(Third person View Again: )

 At Baker Street, their taxi pulled up outside 221 and Sherlock, John, Alice, and Lestrade got out. Sherlock unlocked the front door and lead the way inside, bypassing the stairs and heading along the corridor towards Mrs. Hudson’s front door. Just as he reached it he stopped and turned to the left where there was another door which must lead to a basement flat. The numbers and letters stuck on the door read, “221c”. Sherlock turned his head and called out loudly towards his landlady’s front door.

“Mrs. Hudson!”

 Shortly afterwards, Mrs. Hudson opened the front door of 221A and handed Sherlock a set of keys. Sherlock had been examining the padlock attached to the other door and now took the keys and began to unlock it.

“You had a look, didn’t you, Sherlock, when you first came to see about your flat.” Mrs. Hudson said, attempting to make conversation. Sherlock looked closely at the door’s keyhole.

“The door’s been opened recently.” He said, ignoring his landlady. Alice thought that extremely rude but they had work to do.

“No, can’t be. That’s the only key.” Mrs. Hudson argued. Sherlock pulled the padlock off and selected another key and put it into the keyhole. “I can’t get anyone interested in this flat. It’s the damp, I expect. That’s the curse of basements.” She added. Sherlock turned the key and pulled the door open. He immediately went inside and John and Lestrade follow, taking little or no notice of Mrs. H as she continued rambling on. “I had a place once when I was first married. Black mould all up the walls...” She trailed to a halt as Lestrade closed the door behind him after Alice kindly put a hand on Mrs. Hudson’s shoulder and going in after John.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Sherlock slowly pushed open the door to the living room and walked inside, followed by the other three. The room looked exactly as it did in the photograph on the mobile but with one exception: There was a pair of trainers placed neatly in the middle of the floor, their toes pointed towards the door. John stopped and looked at them before stating the obvious.

“Shoes.” Alice tried not to roll her eyes. Sherlock started to walk towards them but John held out a cautionary hand towards him. “He’s a bomber, remember.” He warned. Sherlock stopped for a moment, and then continued slowly towards the trainers. He crouched down, then put his hands on the floor and leaned forward. Lowering his body down he moved closer to the shoes and, just as his nose was almost touching them, a phone rang. Alice, John, Lestrade, and Sherlock all jumped. Alice let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Sherlock closed his eyes momentarily and then stood up, pulled off his glove and took the pink iPhone from his coat pocket and looked at the caller I.D. It read, “NUMBER BLOCKED”. He paused for a second, and then answered the phone.

“Hello?” He said softly. A female voice drew in a shaky breath before speaking tearfully.

“H-hello ... sexy.” She said. John and Lestrade exchanged a puzzled look as the woman sobs. Alice stood, trying to appear emotionless.

“Who’s this?” Sherlock asked calmly.

“I’ve ... sent you ... a little puzzle ... just to say hi.” She said tearfully.

“Who’s talking? Why are you crying?” Sherlock asked again.

“I-I’m not... crying... I’m typing...” She said shakily. “...and this...stupid...b*tch...is reading it out.” She sobbed again. Sherlock gazed into the distance thoughtfully. Alice clenched her fists and tried not to do the same with her jaw.  

“The curtain rises.” Sherlock said softly.

“What?” John asked a beginning irritation in his voice.

“Nothing.” Sherlock dismissed.

“No, what did you mean?” John demanded.

“I’ve been expecting this for some time.” Sherlock answered, halfway turning his head toward John.

“Twelve hours to solve... my puzzle, Sherlock...” The woman wept.  “... Or I’m going... to be... so naughty.” The line died.

Okay, sorry, short chapter. But I'm posting two today and the next one is REALLY long! Please comment!