Hours later, Nick and Sharon slowly regained consciousness. As Sharon opened her eyes and looked around, she realized that they were trapped in a room with just one window. Nick was slowly opening his eyes too at the other end of the room. Sharon called out his name and he looked at her. They both had the same expression on their face, the expression that confirmed that they were surely trapped this time.

Nick walked up to the window and looked down hopefully. His face fell as he said, “Sharon, we are stuck! This room is easily at least 20 floors up. We cannot jump out of this window, it will be a definite leap to death!”

Sharon sighed and agreed. They were so trapped! What could they do to get out of this? She walked up to the window and looked out. Right outside the window there was a 5 feet ledge. Now that gave Sharon an idea! She turned round and faced Nick, “Did you see that ledge outside?” she asked, her eyes gleaming.

“Yes, I did!” said Patric, “Oh my Gosh, Sharon, are you suggesting we walk that ledge and get into the next apartment through their window? Don’t you think we will freak the hell out of some complete strangers?”

“Yes, we will, surely we will, Nick. But it is you, c’mon, you’re a celebrity. Who wouldn’t want to have a celebrity pop in through their home window and request for help?” continued Sharon excitedly.

“Oh yes, you do make sense. And I hate that I am admitting it. Well, I do know why I chose you over all those other conventional detectives out there! Let’s do it! If I live through this, it’s going to be one hell of a story to tell my fans when I win my first Oscar.”

So they opened the window and with a quick glimpse down, Sharon climbed out the window onto the ledge and moved a little to the right to make way for Nick.

Nick followed her and carefully shut the room’s window shut. They were 20 stories up standing on a ledge. Nick’s legs started wobbling and Sharon sensed his fear, she looked up at him, concerned, and asked, “Can you do this?”

“Sharon, I may have forgotten to mention that I have a serious fear of heights!”

“OMG Patric, why didn’t you mention this before?” screamed Sharon, “I wouldn’t have forced you into this!” She was visibly upset about dragging him.

“Well, I didn’t want to come off as being a coward in front of such a brave and beautiful girl like you, Sharon. You inspire me! And also, we had no other way out and I have no intention of rotting away there for who knows how long!” Nick winked at her as he said this.

Sharon turned scarlet, paused and then spoke, “That was sweet, Nick! You really have a way with women.” She giggled and then continued, “You trust me right?”

Patric nodded. “Ok, look at me, hold my hand, here” she held out her right hand and he held on to it. “The next window is just ten feet away, that’s not much distance. Now I want you to only look at me and follow my steps, DO NOT look down no matter what! Do you understand me?”

“Yes”, said Patric. He seemed more confident and followed Sharon, holding on to her hand. In no time, they were outside the next window, Sharon looked at him, and said, “Let’s give them a surprise they will remember!”

Sharon slowly tried prying the window open. To their luck, the window wasn’t locked and she could easily slide it open. She held on tight to the railing and slid into the house, still holding on to Patric’s hand. Patric refused to let go of Sharon’s hand as he tried to maneuver into the house. He was one leg in when he lost balance and fell into the room, toppling Sharon and landing on top of her.

Sharon let out a yelp in pain when she felt the full impact of his weight. A man in a bathrobe came running into the room with a baseball bat, ready to charge. When he saw Patric, he lowered the bat, and screamed, “Oh my Lord! Is this Patric Steward? Hoooonnneeeeeeeyyyy, come here, we just had a celebrity fall into our home!”

A women shrieked from the other room, “Are you drunk Stewy? What are you saying?” her voice got louder and shriller and as she finished speaking, she entered the room and stood shell shocked when she realized that Stewy was right! Patric Steward, the Patric Steward was lying in their bedroom on top of some random woman whom she did not recognize. She immediately took her mobile out and started clicking pictures.

Patric tried hard to cover his face and said, “Woman, take that thing away” He gently got off Sharon and looking at her, he asked, “Are you alright? I am so sorry Sharon, I didn’t meant to do that! I was just so scared!”

Sharon said, “I am fine Nick” her voice quivering. She did not look very much alright and she was looking at Patric strangely. Patric wondered if she was alright as he looked at her.

Stewy interrupted their moment, saying, “What were you doing 20 floors up anyway? Is this for some kind of a reality show stunt?”

Patric then repeated the whole incident to them. Stewy stared at him, pale, and said, “Let me call the cops. I know the guy you are talking about, and if you want him caught, we better get the cops here soon, because he usually should be heading back home in an hour. Honey, give them some water and something to eat, they look really tired. I will make the call to 911 and get them here ASAP”

Stewy walked out to the next room and they could soon hear him speaking to the cops. The woman spoke, “Hi, I am Liza, Steward’s wife. Let me get you some clothes and a towel to take a shower”, she went to the next room and came back with some clothes and a towel each for them. “The bathroom is that side, we have two shower cubicles inside, it’s a his and hers. You guys can take a shower, get dressed and come out, and I will whip up some of my famous Mac n Cheese for Patric Steward” she looked almost dizzy with excitement.

Patric and Sharon thanked her and walked into the shower. They looked at each other uncomfortably, but when they walked into the bathroom they realized that both the shower cubicles were completely curtained inside for privacy. They both head in for a shower and within 15 minutes they were seated in Liza and Steward’s dining table, eating some of Liza’s famous Mac and Cheese. It was truly delicious.

“Oh my Liza! I have never eaten anything as tasty as this. No wonder you said it’s a hit among your friends. What makes your Mac and Cheese so yummy?” asked Sharon, between mouthfuls of cheesy goodness.

“Well, considering it is Patric sitting here, I shall tell you. I add a bit of cottage cheese to add that extra touch of creamy goodness.”

Steward walked in just about then, “Patric, the cops came in and have nabbed the guy who kept you hostage. They have taken him to the closest station and have asked me to bring you guys in. Honey, the cop just informed me that this pretty lady, Sharon, is quite the famous detective. On hearing her name, he asked me to get you both to the station immediately to question that guy.”

Sharon beamed as Patric went on to explain to Liza and Steward of Sharon’s expertise in solving mysteries. It sure felt good to hear someone as famous as him speak such good things about her, she surely must have been doing something right. At that very moment, seeing Patric’s pride as he spoke about her, made Sharon feel a tingling pride within.

Soon, they were done with their meal and Steward dropped them at the cop station. Outside, as Patric got out, he quickly hugged Steward and passed him his number, “Call me sometime before my movie release, I will arrange for premier tickets for you, your wife and anyone else you want to bring along!”

Steward smiled and thanked him, and as Sharon got down, he opened her door, hugged her and said, “You are going places, young lady. Just keep at it, you are one smart lady and I am happy to have had a chance to meet you.”

Saying that, he stepped into his vehicle and drove away. Sharon and Patric walked into the station and introduced themselves to the receptionist. They were taken in to a room and were introduced to the cop on the case, “Detective Santosh”

Detective Santosh was a dusky man, average height, smart looking, fit, about 30 years of age and of Asian origin, probably from India. He looked up at them as they entered and asked them to take a seat.

“Hi Sharon and Patric. Nice to meet you guys. I’m sorry Patric, I know you are the actual ‘celebrity’ here, but my oh my, I am more in awe of Sharon! I cannot believe I am sitting in front of the famous detective, Sharon Stone. OH, is my girlfriend going to be jealous or what, we are crazy about you.”

Patric was pretty taken aback, he was usually the one who drew all the attention in any room. But here, Sharon was the center of attention, how unusual it was!

“Well, you are flattering me, Detective Santosh”, said Sharon, blushing.

Patric felt a weird sensation, was it jealousy? Seeing Sharon blushing at Detective Santosh’s words. He decided to ignore it.

“Sorry, but before we get started, could you sign this handkerchief and address it to me and my girlfriend, Subah?” asked Santosh, skeptical.

Sharon smiled and signed the kerchief, “Lots of Love to my very first fans, Santosh and Subah. Stay happy and in love always. God bless!”

“Ok, now, we are done”, said Patric, impatient, “Detective, please tell us what happened! Where is that scumbag Nick?”

“Nick? Patric, that is Nalson Dogwell, the man responsible for your parents’ death”, said Santosh.

“Nalson??!?!?!?” screamed Patric, he was visibly angry. Sharon placed her hand on his knee and he slowly calmed down, “What was he trying to do?”

“Well”, said Santosh, “He isn’t confessing to anything. That’s why I called you guys in. Can you and Sharon take a go at questioning him? I am hoping Sharon’s expertise will get him to spill the beans and reveal his true intent behind abducting you!”

“Yes, we can”, said Sharon, instantaneously. Finally, she could show Patric what she was made of.

Santosh lead them into the room where Nalson sat behind a table. They could hear Santosh lock the door from outside as soon as they entered. The room was bare except for a white table in the center. Nalson sat on one end of the table and across him were two empty chairs. Patric and Sharon sat across him. Nalson looked at Patric with vengefulness and hatred clearly visible.

“So, Nalson, I finally meet you, you shameless killer!” Patric spat out.

“Hello little boy, hello little Patric, mommy and daddy are dead, are you going to cry little Patric” mocked Nalson.

Sharon noticed Patric twitch and prayed that he would keep his composure. Patric took a deep breath and said, “Listen, I don’t want to play your cheap games, just tell me where the rest of your friends are! You guys should be behind bars for what you did!”

Nalson laughed like a mad man, “Dream on little boy, I ain’t going to be telling you nothing! And believe you me, I will be out within the next day, they cannot keep me in here for long!”

Sharon knew this meant that he had his friends who would get him out on bail, “Listen, Nalson, as long as I am here, no one can get you out on bail. So dream on about seeing the sunlight ever again.”

Doubt was clearly visible on Nalson’s face, for a moment an expression of contemplation was visible, and Sharon expected him to confess any moment.

But in the matter of seconds, Nalson’s expression went cold and he stared at Sharon like a mad man and screamed, “Sharon, you aren’t going to decide my faith!” and before Patric could realize, he had jumped forward, nabbed Sharon by the hair and had her pinned against the wall, with a revolver pointed to her head.

How did he get that revolver in, wondered Patric, and took a step towards Nalson, “Listen, leave her, she has done you no harm!”

“Tell Detective Santosh to let me out now”, screamed Nalson.

Patric was shocked, how was he going to get Sharon out of this?

“Listen, Nalson, just let go of her and we can negotiate the terms of your release with Detective Santosh! Let her go now or you will only make it worse!” He slowly took another step towards Nalson.

“One more step and I will shoot her, I told you to stay away!” screamed Nalson. As a warning, he fired his gun in Patric’s direction. The bullet missed Patric by inches and hit the wall behind him. There was no sound, as he had a silencer attached. Would Detective Santosh even realize and come in to save them, pondered Patric!

They were trapped! AGAIN!