Flowers for a Grimm

Down the Rabbit Hole

August awoke with a groan as she rolled over in her bed. Going against her own advice she had had two more glasses of wine at the launch party. 

In the back of her mind she was telling herself she was going to regret that in the morning, but she still tossed back the wine. Even her mother had given her the raised eyebrow. That inspector had really rattled her and the wine had made her forget about those intense green eyes. Well now she was paying for not having a backbone. 

August was usually an early riser but glancing at the clock she could see it was nearly noon. She rolled back over to grab her phone. She just knew her mother had text her like a demon about her drinking at the party. As if she were the lush in the family.  

“About time you work up.” Inspector West said uncrossing her legs to stand up. 

“Damn!” August yelped right before she tumbled out of her bed. She landed face first with a small thud and another curse.

Ezra hid her laugh in a cough behind a gloved hand. “Sorry did I wake you?” The inspector’s boots moved into August’s field of vision. 

“Don’t you need a warrant to be in my house?” August grumbled as she pushed herself up off the floor.  

“You invited me. That was invitation enough. So you’ve managed to sleep away the entire morning so get up and let’s get going.” She started tapping her boot waiting for August hop to her command. Ezra was not a woman knowing for repeating herself. 

“If you haven’t noticed I have a bit of a hangover.” August winced as her headache made an appearance. It felt like the North Carolina A&T marching band was starting their half time show in her brain.  

“Obviously, but you still agreed to help and help I am going to get.” The Inspector stomped out of the room. August was sure she stomped extra hard just to be mean. Each pound a spike behind her eyeballs.

Holding on to the edge of her bed she pulled herself up. The room spun as she went fully vertical. Drinking was now officially a bad idea for someone with the body of a small eighth grader. She tumbled into the bathroom and likewise into the shower. 

The hot spray did an excellent job of waking her up but it did nothing for the pounding headache and rolling stomach. August wasn’t sure what sort of day she was going to be having or where she was heading so she opted for the standard leggings and slinky shirt combination. 

Small diamond earrings and several silver bangles topped off her ensemble. Her hair was still holding on to the few curls from last night’s party and for that she was grateful.

Sure her sister Nolan was some sort of hair care chemistry guru but did any of that apply to August? Nope it sure didn’t. She never failed to lose the battle of the curling iron. She wasn’t keen on anymore forehead burns so her hair was just going to have to make due. August had never been one for make-up but she needed to face a crazed killer using her books as inspiration. This was a day for mascara and lip gloss. She swiped on both before packing her bag for the day. As a writer that did her best work out in the world August had several large bags to hide away the tricks of her trade.  

She found the Inspector poking around in her kitchen. she when finally emerged from the solace of her bedroom ready to face the world and the murder. “I thought I wasn’t under investigation?” she grabbed a bottle of Starbucks Vanilla Frappicino and tucked it into her purse. Her stomach wasn’t in the mood for anything milk based, but she knew she was going to need a boost later in the day.  

Inspector West continued to look around her kitchen. “You aren’t, but this is my first time here. I am curious how you live.” She flipped on a light switch and glared at the offending light. 

August had to agree with her. She didn’t like the blue globe either. It was her mother’s choice. 

“How does this work?” the inspector asked. 

“Um electricity.” was she some sort of Amish police inspector? Did the amish have police officers in the first place?

“Electricity. Hmm sounds barbaric. Its a wonder you mortals learned to fly.” she muttered. 

“Where did you say you were from?” August asked. 

Inspector West finally looked over at her. “Oh I didn’t, but that was almost admirable.” She turned the light off. “Oh good you’re finally ready to go.”

“Yes and you never said where we are going.” August had a feeling the Inspector was being purposefully evasive. 

“That I didn’t cupcake. That I didn’t” Ezra smiled.