Bertram had just sat down at his desk, when another Warden peered into the room. �Eric wants to see you, Silverwebb,� he said softly.
The younger man nodded and, figuring that the meeting had something to do with the case he�d just finished, he grabbed his files and headed down to the Chief Warden�s office. As he reached the door, Bertram paused and took a deep breath. It was no secret that Eric had his doubts about his abilities in the very beginning, but Bertram felt that they�d sorted all that out. In spite of this, Bertram was always nervous when he had to meet with the older man.
Clutching the files in one hand, Bertram knocked and peered into the office. �You wanted to see me, sir?�
Eric looked up from his paperwork and nodded. �You�re finished with the Williamson case, correct?� At Bertram�s nod, he continued, �As soon as you hand in your report, you�ll be heading back to Dee Cee.�
Silverwebb�s eyes widened. �Why, sir?� he asked. �Did I do something wrong?�
Eric shook his head. �Oh, no,� he argued. �Your work has been exemplary. In fact you�re being transferred to the Watch Wardens because of it.�
Bertram blinked in surprise. The Watch Wardens were the people within the Defense Wardens who acted as the private security guards for the president and vice-president. �Really?� the young man asked.
Eric nodded. �I�ve been asked to become the Head Watch Warden for the new administration,� he explained. �I�m picking other Wardens who I think would better serve national security as Watch Wardens and taking them with me. Considering what you did a few months ago, without being a Watch Warden, I think you�re one of those people.�
�I�m honored, sir,� Bertram said softly. Not only would he have the honor of protecting the president, but he�d also be closer to his mother and sisters. This was probably the best thing that had happened to Bertram since he joined the Wardens.
Eric nodded again and smiled. �Finish with that report and then pack up your things,� he ordered gently.
�Yes, sir,� Bertram said, saluting the older man and bounding out the door. As he was heading back to his office, Bertram ran into another young Warden. �Hello, Michael,� he greeted happily.
Michael smiled and said, �Hey, Bertram! How are you?�
�Well,� Bertram replied, ducking his head shyly. �I�m being transferred back to Dee Cee.� Locking eyes with Michael, he added, �I�m being promoted to a Watch Warden.�
�Me too,� Michael said, grinning. �Maybe we�ll get to work together.�
�Maybe,� Bertram replied softly. Bertram and Michael had worked together before. Silverwebb felt that they made a good team and genuinely enjoyed spending time with the soft-spoken man.
�Where will you stay when you move there?� Michael asked in a soft voice.
Bertram frowned. He hadn�t thought about that yet. Silverwebb could stay with his mother, but he really didn�t want to do that. �I�ll get an apartment somewhere, I suppose,� he answered finally.
Michael nodded. �Well, if you need a roommate,� he said. �Call me.�
Bertram smiled and replied, �And if you find a place, but need a roommate, you can call me.�
�Deal,� said Michael.
The two shook hands and Bertram said, �I have to finish writing up the report for the Williamson case. I�ll talk to you later?�
Michael nodded and the two parted. Bertram grinned slightly and glanced down at the files in his hands. All his life, he�d been something of a loner. Was he finally making friends with someone? Shaking his head a little at the thought, Bertram headed back to his office. For the first time since joining the Wardens after his father�s death and brother�s disappearance, the young man was finally starting to feel comfortable in his new life.
End