The Norwood Builder - Part Two
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Previously on Sherlock and Co. This is Hector. Hector McFarlane. Hi there. You're a solicitor. I am, yes. And you're on the run. The run. Very much so. Very, very much so. This bloody air fryer. My wife wanted one. And I said, Shireen, we don't have the space. She said, we do, Hector. We have the space. It's a big kitchen and all this.

And I said, no, we don't have the counter space, the kitchen counter. There's not enough room. We decide to get a whole kitchen renovation. And I think, well, that's just bloody marvellous, isn't it? Let's tear up the whole kitchen for this air fryer. Anyway, it drags on and we eventually get a guy from Norwood, a fellow from Norwood, Jonas Oldacre. Oh, but he's dead.

Hector, he was... He was murdered. This man comes into my kitchen under false pretenses, smashes the place to bits, pulls out the oven, the dishwasher, all the cupboards and counters, and holds me to ransom. To ransom! I said I'm not bloody having this. You are taking the piss. We have this big row. I told him in no uncertain terms, I'm taking you to court, mate. You are screwed. And then on,

Last Monday, I came back from work and Jonas was still at the house, which was odd, as I had been working late, well, very late, so I expected to not see him. And he was actually...

he'd hung around for some legal advice. He said his partner was pregnant, recently pregnant, and he wanted to draw up a will. And he asked if I could help out. And he said if I helped him, he would knock down some of the labour costs even more. And I thought, why not, you know? I mean, I arranged the forms for him. He was right back the next morning, before I was even out for work. The forms were on the side, ready to be signed by me. I signed it.

I caught him as I was heading off on my bike and I said to him, we'll make a couple of copies and I can get it filed at work. That was the last time anyone saw Jonas Oldacre. I left the meeting room, I walked down the hallway and Dame Gwen Lestrade is there. She introduces herself and she says she's overseeing an investigation that she says concerns her greatly. And I say, oh, what's that?

And she says, the murder of Jonas Oldacre. And there is the will. All the belongings, assets and financial holdings of Jonas Oldacre will be left to me. To Hector Macfarlane. You killed Jonas Oldacre. How dare you. You beat him to death with a club hammer. That's not true! A club hammer you took from his own van on the 13th.

And did you see? He reacted to the blood on his own hand. His face ran pale. He gagged. His walk into the kitchen, it denoted a spell of dizziness. He was unbalanced and numb. Hector has acute haemophobia. Wait, leave him in there. No, I need more information on what exactly... What? What is it? Is he fainted? No, he's vanished.

He's vanished.

What do you mean? He's vanished. He's vanished? He's a solicitor, not a magician. Solicitors don't vanish into thin air. Guys, look. He probably climbed down onto the delivery truck roof. He's gone out the kitchen window. Is he mad? Look. See? Oh, for God's sake. Bloody Amazon deliveries. It's relentless. We should really go and let the police in. Oh, God.

Hiya. John. Tom. Mariana. Tom. I'm here to make a formal arrest. Well, I know you and Sherlock don't get on, but that's a bit dramatic, isn't it? Where is he? Who, Sherlock? Just upstairs, hanging out, chilling, taking a load off. No. Hector McFarlane. We know he's here. Yeah, I wouldn't be so sure of that, Tom. What do you mean? You know what you should do? You should air-tag your suspects. Question them, then pop one of those on them. That's what you should do. Just a little bit of feedback. Sigh.

That would be illegal. Right. Right, yeah. Hey, can I get you a cup of tea? No. Okie dokie. Tom, I think we should re-evaluate the case. Consider this fugitive state of affairs as a window of opportunity. That there is a window of opportunity. And our suspect has just jumped out of it. Okay, so I think what Sherlock is trying to say is that he noted a few...

Holes, in the case. Right, Sherlock? Oh wait, what? Sherlock Holmes? Found fault with a police investigation? I'm gonna need to sit down to process this.

I can't believe my ears. Take a seat, Gregson. You'll be alright. Watson, get a cold cloth. Yeah, he's being sarcastic. Oh. Tom, if you could make arrangements for Sherlock to maybe see the crime scene, it would give... Guys, this is a serious matter. They're always serious matters and we always help. This isn't help!

A good track record does not excuse letting a suspect jump out your back window. A suspect, by the way, that we believe not only beat a man to death with a bloody hammer, but they cut him to pieces. You don't have a body? No, we don't. But we have Old Acre's blood on a club hammer. We have Old Acre's blood on a disposed angle grinder blade. And we have Hector Macfarlane's fingerprints on both. You know Hector Macfarlane, the bloke who miraculously stands to inherit all of Old Acre's cash and belongings.

Funny that. Does it not occur to you, Tom, that this murder tied to this suspect a little too easily? Yes, that's why we're in the process of arresting him and getting him charged for crying out loud. I too had the same thought of Hector McFarlane, but now my mind is full of questions. Yeah, well, you're going to have a lot more on your mind when Gwen is finished with you. Gwen's energy would be best spent finishing this investigation. She probably had finished the investigation. Two minutes. I have deciphered more than you. Shut up.

Your radio, Tom. It's alright, it's not for me. It's for units in the Baker Street area? Oh, shit. This is Gregson. Over. Gregson, we've got an armed suspect at Madam Two Swords. What? Repeat, an armed suspect at Madam Two Swords. Dispatch, I'm in the area, about a minute away. Could you repeat? Over. Suspect with a firearm at Madam Two Swords on Marleybone Road. Repeat, we have a suspect with a firearm at Madam Two Swords on Marleybone Road. Units and special units on standby. Over.

I think we may have located Mr McFarlane, don't you? Sherlock, they said he's armed. He's not an armed gunman. He's a snobby solicitor from Blackheath. Let me go deal with the gunman. We'll talk about McFarlane later. They're the same person. Enough! Sherlock, just... this is serious, mate. Right, Tom, we will get our heads together, have a think about how we can tackle this. Yeah, you do that.

You didn't move it. Someone is paying attention at least. What? The gun on the counter in the kitchen. I told you to move it. And you didn't. Did you? I did not. Whoopsie. Heed. Oh. You are fucking kidding me.

We need to be sure that that building evacuated immediately. I don't want to head down to the... Well, I spoke to a young woman and she said that the gentleman was armed. From what the eyewitnesses are saying, we believe that Mabel may be involved. Yes, absolutely.

I think we'll do it on camera too and I'll just speak to them. We will need a farm tune in here on the main vehicle. Thank you, Suzanne. Now, we are just getting some information to us that Madam Two Swords in London may be the site of a potential hostage situation.

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I saw him come in and I just immediately I knew that something was wrong and then it must have been like five seconds literally like five seconds and then everybody was running and screaming and he was shouting and it was just

Hostages have been taken by the man whose identity has just been revealed as Hector McFarlane. A gentleman from Blackheath by the name of Hector McFarlane. Five American citizens are fighting for their lives in London, England. The Metropolitan Police Service. Five Americans, a Chinese national and two British citizens make up the hostages taken by Blackheath-based solicitor Hector McFarlane. Everybody move back, this is an arms

We have visual confirmation of the target.

No, no, no, I'm sorry. Look, you've got a madman with a gun who is threatening to kill innocent people, Callum. Yeah, but what I think we're all missing is, right, he's innocent until proven guilty, is he not? He's holding people up at gunpoint. Because he is fighting against the press for saying that he did it. They're saying it, right? From what we understand, both Hector McFarlane and the eight hostages do not have contact outside the building. I'm here in Wacky, where we're seeing Shireen McFarlane. Shireen, Shireen, Mrs McFarlane, Mrs McFarlane. Shireen, Shireen, Shireen.

Yes, the man in the maroon shirt. Do you think that builders like Jonas Oldacre being murdered will affect the government's house building targets? So the question is, I mean, this is going to be for Justin Brown, Member of Parliament for Buckingham and Bletchley. Will these builder murders affect government house building targets? That's what the gentleman asked. Well, it... Well...

Well, no.

All units, here to buy. Suspect is armed and dangerous. All units, here to buy. And you're just seeing these remarkable pictures we're getting now of police units actually on the rooftops surrounding Mamontu Swords. And I'm just wondering, Michael, if they have line of sight on Hector in there. And you've got that guy in England, right? He's, like, taking it to the cops. Wait, you don't think he killed that guy? I don't, man. You don't? I don't think he killed that guy. I don't. Come on, man. I think he's, like, his typical scuck-up elite snob.

Who I hope is going to get what's coming to him. He's going to get what he deserves. The whole thing is corrosive, this Man of Two Swords. Sit back, you shoot first, get asked questions later. That's not what we do in this country. That is not what we do in this country. We are losing our grip on sanity. Oh my God! Oh!

Good shot. It's not fair. No, no, no, he's onside because the right back is playing him on. Not the football. It's just about the mouse again. They said they'd call for a humane release. No, not the mouse. The siege. Oh, yeah. Well, I mean, of course it's not fair. It is an armed siege, Sherlock. Yes, but I'm not there. That's what's not fair. They're not going to let you attend, mate. It's a potential hostage situation, not a birthday party.

Welcome to Blackheath, everyone, in South East London. And I have to say, it's about as tranquil as London gets. We're currently looking out on the expanse of Blackheath. It's a big flat, heathland-type park, really. Lots of people playing football, a bit of cricket over there, tennis courts behind me, people walking their dogs, coming back from work, and...

Yeah, we are hopefully going to get a piece of this Norwood Builder case action, but I'm not quite sure what the master detective has in mind. Now that's where you tell me... Oh, fine. Well, I'm definitely not getting an air fryer now. I mean, look what happens. One minute, all is fine. You're living in Blackheath, not caring the world. Then you get an air fryer, and before you know it, you've chopped up a builder, you're on the run from the authorities, and now you hold up in a landmark London tourist attraction and a standoff with armed police. What?

Makes you think. Makes you think of what, exactly? I don't know, like, how the smallest things in life can set off these massive events. They're just, you know, I mean, this is huge, isn't it? People will say, oh, do you remember the siege of Madame Tussauds in 2025? Oh yeah, I remember that. I was, you know, I was at uni and your mother was working down the street from it, weren't you, love? Sorry, who on earth are these characters? No, I'm just, I'm providing, er, er,

a sense of the... the gravity of events, Sherlock. OK? That's... People remember this shit. What sort of events do you remember, then? Me? Um... Diana death. Uh... 9-11.

Then the London Bombings 7-7, I think that was. Mm-hm. And that bloke that blew his bollocks off with the suicide nail bomb in a Nando's toilet in 2006. It was a giraffe. What? It was a giraffe. No, it was a bloke, mate. It was a suicide bomber. No, the establishment. It wasn't the toilet of a Nando's, it was a giraffe. Ah, Giraffe Cafe, yeah. Sorry. We should be there. The police will handle it, just...

Focus on the task at hand. They won't. They'll kill an innocent man. Yeah, innocent men don't arm themselves and march into waxwork museums taking hostages. This one does. Another thing, I don't appreciate being dragged from Baker Street all the way to Blackheath, literally the opposite side of London, to then hear you say, oh, we should be there. We must review the crime scene. I must be sure.

I must be able to provide the police with an alternative. Yeah, they're going to want to hear that right now. It's their job to hear it. Yeah, I mean, sure. It is also their job to shoot Hector Macfarlane in the head, so... There she is. Shireen. Shireen Macfarlane. Right there. Where? Where I expected her to be. On her way back from work. Come...

That is a lot of paparazzi around here, mate. Are you surprised? No, not one bit. Pick up the pace. Oh, hi again, everyone. As I said, in Blackheath, Blackheath is, of course, is... Whoa, shit, I nearly fell over. Blackheath is the home of Hector Macfarlane, which is where the missing, presumed dead, Jonas Oldacre was contracted for his building, um...

Work? We're just... bloody hell. We're just about to speak to Shireen, see if we can... Oh, OK. Wow, we're going straight into the paparazzi. Hey! Move it! Out of the way! Get off me! Oh, God, you lot are the worst! Shireen! Ow! Shireen McFarlane! Shireen! Shireen! Get away from me! Parasite! Shireen! I just met your husband! Forget the fuck of... Hey, hey, that got me. I'm a detective. He came to see me. Ah!

I think he may be innocent. Shereen! I think Hector may be innocent. What? I said... This is the lounge. Lovely. I love the framed quotes over the walls. Wine o'clock. And you had me at Merlot. Funny stuff. Some people think they're tacky, but... No, not at all. Not at all. No, no. Let the night be gin. Yeah, no, this is...

Tasteful, classy decor, Shireen. Glad you like them. Yeah, very... yeah. Then a dining room here. I decorated this room. Yeah, wow, that's... The leopard print really kind of throws you at first, but once your eyes settle... It's quite something. Yeah, crushed velvet dining chairs, very swanky. Table all set for dinner. It's just going to be me tonight, though. Hey, Shireen, it's OK. It's...

It's gonna be okay. Sherlock, can you get one of those serviettes for Shireen? The pink ones? Yeah. Of course. Here. Here we go. Oh, look, look, look. Little inspirational quotes on each. What does it say? The only disability is a bad attitude. That seems insensitive, but... Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry.

He's taken some hostages in a London tourist attraction. I don't think she was being literal, mate. Shireen, could we see the kitchen, maybe? Yeah, it's a bit of a mess. Still under construction, obviously, and we haven't been allowed to touch it for a good week. Yeah, a bit of a building site, isn't it? But it looks... lots of potential. Cornelius Kitchens? The name of his company...

Of Jonas's company. Right. Do you recall what the police took away for evidence? Mostly Jonas's tools. They took his van too, as it was parked on the drive. And the hammer was in the van? No, it was on the counter there, in the kitchen. Jonas had left it with the documents he had for Hector to process at work. The will? Jonas Aldacre's will, yeah? Yeah. Then over here is where he was doing the extension. No. No.

We're not done. How did you know the documents were in the kitchen? Hector said he took them first thing in the morning. To his work. Yeah, but I was up first to let Jonas in. Hector was showering. Mrs McFarlane. Shireen. Shireen, it's very important you relay this information to me with as much accuracy as possible. Mm-hmm.

On the morning of Jonas Oldacre's disappearance, you got up at what time? 6am. Same every morning. I do yoga in the lounge. What time does Jonas usually arrive? Usually 7. That morning it was 6.30. Why? He didn't say, but the yoga session, the video is 45 minutes long, so I just quickly let him in and he got on with it. You finished the session, and you at some point saw the documents on this countertop. I did. Yes.

I came through to make a coffee and the documents were right there. Here? Yeah. How were they presented? Well, they were folded open on the last page. Because that's how I knew it was for Hector. So the signature box for the solicitor, in this case Hector, was presented... With a pen beside it, yeah. And he put the hammer on it as a paperweight. Probably because the extension's still drafty. Whoa, stop. What? The hammer. It was...

Well, it didn't have blood on it or anything. No, no, Shireen. The hammer was on the documents. As a paperweight, yeah. Is that... Have I said something wrong? No. Hector comes down. He sees the signature box. He knows the form as he's drafted it the night before, so he's not going to read through. He moves the hammer. His prints go on it. And he signs...

Shireen, take me through the rest of your husband's movements that morning. Okay, so he had a late night the night before with work, with Jonas asking him about this will. He wanted to help him out. Bit of a side gig, I suppose, to reduce the cost of all this. He was a little behind that morning, so he put his coffee in his takeaway cup and then he put the documents in his briefcase. And he went to his bike.

He would have then cycled to the station. Where is his bike stored? It's round the side. Show me. He'd undo the lock for the storage and his bike is in here. Did you see him leave? No. You said goodbye inside? Yeah. Sherlock? Yes, Watson? Look at this, on the floor. Ah, yes. What do we have here? A very small bit of plastic. Yes, moulded and adjoining a gauze shield.

Most likely fitting a fan to expel air. Is that from his bike? Was it tampered with? No, not at all. Shireen, are you aware of what an angle grinder is? It's a saw. That's what they're saying he used on the body. That's right. It's a handheld circular saw. Two grips, one at the rear, one at the front.

The police report states that they found a disposed blood-stained blade for it, and a new blade had been fitted poorly, and the angle grinder itself had been damaged in the process. And that's why they think he did that? Because it looked... It appeared amateurish. Someone disposed of the evidence and refitted a new blade to cover their tracks, but did it poorly. But this here...

The small plastic moulding would fit the damage depicted in the report. So the angle grinder, like the hammer, was left in a location that would require Hector to touch it to transfer his prints. I mean, it's no wonder you snapped. This press coverage is absolutely mental. Yeah. Hey, look, there's us. For God's sake, I look so short because I'm next to you. I'm not that short in real life. This is why I should do more cases than Harry, aren't I? God, my hair's looking a bit long there too. Could do with a cut.

Can't go to the usual place though, can I? All closed off because of bloody... you know, the lone gunman here. Sorry, who are you texting? An associate. So, Mariana? Different kind of associate. Right, could you elaborate? Yes, actually. Really? Hey, where are you going? We just got back. I'm going to 29 Marlebone Road.

And so are you. But the siege... It's opposite Madame Tussauds. Why are we going there? Sherlock, for God's sake. Sherlock, please, just don't do anything stupid, all right? Why not? Well, A, Madame Tussauds is right there. Hector could be pointing that thing out the window for all we know. Doubtful. And B, there's police everywhere. Yes, and so there should be. This way.

Mr Holmes. Hello there. Some identification please, you too Mr Watson. Ah, Mr is it? Sorry. No, nothing. There you go. Driver's licence has a Swindon address but I'm going to get it changed. Also there's a blonde streak in my hair because of a stag. This way. Okay. Certainly. Ooh, this is something. Yes, quite.

I've never seen so many guns. Well, I'd hope you have. Otherwise the British Army is in terrible shape. No, I know that. I've seen guns in an army context. That's a different context. That's a natural environment for guns. This is London. Yeah, it's...

It's like when a bird flies into your house, you're like, "Jesus Christ, look at that thing, what the fuck am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?" But ultimately, it's just a bird but in a different context, you know? It's the context... Please stop. Right through here, ma'am. Holmes and Watson are here. There you go, gents. Hello. You're smirking. Stop smirking. Oh, this. This isn't a smirk. Yes, it is. No, it's not. What is it, then? I'm smiling.

It's because I'm pleased to see you. We both know that's not the reason you're smiling, Sherlock. Fine. I may be a smidge excited. Is that a crime, Gwen? I realise you may be a little rusty for that question. Feel free to consult your policing practices handbook. What did I say? You said best behaviour. Exactly. Of course. How rude of me. John Watson, this is Gwen. Gwen, this is John. Oh, er, nice to meet you, Gwen. Nice to meet you, Mr Watson. It's...

Sorry, I never do this, you know, but it's actually Doctor. Doctor Watson. Oh my goodness. I do apologise. I'm so sorry. No, no, no, not at all. I know how you feel, because it's not actually Gwen. Oh, is it not? No. It's Dame Gwendolyn Estrade, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. Right. To binge this adventure in full and without ads, go to patreon.com forward slash Sherlock and Co.

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