The Return of Sherlock Holmes 1987

Murder during Small's visit

In a tense opening confrontation, Carter Morstan is visited by a man named Small and a struggle erupts. A gunshot rings out, and a body is wrapped in a carpet and set alight to hide the crime. The scene establishes a chilling motive of betrayal that casts a shadow over the rest of the story.

Jane's downfall and estate sale

Jane Watson, a Boston private detective, is financially ruined because her humane approach to cases has made her unpopular with clients. Facing bankruptcy, she is forced to sell the English country estate of her ancestor, John Watson, and a lawyer hands her an envelope with detailed instructions.

Discovery of the cryogenic capsule

Following the envelope's instructions, Jane returns to the old estate and discovers a hidden basement concealed behind the walls. Inside, she finds a primitive cryogenic capsule with a man lying inside, whom she begins to thaw.

Holmes revived and cured

The man in the capsule turns out to be Sherlock Holmes, a friend and partner of her ancestor. He had been placed in suspended animation after a booby-trapped gift from a brother of Moriarty infected him with bubonic plague, and Jane administers the cure to revive him.

Journey to America and a new case

Holmes awakens to a world that has changed during his absence, and with few options he travels with Jane to America. They quickly become drawn into a mysterious case that pulls them into a larger conspiracy.

Office ransack and Small's warning

Back in America, someone has ransacked Jane's office and left a message signed Small, signaling that someone is watching them. Holmes and Jane intend to report to the FBI, but the agency's higher ranks stonewall their request.

Violet Morstan seeks help

Violet Morstan, Carter Morstan's daughter, arrives and asks Jane to investigate her father's murder, insisting the 'Small' message was meant for her. With the FBI efforts stalling, they start pursuing the case on their own, aided by a young agent named Tobias.

Hijacking and counterfeit money backstory

Holmes and Jane backtrack Morstan's former colleagues and uncover a backstory: before retirement, Morstan and his partners were involved in a hijacking and the disappearance of millions in counterfeit money. The haul appears to have been paid to Small, turning him into a scapegoat.

Murder, betrayal and missing ransom

One by one, the four agents are singled out: another is murdered as the team tries to warn him, and the last survivor leads them to the hidden cache where the ransom should be, only to find it empty. The mystery deepens as trust dissolves among the conspirators.

Morstan's scheme exposed

Holmes deduces the truth: Carter Morstan orchestrated the scheme, killed his partners, and framed Small. The burglary of Jane's office was staged to plant a bug and to keep tabs on Jane and Holmes' progress.

Capture by the FBI

Holmes lures Morstan out of hiding and hands him to the FBI, resolving the case and exposing the deception. Small's name is cleared of the murders, though the blame ultimately lands on Morstan.