Chapters
Shownotes Transcript
This episode is brought to you by Tinder. Meet-cutes happen every day on Tinder, just not like they do in the movies. Hey, nice motorcycle. Do you have room for a plus one? I thought you'd never ask. No matter how your journey starts, if you take a chance on romance, you may join the millions of relationships that started thanks to Tinder, like the one you just heard. Explore all the possibilities for yourself. Tinder. It starts with a swipe. Download Tinder today.
You may get a little excited when you shop at Burlington. Burlington saves you up to 60% off other retailers' prices every day. Will it be the low prices or the great brands? You'll love the deals. You'll love Burlington. I told you so. Styles and selections vary by store.
Travel is all about choosing your own adventure. With your Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, sometimes that means a ski trip at a luxury lodge in the Swiss Alps.
with a few of your closest friends. And other times, it means a resort on a private beach with no one else in sight. Wherever you decide to go, find the detail that moves you with unique benefits at hand-selected hotels from Sapphire Reserve. Chase, make more of what's yours. Learn more at chase.com slash sapphire reserve. Cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank and a member FDIC. Subject to credit approval.
Go to patreon.com forward slash Sherlock and Co. For bonus material, early access to episodes, ad-free listening, and much more. That's patreon.com forward slash Sherlock and Co. Okay. Uh, John, I did it. Uh, do I just hit stop, or...?
Previously on Sherlock & Co. Dear Dr Watson, my name is Miles Sutherland. I'm 25 years old and I live in Wandsworth. Yeah, I am looking to get married to the love of my life, Angel. Angel? Keep reading. Angel is her username on Dark Vale 2 Realm of Factions.
We met two years ago at Valecon, where like-minded players of the game meet in person. I'm going to ask her to marry me, but Bloodhammer Chris, my best friend, found the items I gave her on a Dark Vale auction site. Should I be concerned? Has she been hacked? Is she who she says she is? I don't mind it. Sorry? I think it's an intriguing mystery. So my dad is... was... quite... well...
well off he left an estate for his kids and his mum's still with us she lives in Kennington with her husband Des tell me about Angel Angel yeah I met her at Valecon which is a convention for Dark Vale 2 on Leadenhall Street two years ago just to clarify demonic but sorry Miles this this is in person in person yeah and for you this is the real deal she's the real deal seems like things are good
Something that requires a detective agency? I suppose I'm doing this for my mate, really. As he thinks she's a gold digger. Actually, I got chatting to Demonic Bane to Miles last night. John, I actually think there's something in this one. Yeah, I think he's being...
taken advantage of. John Watson? It wouldn't take much work to confirm the facts, or as he believes it. Well, from what I heard last night... Oh, I knew you'd be listening. I knew it. There was a girl. He saw Angel in person. That person corresponded to their in-game character. Then the gaming stopped, and all that continued were text messages. What was that? It's someone in the vicinity that can contact me in the game. It's Angel.
Angel hose? That's Angel's character. Oh, I thought she quit. He's a liar. Stay away. Sorry, stay away from who? My Sutherland is a liar. Sorry, why is he a liar? Who is this? Stay away, Dr Watson. I know where you live. My dear fellows and fellowesses... er, fellowettes, welcome...
A case of identity, chapter two. Part two. Don't know why I said chapter. Folks, this episode contains swearing, violence. It contains complex and somewhat dark themes, I'm afraid. There is... I don't know how I say this without spoiling. Yeah, there's references to self-harm. Yeah, I'll put that there for you. Okay, see you at the end.
My Sutherland is alive. Steady, hurry, Dr. Watson. I know where you live. Play it again. Oh, you didn't pick anything up the first 170 times I played it. I'm analysing. No, I can't hear it anymore. My brain is going to melt. He's alive. He's alive. Stay away. My Sutherland is alive. Steady, hurry.
Doctor Watson, I know where you live. What do we reckon? Well, they know where we live. Yep. And now, I know where they live. You do? I do. Chop, chop. Okay, what's going on? The game is afoot. That's what's going on. Okay, what are we doing at the Oval? Well, up to you really. What do you fancy?
I've never really been much of a cricket guy, to be honest, mate. Surrey v Hampshire doesn't quite do it for me. Fair enough. For our international... Well, actually, that doesn't work because this show is big in India. For our non-Brits or Indian or Pakistani or... Oh, no, wait, Aussies like it as well. Do you know what? For our American listeners, the Oval is a cricket ground stadium. Call it what you will. Home to Surrey County Cricket Club.
It's right in South London and is not remotely in Surrey at all. Probably was once upon a time before London swallowed it whole. And we are here because... Why are we here? Listen. We want to listen to car alarms and neighbours shouting at each other? No. Listen. That's... what, the stadium announcer? Yes.
In our little chat with our wizard friend, there was, very faintly, an announcer in the background. I spent a great deal of my youth attempting to understand frivolity and excitement in people's voices, to try and detect all the nuances of speaking patterns, something you may find very natural. Me? Not so much. Having created this little running motor of vocal and gestural analysis in the back of my mind, it's always rather handy to tune into these things.
That announcement that was just about audible from the supposed angel couldn't have been anything that functionary or proper. Those are delivered in a level speaking manner, sometimes downward, if delivering unfortunate news. Delays, cancellations? Exactly. These tones are used for commands or reports, so couldn't have been a nearby train station. The announcement had a circumflex pattern, a rising and falling intonation, usually to project excitement, perfect for inspiring a crowd.
Couldn't be a protest because the voice clearly came from a PA system, so it was a stadium. Couldn't be a music event as there was none playing, but also no performer in their right mind would host a show at 11am in London on a Friday. So it must be a sport. But what kind of sport would hold a match at such a particular time? Cricket. Cricket. A sport so thoroughly soaked in tradition and anachronisms that kicking off on a Friday morning
is just how things are done. Brilliant, mate. Thank you. Only, uh, they don't kick off in cricket. They don't? No. What do they do, then? They toss. They toss off? No, no, no, don't say that. They... the match begins with a toss. A tossing off? Uh, no, no. They toss a coin in the air. I see. Why can't I say toss off? Uh, you just... you know, this is a family show, isn't it? Maybe just Google it. Uh...
Well, that is unfortunate. Yep. Right, so what are we doing here? Well, they must live somewhere around here. The thingy? The Voice of Angel? Yes. Okay. It's quite a densely populated area. Indeed. Which is why we take the knowledge of the Oval and apply it to what we already know. Ah, it's mum.
His mum and the stepdad live in Kennington. The Oval is in Kennington. Exactly. Either a remarkable coincidence, or, what's most likely, we have the identity of our voice. Why would his mum be...
No, I don't get that. Why is she logging on as a character in a game, someone else's character, and calling her son a liar? Yes, that may well be our first question at hand. Here, take this. What is... This is a Conservative Party leaflet. Yes. Now, wear this.
There we go. Right, why am I wearing a blue rosette and holding a Conservative Party leaflet? Because we're out canvassing for votes. OK, Sherlock, are you into politics at all? Not particularly. Yeah, thought as much. No one is going to answer the door to us, mate. Why not? Because you've dressed me up as a Tory in the heart of South London. Oh.
That's not good. It's terrible. Any other party, any other party at all would have been good. My mistake. We'll just have to be extra enthusiastic, won't we? His mother, Zara Windybank, lives on the street, according to her Facebook anyway. All I could work with, I'm afraid. I mean...
That's pretty good. The Conservative thing, mate. There's no need. Let's just knock on doors. She liked three tweets from the Conservatives in the last month. Oh. Blimey. She's a member of the local Conservative club. Right. Yeah. So, if she does have hostile suspicions towards our little agency and podcast, as our interaction would suggest... We'll get in the house, at least, if we pretend to be Tories. Conservatives. Yeah, same thing. Thought so. Just wanted to check.
I should say, there's nothing wrong with being a Tory, nor a Tory councillor. My mum is a Tory. She's not a member, but she votes that way, I think. Anyway, all I'm saying is that this is South London, and it's fair to say that it's not a Tory heartland. So, yeah, feeling a little bit exposed. Here we go. Hello there, I'm from the Conservative...
Next door. Okie dokie. And just a tip. Open with, could I speak to Zara Windybank? Yeah, sorry, a bit flustered, to be honest. Not exactly how I pictured my day going. No problem. Nice and easy. Deep breath. OK. Take two, eh? You're hiding the pamphlet. Hold it higher. Yep. And go. Hello. Was that her? No. Next door. Beware of the dog. Lovely.
Yeah? Hi, is Zara Winderbank in? Oh, wrong door. She's number 18, that one, across the street. Oh, great, thank you. You've been very helpful. Well, you fucking haven't. Can I take this off now, please? Not yet. We need to get in the house first. We can just say we're asking about her son. She'll be worried. The son she calls a liar, you mean? Ah, good point.
Hi. Hello there. I'm from the local Tory party, just out here in Kennington, looking to see what we can do for residents like yourself. OK. Yeah, and we, you know, you seem interested in your politics. Yeah, I'm a member of the party, and I'm looking to run for councillor one day, actually. Right, great. We can discuss with you the route to that potential role, if you wish. Yeah, yeah, we could have that chat right now, if you're free. Um, yeah, two secs.
You coming down, Des? Your tea's here. Thanks, Zara. That's very kind. Love the picture. Is that you and Margaret Thatcher? Maggie? Mrs Thatcher? No, that's my dad. Wow. Oh, OK. Wow.
You don't see a perm like that these days. Good, yeah. No, good for him, yeah. Thanks for taking the time to chat to me about all of this. A bit daunting on the website and haven't really found the members' resources to be that helpful. Yeah, no, of course. Sometimes these things can be a bit of a closed book. Yeah, absolutely. It's that, isn't it? Well, you know, politics, like anything really, is about connections, I find. At both local level and, you know, right up to the higher office, sort of.
Do you have any dependents at all? You know, we're always looking for the younger voter. Can't seem to find many at the moment. Do you have a daughter or a son? Yeah, I've got a son from a previous relationship. Cool, yeah, cool, cool. And where does he live? Wandsworth. Wandsworth, very nice, very nice. Yeah, they used to vote for us, I think, those lot. Yeah, what does he do? He... Des! Tea! Tea!
Will Des be joining us? He might do, but that's his cuppa. Des! I'll go grab him. Oh, of course, of course. Yeah, yeah. This rosette is really digging in. It's got like a pin, you know.
Look at that. Look at what you've done. What have I done? That's in the fabric of the t-shirt pocket. That'll leave a tear now if I take it out. You can repair it? I shouldn't have to. Just don't rip it out. Oh, great. Yeah, thanks. Come on. What? Upstairs. Yeah, she's getting him now. It's just a bloody cup of tea. Will everyone relax? Jesus. She's pacing around. I can hear it. No, she isn't. Is she? She certainly is. He's gone quiet. Why is she not talking to him? Let's go find out. Sherlock? What? Sherlock, get back here.
Jesus, what are you doing? Looks like Des may have popped out. What's going on? Close the door, Watson. Has he jumped out the window? Close the bedroom door and lock it. Watson, you're that podcaster? We're detectives, actually. You may not have known that, but your husband certainly did. Hence why he jumped out the window the moment you let us in.
Might just close this now, if you don't mind. Just to make sure. Make sure of what? That you don't do the same. Maybe I'll call the police. Yes, maybe I will as well. What is going on with my son? We'd like to ask you the same. Miles Sutherland has been messaging a woman he believes to be Angel. Now listen. Usually you have to say something after you tell people to listen. I am. Let me just...
I don't want this to come out wrong or... He has lots of money. Miles is very fortunate in that respect. Okay? He has to be responsible with it and we weren't happy with this relationship so we... We changed the number. Her number. In his phone. Kept the name the same. Took the profile picture and just... Yeah. Changed it. And we blocked the original.
What the hell did you do that for? Because you can't be too careful. Girls will be after his money. He's 25 and you're right, it's his money. Doesn't mean he's not vulnerable. Who cares? He's 25. But what does age really mean, right? If he's... Yeah, yeah, what...
What does it mean? What does it mean, again, Sherlock? Oh, yeah, it means he's 25. He doesn't need his mum and stepdad stealing girlfriends away they don't approve of. You don't understand. He's been messaging the number. You know that, right? He did a long time ago, but that's over now. We sent some messages as her shutting the relationship down after she stopped playing that game. It's over. It's not, Zara. It is. It's over. It's done.
It was finished months ago. It isn't. He's still messaging her. He thinks he's going to marry her. He's buying her things, sending her money. That's impossible. Oh, God. Oh, no. I think I know why Des has done a runner. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. Where is it? So, he's obviously found a way to get in touch with her again, right? He's found her real number. Oh, no, no, no. Where is it?
The phone. The... phone? You changed her number, in his phone, to one you owned. Is that correct? Yes. Then where is it? Uh, hold on. It's... yeah, it's here. It probably won't be charged, we never use it. It is charged. And used frequently, from the looks of it. Code. Code is 4444. Wrong. What? Wednesday's his birthday. It...
16th of October. 1610. No. Might be wedding anniversary? No, no, no, no. It won't be. I don't get... Why has he changed it? Birth year? 1971. 1971. Unlocked. Oh my god. Why has he changed it? Yes. There it is. Plane ticket request. Plumbing request. Good night, my beautiful warrior.
"Good night, Prince." Jesus. "I love you. I need you." No! "I can't believe I found my ideal man. I can't wait to see you. I can't wait to touch you." No! No! No! And a little voice note here. "I love you so much, babe. I hope you're okay. Stay strong. Keep picturing us together and it will come true." Ah. She replied.
Let's hear it. I love you, baby. You mean so much to me. I need to be with you. Make it come true for me, please. Make it happen. It's a shame Dez has popped out as we could have asked him to do the impression. Does that sound like him? I'm gonna be sick! Everything alright, Watson? Er, not really. Oh.
Why? Well, I've had no sleep, I'm dressed as a Tory councillor and I just heard a man flirting with his own stepson so yeah, not good mate, not... I was a little bit sick coming up there. Travel is all about choosing your own adventure. With your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, sometimes that means a ski trip at a luxury lodge in the Swiss Alps.
We need you to come across like...
None of this has happened, all right? Yeah. Glean what you can. Where is he? Why did he leave? Yeah. Yeah. OK. OK. Here we go. Hiya, love. Are you all right? Where have you gone? I didn't see you go out. Yeah, no. Those lads have gone, have they? They're gone, yeah. The counsellors. I don't think they were counsellors. In fact, I know they're not. What are you talking about? This is...
I think Angel has hired them. The little one is a podcaster. What little one? And they investigate people. They're detectives. Right. And how exactly do you know that, Des? Because, right, look, sorry, excuse me, because I, right, when we changed the number in Miles' phone, right, I saw her character login details for the game. Because she had him bloody playing for her, freeloading cow.
She had all these fancy bits and bobs. I changed the password, right? Because I knew, I knew for a fact that he gave them to her. They're expensive. Zahra, push him on how he knows about us.
That doesn't really explain how you know who they are, Des. I need you to be clear because I've had them in our house. I've been talking to them. Because I go on the game every now and again, don't I? To make sure he's all right. And his mates, if you can call them that, are talking about getting private investigators involved from a podcast they listen to. The podcasters, love. They're detectives. So you look them up? Yes. Right. Right.
Why are you pissed off with me? Protecting him? I'm not pissed off, Des. Well, I'm getting a bit of a tone's up, to be honest. There's no tone. I mean, well, there is, isn't there? Maybe, maybe you need to have a quick check-in with yourself and realise that your husband is going, well, you know, going out of his way to look after your son, you know? Yeah.
Listen, I can't help you get to the right place mentally. You've got to do that. You've got to realise my intentions and not give me, well, a shitty tone of voice. I wasn't doing a tone of voice, Des. I'm worried. I'm worried. Yeah, yeah, me too. They're definitely gone, yeah? Yeah, they're gone. All right, all right. I'll be back in two ticks. I just went round the corner. Hold on.
Zara, I need you to remain calm. How exactly can I do that? She doesn't have to be calm. It's nice if she is, but it really doesn't matter. We'll apprehend him regardless. May need to stretch off if we're going to be having a little fight. Yeah, yeah, but I want her to be relaxed. As we tackle her husband to the ground and force a confession out of him. Well...
Yeah? He's coming. He's coming. Right, okay. Let him enter. Latch goes across the door. Don't let him leave. Things will probably get physical, okay with that? Absolutely. I'm talking to Zara. Understood. Yeah, fine. Just... Don't, like, beat him up. Hi. Hi, yeah. It's all a bit mad, really, because... Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Get out now! Des, Des! What are you doing? You're not leaving. Get off me! In my own house! Take a seat, Des. We need to speak to you. Then get out! And we'll have a call, yeah? Later in the week. That won't happen. Get out! Now! I'll call the police! We've already called them. Get out. Now! Get out!
The door is locked. You need to calm down. I said get off me, mate! Des? Wait! Can I use physical violence yet? No, not yet. Des, we know what you've done. Yeah, we know. You've been taking money from your stepson, from Miles, pretending to be Angel. We know. It's over. Yes. No. Des, look. No! Sherlock, get off me. Sherlock. We've heard it, Des. Get off me! We've seen the messages.
You've put your wife and your stepson through a terrible thing. Sherlock, haven't you? You're not Angel. And you took her away from him. But I am Angel. Night night, Miles. Love you. Do you think this is funny? You need to stop. No, you need to stop. Where's he going? Des! Where's he going? Des!
I'll do it. I will. Get him off me. Put the knife down. Des, please. Des, put the knife down. I'm going to do it. Des, this will not be as bad as you think. Please, love. Stay away from me. Stay away. We're staying away. All right? We are staying away. But I'm telling you now, Des, after everything that has happened, you cannot do this. You are Des. You are Desmond Windybank.
You did a bad thing, but that does not destroy who you are. You can't tell anyone. You can't. You can't. I'll be ruined. Please. Please don't. Alright? I know, Des. Okay? I understand. You can't.
I'll pay the money back, right? I'll pay the money in installments. Yeah. In installments. And then we can, you know, under the carpet, the whole thing. Please. Stick it in my neck. It's in my neck. I couldn't stop. I just... I just couldn't stop it. There were others.
There were others. Des. It was her. Who's her, Des? It was her. Who's her? Angel. Hi. I'm Angel. I'm from Canada. I play Death Veil 2. Stop it. Now. Enough. Okay, Zara. Enough, Des. Let me try, Angel. Yeah? Shall we put that knife down? Yeah? It's just you're scaring Zara.
Am I? You are, Angel, yeah. I think it's best. But we can still make Valecon, can't we? You know, we can go get ready, big day out sort of thing. We could do that, yeah. Yeah, we could, couldn't we? Let Zara go for me, Angel. Sure, thank you.
It's okay. Oh my god. It's all right, Zara. Okay, Angel, this is good. This is good. Yeah, we're going in the right direction now, eh? If you can just put the knife down. I can't. Yes, you can, Angel. You can. You can do that for me. I can't. Angel. I can't. Put the knife down. No. I can't carry on now. No, no, no, Jess! Ah!
I can feel you out there Angel. This is how I first knew you I can't even see where you are, but I know you're here I know that because you promised me and I made a promise to myself actually that I wouldn't let you out of my life and
that I would love you and care for you for every day I have on this earth and then everything after that wherever our spirits go and that's why Angel Angel underscore hose will you marry me? Angel? Is it on? Is the mic on? It's definitely on, yeah Angel? Miles dear
Maybe one of them. Angel! Miles. Miles? Demonic Bane, level 95 Shadow Knight, Protector of the Veil, Master of the White Keep, Slayer of the Dead King. Well, I know you're in there. Just bumped into Bloodhammer Chris. He's a good friend, man. He's got your back, as they say. A lot less spiked armour in real life, that guy. God, I can't imagine how this feels right now.
what you're going through. But, um, you know, there's a lot of people out there that really love you and care for you. And if you open this door right now, you know, you're not just opening a door, you're opening your heart, mate. And everybody, you know, all of us here, we're here to help it heal. Miles, so open the door. Ah, there you go. See, I knew... I'm not, Miles. Oh. APPLAUSE
Excuse me. Sorry. I'm in this one. Ah, right. Sorry. Did you hear all that, though? Yeah. Okay, well, I wanted to tell you this so I could see your face. I don't know why that would help. Maybe this is easier. I don't know. Your mum and stepdad, they changed the contact in your phone. They assumed the role of Angel.
As far as you were aware, anyway. Some stupid protective thing. That's how it started out. But Dez... Dez took over, mate. He was pretending to be her. Oh, God, sorry. It's getting to me a little bit now. That's only because I know how hard this must be for you to hear. Oh, I'm sorry, mate. I'm really, really... I'm really sorry, mate. Listen, so...
Sherlock and I, along with your mum, who was actually really helpful, we confronted Des about it. And he tried to take his own life about two hours ago. I don't think he could quite cope with the gravity of what he'd done, I think. I think he might be a bit more troubled than he maybe lets on, I think.
I don't know. I don't know him. He's in an ICU right now. The prognosis was moving towards stable last time I checked in. Long way to go yet, but... Yeah. If you... I don't know. If you want to try and just sneak out of here and get home, we can try and arrange transport or... I don't know, really. Anything you need. Anything. Just... Yeah, I'll...
I'll wait outside the door here. Thank you, Fire Lord. Yeah, no worries. Well, he is officially dead. Wait, who? Des? Oh, no, no, Fire Lord. Well, Fire Lord. John? What? Don't come in here saying he's dead. Why not? Because it... I thought... Never mind. Well, I am glad Fire Lord is dead. Oh, come off it. The sacred fighter...
You know, wielder of ancient magic. Yes. Bye, Firelard. Thanks for the memories. What are you doing? Showing you something on my phone. OK. It, uh... Oh, oh, wait!
What? Yeah, see? Now you're interested. Is that Miles? An angel? The real angel in Canada. Oh, that is so great. Yep. Did you do that? I think the master detective may have tracked her down and let Miles know all the details. That's amazing. Oh my God. Sherlock. Yeah, what a guy. What a guy. You're not bad either. Thanks. Thanks.
I better. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You get back to work. Worky work. What are you typing? I'm typing a report. On what? On the case.
For whom? For the police. What for? For our business, for their records, for our services that we provide. You're bored, aren't you? No, what, me? Nah, come off it. Look at you, you're biting your nails. Yeah, I always bite my nails. You don't know what to do with yourself, now the game is gone. Come on, that's...
That is not true. Oh, you're as bad as him. As who? Miles? Sherlock. When he doesn't have a case, this is what he does. Oh, come off it. I'm not as bad as Sherlock. What are you typing? A report. Why? Oh, God. Well, you can't see this, but I am currently taking a bow for my role in a case of identity. Yeah, I knew there was something there and got stuck in to figure it out. There's obviously some...
tricky themes and things we uncovered there but you did it we did it we got through it together I'm proud of you we all now understand more about the human condition in all its ugliness and also its beauty full ness yeah have a great week enjoy life hug those you love love those you hug yeah I should really write these outros but you know what then they'd lose their charm
wouldn't they? Yeah. Bye!
Hello everybody, Tom Holland here, the co-host of The Rest is History with some very, very exciting news. Now to celebrate this year's Olympic Games, which of course are being held in Paris, we thought that we would dive into the story of another period when incredible spectacles were being staged in the French capital to much bloodier effect than anything we will see in the Olympics. And this is the story of the French Revolution.
Over the span of eight episodes running throughout the duration of the Olympics, we'll be looking at the incredible life of Marie Antoinette, the storming of the Bastille, King Louis XVI's attempted escape from Paris with the rest of the royal family, and many more seismic events. So to hear our series on the French Revolution, simply search for The Rest Is History wherever you get your podcasts.