with her reputation for both, is currently enjoying much success with her latest endeavour: the creatively-named podcast Killings with Kathy .
In the premier episode, covering the infamous Nathan Wesninski (Butcher of Baltimore), Ferdinand revamps the well-known story with her focus on a particular detail: Nathaniel Wesninski, Nathan’s son. Long-assumed dead, and in some cases removed from Nathan’s narrative entirely, Nathaniel is, according to Ferdinand… alive.
Speculation? Yes. But could it be true? Many seem to think so.
In the week since the episode aired, the hashtags Nathaniel Wesninski, Bring Back Nathaniel, and Nathaniel Is Alive have trended on Twitter, with around 300,000 tweets as of this piece’s publication.
The coverage has prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigations, which handled the Wesninski case, to release a statement reaffirming that Nathan Wesninski died in 2017. However, the statement also confirms that a young man, referred to as “John Doe”, was recovered from the Wesninski residence and taken to hospital for treatment. It goes on to state that the court documents are sealed for “victim protection” due to “highly sensitive testimony”. The statement does not make any overt reference to Nathaniel, and we were unable to contact any representative of the FBI for comment.
Nevertheless, this has been taken as confirmation by some that the young man, described by Ferdinand as “the spitting image of Nathan Wesninski”, is Nathaniel. But how credible is the evidence?
( Continue reading )
Twitter Search: “ Nathaniel ”
Val | @sleeping_probs
Im sorry can we talk about that statement???????? “victim protection” “highly sensitive testimony”. c’mon FBI we know how to read between the lines #NathanielIsAlive
245 Comments | 7.3K Retweets | 59K Likes
William Dawson | @williamdawson123
Why are my taxpayer dollars going towards protecting the son of a serial killer? Look at the research, he’s very likely to turn into a killer too. The world’s gone mad! #NathanielWesninski
60 Comments | 79 Retweets | 563 Likes
Cat Alvarez | @notactuallyacat
I’m not exaggerating when I say I have a corkboard with red (sparkly) string and I’m CONNECTING these theories. Had to take a break tho, this is Dark. Really hope Nathaniel is alive because GOD does that poor kid deserve a shot at a normal life. #BringBackNathaniel
34 Comments | 260 Retweets | 9.9K Likes
Twitter: For You
Renee Walker | @reneewalker1995 (followed by Jean Moreau, Kevin Day, and Kevin (Private).)
So incredibly proud of our team at the Walker Foundation! So far this year we’ve raised over $150,000 through our fundraising efforts, allowing us to continue our work in rehabilitation and support. Special thanks to our inimitable founder @stephaniewalker and the lovely @jeanmoreau01, as well as @kevinday for his continued generosity to the cause. And this message would be remiss without the most heartfelt thanks to all our employees, volunteers, and patrons: without you, none of this would be possible.
36 Comments | 4.2K Retweets | 33K Likes
Kevin Day | @kevinday (following)
Incredible game last night! Excellent competition from the Chicago Falcons and it was a joy to finally play with @jeremyknox on the same team. What a blast! I have no doubt there is more excitement to come! #columbiatitans #chicagofalcons #somuchfun
1.2K Comments | 13K Retweets | 50K Likes
Replying to Kevin Day
“neil” | @10jos10ten
you tweet like someone forced an AI to undergo 2,000 hours of PR training
3 Comments | 9 Retweets | 54 Likes
Twitter Search: “ Kevin Day ”
kevin day is overrated | @coleman98
just because day scored doesnt mean hes a good player, yall need to calm down on the worshipping everyone knows hes only popular cos of the teenage girl fake fans
5 Comments | 3 Retweets | 12 Likes
Replying to kevin day is overrated
“neil” | @10jos10ten
He is literally rated as the USA’s best player and his stats alone have broken world records, what planet do you live on? It’s also very telling that the only criticism you could give was that he scored a goal. Like he’s SUPPOSED to. After that you just defaulted to misogyny. Your inferiority complex isn’t cute, Cole.
34 Comments | 72 Retweets | 390 Likes
Replying to "neil"
Kevin Day’s Wife | @hgrfan9
^ THIS. how dare u insult my husband OP, u shouldn’t be allowed to breathe the same air as kevin
2 Comments | 5 Retweets | 23 Likes
Replying to Kevin Day's Wife
“neil” | @10jos10ten
@kevinday wow you got married and didn’t tell us??
5 Comments | 11 Retweets | 99 Likes
Neil probably won’t ever actually tell Kevin and Jean this, but they’re definitely his best friends in the world. It isn’t something that needs to be said; they both know, that’s for certain.
He met Jean first.
Following about seven years on the run, Nathan caught up with him. Neil isn’t sure how long he spent in that basement. There’s a gap in his memory between Lola ambushing him at his motel and him waking up in the hospital. Dissociation. But he was there long enough that his hair was no longer that box-dyed dark brown.
He chooses to believe his father ordered someone to dye it. The alternative– that he was in that basement long enough for it to fade out– is unthinkable.
It should go without saying that Neil was not in the best mental state at the time. The second his wounds healed enough, Agent Browning shipped him off to the best psychiatric hospital taxpayer money could buy.
It was very dull, to be honest. That’s something no one mentions about psych hospitals: for all the chaos and turmoil of the occupants, most of the days are full of engineered calm.
It took two weeks for Neil to leave his room. He doubts it was because of the nurses’ coaxing, though: as the days passed and he became more and more lucid, his characteristic restlessness returned. An itch under his skin, a voice urging him to move; never get complacent. Still, he was willing to let the nurses believe it was their heartfelt appeals that convinced him.
When he’d stepped into that social room, he hadn’t actually expected to make any friends. Most of the patients seemed split between occupying themselves or sitting together and conversing; Neil wasn’t eager to join the latter group.
One person caught his eye, though: a dark-haired boy with bruise-like shadows under his eyes, staring out the window like the sun would disappear if he looked away.
Jean. Their eyes met, and Neil knew instantly that something had changed.
To this day, Neil doesn’t have the entire story behind Jean’s hospitalisation. Most of what he knows comes from Kevin, who had a front-row seat complete with audience participation.
Neil knows this much: Jean’s parents, on the verge of investigation by the French authorities, carted him off to America as a middle-school transfer student. The host guardian just so happened to be Kevin's adoptive father, Tetsuji Moriyama. Tetsuji figured out quickly that the Moreaus had no intention of taking Jean back. What followed was a few years of unspeakable abuse, culminating in Riko Moriyama, Kevin’s “brother”, breaking Kevin’s hand.
Kevin fled to his biological father with Jean. David Wymack adjusted very well to the news of his teenage son’s existence and got Kevin medical help. Tetsuji, under threat of a police investigation, handed over custody very easily.
It was relatively early into their stay with Wymack that Jean found out his parents were dead: upsetting, maybe, but not exactly surprising. The news of his younger sister’s demise was what pushed him over the edge.
(Her name must have been Elodie. Jean has it tattooed on his wrist, by the scar.)
At that point, Jean’s hospitalisation was inevitable. A devastating development for Jean, but pretty good for Neil, who got his first friend. Not that he’d admit any of that sentiment to Jean.
Regardless, they quickly grew close, bonding over a shared willingness to insult anything and anyone. Jean seemed to genuinely like speaking French with him, even though he mocked Neil’s affected Quebecois accent relentlessly. Both of them improved enough that they were discharged within a week of each other.
Neil, underage and therefore even more of a problem for Agent Browning, managed to convince the Feds to waive the Witness Protection and let him live with the Wymacks. They, endeared by Jean actually asking for something and always willing to roll with the punches, agreed.
It was unavoidable that the Wymacks would get at least some version of the truth: the FBI conducted a thorough house search and background check before Neil even moved in, and Browning visited often to prepare him for Nathan’s trial. Despite this, they never sent him away: just called him “Neil” with no hesitation in their eyes, as though the name “Nathaniel” could never apply.
And with that Neil had David, who never asked to be called ‘Dad’ but acted the way one was supposed to, and Abby, who similarly never insisted on a title. She held him together with familiar ferocity, but she was gentle in a way that his mother had never been.
Kevin was an interesting variable. In his separation from Jean he’d had to rely on David and Abby; he had a hard time adjusting to so much change. At first he was distrustful and downright jealous of Neil, but simultaneously so terrified of ruining Jean’s newfound stability that he was willing to keep quiet.
Riko died about eight months later– a tragic incident fuelled by poor mental health. Such a loss: already a promising hockey player, beloved by all, etcetera etcetera. They found him with the gun placed carefully in his right hand. Untraceable.
(The FBI don’t have all of Neil’s money, and he is his mother’s son– he knows how to hire a hitman.)
Kevin and Jean know the truth. Jean guessed pretty much immediately, and Kevin put the pieces together once his haze of conflicted grief faded.
At least it gave their usual dynamic a firm shake. To be exact, it gave them another reason to walk on eggshells. They fell into a nervous dynamic of stilted conversation, punctuated by each watching the other like an overly-protective hawk. Tedious.
It only lasted two weeks before Neil snapped at them to act like ‘normal fucking human beings’ instead of ‘emotionally-constipated hotline operators’. Kevin squawked indignantly and Jean laughed so hard he cried. Things settled into relative normality after that.
It wasn’t long before Kevin cemented himself as Neil’s second friend.
He realised quickly that Neil’s endless supply of energy could be funnelled into something helpful. He used teaching Neil hockey as a distraction from his own inadequacies. Neil had played once or twice as a child and remembered virtually nothing. They would drive to the rink and practice for an hour every night. Between Kevin’s non-dominant hand and Neil’s terrible everything, they made for a laughable pair.
Still, it must have helped Kevin in some way: he made it onto Wymack’s college team.
The Palmetto Foxes weren’t exactly revered for their skill, with most players joining for the full-ride scholarship. With Kevin’s dedication, however, they slowly made their way up the league tables. They came first in championships during Kevin’s final year.
Neither Neil nor Jean ever hung out with the Foxes. Kevin introduced Jean to Renee Walker, but that was the extent of it. There was never any reason to mix: though the three of them started PSU at the same time, both Neil and Jean enrolled in courses with mostly online lectures.
Besides, Kevin’s tendency to give scathing feedback did little to endear him to his teammates. His only close friend from the team is Andrew Minyard, but he’s reclusive enough that Neil only knows him from the occasional text notification on Kevin’s phone.
Despite all this, Kevin remains convinced that his extensive feedback was a key factor in the Foxes’ improvement. It’s pretty unlikely, though: chances are they just improved out of spite. It’s an excellent motivator, especially when it comes to Kevin.
Speaking of–
“Earth to Neil,” Kevin says, clicking his fingers in Neil’s face. Now that he’s regained almost all function in his left hand, he’s taking every opportunity to show off his progress.
“Hmm?” Neil replies around the two orange popsicles in his mouth. His freezer’s broken; last week it was the heating, and a week before that it was the flooding. Again.
Jean, usually agnostic, insists Neil’s apartment is cursed and has taken to doing the sign of the cross every time he enters. Asshole.
“You need to find a new place,” Kevin says, with the cadence of repetition. “This one’s a health hazard.”
“I’ll just stay with you and Jean again.”
The way things worked out, with Kevin’s new team and Jean’s new job being in the exact same area of Columbia, it just made sense for them to live together. Neil, who still technically has a job at a nearly-bankrupt accountancy firm in Palmetto, made the mistake of renting a one-bedroom apartment described on the website as “a fixer-upper”.
Jean’s been trying to get him to interview for a job at Renee’s non-profit; at this point, Neil’s only resisting because he wants to deal with one problem at a time.
Kevin’s staring at him. Neil bites into one of the popsicles with an obnoxious crunch .
Kevin’s eye twitches. He utilises his trademark stubbornness and sticks to the topic. “Our place is hours away from here.”
“And?”
“You can’t drive that far every morning just to go to work.”
Neil slurps down the last of his popsicles. “They told us to stop coming in, actually. I’m holding out hope for some kind of severance.”
“You are delusional,” Jean calls. He enters a moment later, carrying a pile of towels that he chucks onto the growing mess of pulpy ice-water at the bottom of the open freezer.
“Probably.” Neil brandishes a bag of mushy, previously-frozen berries at him. “Eat.”
Jean takes the bag and drops it into the trash.
“Fair enough.”
Kevin gives a long, drawn-out sigh. “Please tell me you’re still looking at new apartments.”
“I thought you wanted me to be better at not lying.” Neil shrugs. “Once again, I’ll just move in with you guys. Your couch is great.”
“You have a job. Here.”
“Once again, they told us not to come in.”
Jean crouches to swap out the towels. “And why have you not quit?”
“Once again, severance pay.” Neil gestures to the apartment. There’s a caved-in section of wall that pre-dates Neil moving in. It probably also pre-dates his birth. “There is literally no reason for me to live here anymore.”
Jean tilts his head, acquiescing. “He’s got a point, Kevin. And we’d be able to keep an eye on him.” He isn’t sure how he feels about being referred to like he's an unruly toddler. Sometimes Neil thinks Jean forgets they’re the same age.
Kevin’s expression suggests he regrets wasting his day off on this. There’s a long moment of silence. A chunk of mushy ice slides down the inside of the open freezer; Kevin tracks its descent and sighs. “Fine.”
Direct Message: Aaron Minyard to Andrew Minyard
Aaron: We found a place in Chicago. Our first shift is on the 10th and move-in date is the 5th. Kate’s dad said we can use his van to move our stuff. We’ll pack it up and leave on the 4th.
Aaron: I know you won’t sell the house but you should look into getting a roommate. Renee probably knows someone.
Aaron: Are you really not going to say anything?
Aaron: Andrew.
Aaron : (This message has been deleted.)
Aaron: Forget it.
(Read 10:55)
TMZ
STAR HOCKEY PLAYER KEVIN DAY PHOTOGRAPHED IN COLUMBIA (PICTURES INSIDE!)
Kevin Day may be the best hockey player of his generation but he still has to run his errands just like you and me!
Decked out in a green hoodie (brand unknown) and Nike sneakers retailing at $449.99, Day (photographed above) carried a plastic bag and a gallon of milk. In a rare look at Day without his trademark smile, at some points he appeared to scowl at his companion (left side of photo 8).
Our source reported that this companion seemed to be a fan of Mr Day, who is well-known to be very appreciative and considerate of his supporters. And good thing, too, because our source reports that he attempted to trip Day over several times. At one point Day almost dropped the milk! (Photo 8).
( Continue reading )
Direct Message: Abby Winfield to Kevin Day
Abby: https://www.tmz.com/2024/04/15/kevin-day-spotted-in-columbia-errands-fan-milk/
Abby: Told you that hoodie would bring out your eyes! (Kevin Day has liked this message.)
Abby: David got a laugh out of that last picture. I give it a 50% chance of him framing it on the photo wall, LOL
Kevin: Don’t remind me. Neil’s already printed the entire thing out and annotated it. It’s on the fridge now.
Abby: LOL. Let him have his fun
Kevin: Most of his fun is at my expense.
Abby: You aren’t wrong
Abby: Look on the bright side though, at least he’s joking about it. A few years ago something like this would have sent him spiralling
Kevin: I don’t know.
Kevin: I think he’s trying to convince us he’s fine. He hasn’t been sleeping much. Jean keeps hiding his phone so he can’t look at the news.
Kevin: It doesn’t help that even the people in line at the grocery store were talking about that podcast.
Kevin: And that’s the third time he’s been photographed with me. He’s trying to keep a low profile and the last thing he needs is people learning his face. But if he doesn’t leave the apartment he gets stir crazy.
Abby: I’m sorry :( it sounds like he needs to get away from everything. We’ve told him he’s welcome to move back in with us
Kevin : Thank you. I do think Columbia’s the best place for him, at least for now. Jean’s going to get him to interview for an opening at Renee’s non-profit. (Abby Winfield has liked this message.)
Kevin: I think seeing you guys next week will help him. Did you need us to bring anything?
Abby: Just yourselves :) I’ve invited the old Foxes & some others.
Abby: That does remind me though, I invited Nicky and he said he and Erik wanted to visit anyway so will come. Apparently its hit and miss with the twins at the minute. Was going to ask if you could tell them for me? Might be best to go through Andrew etc
Kevin: No problem, probably no guarantee though. You know how they are.
Abby: You’ll never know until you try!
Direct Message: Andrew Minyard to Kevin Day
Andrew : https://www.tmz.com/2024/04/15/kevin-day-spotted-in-columbia-errands-fan-milk/
Andrew: Who’s the guy in photo 8?
Kevin: Neil. I’ve definitely mentioned him before. I think? Why?
Andrew: You have.
Kevin: ?
Kevin: Nevermind.
Kevin: It’s Wymack’s birthday next week. They're having a party on the Saturday. Abby wants to know if you and Aaron are in. Nicky and Erik are going to come too.
Kevin: It’ll be pretty low key. The old team’s going and a few of his work friends. Jean and Neil will be there too. I think I’ve mentioned Jean before as well?
Andrew : (Andrew Minyard has shared a contact: Aaron Minyard)
Andrew: Message him yourself. There had better be whiskey.
Kevin: Is that a yes?
Kevin: Andrew?
Kevin: I’m going to take that as a yes.
(Read 13:56)
Twitter: For You
Tricky Nicky | @closeklose
@kevindayprivate help lol we’re on the plane over now and the guy next to us is watching a recording of ur game. but like it’s a video of a screen filmed by a phone. he must have literally sat there for an hour just holding his phone up to film his tv. that’s the level of obsession he’s at
12 Comments | 1 Retweets | 18 Likes
Retweeting Tricky Nicky
Kevin (Private) | @kevindayprivate (following)
I’ve done that before when I couldn’t get the recording to download to my phone. It’s not that weird.
13 Comments | 3 Retweets | 4 Likes
Twitter Page: Tricky Nicky
Tricky Nicky | @closeklose (Followed by Kevin.)
erik has listened to that podcast ep so many times that now when he speaks english he keeps using the Kathy Ferdinand whisper (TM). i don’t know whether to be scared or turned on.
8 Comments | 4 Retweets | 31 Likes
Replying to Tricky Nicky
Aaron Minyard | @am_minyard
Why would u admit to that?
1 Comment | 0 Retweets | 2 Likes
Replying to Aaron Minyard
Tricky Nicky | @closeklose
look if i have to be haunted by that ep then everyone else should be too lol
0 Comments | 0 Retweets | 3 Likes
Twitter Search: “ Nathaniel ”
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
The best of the best Nathaniel theories: A Thread
1.1K Comments | 9.8K Retweets | 84K Likes
Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 1: Mary Wesninski was the Butcher of Baltimore all along and killed her son. She faked the disappearances so she could pin all the blame on her husband whilst continuing to operate from their home. Weaknesses: why would Nathan allow that? What about the trail of bodies & the sightings?
50 Comments | 450 Retweets | 12K Likes
Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 2: Nathaniel and Mary are living abroad under fake names. Probably somewhere obscure with no extradition agreement with the US. Weaknesses: doesn’t explain the basement sighting or the trial docs being sealed? Did they come back to testify then leave?
21 Comments | 387 Retweets | 9.6K Likes
Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 3: Nathaniel never existed. He was made up by the Butcher so the FBI would think he’s a family man and eliminate him as a suspect in the murders. The guy taken from the basement was just a random Butcher victim. Weaknesses: how do you even invent a person and keep up that ruse? Surely it would be easier to just *have* the kid?
27 Comments | 312 Retweets | 8K Likes
Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 4: Nathan killed Nathaniel and Mary and reported them missing as a decoy. Any sightings or evidence to the contrary was either planted by Nathan or a coincidence. Weaknesses: sealed testimony? Basement guy? Plus I just don’t want this one to be true.
52 Comments | 2.5K Retweets | 20K Likes
Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 5: Mary is alive but Nathaniel isn’t. Would explain the sealed testimony (who better to give all the info than the Butcher’s WIFE). Weaknesses: what about the guy from the basement?
46 Comments | 1.2K Retweets | 9.9K Likes
Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 5.5: Swapsies. Nathaniel is alive but *Mary* isn’t. Would explain the guy from the basement (and the lack of recent Mary sightings) and the sealed testimony. Weaknesses: this is a pretty solid one, actually. I find it quite boring tho.
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Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 6 (my fave): Nathaniel is also the Butcher of Baltimore. The FBI shot Nathan and dragged Nathaniel out. The docs are sealed as Nathaniel took some kind of plea/was too young. Would explain both the Butcher dying in the basement & the Nathaniel guy being covered in blood. Weaknesses: not too many– maybe they killed Mary & faked the disappearances?
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Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Theory 7: The guy getting dragged out of the basement was Nathan. He died in federal custody and the FBI just lied about it. Mary and Nathaniel are either dead or in hiding. Weaknesses: not many. It would explain a lot, including the sealed court documents.
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Replying to Current obsession: Wesninski Case
Current obsession: Wesninski case | @watermelonsugarlow
Final, most likely theory: Nathaniel is alive and in the US under a fake name. Generally the most accepted one (other than him being dead). Explains the sighting, the sealed court documents & the FBI statement. Weaknesses: none, this is pretty solid. Kinda boring, but real life is often boring.
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Andrew arrives at the Wymack residence about an hour too early. It’s not entirely by accident: Aaron’s also going, and it’ll be useful to be there first. Stake his claim.
Aaron’s moving out in a week; until then, he technically still lives in the Columbia house with Andrew. You wouldn’t think so, though: he uses the house as more of a storage unit than anything else, choosing instead to spend the vast majority of his time with the cheerleader. Andrew doesn’t care. Their agreement is null and void: college is over. Aaron has no reason to stay in Columbia. Med school and a happier future awaits. Etcetera etcetera. He doesn’t care.
Back to the point: despite technically residing with Andrew, Aaron’s going to hitch a ride with the cheerleader. Andrew didn’t offer to drive him and Aaron didn’t ask. But the thought of Aaron turning up only to find Andrew already here is mildly appealing.
He parks in the only free spot on the drive, almost scraping his wing mirror on Wymack’s familiar truck. Oh dear.
The front door is wide open. He follows the sound of voices through the entryway, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. It’s large and practical, decorated in muted shades of brown and green. There’s an island in the middle: Kevin sits there with Abby, the old team nurse and Wymack’s wife. They look up in unison when Andrew enters.
“You’re early,” Kevin remarks.
“I was promised whiskey.”
“Still–”
Abby thwacks Kevin’s arm before he can get going. “Not a problem. We could use the extra help. David’s… somewhere.” She stands and cranes her neck to look through the glass-panelled back door behind her, presumably into the backyard. “He’s unloading the yard furniture now.”
“I am not helping with that,” Kevin says immediately. At Andrew’s look, he says: “There was a snake in one of the deck chairs last time. It fell on my foot.”
“We think it was a southern black racer. It was small and so fast,” Abby says with far more enthusiasm. Kevin looks slightly green. “I wish we’d been filming.”
“I would pay to see that,” Andrew says, indulging momentarily in the mental image.
“Someone should probably help him,” Abby says, still craning her neck to watch Wymack. Andrew can’t see him from his spot at the edge of the room, but Kevin’s described the house enough that he knows there’s a large backyard with a storage shed at the end. “You know how he is, he’ll wear himself out and then fall asleep at his own party.”
“Neil and Jean should be back soon,” Kevin says, resolutely refusing to move any closer to the back door. “They went to get decorations,” he adds, presumably for Andrew’s benefit. The house is oddly free of any birthday paraphernalia. Kevin turns back to Abby. “Neil will be fine helping. He’s weird.”
“Probably,” Abby hums. She’s still looking out into the garden. “Oh, for God’s sake. How many times have I told him to lift with the knees?” And with that, she strides out the back door. It swings shut on the tail end of, “David! ”
“Wondered how long that would take,” Kevin admits, crossing to the cupboard beside Andrew. He withdraws a bottle of Johnnie Walker and passes it over. “As promised. Just don’t let Wymack see.”
“First you leave him to get eaten by snakes,” Andrew says, taking a swig straight from the bottle, “then you steal his alcohol. Insult to injury.”
“He’ll recover,” Kevin says with a shrug. He shows off his height and reaches for the cabinet above Andrew, setting a glass on the counter beside him. “Besides, you didn’t offer either.”
“Try to recall a time where I volunteered for something.”
Kevin thinks this over for a few moments. In the meantime, Andrew pours himself a finger of whiskey.
At last, Kevin says: “Is this the point where I ask you how you’re doing?”
“You're asking me.” It isn’t a question, because Andrew isn’t one to ask questions, but Kevin responds anyway.
“Friendship isn’t a skill I’ve felt the need to develop,” Kevin admits. It’s as close as he can get to admitting he’s bad at something.
“My condolences to your family,” Andrew says, swallowing the last of his drink. The burn is a welcome sensation, but he has no intention of getting drunk today. He screws the top back onto the bottle and stashes it at the back of its original cupboard to be retrieved later.
Kevin watches all of this with vague interest. “Abby said Nicky said you and Aaron are fighting again.”
“Nicky needs to mind his own business.” Andrew would describe it as more of a cold war, anyway. Outright fighting is pointless against Andrew, at least when it’s coming from Aaron.
“Is it about med school?” Kevin says, needling away. “They’re moving to Chicago, right?”
“How do you know that.”
“Jean said Renee mentioned it. She probably heard it from Katelyn.” When Andrew gives no reaction, Kevin adds: “Neil had to move in with us a few weeks ago. That was an adjustment, but I’m getting used to it.”
Andrew doubts it’s a very apt comparison, but it can’t be said Kevin isn’t making an effort.
Thankfully, a clatter in the entryway saves him from any more. It’s followed by several more thuds, some swearing in what Andrew can only assume is French, and the sound of a door shutting.
“Kevin! Some idiot stole our space. And then I had to watch Jean try to parallel park. Is it too early to open the drinks?” The man who strides into the room is obscured by the massive bag hugged to his chest, but he’s wearing jean shorts and the rattiest socks Andrew has ever seen. There’s a mess of auburn hair just visible over the top of the bag.
“Decorating first. Then alcohol,” Kevin says dryly. He takes the bag from the man, who turns to face Andrew as though registering an intruder.
And, oh, this could be a problem. He’s exactly Andrew’s type: barely any taller than him, similar build, interesting enough that he wouldn’t be immediately bored.
His memory reconstructs the stories Kevin’s shared of home: Jean, French and significant; and Neil, presumably-American and significant. The pictures in the article last week were too grainy to do him justice: the thing piquing Andrew’s interest was the guy’s obvious closeness with Kevin.
Now, Andrew’s memory overwrites the blurry pictures and replaces them with the real thing: Neil’s most prominent feature, other than the piercing blue of his eyes, is the mess of scars across his face. Some are straight lines, deliberate and from a blade, and others are burn-like– cigarette? Lighter? Neil is immediately an enigma. Interesting.
The scars don’t detract from his attractiveness: sharp cheekbones, slightly-crooked nose, cupid’s bow mouth. Every part of his face is fascinating. The edge of a scar peeks out from his shirt collar, hinting at what lies underneath. Better to stop that train of thought.
When he looks up, Neil’s eyes fix on his. His expression is inscrutable. There’s a white scar by his bottom lip. It looks raised, though it’s difficult to tell from just looking.
“Let me guess. Andrew?”
“Congratulations.”
“Neil?” Another voice, accented, calls– then there’s another man in the doorway, eyeing Andrew. Must be Jean: he’s also attractive, though too tall to be Andrew’s type. Still, the sharp cut of his face and the striking grey of his eyes is aesthetically appreciable. Where the fuck did Kevin find these people?
Those grey eyes flick to Neil. “Is this the guy who stole the space?”
“Is this the guy who cannot parallel park?” Andrew replies.
Neil snorts. For a single, ridiculous moment, Andrew is actually grateful for his perfect memory. He’s in no danger of forgetting the sound. “Yep, definitely Andrew. Kevin’s mentioned you.”
“Any good things?”
Neil tilts his head side to side, nose scrunching. “For the first few years of college he used to come home and complain about you letting every goal in. He swore it was on purpose. I’m pretty sure he almost cried a couple times.”
“This was a mistake,” Kevin mutters, while Jean tries to disguise his laugh with a cough. At Kevin’s look of betrayal, he busies himself with unloading the bag.
“It built character,” Andrew says, thinking of Kevin’s gradual realisation that demanding things of Andrew got him nowhere. Finally, in his final year, he’d started actually asking.
Neil looks at him again, lips twitching into the beginnings of a smile. Then his gaze is drawn to Jean, and he crosses over to help with spreading the decorations over the kitchen island. He leaves a faint remnant of his scent in the air: sandalwood, soap, and a subtle hint of cigarette smoke. Andrew is very conscious of his own breathing.
“Right. So,” Neil says, “we got balloons and banners. They didn’t have anything that said “55th” so we got “5th” instead. I figure we can just add a 5.” Sure enough, when he tears the plastic packaging open and unfurls one of the banners, it proclaims ‘Happy 5th Birthday!’ in cheerful bubble writing. There are tiny dinosaurs and spaceships weaving between the letters.
Kevin’s left eye twitches. He turns on Jean. “You signed off on this? Really?”
Jean shrugs. “It was the best option. Blame him– he was supposed to go yesterday. They have more variety in Columbia.”
“That’s not my fault. My car broke down,” Neil adds, to Andrew.
Jean mutters something in rapid French.
“For the last time,” Neil answers, with the cadence of a well-trod argument, “the curse did not spread to my car. There is no curse.”
Andrew feels he lacks the context for this conversation. They might as well just drop the politeness and switch to French.
Thankfully, Neil changes track. He starts rifling through drawers. “Where are the Sharpies?” He glances up and properly observes the room for the first time. “Where are Wymack and Abby?”
“Getting eaten by snakes,” Andrew supplies.
Neil stares at him for only a moment before he makes the connection and smirks, eyes widening. “The yard furniture. Remember that, Kevin?”
“Couldn’t forget if I tried,” Kevin says, world-weary. He opens the drawer beside Neil and shoves a handful of markers at him. “Here. Sharpies.”
Neil pushes them back at him. “Never mind. You and Jean deal with the decorations. Dibs on snake duty.”
“No challenge there,” Kevin says, and takes the markers. Jean’s expression says he shares the sentiment.
Neil crosses to the back door, and Andrew figures that’s the end of it. But Neil pauses at the threshold and looks back at him. His gaze is still inscrutable, but Andrew gets the sense he’s waiting.
“Well? Are you coming?” Neil says, those blue eyes on his and that white scar curling with the twist of his mouth.
Yes. This is definitely going to be a problem.
