29

8:30 pm

I've known for a long time that I would eventually have to hire another security chief to replace Peter. I've known that I would have to put another man's life at risk. I held back as long as I could, but even with Max doing the legwork, there is too much for me to do alone. The demand for Eyes Only's services is so great.

I found myself calling Bling regularly, asking him to squeeze in a few hours between clients to help me work on a file. Eventually, he began coming in a couple of hours before our scheduled workout, and then he would stay for several more hours afterward. He would automatically check the contact room for me and, without being asked, he would pick up a current file and go to work on the dozens of outstanding items. This had become a regular pattern, with Bling arriving earlier and leaving later each day.

"Logan, I know you are concerned about putting someone else at risk, but you need to bring someone in to help you with this stuff. You can't continue on three hours sleep a night indefinitely." He reminded me again at 3:00 am a couple of weeks ago. I was buried in the Allan Lans file, trying to follow up on the material Nathan had given me, hoping to find some justice for my friend. In the meantime, all the other files that were arriving from the informant net were mounting up all around me.

"I'll even do it. Just say the word, Man, and I'll be here." There was an uncharacteristic intensity in his voice and eyes.

"What about your clients?" I asked cautiously.

"Don't worry about them, man. There are dozens of skilled therapists out there that could use the work. They will be well taken care of." He paused for a moment, then continued looking me right in the eyes. "I know the risks involved, but I want to work with you. There is no place I would rather be."

"Okay." My stifled smile betrayed any reluctance that I may have tried to convey.

By the end of the week, Bling had cleared his slate and was back here with me full time. He still maintains his own apartment, but there is so much to do that he rarely goes home. In any case, the security suite is his for as long as he wants it.

With two of us reviewing the files on a regular basis, the work has become manageable once again. But the truth is, Bling has brought me much more than just some relief from work. I appreciate his wisdom and his strength and, since losing Nathan, I appreciate his friendship more than ever. He was there for me when Nathan was killed, when the world collapsed around me once again. And he has been there for me everyday these last two weeks. He keeps me strong in this war that I have chosen to fight, despite everything that happens around us. I'm grateful to have him.