Knot A Trace: Part One

“You’re doing what?” Devyn asks as she watches me smooth out the dark grey blazer. I catch her reflection in my bathroom mirror as I turn in a circle, making sure the outfit is free of creases.

I shrug. “It’s worth a shot.”

“So, you’re going to drive two hours away and just ask them to help you?” She plops down on my bed and groans. “Oh my God, this mattress is the most comfortable thing I’ve ever laid on,” she mutters, staring at the ceiling. Her light blonde hair fans around her head, and she dangles her legs off the edge of the bed excitedly.

I smile. “It’s the Omega Series from Bedlite,” I murmur, pleased that she appreciates my investment.

“You have the best stuff,” she sighs. “Do you need a roommate? I’m not messy.”

I snort. “No, I need your opinion. Black or cream blouse with this skirt?”

I’m in the most professional clothing I own, still unsure if this is the right choice. I figure I at least have a shot at getting what I want if I’m dressed sharp and confident.

“What’s the goal with the blouse?” Devyn sits up and reaches for the iced coffee she left on my nightstand, taking a sip as she eyes both blouses in my hand.

“What do you mean? To convince them to help us.”

“No, I mean, is it ‘hey, I’m super hot and you should help me because you want to fuck me,’ or, ‘I’m an innocent little Omega that needs help from a big powerful Alpha?’”

I grimace. “Neither of those. How about, ‘I mean business and everyone in this town is incompetent?’”

Devyn sticks her lower lip out. “Ben’s not incompetent,” she murmurs. “He’s been super helpful.”

I sigh. “He has been, you’re right,” I say gently. “But we need more resources than just the Isleton police department. And I’m willing to do whatever I can to make that happen.”

Devyn waggles her eyebrows. “Whatever it takes, huh?” She sips her iced coffee loudly, slurping through the straw as she stares at me knowingly.

Devyn’s grown on me. I technically didn’t need her help today, but I knew her company would cheer me up, and I’m starting to consider her a combination of annoying little sister and good friend.

April would be proud.

Still, I glare at her, fighting the urge to smile. “Yes. Whatever it takes,” I deadpan, hoping my face isn’t flaming.

She smirks. “Well, in that case, the black blouse.”

I nod. “Perfect. That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

I can’t remember the last time I bothered to dress up, but as I study my reflection in the full-length mirror and smooth my black skirt, I realize I need to do it more. With my hair curled into loose waves and a subtle bit of chocolate brown eyeliner to make my dark blue eyes pop, I feel like I can take on the world.

And possibly convince a detective to help me.

Is it an impossible task? Probably.

But I’m trying for April.

“What if they won’t help you?” Devyn asks softly, staring down at my comforter. “Then what do we do?”

They have to help, I think.

“We continue doing what we’re doing. We don’t shut up until the whole world knows April’s name,” I say. “And we fundraise enough to make the reward money impossible to ignore.”

“You’re a good friend,” Devyn says with a soft smile.

“Nah, April’s the good one,” I say, shaking my head. “She’s worth looking for. The world’s a crappier place without her.”

“I wish I had a friend like you,” Devyn sighs, playing with a strand of her hair. A pang of guilt hits my chest, and I turn away from the mirror to face her.

“Devyn, you do,” I say gently. “We are friends.”

She looks at me, dumbfounded, then her mouth slowly pulls into a brilliant smile. “Really?” she asks excitedly, as if she can’t believe what I’m saying.

I bark out a laugh. “Yes! Why would I invite you over if I didn’t consider you a friend?”

“You said you needed my help with something!” she shoots back.

“Yeah, but why would I do that if you weren’t my friend?”

Devyn squeals and punches the air.

“Oh my God, I’m friends with both you and April! I’m friends with the cool girls! You guys are like my older sisters!”

I stare at her, dumbfounded, as she kicks her feet delightedly and sips her coffee.

“I am definitely not cool,” I tell her as she continues to beam. “I’m twenty-nine years old and work at a coffee shop.”

“Yeah, and you have the best bed ever, and you’re about to get yourself some hot detectives,” she says in between loud slurps of her drink.

And I thought I drank too much caffeine.

But Devyn continues to look enthused. It’s the peppiest she’s been since April disappeared, and I can’t help but absorb some of her positivity.

I do have the best bed ever, and I will get someone to help us.

There’s no other option.

My heart races the entire drive to the bureau’s office.

I haven’t been to Rock Hill in years, even though it’s one of the larger cities in Northern California. Any other time, I would have loved to explore the fancy restaurants and trendy boutiques, but now a sense of dread looms as I find my exit.

I have the semblance of a plan in my head, but the closer I get to the city, the more it seems ridiculous.

If these Alpha investigators weren’t involved before, why would they want to be involved in April’s case now?

What is a box of macarons going to do?

I feel foolish. The optimism that I absorbed from Devyn slowly wavers, and my thoughts spiral.

This won’t work.

I fight the negative thoughts as I find my destination and pull into the parking lot, managing to find a spot that doesn’t have a warning about being towed. The building is inside of a business park with a pristine white exterior and tinted windows. A large metal sign next to a door reads Alpha Private Bureau.

I’m extremely intimidated, and the self-doubt from before creeps in as I carefully retrieve the box of macarons from the passenger seat.

Do this for April. The worst they can say is no.

I step out of the car, box of cookies in hand and purse slung over my shoulder, and smooth out my skirt. I glance at my reflection in the window and stand up straighter, feigning an air of confidence.

“We can do this,” I murmur to the reflection. “We’ve got this.”

I may not know exactly what my plan is, but at least I’m trying something.

My kitten heels clack against the walkway as I make my way to the main door. I glance at the sign one more time, take a deep breath, and pull open the door.

Here goes nothing.