Sherlock: The Blind Banker

Soo Lin Yao finishes her shift at the National Historical Artifacts Museum and declines co-worker Andy Galbraith's invitation for a drink. She warns him that he wouldn't like her if he knew the truth about her. The moment sets a tense mood as the museum closes for the day.

That night, while working late, Soo Lin hears noises and goes to investigate a canvas-covered statue. She witnesses something terrifying and abruptly quits her job. She disappears without a trace.

At a prestigious international bank, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson seek a paying job. Sebastian Wilkes asks Sherlock for help in exchange for a large fee. A break-in occurs with a pair of symbols sprayed on a portrait, lasting about 60 seconds between 11:33 PM and 11:34 PM.

Sherlock deduces the enigmatic graffiti is a cipher aimed at Edward Van Coon, a Hong Kong desk employee who has not returned to work. The message hints at someone who starts their work at midnight, narrowing the suspect to Van Coon. The bank case widens to a potential murder inquiry.

Sherlock breaks into Edward Van Coon's locked apartment and discovers his lifeless body. A black paper lotus is stuffed into Van Coon's mouth, and he was shot in the right side, suggesting murder despite initial police thoughts of suicide. The scene hints at a larger conspiracy behind the killings.

Soon after, journalist Brian Lukis is found dead in his own locked apartment. A black lotus lies on the floor, mirroring the sign from Van Coon's death. Sherlock and John begin to connect the two cases and search for a common thread.

The investigators discover both victims had checked out books, prompting a library search for further clues. In the library, they find more graffiti symbols on a shelf that resemble the bank's markings. The symbols appear to be a cipher tied to ancient Chinese Suzhou numerals.

The museum director informs Andy that Soo Lin has resigned. Andy goes to Soo Lin's apartment in Chinatown and knocks on the door, but receives no answer and leaves a note on the mail slot. Soo Lin's disappearance deepens the mystery.

John secures a temporary position at a local medical practice where Sarah Sawyer works. Sherlock and John piece together the China connection and arrange to visit a traveling Chinese circus. At the circus, Sherlock investigates backstage and is attacked, but they all manage to escape with Sarah's help.

Sherlock continues deciphering the book cipher and identifies a hideout where John and Sarah are abducted. The captors threaten to reveal the treasure's location to force a confession. Sherlock deciphers the clue, tracks the criminals, and rescues John and Sarah.

Holmes realizes the supposed treasure is a jade hairpin worn by Amanda, Van Coon's secretary and mistress, who had received it from Van Coon. The hairpin had been passed through the Lucky Cat route, used by the smugglers to move items. The hairpin’s true origin reframes the motive for the killings.

Shan, the Black Lotus Tong leader, evades capture but is assassinated by a sniper working for an unseen 'M.' The mastermind remains at large, leaving the Tong unsettled. Holmes and Watson close the case while reflecting on the cost of pursuit and loyalty.