Sherlock & Co. - The Bruce-Partington Plans - Part Two

Episode Date: September 1, 2026

OUR SECRET VALENTINE - Clearly, Sherlock and I had work to do. The government got to work on their side. We got to work on ours. The first port of call was to establish a pattern of life for our deceased Arthur Cadogan-West. That, of course, required a break-in.Part 2 of 4This episode contains swearing, deathListener discretion is advised.A new clothing store has opened: www.sherlockwear.comFor merchandise and transcripts go to: www.sherlockandco.co.ukFor ad-free, early access to adventures in full go to www.patreon.com/sherlockandcoTo get in touch via email: [e-mail] me @DocJWatsonMD on twitter and BlueSky, or sherlockandcopod on TikTok, instagram and YouTube.This podcast is property of Goalhanger Podcasts.Copyright 2026.SHERLOCK AND CO.Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan DoylePaul Waggott as Dr. John WatsonHarry Attwell as Sherlock HolmesMarta da Silva as Mariana AmetxazurraThomas Mitchells as Mycroft HolmesJasmine Kerr as D.C Lily LestradeLuke Jasztal as Walter ValentineAdditional Voices:Clemency CornwellJack AyresDarcey FergusonJemma RevellAdam JarrellWritten by Joel EmeryDirected by Adam JarrellEditing and Sound Design by Adam JarrellProduced by Neil Fearn and Jon GillExecutive Producer Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Audio books, ad-free early access adventures, mailbag episodes, case-fire episodes, AMAs, behind-the-scenes, micro-adventures, authored by Watson himself, a Discord channel with nearly 2,000 chatter little members, merchandise discounts, exclusive events, and yes, done. Yeah, it's the most important bit, mate. Oh, Patreon.com forward slash Sherlock and Co. Thanks. Previously on Sherlock and Co. He has a case for us, it's fresh. How fresh, less than 12 hours, I'd say. Stop it. You have a case, yet you showed up in fancy dress as Terrence and invented a bunch of characters.

That was to warm you up, dear chaps. Observing what I did earlier and what I see now, you've been on the tube. You removed your shoes as Terrence for good reason. For the dirty scuffs of limestone didn't quite work for Terrence. So not only have you been in a tube carriage, but you have in fact been trackside. You've used an antibacterial hand wash, exceptionally rare for a man with your dermatological obsessions, so it's a body on the line. The Goldgate station is closed, I note.

I'll head over there now. Always lovely to see you, Big Brother. You can't get to the site without me. I'm sure I'd find a way. I assure you, you won't. The police are not attending this case, in full force at least. What? We're handling it.

Who's we? Now, why would I answer a question like that with your microphone right now? Why would you do half the things you've done today? National security then. Over here? Here he is. Interesting. Yeah. I thought you'd notice a thing or two about him.

Well, he's got some major contortions. Not a great deal of blood, though. Unlikely struck by a train, then. Yeah, true. We have no cameras that spot him entering the tunnel at either end, or at any station or platform. So he just appeared here? Service hatch?

No. Not a single camera catches him on his adventure to this point, where he comes into contact with the live rail. If he was struck by a train that would blood, Burns would be shattered, not misplaced, witnesses all the way from the driver to the passengers would have seen it, felt it. The control room monitor this sort of thing constantly. Sensors alone would have caught it. Obstruction markers in the tunnel would send a signal. So, not electrocuted, not hit by a train.

And from the looks of it, not ever intending to be out of the house, let alone. Here. Yeah. I think the game might be afoot, brother. Yes. I think it might. You're late. Where have you been? Part two of the Bruce Partington plans is right here waiting for you and you're dragging your feet.

It contains the usual awful stuff, so just buckle up. All right? All right, come on. Could we see his identification? D.C. Lestrade. Microft. He's not carrying any. He may not be, but we do have the British government here with us. Don't we, Big Row?

Is that surprising? He's not carrying ID? He's got jogging bottoms on and a t-shirt. Hmm, yes. Moccus and slithers, casual attire, showered, no identification. What is this in his teeth? What is it? I'd say...

A speck. He was having camomile tea? It would seem. That confirms it. He was in for the night then. Yes. But what brought him out? And to hear.

And I would ask that question of you as well. Yes, of course you would. It is a government matter. It is. Something on his person. Indeed. He's in pyjamas. What can he?

be carrying where? Stuffed down his pyjama trousers, Dr. Watson. What was it? Microft. Turn off your microphone. What? John. Turn it off. Now.

Okay. Okay. Where you go? Two things. His pajamas are torn here on the leg. Yeah. Yeah, it looks like it was caught on something. Indeed. And then... Finger tips and under his fingernails, you see.

Oh, dirt. Soil, to be exact. A rather fine topsoil, actually. For flowers, vegetables, things like that. So that happened after his shower. Indeed. Then he is at least wearing a watch. And you can see the scrape here.

Mm-hmm. Dragged along concrete. What did Lily say about dental records a second ago? She said they weren't going to be possible. Why? Look in his mouth. Oh, shit. Most of them shattered.

Some broken away entirely. From impact? It would seem. Do you think that's like secret agents that did that? I would try not to get too distracted by my brothers. Industry. Were they found a document on him? Yes.

Can we not see it? No. But it might have clues on it. Microft would inform if he thought they were crime scene relevant, beyond national security concerns. I can hear you whispering about the thing I told you not to discuss, by the way. Why? National security, dear man. For goodness sake.

No. Why? There's a reason we're here, and you're not doing it. I don't know what you're talking about. removing the documentary from the airwaves, keeping us fresh with that ridiculous Terrance stunt, and now this. A case that you know more about than anyone is being tossed to us, like an unwanted cut of beef. I think you're being rather dramatic, Sherlock.

You know I'm busy. Yet you don't seem it. Silly, silly, silly games, my craft. No, silly games, Sherlock. Putting the country at risk. When I play my hand, there is always some risk. Oy, lads, I can't hold this off any longer. You have inspectors here.

Police work is not being delayed. It is being conducted, Lilith. We're not stopping you. Conducted in a very limited form, Mycroft. I have to bring in the wider teams. You've had all morning. Do we think this is something I can leave with you? Yeah.

We can look into it further, yes? the thing we discovered on him, what he took. We must know how. Why and when. Consider it done. We accept your case. We will invoice upon completion. Thank you.

For a lot. A very large sum. Yep. Fine. Fine. Hmm. I must dash. You two are...

All right to see yourselves out. Thank you. Thank you. Goodness. For finally learning to share. Goodbye, Sherlock. Um, Mycraft's. What was his name?

Hmm? Our body on the track, what's his name? You said they were working on it. We may have, or may have not, entered his face into a recognition bank currently under beta testing. He resembles a barman that works at a restaurant in Soho called Humble. Name of the deceased. Please mate. Arthur Cadogan West. Arthur Cadogan West.

Oh, Lily has shared the report with me. Could you put it in the WhatsApp please? I'd like to go over it again. Mm-hmm, sure. The guy could have boarded way earlier at a different station and leapt from the train. The Metropolitan line literally goes to Zone 8. That's not even London. There's no way They've gone through every camera on every platform Right out to Zone 8 The carriages would have footage of a man leaping from a train If that were even possible

Well, you guys did it in the Stockbroker's clerk That was different But even if they did Why does a barman that works in Soho That worked the very night he died Have any business up in the leafy Buckinghamshire Suburbs of Zone 8 That's even if they did find evidence of him being up there

Which they didn't. This guy is in his PJs, sipping his camomile tea, he freaking blinks, and he's on the tracks at Aldgate Station. I don't get it. You're quiet. No, I'm not. You are. What are you hiding, John? Nothing.

Oh, don't look at me like that, Sherlock. Look at you. No. Shifting in your seat, rolling your toes in your trainers. How can you even see that? Hmm. You're doing me. that itch. Because you're annoying me. This is why I itch when people annoy me.

Pocket. There's something in his pocket. Get it. Get off me. You must share it. If it is relevant. All right. Fine, fine. I did, I did a Sherlock. John, how could you? Sorry, what exactly is a Sherlock? He stole evidence from the scene of the crime. Oh, wonderful. Wonderful, John. Excellent work. Show and tell time. Come on. Look, everyone was talking about the national security thing, and I just noticed, in his single clenched fist, there was a thing. What is the thing, please? Come on, present, display. This. Excellent.

A cufflink. Yep. The smartest thing about our pajama man. Very good, John. May I? Sure. Not an inexpensive one either. Not inexpensive at all. How curious. And what was the national security thing?

Don't look at me. I'm not allowed to say... Sherlock? It was a classified document. Unbelievable, Sherlock! I said it was classified. I didn't reveal the contents, did I? Okay, so... Now it's got even weirder, right?

Any big deductions you've made, or... Right now? We do not require deduction. Construction. Mycroft's beloved system has very little on our pajama man, so we must uncover it ourselves. What exactly are we constructing? The life of Arthur Cadegon West.

Right up to the moment he died. Come to Soho. Right honourable members Gregory Bruce and Harriet Partington bring forward these measures to not Just curve overspend in the intelligence and defence sectors, but to understand it. Each department and sub-department is presented with the opportunity to self-audit. Classified reports will not be made public. I think we've made clear in our arguments that we are opening ourselves up to extreme risk.

Risk to whom, Mr. Billingham? To our assets. To our agents. Welcome, friends and family of the podcast, to London's Soho. I'm pretty sure I've dragged you here before. Arthur Cadogan West, of course, worked in Soho. If you've been, you may have even been served a drink by him. You never know. If you've never been to Soho, however, it's basically Central London's sort of junk drawer.

Yeah, every time you think you've figured out what it is, you turn a corner of. and find something completely different. Tiny Italian delis next to recording studios, centuries old pubs opposite cocktail bars that have drinks with smoke coming out of them, like that one there. On the floor here, a big splash of kebab vomit. But right next to it,

trying to lick it up, a dog that's probably worth five grand. It's a mixed bag, my friends. Shush, please. Oh, uh, what are you... Cover the camera. I don't have a camera. No, here.

On the intercom. Oh, God. Please, mate, come on. Cover it. Hello. Hey, Rosie, it's Zach. Zach. Sorry, who's Zach? From flat seven, literally.

So sorry. Like, I had a proper mental one last night and the big key for the main door. I've left it somewhere. I've got my flat key, though. Can you buzz me in? Sorry. I can't see you on the camera.

Can you move away from it a bit? Oh my God, it's not working again. I'll call Night and Thornton's and get them to come out fix it again like what third time this year yeah it's been bad um oh i should probably bus you in yeah no worries rosy thanks so much absolutely hanging just ask don't want to ask anything mate okay then not bothered lovely terrific how there how did you do that you knew more about her neighbors and building than she did that's because i looked up who managed the building

before i came here i could see from the intercom panel the moment i pressed call that the facebook They'd had been replaced, as had the camera. I could see her name was Rosie, or the other residents used surnames, apart from Zach. So I called her because she's in. The big light is on in her kitchen and her window is open, and then I just worked with what she gave me. Great, great. And using my own deductions here, mate.

Go on. I did not see Arthur's name, nor a Mr. Cadogan West on that panel of residence. No, you did not, because he does not live here. Then what in the hell are we doing in a Soho apartment building? We are accessing the fire escape route, which is... Ohy, what the... Wrope. It's a compliance failure in my book, by the way.

Signage should be much better. Ah, here we go. Now we make our way down here. Holy shit, that's high, Sherlock. It's a fire escape. It's perfectly safe. Deary, little rusty. Lots of carrot to these old things. Right, old chum. Here we go.

We go. God's sake. Just one more flight. Yep. And then that will take us into the top floor of Humble, the bar where Cadogan worked. Right. And sorry, couldn't we just go in through the door? They opened six.

Then we could have waited. And get access to their staff room. Very unlikely. Ah, here we go. pry this open, like so. And there we have it. After you, dear companion. Yep, thanks. This is the staff room. Arthur will have a locker somewhere in here. Right, and what exactly are we expecting to find there, mate? Belongings. Yes, what kind? Something that actually helps us with the case. Well, that's impossible to tell at this point. We can't access where he lives

until the government have done their sweep of it. So we will strike where we can. They found his address then. Ah, here we have them. Staff lockers. How interesting. What's that? Nameplate is new.

So here's a recent hire. Mycroft informed me of his date of birth, so let's just... So predictable. Oh, shit. Goodness. That's a lot of tips for a barman. Listeners, we have kind of discovered something that might just pertain to the case.

How much do you think that is? I'd say 50,000 pounds. You heard that, you lot, 50,000 pounds in cash. What's more, we have bugging equipment and fake. passport all his face but all different names. Sherlock. What? Look. A gun. Something tells me that Arthur Cadogan West was not just a Balaman. Oh bugger. This is the police. Come out immediately with your hands up. Oh, wonderful. Nice police car.

Hmm, yes, I thought the same. Must be a new model, terrific legroom. Look at that. So, Pajama Man is a spy. So it seems, John. Yes. Got some good news for you. Yeah, was it all a dream?

There's a 2020 again. Come this right. This feels like a sarcastic trap. Try as best you can, dear Watson, to not step into it. Don't let us raise a sharp teeth clamp down onto your leg. But I have not the heart to cut you free amidst the pain and screaming. What does that even mean? It means be wary.

Mr. Valentine, they're all yours. Ah, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Oh, hello. If the good news is meeting a fan of the show, then I'd really classify that as mixed news. Not quite. But I've been following your work. What work would that be?

On this case? That of Arthur Cadogan West. your British government. Not that the suit, the evidence of lengthy travel and the overall demeanour didn't already give you away, but nobody should know about this case, except those within the intelligence services. Very good. Exceptional, in fact. Walter Valentine.

Oh, good to meet you. Are you, um, MI6? Can't comment on that, I'm afraid. Oh, that's a very MI6 answer. I can't comment. I am looking into this situation myself. I was grabbing a quick breakfast nearby and saw the police cars and, you know, good selves.

But trying to assemble a pattern of life. Yeah, that's right. Things don't really add up, do they, mate? Indeed, Mr. Valentine. In Arthur Cadogan West's locker... I know, I know. Come away from the Met for a moment. They have a nasty habit of buggering things up.

I couldn't agree more. Can we keep our voices down, please? It's 48,500 pounds. Well, do we reckon he got paid 50K, gave himself 1,500? That's exactly where I stand, yes. But what of the man himself, Mr. Valentine? Where do you stand on the deceased? It was brought to my attention just a few hours ago

that Arthur was found dead. And on his person was sensitive material. Correct? Of course, we are never surprised. within our networks, that goes without saying. But I would say I was the only man in the machinery that saw this coming. Put it that way.

How? He... It's a bloke that worked in a bar found on a railway line. I know. I know how it looks to see him there, but this... This locker, I'm afraid to say, is the second life of Arthur Cadigan West.

The shadow, a life. Also, I thought. You don't believe him to be a spy. I know a spy when I see one. And this is something different. I think he was offered money and a life that was scary, yes, but also irresistible. This is a bugging equipment.

It's decades old. Nobody uses this anymore in the industry. This gun here, look. Look at that. No firing pin. It's decommissioned. Someone is... playing him. Is the cash counterfeit? That is not. Why?

Because the second Arthur would have tried to use it. The fantasy world into which he ventured would be exposed. The spy thriller illusion shattered. Exactly. Arthur was a young guy. Unfulfilled. Brave. Curious. Somebody knew it. And they played.

aid him to get what they want. So the poor guy was used? For what? I expect there was what we call a handler. There's various methods we are a hostile agent will use to recruit. We're no different in what we look for. People like Arthur are excellent choices. Driven, uncommitted.

Detached from his colleagues, family, friends, broken relationships, mixed ideals. Risk taking. I mean, the man was in debt. to an online casino and that's the very least of it. What happened to his previous job? Very good, Mr. Holmes. The nameplate here. It's new.

You know, I need you both. And I, dare say, at the risk of sounding very grand about the whole thing, the British state needs you. We must find what he did before this job. It's not on file. No. The previous role is key. He suddenly, pop, appears on tax forms, on credit forms, the second he takes this role at Humble Restaurant.

Before that, he's a mystery. But I feel it's there where he was chosen. Get us into his flat. That? I can do. Everything all right, Mr. Holmes? He likes to kind of take everything in before sharing what's going on in there. I understand. None of his flatmates have been here this week.

A little bit suspicious. They aren't people of interest. South African girl has been in Cape Town for a month. The other is a student. Nothing to suggest Arthur confided in either of them. Oh, I have to take this. Excuse me. Walter Valentine.

Hey. See anything? Hmm. Just because I think a James Bond friend is expecting big things from you, so if you could... I said, mm. Okay, yep. Yep. Signs of a struggle or anything?

No. Okay, good to know. There is rather an absence of things. Example? See here, top of the wardrobe. Yeah. A gap. 50 centimetres by 30 centimeters, I'd say.

No dust. Something was here. Storage is at a premium and accommodation like this. You wouldn't leave an empty spot like this. What was there? A suitcase. So, he might not have even been here recently. Exactly my concern. Oki-dokey, I have clues. And sadly, a missing clue. A missing clue? I had hoped to find our cufflinks brother. Ah, yeah. Good point.

But there is no sign of it here, nor its removal. You're spending a rather long time in this wardrobe of his? Well, it doesn't have much, else. Yes. Good observation. What are you searching for? Is this for some god-awful report, Mr. Valentine? No, no, no, absolutely not. I am liking you more and more.

Not how our side works. Reports, as we have discovered. can go missing. What was it exactly? Mikeroft gave us basic info. I'm guessing you're going to tell us it's classified. The name of what is missing is actually very well known. The Bruce Partington Plans.

Yeah, they're MPs, aren't they? What are they got to do with it? Yes, Gregory Bruce and Harriet Partington. They commissioned a report into overspending on British intelligence. Some departments took it more seriously than others. My brother, James Valentine, was key for the Defence Department in this whole process. Then a somewhat rogue auditor managed to compile a report on our most valued agents. And, as you can imagine, that getting into the hands of our enemies...

They'd be in serious trouble. Putting it mildly, yes. British lives lost The world over So someone used Arthur Cadogan West to get it? He's involved, yes. But how? That is the question.

We know Arthur as a dead man in cosy pyjamas But looking in here We see his pieces of smart attire These here, they are in fact tailored. That's interesting For a barman. thoughts exactly. His social life, like many bar staff, would have been quite limited outside of the work environment. We can tell by this flat share in Ballon that money

wasn't easy to come by. Yet, two tailored suits. And then there's the smell. Oh, and a several whiff. Wow. Uh, that is smoky. Cigarette smoke. But not on any of the other items. I probably just couldn't afford the dry cleaning. No. These were uniforms, different to his humble Soho polo shirt, so this is most likely our previous job, exceptionally high-end. Private because smoking is allowed, but as Mr. Valentine points out, he wasn't in the tax system. So it must have been cash in hand. There's uh... there's something in here. I checked the pockets. No, no, it's fallen through a seam or something. I can... I don't feel... What is it? Huh.

Well done, Mr Holmes. Was I correct? High-end, cash in hand. And now we have the business card to prove it. Arthur Cadigan West. Mixologist. Colfield Gentleman's Club, Mayfair. You're dead in here?

It's 2pm on a Tuesday. Yeah, good point. Some more bar staff back there. You're having another drink? No, I'm saying we could go and talk to them. Well, we know that this place recently had a vacancy in the form of our tube line friend, and I can tell you, by the way, that martini is being made over there. That is certainly his replacement.

Was the technique wrong or something? The technique, the amount of vermouth, the shaking in his hand, seems hardly part of the mixing technique. Well, maybe it's shaken, not stirred. What are you doing? Nothing. Carry on. In summary, that bar member over there is as much use making us a cocktail as he is giving the information on our person of interest.

Pretty sharp suit though. Where is that? Same as Arthur's. Good for them. Speaking of sharp suits, where is Walter Valentine? Oh, let him do our dirty work. Sitting in a very clean, governmental way. So just relax. Have a drink. We're not having another drink. Okay, okay.

Ooh, here he comes. Hey Walter, what's the sit here? Yes. Yeah, of course. Of course. Did you get any good information for us? Yeah. The manager is a useful woman. She told me all about Arthur.

She knew a great deal about his personal life too. Did she mention anything regarding his secret life? Mr. Valentine? Not. No. The conversation didn't really take me in that direction. Right. Right. I'm just going to pop to the bar and grab a water or something.

Yes, very peculiar. What the hell did the manager tell him? What do you think it's like organised crime or something in here? Oh, almost certainly. Then has he just been, you know, been held at gunpoint for the mob, wasn't it? Well, if he has, it's rather strange to then pop to the bar for a drink. No, his disposition would be stronger than that.

What could have spooked the spook, John? That is the question. He's sweating? Yes, he is. What do you think? I think that man is about to lose consciousness. I think I agree. Shall I go?

Catch him. Oh, God. It's okay, it's okay, everyone. I'm a doctor. I'm a doctor. You're looking better. Colours come back. Mm-hmm. It's not...

I'm sorry, just going through my knowledge of espionage. You haven't been poisoned. Have you, Walter? No. No, I'm fine, honestly. Been trying a couple of weeks. That's all. No breakfast this morning.

No. Of course. That must be it. I must be it. Well, then, Walter Valentine. You lied. Sorry? When we first met, you told us you were grabbing a breakfast nearby,

and you saw the police cars. What's going on? We are owed the truth, Mr. Valentine. I don't wish to share it. Then I will speak to the manager and discover it myself. No, no, no, you can't do that. Oh, God, it a... Lucky world, Mr. Holmes, in the spying game, not just among enemies, but colleagues, friends, family.

What were you told? I know who took the file. It was my brother. Jesus Christ, I just saw him. On the security footage, in the bar, he handed it to Arthur Cadogan West. Chinnell is wrong with you, Tim. God, fuck! Hey, hey, hey, it's okay. It's not okay.

It's not okay. He is chief of the defense staff, for God's sake. Of course it's not okay. Mr. Valentine, do you believe he was the handler? Oberstein, a code name. Couldn't tell you his real one. He, uh,

Oberstein is an asset. But I spent seven bastard years of my career turning Pivoted him from a Russian-priced spy into a quid pro quo funnel Information we could shed could distill into the murk we'd put in And what we'd get back? Gold dust He would trade with us, you see From Moscow, from Minsk, Tehran

Us, the Americans, The Ukrainians, we all benefited. The goods he delivered had a whole Russian jet fighter fleet impaired within a month. Then, it all stopped. There was a poisoning back in Russia. Word in the network was that it was his sister. I think they killed her. I can't be sure.

That was most likely just a warning shot from the FSA. be turn back to us or have more people die. Just like that, Oberstein slipped through our fingers, which brings us to now, the manager, the footage of my brother. Oberstein was there? No. My brother, James R. Valentine, is seen on the bloody camera in Colfield

Gentleman's Club handing over the document to Arthur Cuttingham West you don't have to be a lip reader to work it out what did he say give Oberstein my best clear as day

destroyed I hope you understand shit gents could you call the police I don't know if I have it in my heart to do Such a thing. I will keep it discreet. Sherlock? Lily, head to...

14 Grenville Gardens, Chelsea. 14 Grenville Gardens, Chelsea. Make an arrest of James R. Valentine. This connects to Arthur Cadogan West. It does. If you can actually give me that confirmation that we have another unit in the region. Confirming that, at Grenville Gardens now.

Roger. In that case, I'm happy. This is the police. It's the Valentine. James Valentine, open the door. Don't want to force entry, but we will do so if you refuse to comply. Open. Ram it. Control, Sierra 2-1. We have one deceased at the location. Adult male.

Cina Secure? Can I have CID, CSI and the duty coroner, please? Please. To binge this adventure in full and without ads, go to patreon.com forward slash Sherlock and co.