Speaker 1: 0:00

Episode 2. The Case of the Crooked Casino A Purlock Holmes Adventure. The neon glow of Catropolis's famous Lucky Paws Casino lit up the night, its rotating paw-shaped sign casting an alluring invitation across the bustling city. The casino owner, victor Vole, was a figure of immense charm and wealth, known for his extravagant lifestyle and rumoured shady dealings. But tonight whispers of corruption reached the ears of Perlock Holmes. It started with an unexpected visitor to Perlock's flat, a jittery tabby cat named Miss Penelope Stripes, the casino's head croupier. Her paws trembled as she recounted her story to Perlock and Watson. Mr Holmes, she began her voice quivering. Something's terribly wrong at the Lucky Paws. The casino's profits have been plummeting, but it's not from losses at the tables. Money is disappearing and I suspect Mr Vole knows more than he's letting on. Watson, perked up, sounds like someone's skimming off the top. Penelope nodded. That's not all. A few nights ago I overheard Victor talking with someone. He mentioned cleaning out the vault before something big happens. I think he's planning to flee the city. Perloc's sharp eyes gleamed with interest A casino hemorrhaging money and a suspicious owner preparing to vanish, intriguing. Very well, miss Stripes, the game is afoot.

Speaker 1: 1:54

Perlock and Watson arrived at the Lucky Paws Casino dressed for the part. Perlock wore a sleek black tuxedo, while Watson sported a miniature bowtie. Stick to the plan, perlok, whispered as they entered the Grand Hall. You gather intel on the staff. I'll focus on Victor. The casino was a whirlwind of activity. The casino was a whirlwind of activity. Roulette wheels spun, slot machines jingled and animals of every species gathered around the poker tables. At the centre of it all stood Victor Vole, a sleek and smug figure in a gold-trimmed suit. He was shaking paws with high-rolling guests, his sharp eyes scanning the room like a predator. Perloc approached the bar casually ordering a drink while keeping Victor in his sights.

Speaker 1: 2:59

Meanwhile, watson slipped into the employee-only area where the casino's inner workings operated in chaotic secrecy. Behind the scenes, watson uncovered a series of encrypted ledgers stored in the office of Elliot Ermine, victor's head accountant. Using his trusty pocket code cracker, watson quickly decoded the files. What do we have here, he muttered, his small paws flipping through the data. Fake expenses, phantom suppliers. Looks like someone's been funneling money out of the casino for months. Before he could dig further, the door creaked open and Watson dove under the desk just as Elliot entered. The sleek ermine muttered to himself as he scribbled something in a notebook. Watson strained to listen. Tonight's the night, elliot whispered Once Victor empties the vault, we're home, free.

Speaker 1: 3:59

Purlock, having observed Victor for the evening, approached the roulette table where the vole was entertaining guests. Mr Vole, perlock said with a polite nod mind, if I join the game? Victor smiled. His expression calculated, always room for one more. The game began, but Perlock's attention was elsewhere. He watched as Victor subtly signalled to the dealer a slight flick of his tail, a twitch of his whiskers. The game was rigged and Victor's marks were losing.

Speaker 1: 4:48

Big Fascinating, Perloc said as the game ended. But I believe your real gamble begins soon, doesn't it, mr Vole? Victor's smile faltered. I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, I think you do. Perloc replied his voice cold. Your croupier has noticed money disappearing, your accountant has been falsifying ledgers and tonight you plan to empty the vault. Care to explain? Victor's composure cracked and he stood abruptly. I don't need to explain anything to you, holmes. This is my casino and I suggest you leave before you regret it, casino, and I suggest you leave before you regret it, regret. Perlocke smirked. I think the only regret here is yours, mr Vole Watson. At that moment Watson appeared holding up the decoded ledgers. Your little scheme is all here in black and white, funneling money to offshore accounts, fake vendors. It's quite the operation.

Speaker 1: 6:08

Victor, realising he'd been exposed, made a break for the casino's basement vault. Perlock and Watson pursued him, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. When they reached the vault, they found Victor frantically trying to open it. Step away from the door, victor Perlok said calmly. Victor spun around, his face twisted in desperation. You don't understand. They'll come after me if I don't deliver the money, after me if I don't deliver the money". Who, perloc asked, stepping closer, who's pulling your strings? Before Victor could answer, the sound of tires screeching outside caught their attention. A group of masked figures burst into the basement, led by a towering wolf. Looks like we're late to the party. The wolf growled We'll take it from here. Holmes Purlock narrowed his eyes. I don't think so. Using his grappling collar, purlock swung into action, disarming the nearest thug, while Watson triggered a smoke bomb. The ensuing chaos allowed Gaia agents who had been stationed outside to swarm the scene and apprehend the intruders.

Speaker 1: 7:38

With Victor and his accomplices in custody, the Lucky Paws casino returned to business under new management. Penelope Stripes was promoted to owner, ensuring the casino ran honestly. Another case closed, watson said as they strolled home. Though I wouldn't mind if the next one didn't involve high-stakes chases or vaults. Didn't involve high-stakes chases or vaults. Come now, watson. Perlok replied with a grin. Where's the fun in that? As the neon lights of Catropolis faded behind them, perlok's thoughts drifted to Victor's final words. They'll come after me, drifted to Victor's final words. They'll come after me, watson, he said quietly. I believe we've only scratched the surface of a much larger game.

Speaker 1: 8:47

The flicker of neon lights from the Lucky Paws casino still lingered in the night as Perlock, holmes and Watson made their way back to their flat. But Perlock's mind wasn't on the closed case, it was on Victor Vole's cryptic final words. They'll come after me. The phrase echoed in his mind, pulling at the threads of a deeper mystery. Who were they and what was their ultimate goal?

Speaker 1: 9:12

Watson, oblivious to his partner's brooding thoughts, scampered to his usual perch on the windowsill and munched on a block of cheese. And munched on a block of cheese. Well, that wraps up a decent day's work, he said cheerily. Good riddance to Victor and his crooked schemes. But Perlock didn't respond. Instead he stared out into the twinkling skyline of Catropolis, his tail swishing in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

Speaker 1: 9:47

Watson Perlok finally said his voice low this isn't over. Watson groaned. You're not seriously going to let one little sentence keep you up all night, are you? One little sentence keep you up all night, are you'? "'it wasn't just a sentence', perloch said, turning to face him. "'victor was genuinely terrified. Whoever they are, they're powerful enough to frighten someone as conniving as him into risking everything to pay them off'. Conniving as him into risking everything to pay them off. Watson frowned. And you think they're still out there? Perlock nodded. Not just out there, watson, they're watching.

Speaker 1: 10:39

The next morning, as Perlok and Watson prepared for the day, their communication device buzzed unexpectedly. A new transmission from director Eleanor Hawke of Gaia appeared. Her face, grave Holmes, we've intercepted something you need to see, she said, transferring a video feed to their screen. It showed grainy footage of a group of masked figures seated in a darkened room. In the centre a towering wolf the same one from the casino heist was speaking. Victor Vole has been neutralised. The wolf growled, but the plan continues.

Speaker 1: 11:21

We proceed with the next phase, operation Midnight Shadow. Make sure no one, especially Perlok Holmes, interferes. The feed cut abruptly, leaving silence in its wake. Watson swallowed hard. I hate it when they mention you by name. Perlocke's ears flattened slightly. A wise. Adversary always knows their enemy. The question is what is this? Operation Midnight Shadow? Whatever it is Hawk interrupted it's big. We've traced the video's origin to a private airfield just outside Catropolis. If they're planning something, that's where it starts.

Speaker 1: 12:10

Under the cover of darkness, perlok and Watson made their way to the private airfield. The sprawling complex was eerily quiet, save for the occasional hum of planes being prepped for departure. Perlok's keen eyes scanned the area, noting a heavily guarded hangar at the far end of the tarmac. That has to be it, purlock whispered, crouching behind a stack of crates. Watson, you're on distraction duty. Watson grinned, pulling out one of his trusty cheese grenades. Leave it to me.

Speaker 1: 12:54

Moments later, the pungent smell of exploded cheese wafted through the air, sending guards scrambling in confusion. Purlock used the distraction to slip inside the hangar, where he found the wolf and his accomplices gathered around a large, unmarked crate. The wolf barked orders to his crew Load it onto the plane we take off in ten minutes. Load it onto the plane we take off in ten minutes. Purlock crept closer, his eyes narrowing as he caught a glimpse of the crate's contents Rows of small cylindrical devices, each marked with the emblem of a raven Explosives. Purlock muttered they're planning an attack.

Speaker 1: 13:44

As Perlok formulated his next move, watson appeared at his side, looking unusually panicked. One of the guards caught me and before Watson could finish, the wolf's deep voice boomed behind them. Well, well, the great Perlok Holmes. Perlok turned slowly his composure, unshaken, despite being surrounded. The wolf stepped forward, his piercing yellow eyes locked on Purlock. I expected you to poke around eventually, the wolf said. But even you won't stop us. Purlock tilted his head. You flatter me, mister. Call me Fenrir. The wolf replied with a grin, his sharp teeth glinting. Not that it matters, you won't live long enough to remember it. Fenrir snapped his paw and his guards seized Perlok and Watson, dragging them toward the plain Scene, watson dragging them toward the plane, scene 4.

Speaker 1: 15:07

A High-Stakes Escape. Inside the plane, perlocke and Watson were tied to a support beam as Fenrir and his crew prepared for takeoff. The explosives were secured in the cargo, hold their destination unknown, watson. Perloc whispered how's your escape plan coming along? Watson grinned subtly, pulling a small gadget from his bowtie. Give me thirty seconds. As the plane's engines roared to life, watson activated the gadget, which emitted a piercing sound that sent Fenrir's crew into a frenzy, clutching their ears. Perlok seized the opportunity, using his collar-grappling hook to free himself and Watson. They fought their way to the cockpit where Perlok took control of the plane. Watson, find those explosives and disarm them. Perlok shouted over the noise. Watson scurried into the cargo, hold his small paws working quickly to deactivate the devices. Almost there Got it. With the explosives neutralized, perlok maneuvered the plane back toward the airfield. But Fenrir wasn't finished. The wolf burst into the cockpit, snarling this isn't over, holmes. He growled, lunging at Perlok. Perlok sidestepped, using Fenrir's momentum to send him crashing into the controls. The wolf barely escaped, leaping out of the plane with a parachute. Just as Perlok landed safely Back at Kaia headquarters, director Hawke debriefed Perlok and Watson.

Speaker 1: 17:07

Operation Midnight's shadow may have been foiled, but Fenrir won't stop. She said. We've uncovered evidence linking him to a larger network, one that could threaten the entire city. Perlok's eyes gleamed Then we'll be ready. Fenrir may think he's the hunter, but he's just another pawn in the game. Watson sighed I'm starting to miss the days of simple jewel thefts. As the city's light sparkled in the distance, purlock knew this was only the beginning. The shadows of Catropolis held secrets far darker than he had imagined, and he was determined to uncover them all.

Speaker 1: 17:58

The next few days were tense. Purlock, holmes and Watson worked tirelessly to piece together the web of clues left behind by Fenrir and his shadowy organisation. Each lead pointed to a single ominous conclusion A final confrontation was inevitable. Late one evening, as the city of Catropolis settled into a restless slumber, a coded message arrived at Perloch's flat. It was from Fenrir Holmes. The game ends tonight. Meet me at the old clock tower, if you dare. Perlock's sharp eyes scanned the note, his tail swishing slowly. The clock tower, he murmured. It's a trap, of course. Watson looked up from his tinkering, obviously. But you're going, aren't you? Perlocke adjusted his collar. Naturally, every game must reach its conclusion.

Speaker 1: 19:09

The Catropolis clock tower loomed over the city, its massive gears grinding steadily as the hands approached midnight. Perlok and Watson arrived silently, their footsteps muffled by the fog rolling through the empty streets. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, the air thick with the scent of oil and rust. Shadows danced across the walls, cast by the dim glow of the tower's ancient lamps. Fenrir's voice echoed from above. Welcome, holmes, he called. I wasn't sure you'd come, but I'm glad you did. The view from the top is spectacular. You should join me.

Speaker 1: 19:53

Perlok and Watson ascended the spiral staircase, their every step carefully measured. When they reached the top they found Fenrir standing by the massive clock face, his silhouette framed by the city lights beyond, behind him, stood a large menacing device, its wires and blinking lights unmistakable, a bomb. Perlok said calmly how unimaginative. Fendria chuckled. This is no ordinary bomb, holmes. When it detonates, it will disable the city's entire power grid. Total darkness, total chaos. And in the chaos my associates and I will reshape Catropolis in our image. Purlock's eyes narrowed A bold plan, fenrir, but there's one flaw. Oh, fenrir said, tilting his head, you underestimated me. Fenrir lunged at Perlok, his powerful frame moving with the speed and precision of a predator. Perlok sidestepped the attack using his grappling collar to swing across the room and land by the bomb. Watson, meanwhile, darted around the edges of the fight, searching for a way to disarm the device. You can't stop it, holmes, fenrir growled, advancing on him. Even if you defeat me, the clock will strike midnight and the bomb will trigger automatically. Then it's a good thing I brought back up, perlok said with a smirk.

Speaker 1: 21:47

At that moment, gaia agents stormed the tower, rappelling through the windows and taking up positions around the room. Fendria snarled, realizing he was outnumbered. But he didn't back down With a roar, he charged at Perlok again, knocking him to the ground. Perlok struggled against the wolf's immense strength, his sharp mind working frantically for a solution. Watson, he shouted the override panel now.

Speaker 1: 22:21

Watson scrambled onto the bomb, using his tiny size to slip into the tight spaces between its wires. He pulled out his pocket code cracker and began working furiously. Hold him off. Watson squeaked. I just need a few more seconds.

Speaker 1: 22:39

Purlock managed to free himself from Fenrir's grip using a hidden dart from his collar to momentarily stun the wolf. As Fenrir staggered back, purlock seized the opportunity to deliver a sharp blow that sent the wolf crashing against the gears of the clock. Time's up, fenrir. Perlok said his voice cold. Meanwhile, watson let out a triumphant squeak. Got it the bomb's disarmed. Fenrir, now pinned by the clock's grinding gears, glared at Perlok with unbridled rage. You think you've won, he spat. There will always be another like me. Catropolis will never be safe. Perlok's expression remained calm, perhaps, but for now. But for now, you're finished. Gaia agents closed in securing Fenrir and his accomplices. The bomb was carefully removed and transported to a secure location, and the clock tower fell silent once more.

Speaker 1: 23:55

The following morning, catropolis woke to the news of Fenrir's capture and the foiled plot. The citizens celebrated, unaware of just how close they had come to disaster. At their flat, perloc and Watson sat by the window watching the city skyline. Watson was enjoying a well-deserved block of cheese while Perloc sipped his feline roast, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Well, that's another case closed. Watson said, his tone light.

Speaker 1: 24:25

You think Fenrir was right that there'll always be another like him. Perhaps, purlock said thoughtfully. But as long as there are villains, there will be those who stand against them, and as long as there are mysteries, there will always be work for us. Watson chuckled. You know, I wouldn't mind a quiet week or two, maybe a case involving a lost kitten or a missing ball of yarn. Perlock smirked Don't get too comfortable, watson. The game is never truly over. Arch asked. The sun rose over Catropolis. The two partners prepared for whatever adventure awaited them next, knowing that together there was no mystery they couldn't solve. Join us every week for thrilling new episodes of Perlok Holmes Spy Extraordinaire. Follow Perlok and Watson as they unravel high-stakes mysteries, outsmart cunning villains and dive paw-first into daring adventures around the world. The game is always afoot, don't miss it.