Sherlock & Co. - The Second Stain - Part Two

Episode Date: December 9, 2025

SPY ANOTHER DAY - The full force of the UK's intelligence services were thrown into an unexpected, brutal and bloody incident. An incident that, by virtue of previous events, had our little investigation firm right at the heart of it. Part 2 of 2 This episode contains swearing, references to murder, gore and blood.Listener discretion is advised. A new clothing store has opened: www.sherlockwear.com For merchandise and transcripts go to: www.sherlockandco.co.ukFor ad-free, early access to adventures in full go to www.patreon.com/sherlockandco To get in touch via email: [e-mail] Follow me @DocJWatsonMD on twitter and BlueSky, or sherlockandcopod on TikTok, instagram and YouTube.  This podcast is property of Goalhanger Podcasts. Copyright 2025.SHERLOCK AND CO. Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Paul Waggott as Dr. John Watson Harry Attwell as Sherlock Holmes Marta da Silva as Mariana Ametxazurra Joshua Manning as Hildon Hope Natalie Green as Emma Lucas Jasmine Kerr as Tabitha Hope Naomi Miller as The Red Haired Woman Adam Jarrell as Charles Gorot Joel Emery as D.I Kenneth MacPherson Matt Forde as The Prime Minister Written by Joel Emery Directed by Adam Jarrell Editing and Sound Design by Holy Smokes Audio Produced by Neil Fearn and Jon Gill Executive Producer Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Previously on Sherlock and Co. Okay, okay, so. You looked through the window. Yeah, looked through the window. And you saw... It was him, it was the PM, the occupant of No. 10 Downing Street. It was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Really?

Really? It was a meeting between myself, the Prime Minister and the Minister of European Affairs. Hope? Thingy Hope. Tabitha Hope. Yep, you know it. An important note on official letter-headed paper has gone missing from a dispatch box. No footage? No evidence of the event?

Just this note. Inconfidence to the UK who will handle this situation discreetly with the parties involved. No institutions, no declarations, no escalations. It's the only way to prevent war. She doesn't know you're here, does she? Your wife, the Minister for European Affairs. Um, no. Tabitha...

She doesn't know I'm here. She gets enough grief on my behalf. She couldn't possibly get bad press, could she? Mr. Hope. You own the loudest of the news media contributors. Our podcast presents the truth, Mr. Hope. Yes, but... And the truth is, the minister, your wife,

was responsible for the note-containing sensitive material, and she lost it. It was stolen. Lost her stolen? It doesn't mean she's any less responsible. I can... Listen, listen, listen, listen. I can make...

We could do something really interesting with your operation here, don't you think? I want to make this part clear. The offer of favourable coverage, it goes both ways. Things could be favourable, things could be unfavorable. Somebody's on the roof. Sherlock. There's her. It sounds from the front door.

I need to get out. Sherlock. It would seem, my friends, that the game may well be afoot. Shut up! Look out! 221B, raided by masked men in, well, masks, obviously. Terrifying stuff. It worried you'll be terrified by other things, then check the episode description. I will see you at the end for a closing statement, and yeah, plug in the shop and Patreon.

and stuff, I'm sure you're looking forward to that. Now, go and do your duty for your country. Solve this case. Go. Oh, God, it's late. Oh, really? It's nearly 1 a.m. Christ. Oh, ah, where's my puppy?

Oh, for, my poppies come off. Well, one of those S-A-S men nabbed it. Unlikely. Oh. I can't go and see the PM without a poppy. Actually, yes, you can. No, I can't. God, great.

Remind me to get one, yeah. Didn't think it'd be this big. Number 10, Downing Street. Yes, it is rather deceptive, isn't it? Yeah. And what about the house, eh? What? No, I was just making a political joke.

How's the cheek? Bleeding has stopped. Oh, that's good. Sherlock, you've bled on. to the carpet. What? Look. Their fault, though, isn't it? Raiding our flat like that. Stupid country. Firstly, do not run this country down in front of me. Secondly, clean the blood up. Right, fine, I'll do it. Oh, God, it's not coming out. Oh, bits of my tissue are coming off in it too. God's sake.

Why did you have to bleed onto a cream carpet in... Oh yeah, number ten down. downing street. Well, they did break our window, so I think at only fair we even the scales. What are you doing? Knocking over this. No, no, no, no. Oh, whoops. Apologies. Oh, you were so bloody petty. I'm going to owe them a lot more than £1.46 after this. Mariana says she can't sleep Well, neither could I if I had Archie snoring next to me.

I don't know if you should be on your phone. At number ten, just saying, I'm putting mine away, so... Yeah. Why shouldn't I be on my phone? Respect for the office? Quite a patriot, aren't you? Yeah, I am, actually. Is that all right these days? Yes.

Just don't think. I think it warrants policing my activity. You're scrolling your phone. I'm reading a very short, breaking news article on a murder in Westminster, Watson. What? Those sirens earlier. Body discovered in Westminster.

Most likely while we've been raided. A connection to our case, I suspect. Who? Not much has come to light at this moment, but the details included in each of the outlet's reports are rather intriguing. Let me see. It's just a newswire type flash. What is intriguing about that? Exactly, it's just two sentences.

We will see, won't we? Must be why he's busy. The PM. Or asleep? He does look the type for an early night. I should probably keep my voice down. Good idea. Not a bad waiting room, though. Can see some prime ministers on the wall. What happened to keeping our voice down? There's, um... Well, this old bloke there. Another one. This fellow with a big wig. Don't have to talk. Right.

I should do shout-outs. Please don't. No phones, remember? Respect for the office. This is respect. Shout-outs from number 10 Downing Street. Ready? No.

Happy 60th birthday to Jonathan. Been listening from the beginning. Good on you, Jonathan. Thank you to Grace for the heads-up. A big shout-out to Mads, Milo and Alyssa Sable in Maine. Happy birthday to Lucas in Leicester. Happy belated birthday to Chip from your partner Levi. Shout out to Nico in Germany from your pal Charlie.

Suzanne from Scotland says, This Bish need a shout out. Well, you got it, Suzanne. May in Tunisia got a great test result, guys. Well done, May. I hope the Sherlock-themed party went well for Zali and Ash. Hey Justin and Austin. And to the newlyweds in Canada, Danielle and Nate.

Congratulations to you. Maddie and Megan want a shout out for Quinn. There you go. Hannah says Hampshire is better than Wiltshire. That's incorrect, I'm afraid Hannah. Clarissa in Singapore would like a shout out for Wren in Poland. This show is doing more for the international community than this place, isn't it me? I'm not really listening.

Okay, great. Panthera and Lynx in Switzerland get a shout out. Oh, happy belated birthday to Melly in Washington, D.C. See? What? From Downing Street to Washington, D.C. Yes, and... Right, yeah, thanks.

That's from Amy, by the way, Melly. Guys, I'll be honest, I am missing out tons of shout-outs, and I'm sorry about that, but there's so many. It's always going to be potluck. And go. Dr. Watson, Mr. Holmes. Hello there. And you are...

Charles Garrow. Right. Not the Prime Minister, then. Not quite, no. I'm an Under-Secatory for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. No, you're not, but fine. We'll play along. Excuse me? I'm a car mechanic, and this is my cousin John. He's a yoga instructor.

Right, um, okay. My official position is as a consultant for security affairs. I'm a professional harmonicist. John here holds the land speed record for roller skates. I work for MI6. There we go. And so should you, Mr. Holmes. Thank you, Mr. Garrow. You're a spook. Doesn't hurt, to be honest, does it? Actually, in many cases, it does.

Shall we crack on? Uh, Mr. Holmes, we're actually heading out to Westminster. I know. Was more of a skateboard guy. Not roller skates. Could still blades. though. Wush,

at the bottom of Swindon High Street. I'll go get a car. Yeah. No poppy? Sake. Name, please. Emma Lucas. And can you tell us

why you've been detained, Emma? I called the police. Why? Because I have murdered my husband. Your husband, Edward, Lucas. Mm-hmm. Can you talk us through

exactly what happened? He's always been sneaking around. He's always... There's always been a late-night meeting and a trip away. When I would follow him, to the two chairman. The pub, the two-chernan? Correct? Yeah.

It's near our flat. He did... He was there with this woman. A woman with red hair. Mm-hmm. so many times I saw the two of them so many times I tried to just find it in myself to confront them

and I didn't Emma how did you kill your husband I finally broke I just screamed at him earlier today about the woman with the red hair that I knew everything and I threw his things out

right out the top floor window he was furious but I just kept going and going clothes, bags, shoes, his collectible straight outside. And I realised later I forgot his cricket stuff. And what happened later? I had the locks changed. I was passed out

and just autopilot took a phone and I heard someone downstairs. I haven't lived alone for so long and I just grabbed I cramped his cricket bat and I saw this shadow of a man in our lounge stealing our things and I just

just with all my mind with everything inside me I just I just Time of death Time of death been a few hours from the looks of it, three or four? Around 9pm, yeah.

That's right, yeah? That's correct, sir. And he was foreign office? Edward Lucas, yeah. He was a senior policy advisor under Tabitha Hope, minister for European affairs. Young guy flew through the ranks. He was making a real name for himself.

It's terrible, terrible. Did you... Did you... Did you raid our flat? Me personally. No, but we've been alerted to the situation. Right, the missing correspondent. Mm-hmm.

After we knew it was Edward Lucas that had been killed, we went and raided everybody involved. Must be a rat somewhere, right? Right, right. And we have already caught our killer. Emma, Lucas, caught him cheating, chucked him out. Came back sometime later in the night. She suspected him to be an intruder.

Well, that'll be a desired outcoming court, I'm sure. She hit him. Back of the head, with a cricket bat. It's here. Jesus. And once more when he was on the ground. You must be Di I. McPherson. Hmm?

In the early write-ups I've been reading of this case. Your name mentioned. Yeah, that's right. You're Sherlock Holmes. I've heard much, sir. I have heard much. Yes, well, I've heard extremely. little of you.

Um, right, yeah. Fair enough. Until those news wires, of course. Very flattering. Oh, he was, uh, yeah, it was been embarrassing. I was first on the scene and I apprehended the murderer, of course. The bereft woman, half conscious and deranged with grief, you mean? Yeah, yes.

Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well done you. Agent Garrow, may we have a moment to observe. Certainly. Wait outside. to book first and else it's it's raining take an umbrella yep okay oh see it Watson yeah coming making making friends can we keep it professional I don't know can we body there yeah grisly stuff indeed see this the carpet yeah

Mrs. Lucas confronts her husband here. I would say he is facing away from her. He's looking at this painting here on the chimney column of Chesel Beach. Chesel Beach, Dorset. Hmm. It's wonky. Yes, it is. But why would he look closely at an oil painting in total darkness?

Good point. As he does so, unbeknownst to him, She lifts the bat and swings downwards onto the top of his head. Even with the hair, you can see the depression from the impact. Mm-hmm. Whole body stiffened from head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Blood spurting out the eyes. And he is.

Her mouth and nose. I didn't mean to do the song. But, uh, yeah, um, jets of blood out of his nose, mouth. And even eyes, cerebrospinal fluid, the years here too. Yes, but the blood. The blood is our guide. You see, that's where it showers.

In a spray onto the carpet below. Small droplets and an even dispersal. Like the popping of a water balloon. Yep. He then falls. Head landing here. Blood drains into the carpet. She gives him another strike.

Yeah, in the same spot on his head. Correct. And that is this staining here. See how it has ejected once again in a spray-like formation out of the skull. Yeah, I'd say that's all correct. You definitely got him when he was down because there's blood spatters on the bottom of the couch.

Yes, good observation. But I see your low-angled blood spatter, and I raise you. Oh, go on. Just a few paces over here. This. Hmm. More blood, but the pattern... Does not match.

And it's in a part of the room that saw no violence. We know she dropped the bat next to him and fled back up to her bedroom and called the police. And she did so from her bed. Yeah, she didn't come back down here. Indeed. So what of our second stain? Well, like you say, it's not from impact, it's a few droplets from a wound. And I'd say, whoever it is, they wiped it as well.

Yeah, you can see the motion here where they've tried to get the blood off. Yes. wiped on the carpet and then, oh looky here, rather like you were downing Street, Watson. Okay, well, I didn't smack anyone on the head with a cricket bat at number ten, mate, so I don't know where you're going with this. They attempted to rub that out. See the remnants of tissue in the wool. Oh my God. We should speak to Scotland Yard. It looks like the crime scene was contaminated. By an officer, you believe.

Was it your new friend Macpherson in there? Not quite. Who else would it be? We know the answer to that. Do we? Right. All done? Just getting started, Inspector.

Two ticks. It can't be him. It can, I assure you. Sherlock, we saw Hilden cut himself on our door. Hours after Lucas was killed. The coroner said Edward Lucas died at... Did we? Did we what?

Did we see him cut himself on our door? Yes. Did we really? Yes. Now, can I please go to bed so I can go to Remembrance Sunday in like... Oh, great, four hours time. We saw him.

Kilden Hope, the husband of Tabitha Hope, we saw him cut himself on our front door. Sherlock, I can play you my recording if you need it. You're tired, and I'm tired, let's call it for now. Oh yes, it was quite a convincing performance, wasn't it? But tell me, Watson, what sharpened affection in our lovely front door is the culprit? Hmm? Well, it could have been anything. Like what, exactly? I see no splinters. The varnish has held strong all these years. Every surface is smooth to the touch. The hinges and screws are flushed with the frame.

No hazardous petrusions of any sort. What are you saying? I'm saying he's lying, John. Lying, right. Why, exactly? Because we've both seen the police video of Emma Lucas bawling her eyes out. The reason being... Oh yeah, that she smashed her husband's head in with a cricket bat.

I'm not saying he killed Edward Lucas. Then what on earth are you doing to me, man? I'm saying he entered that flat after the murder. And he knew that I would observe a wound on his... person when he offered us the deal for our silence. He also knew and feared that I would spot the blood in the crime scene of Edward Lucas. So he wanted to distort my time frame. He wanted to offer a reason for his wound, one that I witnessed here, not in Westminster, but in Baker Street, one that had to take place after the murder. Why the hell would he enter that flat? I suspect

poor Mr. Lucas was going to get a very similar visit to ourselves. Hilden was one of the very few people who knew about the note. Why? Because his wife, the minister, totally broken by her mistake in losing it, confided in him. Hilden was on a mission. It was about assuring the silence of those who knew about the debacle of Tabitha Hope's secret correspondence. The PM, he wouldn't say a word, but her advisor, Mr. Lucas, he could, couldn't he? After all, he knew what had happened. Hilden said it himself. He was protecting his wife from yet more public scrutiny, protecting her the only way he knows how, the only way his profession teaches him. Blackmail. We didn't take his offer. And Edward, he didn't get to even hear it. Because when Mr. Hilden

Hope came to the Lucas residence on Godolphin Street in Westminster, what did he find? The body of Edward? Before that. Police? Read those not so intriguing newswires now, Watson. Your little breaking news things you were reading earlier. Exactly. Here. BBC News. Uh, breaking. Body of a mail found in Westminster Flat, standout Scotland Yard detective. Kenneth MacPherson arrested the suspect shortly before midnight.

Yeah. Rather glowing, don't you think? Yeah, I suppose it is. We spend plenty of time at Scotland Yard. Okay, I just got to sleep and you two are talking so loud right outside my window. Ah, Mariana, our chief liaison officer. What do you know of D.I. Kenneth Macpherson of Scotland Yard? Yeah, not much. He's okay. Makes a good coffee when I visit.

Yet another glowing reference for this standout detective. Are you suggesting that McPherson took the offer of favourable coverage that we were given by Hilden? Exactly. And thus, Hildon got his way and gained entry to the scene. And there, he found the dead body of his intended subject of confrontation. Right. Wow. Okay. Sorry, catching up. Hildon came here after breaking the law. Why would he then come to a detective agency, Sherlock? I thought it a rather ingenious move. Do you not? Uh-uh. No, I don't. Let's say we fell for his cut hand trick.

Let's say we signed his agreement to not discuss the case with anyone. By the time we would have heard of Lucas's murder, we wouldn't suspect him, and even if we did, we wouldn't be able to do much about it. Well observed, I'm going to close my window now. He cut his hand on exit and wiped it into the carpet. Why? Because who would suspect a smudge of blood in a room already bedecked in litres of it? You would.

Well, yes, yes, I would. but that pocket of time, from entry to discovery, to cutting himself on exit, what happened in those seconds, those minutes? We must find out. Okay, let's do this. But first... I'm in a bin. An actual bin. Yes.

I said I could just put my hand in and rummage around, but no, stick your head in Watson. That's what you have to do, mate. Stick your head into a fucking bin in Westminster at... What time is it? 3 a.m. At 3 a.m. Great, lovely. This is my idea of a good night, actually.

So, yeah, no problem, mate. No problem. Ah, ha ha. What? Ah, I think I found it. I found it. I think I bloody found it. You do not touch it with bare hands.

Yeah, guess what, mate? I don't plan on touching anything in here with my bare hands. Use the gloves. Yeah, I am. And bring the tissue out. On it. Here we go. And there we have it.

The blood of Hilden Hope from the crime scene. It's marvelous work, dearest of dearest of dear companions. Thanks. You smell dreadful. Oh, that's... Okay, right, not as nice as the previous comment, but... Okay. There's a shower you could use nearby, isn't there?

Is there? It's just... it's a crime scene. This room is, yes. Well, no, the whole flat, really. He won't be long. Right, so you keep saying that. I have to log this, all right? And you think that Lestrade...

will allow it? Is that what we're saying? Well, this is quite something. What is? It would appear you do know how to respect a crime scene. How interesting. Sorry? Stand-out Detective of Scotland Yard. How pathetic.

I don't know what you're talking about. Yes, you do. I'm making rather a lot of sense. Those breaking news articles, though. Vanishingly little sense being made in those. Yeah, I don't, I don't have a say in those. No. not even when the proprietor of most of those media outlets

came to this crime scene himself and offered you a deal of favourable coverage just to peruse the scene for himself Mr. Mr. Holmes, what do you say, Kenneth? Oh, I won't be long, just a minute or two. No, no, no. He initially, I said no, I made that very clear. Oh, how heroic.

Initially, I put him in his place. And I said... Initially, Emma Lucas chucked her husband, and that was the end of their marriage. But things change. People get their heads smashed to pieces. I knew it was an open and shut case. I wouldn't do this to anything...

Anything what? Anything serious? Sherlock, we're doing all right here? Where is Agent Garrow? He's out the back having a fag. Bring him in. Yes, sir. Absolutely. We all good?

We will be. Soon. Okay. You look angry. Do you need me to... Mr. Garrow. Sherlock Holmes, you're back. D.I. Kenneth McPherson is responsible for compromising this crime scene. Oh.

I apologize, sir. Do we have a... A situation here? I fear we do. Then, who did it? What? Who killed Edward Lucas? That's not the issue.

Sherlock, who killed him? The woman. that said she did. Really? Yes. That's it then, is it? Woman says she killed her husband and the twist is she killed her husband.

Yes, thrilling, isn't it? Give me the pictures again. Pictures? On the way here earlier, you showed me pictures of Edward Lucas in the pub with the red-haired woman taken by his wife.

Ah, yes, ma'am. Here, the two chairman, his local pub. Him and his bit on the side would meet there often. For what? Excuse me? For what?

Well, Sherlock. I mean, they were, you know... Diya McPherson, I hope you're not smirking. No, sir. Why go out to a pub? Hmm? What are they going to do? Shag in the toilets?

Well... Look at the pictures. I have many times... Look at them properly. Sherlock. He was in old clothes. Worn, faded, tattie. He had body odour when we found him.

No hair product. He didn't even shave. Kick a man when he's down, mate. What sort of affair is this supposed to be exactly with this red-haired wood? He'd been back from a work trip, he'd been working all week, but not one single receipt found on him. A government official, opting not to claim back expenses, completely traceless. No smart devices in here, nor the kitchen, nor the hallway, nor the doorway.

Nothing with a microphone. Nothing. But three phones found on him. Too dumb, one smart. Yes, he's a government advisor. Then who's he afraid of, Mr. Garrow? The government? There.

What? In this idiot's eyes right there. Who me? Yes, you. You see it as well. Maybe you were not as stupid as I thought. What? What do you see?

Chesel Beach. Chesel Beach in Dorset? The painting. The painting? My first observation, and John's, and even his. Which is what? It's crooked. But just how crooked, Mr. Garrow.

Let's see, shall we? Well, bugger me. I knew it. What are you saying exactly? I'm saying, get a bloody move on. Why are we running? Excuse me, sorry. Cause, we don't want to be late. Late for what? The minute's silence, that's not until 11th.

There are processions all morning for Remembrance Sunday. Tabitha Hope and others from His Majesty's Government are in attendance. And what does that have to do exactly with us and our case? Because your country asked you once more to serve it, Captain Watson. Yeah, well, my country also sent me threatening letters over one. £1.46 in unpaid self-assessment tax. So... This way.

Can't we just get a cab? The roads are shut. What's sake. Or maybe we could get a night's sleep first. No time, Watson. Vengeance could be forthcoming. Vengeance? For what?

For the death of Edward Lucas. Well, for having an affair. He faced that vengeance, mate. There was no affair. There was no effect. See, you keep saying this, but... He was a spy. What?

Hey, hey. Hey. Oh, Marianna. Well, bloody done. Did you find her? She's like, well, she's with all the officials, a few lines in front. This is as close as I could get. Did you call Estrade? She's not answering. Maga.

Is it urgent? Can we tell her afterwards? She knows the details of an attack that could trigger... Well, you know what it can trigger. Yes. She knows the code from that very note for back-channel comms with Washington on this exact matter. Yes, I know, but... And now she and the red-haired woman are the only ones that know that

do you understand you think someone wants to kill her here now I think bold steps need to be taken where are you going I'm going to get Tabitha Hope is out of sight

It's It's official business Get off that hate Tabitha Tabitha Home It's me Shut up Holmes The note is safe.

Tabitha, the note is safe. Move back! Your husband. Back! Your... And I'm asking you to remain put until the procession's over, all right? I'm not trying to disrupt the procession. Where's your poppy then?

Oh, just let me out there to prove to you. Look, whatever your reservations about this country and those who served it... Yeah, me, mate, me. I served it. I put my life on the line for this country, and I'm doing it again right bloody. now. There she is. There, Tabitha. What on earth is going on? Where's your poppy? Can someone get me a bloody poppy? We are about to have a moment for Edward Lucas, a colleague of mine, all right? They can have that moment, Mrs Hope. I assure you, you do not wish to commemorate

that man's disservice to his country. Excuse me. Edward Lucas lost his life last night in tragic circumstance. Mrs. Hope. He has stood by me and advised me in a very, very challenging governmental role. Mrs. Hope. And the fact that you can see. smear his name, his memory is quite frankly disgusting. I said to the PM, I said we should not give your shady little operation this mystery to solve. Tabitha!

Sherlock, I think they're doing the minute's silence friend Lucas right now, so... He was a spy for a hostile foreign power. He wasn't having an affair. He was meeting a woman in a pub and why would he be doing that? Because he

took the note. You did not misplace it. You did not lose it. He took the sensitive material, Tabitha. No. And he arranged for its collection through his red-haired woman. When he returned home, he did so to a locked door where his key no longer worked. Emma Lucas had lost track of these late-night meetings over the years.

She caught him in the midst of yet another. She threw him out and changed the locks. He broke back into his home that night. Why? What? Why would he break back into his own house? For his things? She threw them out for him.

Why risk a break him? Because... Well, because... Chesel Beach. Chesel Beach? What? Mom, do I need to remove these gentlemen from the premises? The picture of Chesel Beach above his fireplace was askew.

The fireplace had long been sealed off, meaning the chimney hollow could house a safe. He broke back into his house, opened that safe, took out the note and pocketed it. He put the picture back and the last thing he ever did was gaze at the sparkling waters of Chesel Beach. Sawing you save myself. Passports, rubles, bank cards, every name different to the last. It's true, I saw it too. Have we, um, have we secured the notes? We were beaten to it.

Oh God, no. Somebody came round, not wrong after the murder. They found the note in Edward's pocket. Oh, God, no, no, no, no. No, no. What? He loves you very much, Mrs. Hope. I had always been aware that love can provoke reckless, inexplicable behaviour.

And Hilden has proven that emphatically. The first moral stain was the espionage of Edward Lucas. The second, the desperate and sinister actions of your husband. Mr. Holmes, I'm sorry about what I said a moment to go. We don't have time, your apologies. I misjudged you, and I took offence to... We don't have time. Edward Lucas was working with another.

He would meet her in the pub, the woman with the red hair. Was she working your team as well? Um, no, no, no, no, I don't... No red-headed women, no. That's not that we don't hire people from all backgrounds. Tabitha, do you ever see a red-haired woman in your prison? following you? Do you have a neighbour maybe? Or, listen, Tabitha, if they believe that Edward Lucas was eliminated by force, they will strike back. His wife did it. But they won't think that. Understand

him. They won't see coincidence, only conspiracy. The social, the social media girl. What social media girl? She's always said she was from an agency, a social media agency. She wanted access, didn't she? To what? Chris, remember the girl? The girl. the high angle for the images to put online. Yes, atop the HMRC building that overlooks the Senate's up. Excuse me, out the way.

Move, move, move, please. Thank you. Do you see her? You think she's on the roof? Yes. Of what? This building, this one, HMRC. I...

Oh, oh, holy crap. I think I do see someone up there. Okay, come on. They're closed. Why aren't they open on a Sunday? If she got access, she probably knocked it down. All right, we're around this way. John, John, that's an orchestra.

Yeah, excuse me, you look. Oh, God, sorry. Ow, you hit me. I'm conducting this orchestra. Yeah, but you poke me in the eye with that stick, for God's sake. It's a baton. We need to evacuate this area right now. No, no, no, no, no.

The second people move, she'll shoot anyone. She will shoot anyone. It's bloody country. Where are the agents? It's all for show. They can't even defend their own when it matters. Stop running the country down. Everybody has to run now, okay, for their own safety. The authorities aren't going to help.

Call that. Call Goro. Call the PM. Just fucking call somebody now. What on earth is going on here? Sir, we are working for His Majesty's Government. We have reason to believe that a woman up there on that rooftop. What are you talking about? What woman? Where? Her. Up there. Red hair. You see? By the flag post.

Good. Heaven's a butt. Is she something? sort of activist or something. She is an enemy, an enemy of our state, sir. I will put in a call to the local council. Sir. And they will be able to look into

providing the required support. No, no, no, no. No, no. Someone needs to do something now. We can let the authorities handle this, okay, with sensitivity. Oh God, we will do nothing of the sort. What, are you doing?

I'm climbing. What, you're going to climb a drain pipe again, John? Yes, I am. Sir, can you get down from there, please? You don't need to do this. I need to, Mariana. For King and. country for England and St George and the other ones too, Scotland. Now, shit, Wales, Northern Ireland,

Cornwall, all the weird little islands. John, you could die for goodness. Yeah, well, I know it's not particularly trendy to love this country, but guess what? I am not trendy. And sometimes the world needs an untrendy, stubborn Englishman to stand up to a Caesar, to a Napoleon, to Hitler when everyone else has stood aside, you know, to look them in the eye and say, mate, why don't you fuck off? Take your little tash, your daft hat and your toga, and fuck off because this is England. Oh, this speech is sounding more patriotic than I meant it to, but I think that's the music. Getting the better of me. Oh, God, I feel sick.

Getting a bit delirious. But this is England, all right? We can do anything. Defeat the Vikings. Invent the modern world. We, uh, what else? We beat Latvia in a World Cup qualifier the other day, I think. I think it was Latvia. We built an empire, goddammit. Yeah, we didn't put everything back where we found it. That's putting it lightly. I didn't say we were perfect. We're not perfect because we're a people, damn it.

We're sturdy, stiff up a lip, soldiering on, could be worse. Not too bad people. And if you want perfection, then go worship your AI overlords in a few decades' time. Who are you talking to? Just focus. To the nation. A nation of Churchill and Atley, of McCarty. and Lennon of Darwin and Newton, Shakespeare and Dickens, touring and lovelace, Fleming, Crick, Wittle, of Faraday,

of Darwin, of Sherlock Holmes, of 221B Baker Street. You said Darwin twice. Ah, bollock, sorry, no, no, no, I'm not sorry. Was Nelson sorry? Wellington's sorry, what did they do when they were outmatched? Yeah, what did the Spitfire pilots and then the Light Brigade do? They said fuck that bloke over there. and they charge him when no one else would.

Why? Because they're British. And a little bit deranged too, that helped. But mostly the British thing, because we stand up and fight. And now, I proudly follow in that tradition. That legacy of Alfred, of Godwinson, of Henry the something, don't know what number, of Elizabeth, Drake and Rally, of Nightingale and Lawrence, of Somme, of Passiondale, of Gold, and sword of Guy Gibson and Captain Harry J. Watson, and I say, I am not putting up with this shit any more.

Go! Go! Give it up Move away Move away or I'll shoot Shoot who? Exactly, I'm not who you want, am I? Tell me who you are and find out Exactly, not worth the bullet, not worth the arrest

Yes, I put the gun down And maybe you'll stand a chance Oh, please just mind your own business Stop, don't walk backwards I can handle myself! It's wet, it's fine, fucking high up and you're not paying attention. Now I'm thinking shutting you up might be worth a bullet.

Yeah, right, right, right, fine, but you are getting a little close to the edge. Can you please just come towards me? Stop with the health and safety, okay? Oh, look, it's drizzly. It's wet. It's kind of misty as well today. Stop it. Stop what? I'm trying to help. I can't stand this British bullshit anymore.

I'm being considerate. Considerate. Who said for you to chase me, huh? My friend figured it out. You and Edward Lucas. It's over. Impossible. Yet, you know, here we are, on a rooftop above the cenotaph in the pissing rain in winter. So...

You killed Edward. No, his wife did. You believe that government crap to him? I believe my friend. The one that was right about you and Edward. Now give yourself up. For what? You're a spy.

Edward was a spy. You stole sensitive documents. prove it. The proof is the rifle in your hands. The proof is you shivering on this rooftop. I'm British Secret Service. Oh, right. Show me ID then. I don't have to. You know, I don't believe you, right? But that's okay, because we'll let you prove that to the authorities. We will give you the chance if you just step towards me. Your country is finished. Yeah, heard that before. Can you please be careful? It is very high. And soon all of you will be dead or in chains. Because of your cowardice to bite.

against the might of the roo. Just, it's really slipped. Hurry. Oh, God. Look. Sherlock? Look. Newspaper.

Yes. Very nice. No, no. They got a picture of her. Oh, goodness. She looks well enough to face a trial to me. Yes, indeed. Indeed. Her legs.

Broken. Mm-hmm. And an arm and a lot of ribs. Plus, the face is, yeah. Guys, guys, guys, guys, look at this. What is it? A letter from His Majesty the Shitting King. That's what it says, the shitting king. This is a letter from the king.

I'm gonna be knighted. I'm gonna be bloody knighted. Four services to climbing. They probably heard the speech. I bet he heard my speech, that's why. That's why they're probably, they're probably. playing out of a loudspeaker at Windsor Castle. It was more of a deranged, patriotic rant, but fine. I went viral, mate, so...

I don't know if 400 likes is viral. Yeah, well, one of those likes was Carol Watson, and if I've made her happy, then I'm happy. Of course you made her happy. You talked about how great the British Empire was. Carol loves her country in a very complicated way. Oh, yeah? What did she dress up as...

At Halloween again? Um, a Labour counsellor. And why? Because there's nothing scared. area. Her words, not mine. Right. Still love you, Carol. Opening it, opening my knighthood, here we go. Foh, feel that paper. What's the GSM on that? Oh, that's posh. Just read the letter. Dear Sherlock and Co. team, I couldn't help but admire your efforts in protecting our great nation. To face peril and draw strength from your own zeal and love of country inspires others,

even myself. I hereby declare... Here we go, guys. I hear by declare on behalf of the Revenue and Customs Office that your outstanding fee of £1.46 has been forgiven in its entirety. Please fill out the form provided to confirm you wish to have the outstanding fee cancelled and send in the attached envelope. If you do not respond within 14 days, the outstanding balance will remain. Please recycle this paper.

Um... John? You okay? Oh hey, they sent my UTR number. Oh, that's so sweet. I can file my taxes now too. Yay! Um... Ah, John, I forgot to say the PM got in touch and requested that we don't publish this adventure. Here, listen. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, I and the people of this country are ever so grateful to you for your work on

this case. I do, however, ask, and I've been very clear on this, that it must not be broadcast. I believe in fixing the foundations of these state issues. I've made that very clear. And that can be done with your cooperation in keeping this quiet. Oh, hold on. Arsenal has gone. Thanks, guys. Yeah, in a second, Rachel. Shall I let him know we can sit on this particular adventure and not release? If you do not respond Within 14 days The outstanding balance will remain

John Shall I let him know Yeah Yeah let him know he can Is the country finished? No But the adventure of the second stain is My friends

I hope you enjoyed this one I didn't, I'll be honest I got rope burns on my hands really sore shoulder, bad back as well, but that's the price I pay. And the price you pay is £6 a month for Patreon access. Boom! Join it, it's

amazing and it is only getting better. Stay tuned, farewell. Thank you.