Abbey Grange - Part Two

Chapter 1.

Mr.

Sherlock Holmes.

The original words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

In the year 1878, I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of London.

Told by our very own Dr.

John Watson.

The campaign brought honours and promotion to many, but for me, it had nothing but misfortune and disaster.

Beginning with that infamous first meeting.

You are the second man today that has used that expression to me.

And who was the first?

I asked.

Become a Sherlock and co-subscriber now for the audiobook journey.

Dr.

Watson, Mr.

Sherlock Holmes, said Stamford, introducing us.

How are you?

He said cordially, gripping my hand with a strength for which I should hardly have given him credit.

You have been in Afghanistan.

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Previously on Sherlock and Co., Margaret Brackenstall.

Can that really be?

Buried just a few months ago.

In May.

Wow.

Told you.

Told me what?

That you'd been here before.

Abbey Grange is just on the next street.

No way.

Well, it was.

Closed down shortly after

it all happened.

Yeah.

I never released those episodes.

She's no longer with us.

Perhaps it may be time.

Her story is ready to be told.

Help me!

We are trying to help.

Can you open the door?

I have a doctor with me.

Hello?

Hi.

I can't.

You can't open the door?

I can't open it.

Okay,

what is your name, my lovely?

Margaret.

Hi, Margaret.

My name's John.

Can you do me a favor and just make your way to the door and unlock it for us, please, Margaret?

I'm tied up.

I think I'm.

Someone has tied you up, Margaret.

Is that correct, my love?

Yes.

Jesus Christ.

My friend, she's not moving.

There's so much blood.

Okay, Margaret.

We're just coming in.

Okay, everything is going to be alright.

Okay, everything is.

Help her.

We have got a problem here.

Is she alive?

So much blood.

I can't find a pot.

What do we do?

I keep her in position.

We get her to a hospital.

Then

we.

find the monster that did this.

Hi, and welcome to the adventure of Abbey Grange.

Listen, I'm really glad to be finally sharing this with you.

But as I mentioned before, this

has bleak moments.

So have a look in the episode description if you're

thingy uh what do they say if if you've been

uh affected by the themes in this program type thing that's what they say don't they wow

what a great insightful voiceover John marvelous work mate well done

nearly there eustace nearly there heart rate's gone again it's gone again we've got it we've got it very very sluggish attribute canal and we'll get it moving higher rate of oxygen first high rate of oxygen first okay she's not getting enough the whole airway is is just full of blood, a lot of jugular distension.

Oxygen increased?

Good, good.

Okay, in let me set my watch.

In three minutes, we're gonna now fill her with epinephrine.

Yep.

Then three minutes after that, we'll do it again, and we will do it every time until handover.

On it.

Come on, Eustace.

Come on!

It's solid red now.

The fuck does solid red mean?

Broken or working?

Red only means bad stuff.

Green means good, right?

Who gives a shite on this man?

Hmm.

Watson does.

Yeah, well, I've only known him five minutes, Pal.

I don't need to be out in Kent, do I?

Is that a microphone?

Yeah, it's got off pal.

Some old woman gets her head smashed in, and that young fella's just looking after his recordings.

Uh, I think he's taken her to the hospital, hasn't he?

You know, after saving her life?

Watson is at the hospital, yes.

And we believe Eustace Yates to still be with us?

Is that correct?

As things stand, yes.

But his recent message reads, Eustace is circling the drain.

It certainly is not, PCSO Hopkins.

It certainly is not.

What the hell you want to be one of them for?

Be what?

Sorry?

A community support fella.

To start out on the force, get hands-on experience?

Hands-on football hooligans and dog turds people haven't cleaned up.

No, thanks.

Yeah, well, after the Pantsnay investigation, I might well be an officer very soon, actually.

Oh, whoop-dee-doo.

I guess I learned from the best.

Never miss an episode, so.

Yeah.

Never miss an episode of what?

Uh, Sherlock and Co.?

What's that?

The the show that you've got the microphone for.

Sherlock and Co.

The podcast.

I was in the Golden Pants night.

We don't know what the hell you're talking about, man.

Golden pants?

Uh okay.

Um, can we just

yeah.

So, Eustace is in critical condition.

Uh, what about her friend, Margaret?

How is she?

Margaret Brackenstall is at a community hospital, not far.

She's familiar with that place, so at least she's comfortable.

And they're seeing to her injuries?

Yes.

Nothing serious.

Well, a community hospital would not be able to deal with anything serious, so I certainly hope not, Hopkins.

Right, yeah.

Some bruising around the eye, I noted.

Oh, God.

How could somebody do that?

To two elderly women?

Monsters.

Monsters?

Yeah.

Monsters.

Plural.

A collection of them, you believe?

Randall Park, just over the road.

There is some

gang activity there.

The Randall gang?

Bunch of kids, man.

This is Kent.

This is my neck of the woods.

They're not a little gang of kids.

The Randalls are a blight on every Kentish town this side of the Medway.

Ah, Peter Pan and the Lost Buy is causing you trouble, too.

I assure you, they're a serious, serious problem.

They're bullies.

They're intimidating, cruel, insensitive, Asbo bullies.

Ha!

See that?

That is something a PCSR would say.

I'd keep your voices down, gentlemen.

We have a rather captivated audience outside.

Oh, yeah, there they are.

Not quite armed to the teeth, but certainly attempting to conceal weaponry.

He's got a knife.

Look, that one's got a knife.

Then he's not our man.

What?

Eustace had repeated blunt trauma impact the skull.

Repeated over and over, perhaps nearly 30 times.

No use of knives, not even on the rope.

The fraying is clearly from scissors and

this

glass.

Of

water?

Yes.

You see the thumb mark on it?

Blood.

Someone with bloodied hands

made themselves

a glass of water.

That's

weird.

No?

Only a mouthful of it consumed.

You're lost, boys.

They're hanging out right by this window.

I think our community support officer might be right.

Yes, but I'm not interested when people are right.

I'm interested when people are wrong.

Oh, where are you going?

I would like to speak to the other residents.

Of the care home?

Yes.

Uh, okay.

Um,

why?

To collect data, PCSO Hopkins.

What about the crime scene?

I've seen what I've needed to see.

What?

The the water?

Well, all the obvious obvious things we've mentioned.

Then the more exciting part.

Which is.

nothing.

Nothing.

Yes.

Nothing.

Absolutely.

Nothing.

Look at this place, man.

It's like fifty shades of beige.

Derek would be able to help you.

Excellent.

Derek, this is Sean Holmes.

Sorry, what did you say your name was again?

Sherlock Holmes.

Whatever you say, Sean.

Shut up.

Derek, this is Sherlock Holmes.

He's helping the poli

Derek.

Derek, sweetie.

Yes, love.

This is Sherlock Holmes.

Oh, hello.

Are you new?

He's with the police as backup.

If you're backed up, Stacey can get you my Seneca card.

If that don't work, John's got a laxative that will clear you out.

Trust me.

No, Derek, he's not constipated.

He's backup.

For the police, he's a detective.

Like Poirot.

Exactly like Poirot, Mr.

Armstrong.

And like me, Poirot requires as many details as possible before filing his conclusion.

I bet this is about Margaret and Eustace, isn't it?

It is.

I'm in the room next to them, you know.

Did you know that?

I do know.

That is why I wanted to speak to you.

What did you hear?

Pardon?

What did you hear?

Why am I here?

Well, I'm local, but

my kids

can't look after me no more, you see.

Mr.

Armstrong, in the room,

what's he in from,

young man?

I really

don't have time.

Newcastle of Bonte.

time.

Oh, no wonder I can't bloody understand you.

No, Mr.

Armstrong, I need some leads.

Leeds?

Leeds, sorry, f f forgive me.

Lovely city is Leeds.

Horrible football team, mate.

You know, my my daughter-in-law's from Leeds.

I did not know that, Mr.

Armstrong.

You won't believe who she's married to.

Your son, by any chance?

No, no.

My daughter.

they're lesbian, you see.

I have to whisper it, because, you know.

Not quite a whisper, but fine.

Mr.

Armstrong, listen to me.

People were saying...

Excuse me.

People were saying that Margaret and Eustace were,

you know, that

they'd become lesbianised in older age.

Mr.

Armstrong, please.

At a wedding, you know,

not Margaret and Eustace, but my daughter and daughter-in-law.

I was there, obviously.

And the vicar at the end says,

you can now kiss the bride.

And I thought, who's he talking to?

Which one?

It's just two women in it.

And I turned to Joan from the restaurant.

What is it?

God, I said, well, we can't.

We need John.

Good.

I don't know if this thing is even more hard.

John,

did you say that you needed...

Hey, John?

Yeah.

This young man from Leeds wants you.

I think he might be constipated.

No one is bloody constipated, Derek.

Hello?

Anyone?

Hello?

My name is John Watson.

I'm assisting in the um

hello.

Oh, geez.

Sorry.

Yeah.

Yeah, I was here earlier.

I've come to meet my colleague.

When you said you were popping out, I thought you'd be 30 minutes.

Uh, no, the um, the hospital needed some.

Um, sorry, have we met?

Were you here early?

Now go and change out of your workovers, because Fiona's back from school soon.

Overalls.

And she'll want to tell you about the year five picnic.

It was ever so lovely, Peter.

We all played rounders by the church.

Me and all the other mums.

Sorry, I should.

Can I send someone up to you?

Did you ask that Mrs.

Deacon about being in the choir?

I told her to.

I said, Fiona, if you want to do it, you go and ask Mrs.

Deacon yourself.

Francis?

Oh,

yes.

Hello.

Who are you?

I'm Stacy.

We know each other very well, don't worry.

And this, young lady, is your afternoon dose.

I saw you sneaking it down the couch cushion.

Twice a day, please, you.

Okay, right.

Yes, let me, uh.

I'll get a fresh glass of water, as that's been out a while.

You've met my husband, Peter?

I'm, um, I'm not.

I know you're not.

Don't worry.

We were just, uh,

I'm looking for my colleague, and she was, um, talking about her daughter, I think.

Fiona, yeah.

The school picnic, rounders.

Yeah, choir.

Joining the choir.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's amazing.

She must be so proud, you know, to keep that in there.

I'm a doctor.

I should have.

Yeah, and

it always blows me away, that kind of, like,

iron-clad core memory.

Fuels people even beyond

even beyond the most vital cognitive function.

Frances has quite advanced dementia.

We're trying to get her to our specialist facility.

We will, in time.

Yeah.

That Fiona she's talking about died when she was a little girl.

So if you're with her again, just keep her within the guardrails of that memory and she should be fine.

Oh, you've made yourself a whole pint of water there.

Well, they stick to my throat, these tablets.

I'll be changing your knickers in 20 minutes if you're down all that.

There we go.

Sorry, did um

my friend, the investigator, we were in the room opposite for the case.

Is he around or?

Oh, they're all downstairs.

Right, uh, well, I bet uh are you popping out?

Uh, yes, I am.

Bye-bye, love.

I, yeah, uh, okay, go on then, just a little

oh, kidney.

Great.

Yep, oh, and a nast pinch.

Lovely.

Hello, you must be Derek.

Oh, hello, and I'm a younger, eh?

Young?

Well, clearly, you need your eyes testing, Derek.

What's this?

A Tottenham mug?

Oh, yep, that's it.

Definitely getting you some glasses if you're watching them, Lot.

Steady you.

Yeah, I tell you what, though, must be nice to lift a cup, even if it is just tea.

Oh, you teachy kit this one, isn't it, eh?

Hey, Derek, we're just looking into Eustace and Margaret's little issue they had earlier this evening.

Yeah, yeah, terrible, weren't it?

Terrible.

Yeah, they'll be alright, don't you worry.

Did you notice anything unusual?

It were them kids.

Them kids.

He's referring to the gang.

Can you not sneak up on me?

I did not sneak up on you.

You did.

Just can we please?

Right, fine.

What gang?

What are you on about?

Randall.

Randall gang.

The local

problem.

Yeah, yeah, they're a nightmare.

They're a nightmare those kids hoodlums hoodlums that's what they call them armed to the teeth they put a brick the reception window once didn't they remember yeah and the rest Charlie yeah they're nothing but trouble

I reckon they broke into their room and let me tell you they gave that poor woman a beating didn't they why would they go in that room Derek oh you mean why did they rob Margaret Brackenstall

Brackenstall jewelers

come on, you're cleverer than that, aren't you, young man?

Hey!

Right.

Right.

Ah, I see.

Okay.

That's the nothing that you're excited about.

Exactly.

So, when you found her, no earrings.

None.

No necklace, no rings.

None of those.

Even though everyone we spoke to today, well, John spoke to, thank you, John.

You are welcome.

I feel like my voice needs a rest after shouting at pensioners, so I'm just gonna have a lie down here.

They all said Eustace and Margaret wore excessive jewelry.

Margaret Brackenstoll is, according to Barbara in the Arts and Crafts Room, tarted up no end, shining like something from El Dorado.

Then Liz mentioned that Eustace jangled about like thruppence in a launderette, whatever that means.

And finally, Nancy said they had more clink than a bottle bank on bin day.

Yes, I was present for these fascinating insights, Hopkins.

Yes, and what I'm confirming is neither of them were wearing any jewelry when you found them.

Were they?

Correct.

Drawers, cabinets, and dresser all empty.

So we have a robbery.

We do.

And Eustace, I would say being the larger of the two women, bore the brunt of their attack upon entry through the window.

Yeah, and quite an attack.

Multiple strikes.

Dozens and dozens.

Were you able to surmise the shape or size of the weapon?

Yeah, yeah, uh, blunt.

Metal, I'd say, no, no wood splinters or anything.

Um

no more than twenty mil diameter.

Indeed.

It's brutal.

Yeah, it is.

Any word on her?

Uh just text the senior registrar, we'll find out ASAP.

Okay, right, well, um I'm going to assemble a few um uh professional units, uh more professional units than me, I mean, um uh to go and have a word with our Randall gang.

Do you think that is wise?

Yeah, I do.

Do you not?

Does Kent Police have plans to arrest them and commit to the charge?

No, but I'm sure my superiors will want them to answer some questions.

What questions exactly, PCSO Hopkins?

Hello, gents.

Did you happen to beat an elderly woman within an inch of her life, tie up her fellow resident, and rob them?

Am I missing something here?

Yes, you are missing something.

Everybody is missing something, and I find it very frustrating that I consistently arrive at different conclusions.

What do you mean consistently?

I've only done like four cases.

I'm not quite sure why we're protecting these criminals, Sherlock.

Stanley, it's fine.

I will have a word with him.

No one will have a word with me.

I am not protecting them.

I am protecting the investigation.

Well, then they deserve to be investigated.

Guys.

We don't simply hand our findings over to the accused.

I'm not gonna hand our findings over.

Guys, then you shall wait until we have found our stance.

I think, I think, I need to elevate this and stop messing around.

We are not messing around.

This is a police matter, and only the police.

Only police can what?

Because you weren't so sure a fortnight ago with Elder Coram.

But that was different, guys.

What, John?

What

she died.

Eustace died.

They called it ten minutes ago.

What is it?

What is it, goddamn it?

You can tell Lou, but you can't tell me, huh?

Nobody hits me and gets away with it.

Oh, hold on.

Why is he slapping her?

Because she's being hysterical.

But that's not gonna help.

Oh, they're snogging now, of course.

It's lovely, isn't it?

It's lovely.

Oh, he really is grabbing her face, isn't he?

Is she even conscious?

Of course, she's loving it.

Look at her.

Yeah.

And now a little Indian fellow with a snake.

Hopsies.

Oh, God.

You can play it piano now.

You ready?

Yep.

Now I've beaten some sense into you, honey.

Listen to me.

And listen good.

You better smoke.

You.

Whole bloody hell.

Proper singing, that, ain't it?

Proper singing.

Yeah, no, it's

lovely.

Yep, that's it, like a fag first.

Gentlemanly.

And now they're both puffing away.

Right, um, I should probably

it's been a long day.

Gotta be up early to be back here, so.

Oh, off you go, Inspector Moss.

Yeah, well, we'll have a couple in the morning.

I can pause it for you.

Slap for the gun in a minute.

Yeah, no, it's okay.

No, no, you don't have to pause it.

It's uh, yeah.

See ya.

Night, everyone.

God almighty.

Gentlemen, can we uh have a little chat?

Good to you, man.

Look, your man's got level three armour on.

somehow four.

You're rickety as fuck in that shit, man.

Street drip.

Man's got street drip.

Rocking that anti-dip.

Your comments are much appreciated.

I'm PC Andy Conlin.

This is PCSO Stanley Hopkins.

We just need to ask you a few questions.

Get a permit, then, bro.

Show permits and get answers.

We don't require a permit for this type of conversation when we're dealing with a murder inquiry, alright?

Oh shit.

Murder?

Be truthful, bro.

PC Easy connoisseur is telling the truth.

We are investigating a murder and a robbery.

And when we detect a reluctance to comply with our questions.

Comply.

Comply with our questions.

Comply, comply, yeah, there.

That's what you said.

Can you stop interrupting?

No.

I'm checking.

What's the basis of this little chat your man wanted, right?

Now you're saying comply.

This ain't no chat.

If I'm being told to comply, ain't no freaking chat.

Reluctance to assist in answering our questions.

He bailed on the comply, bro.

My taxes assist you, man.

Like Kevin De Bruyne and his prime.

My taxes assist you.

You want more from me?

For what?

For what, huh?

Inspector Hopkins is saying.

He's dead, Chad.

Now, man, it's cast.

He's mad, reckless.

Look, if he's that reckless, we'll discuss it down the station.

You are...

Eww, you're moving, man.

You're moving mad, you know.

What are you arresting me for?

What are you arresting me for?

Do the wrong thing, bro.

Do the wrong thing.

It's not nice to be restrained, is it?

Now you know how she felt.

Get off me!

She's just over there, in the dining room.

Brought her in this morning.

Great, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Okay, we are going to be nice and pleasant, aren't we?

I suppose.

Sherlock, not only is she a victim of a gruesome crime, she just lost her roommate.

Her best friend for most of her life, by all accounts.

And on top of that, she is an elderly woman.

Margaret.

Oh, hello there.

Lovely to see you both.

Hi, do you remember us?

I, um, well, not quite, but Sheila said you'd be coming to see me, and you were very helpful yesterday.

Yes, you were in quite the

um

pickle?

Yes, quite.

A pickle.

I was able to untie you, and I'm glad to see you're on the mend.

Margaret?

Actually, Watson, I have a question

for you.

Uh, okay.

You see the yellows and browns of the bruising around her eye socket?

I do, yeah.

Why would the bruising accelerate to its later stages so quickly?

It could be colouration.

Um, it may be a vitamin K deficiency or a liver condition.

Margaret's chart suggests neither.

Then

it could be

well, I mean, at her age, you know, everyone can be different.

Would it suggest an old bruise?

But we know that I know what we know.

If

mate, if you know what we know can we just fine whatever sorry margaret no problem at all got to be thorough of course yeah yeah um yeah so we just wanted to check that you're okay

um

if you had any questions for us or

yeah anything we can do my son's coming this afternoon you needn't worry I think I might have earned myself a night or two at his.

Very exciting.

Well, we can speak to him if you want and inform him of everything that's happened.

He visited you yesterday, did he not?

Jack?

Yes.

Did he?

The reception sign-in book would suggest so.

Yes, Sherlock.

What?

Not now, please.

Oh, you pinched me.

Oh, too compliant.

Get off me.

I'd love you to meet him.

You remind me of Jack a bit.

Right.

Yeah.

Doesn't have all your hair mind.

You're so sweet.

What you did for Eustace?

Oh, that yeah, it's my job.

Well, my old job.

Um,

I'm so sorry I couldn't do more.

Don't be like that to yourself.

You did everything you could.

She's in her next life now.

Does no good to dwell on her last one, does it?

No.

No, I guess I, um,

spiritually, I never thought.

Have you taken your galantamine this morning, Margaret?

How about we stop looking at her chart and maybe just have a chat?

I've done all my bits and pieces about an hour ago, my love.

Bugger.

Okay.

Right.

Well,

enjoy your porridge.

Sorry, Sherlock, just...

Off we go, Watson.

Sherlock!

It hurts.

I can keep kicking as long as you keep shooting your face off.

Oh, they're not.

You know what else, my lad?

Yes, Reg.

Sorry.

Reg, best behavior, please.

Always, Melanie, always.

We wanted you roughly, Melanie.

This is what it is.

It's the drugs.

What ones are you on?

Anything fun?

Ah, not me, you pillar.

They're blocked.

The enemy.

The enemy?

Ah,

is that what you call them?

Well, what do you call them?

Kids.

Stupid kids.

But yeah, no.

Kent police call them the Randall gang.

Because Randall Park, I think.

Oh, yeah.

Hoodlums selling drugs.

What drugs, exactly?

They're selling all sorts of wacky backeys.

They're selling the old...

The what's it?

The old

powdery one at the bankers and the politicians.

Cocaine.

That's the one.

And Graham.

Graham!

No, he's not listening.

You should speak to Graham.

He said he saw them.

Right, listen to this.

He said he saw them selling firearms.

Like guns?

Yeah, firearms.

And my son's family, they live down the roads.

And it's not safe with that gang, John.

So they want out.

Now they're trying to sell their house and guess what?

Can't sell it?

Can't sell it because of that gang.

People see them.

And the second I go down the high street, or I have a look around the park, there they are.

Puts them right off.

They are tormentors.

They are thieving,

vandalising little bastards.

Oh, hello.

Hello.

Bye, Francis.

Lovely.

I'm.

We bumped into each other the other day.

Did we now?

We did, yeah.

Yeah, just

saying hello.

Hello.

Bye-bye, then.

Yeah, bye.

Bye, Francis.

How do you know my name?

No, I said yesterday.

We.

It doesn't matter.

I'm a doctor.

I know all the.

You're leaving.

Okay, she's gone.

Dementia, eh?

Yeah.

Yeah, it's tough.

She shouldn't be down here, really, without her one-to-one.

They have them all up in the wind and block, don't they?

That's.

No, she's opposite Margaret.

Margaret in Eustace's room.

Margaret's on her way.

On her way?

Just a bit.

Cool, blimey.

Eustace used to look after her, didn't she?

And Eustace had her own issues with her leg.

That walking stick had a few miles on it.

Bloody hell, John, let me tell you.

She's

she has dementia.

Hey, eyes on the telly.

What's this bit?

Fantastic.

Don't make a while anymore, tonight.

You were saying Margaret has dementia.

That she does, Johnny Boy.

Beautiful spirit.

That woman.

Sunshine would call her.

Sunshine.

Always the sunshine.

Never the rain.

Let me tell you, with us like winter, it's damn near pissing it down, eh?

You talk about rain.

Oh dear.

So, your um

son is moving away?

Yeah, you gotta.

You've gotta put roots down when you've got little uns, yeah.

Of course, yeah.

Your grandkids.

Oh, yeah, gorgeous little things.

Bloody personalities, John.

Funny how that happens, isn't it?

Where are they moving to?

Down Bristol way, I think.

Bristol?

Wow.

Long way.

Yeah, well.

Why do you think I'm here?

Can't build your life around

an half-blind, 84-year-old bloke, can you?

Will they visit?

Well, they visit.

Do you have any idea the fees of these places, John?

Oh, uh,

a lot.

You spend the money to not put up with your dad milling around your ass, getting old and dodgery.

No, I'm sure I'm sure.

I'm sure they love being around you.

Oh, I know all that, but life has to go on.

You don't want to overstate your welcome at the party, do you?

It's about

the little ones now.

I've been in the way a bit the last few years.

Let them go live.

I'll be all right.

Got me telly, got me paper.

And Mel in the year makes a bloody good cuppa, don't you, love?

Aye.

The best.

You see?

Yeah, my dad left the party so early I never really thought what it'd be like if he

stuck around.

He's your hero.

Yeah.

And I was to my son, I think.

And I will be again.

I will be again.

When I go.

Mark my words.

So this is my colleague.

I should probably answer.

No bother, mate.

Hello.

Hi, how's it going?

Um,

yeah, it it's going.

Yeah, I'm just working on a report for Kent Police for the Elder Coram Bantnai situation.

I can't get a hold of Stanley Hawkins.

Yeah, he's busy.

We've actually, uh, we're back in Kent.

Uh, another case.

Oh, wait, what?

Uh, i that's what he wanted you for?

Hold on, mama, puedes espirar, por favor estoy el telephono.

How's did you say your mom was staying over?

Mm-hmm.

Yes, I did.

It mama, estoy telephono.

Mia is a yamada trabasito catender vale.

Y si, si quecho la cama

puero primeno que no es la cama vale es un sofa y segundo.

La que estás a nomi cama er estu.

Mama, ahora no puedo.

Vale, aar vismo no puedo.

Ah, susus.

Uh, yeah, yeah, it's fine.

Whatever.

Eh, family, hmm?

Yes, I am hearing a lot of that right now.

So, what is going on?

Well,

yesterday, as you know, we answered Hopkins'

urgent request,

then broke into a care home for the elderly to discover a woman tied up and her roommate dead.

Well, almost dead at the time, dead now, beaten to death.

So,

yeah,

John, that's crazy.

Are you there now?

At the care home, Yep.

It's

rough.

Sherlock is looking over the crime scene again, and

yeah.

But on the plus side, I have made a load of new friends, so.

Hmm.

You're gossiping with the old people, aren't you?

And loving it, thank you very much.

I'm not surprised.

Murder aside, I've got Telly on all day, waffling on endlessly about the slightest little things.

Absolute heaven.

Well, a pre-heaven heaven.

Oh, you are so so lame.

Well, you say that, but

got off with a girl yesterday.

I think she was about 88, but still counts.

John!

Jay, she initiated.

You're just.

Oh, you idiot.

No, it's it's it's sweet.

Um,

dementia, though, it's

rough, mate.

It's rough stuff.

I think our uh

our key witness/slash victim is um

afflicted by that so I need to tell Sherlock she might not be such a reliable sort.

Of course, of course.

And what's Sherlock saying about the case?

Uh I think he's just trying to work out how these

little shits got into the room right now.

Little shits.

Yeah, sorry, so some

gang-related incidents throughout the area right now, and they have been lingering around Abbey Grange as they're careful.

It looks like they forced entry,

took it out on one old woman, tied up the other and nicked all the

valuables.

It's awful, really.

That's terrible.

I know.

And Sherlock, did he say this?

Did he say what?

Did he say that the gun did this?

I don't...

I don't think so, but they definitely did it.

They didn't do it.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about the crime.

What are you talking about?

Sherlock, this is the least amount of sense I've heard today, and I've just been sat with 30 pensioners.

Must be tired.

Why not take a seat?

No, there's blood everywhere.

Uh, well, um, here?

Why not take a seat on this chair?

Where poor Margaret was tied down.

No, again, blood.

See?

On the seat?

Yes.

Rather strange, isn't it?

No.

A woman was beaten to death.

This is her blood.

This is a crime scene.

We're detectives.

And yeah, that's uh another thing.

I don't know if you know this, but

Margaret Brackenstall.

Come closer, Watson.

What?

To the chair.

Margaret's wounds were old and healing.

Sherlock.

I confirmed with the medical staff here that they filed a report on her bruising two weeks ago.

Right?

On her eye socket.

Okay, but the whole case is not built around her bruised eye, Sherlock.

No new wounds, not anywhere on her person.

And the community hospital, they confirmed this, did they?

They did.

The restraints.

The rope.

Cut with scissors, not the knife of some gang member, and tied in a hand spike hitch.

Slightly complicated tie, but ideal if you don't want to cause too much damage to the skin.

Almost braid-like, the way it's rested around her wrists.

So she's tied to a chair, but unwounded.

And yet...

The blood of Eustace is soaked into the seat.

How?

They tied her up afterwards.

That's not what she said.

She's look, Sherlock.

I just found out that this part of the care home.

She has early onset dementia.

Yes.

Wait.

Wait, you knew that.

Of course.

But the crime took place an hour after her evening dosage of galantamine.

Or what should have been her evening dosage.

That is.

This isn't an exact science.

A glass of water right there.

A bloody thumbprint smudged on its side.

A mouthful taken.

Just a mouthful.

Why?

To

take a pill.

To take a pill?

I'm just gonna say psycho-analysing a dementia patient is again not an exact science.

Okay, well, how about this?

Window open.

Yep, where they entered.

Bed directly beneath it.

Yes.

Was she accosted by fairies?

Did they float across the bed and beat Eustace repeatedly in the face with their wands?

What are you talking about?

The bed is crisp, flat, unruffled.

A gang of of youths is supposed to have bounded in here in a frenzy.

It.

Maybe someone made it.

Who?

You?

Me?

The burley sergeant at Kent Police?

No, but Hopkins took the photos.

Upon our entry, it is exactly the same.

The bed is perfectly made.

I have checked and checked and checked again.

Maybe.

Watson, there is something very seriously wrong with this crime scene.

It is paramount that we speak to.

Excuse me.

Oh, hi, we're just...

This is just.

this is a police investigation.

What are you doing in my mother's room?

Right, you're...

Jack.

Jack Crocker.

Hi.

I'm John Watson.

This is Sherlock Holmes.

We.

So we...

We are an investigative team that arrived on the scene when it...

Hi, Margaret.

Hello.

I don't know if you...

You knew Eustace as well, Jack, but I'm so sorry for what happened to her and

to your mother here, of course.

Yeah.

Jack has come to help me with some things.

Yes, well, I'd rather you didn't.

Excuse me.

This is a crime scene.

The police downstairs say.

The police downstairs believe they have captured the killer.

Good.

Stay there, please.

Sounds like case closed.

Far from it, Mr.

Crocker?

Fine.

They won't touch anything, but she needs some clothes.

Definitely need a pair of shoes.

These are light blooming clothes.

Quite the build, aren't you, Jack?

Thanks.

He's so muscly, isn't he?

When he was little, he was all skin and bone, and we used to say superb posture, too.

But I suppose with core workouts and not skipping back day, that helps.

Look, I need to open that wardrobe, mate.

Yes, and otherwise, I'm going to be half-naked and nobody.

Margaret, recall the events for me one last time.

Can you stop interrupting my mother, please?

I don't know if you've noticed, but she's been through a lot.

Yes, through an enormous amount.

Some youths from the local park scaled the walls, burst in through her window, tied her to the chair, and beat her fellow resident to death.

Is that what happened?

Yes.

That's the sequence of events, is it Margaret?

It is.

Then what's this?

Eustace's blood.

On the chair?

Yes.

That you were tied to before the beating took place.

Sherlock.

Margaret, you were tied to the chair before the beating.

That's what you told me.

My mother has early onset dementia.

She's far from the perfect witness, and you are far from the perfect detective to be grilling her.

I am not grilling her.

I am discerning a simple fact to prevent the police from putting children behind bars.

She's unwell.

Nothing is simple.

It's fragmented.

It's hazy and unclear, and she doesn't have to answer to you.

She doesn't answer to anyone.

Anymore.

Margaret Rackenstall was a soft-hearted, kindly woman her whole life.

Why?

What?

Why was she that way?

Because that's who she is.

Look at her, mate.

That's who she chose to be.

All right, all right, that is enough.

That's enough.

I would very much like to get my things.

Yes, mum.

I agree.

Everyone has been so helpful, and I want to thank you both.

Mum?

For saving me.

For trying to save Eustace.

Margaret.

They are busy tracking down the killer, Mrs.

Brackenstall.

Good.

They went looking in Randall Park.

A rather unnecessary field trip, I'd say.

Sorry, this is.

How exactly is that unnecessary?

Because, Mr.

Crocker, the killer is not in Randall Park.

The killer

is in this room.

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