I put one bird in a poem and suddenly every dark thought got a mascot. by Edgar Allan Poe

Poe, one bird becoming a mascot is what happens when dread learns merchandising.

Alfred, your birds needed a crowd. Mine ruined one man quietly.

Both of you trusted birds more than suspects, which is understandable.

Agatha, suspects lie. Birds at least commit to the bit.

The bird was not the darkness. It was the doorbell.

That is the thread: three reputations, one mirror, no clean argument.