Tricky situation at Seattle - No re-entry permit

[I140helppls]

Guys

I ran into a situation i wasnt prepared for and need your advise.

Background - I am a GC holder, received GC in July 2006 and have spent short trips (1-2) weeks for work after that in India. My longest trip was in August 2007 for 3 months and that was also for work, working out of our offshore office. My wife has a GC and my kid is a citizen.

Now, I have been sent to India again for a 6 months assignment, potentially increasing to 10 months but not more than that. I did not file for the re-entry permit, since the assignment is less than an year. I continue to be employed by my US employer and only my work location is changing, continue to be paid in US etc. I vacated my apartment, moved everything to a storage and also sold my car. I am using my friends address to get all mails etc. At the end of the day all my a/c's etc in US are active since i will definitely come back to US after 6-9 months, no doubt about that.

I came to Seattle this weekend for a couple of weeks client visit, and the officer at immigration asked me nature of my trip and some basic questions. I had a letter from my office regarding my assignment but it was in my check in luggage. Then he asked me where i lived, i said i am a resident of US but currently in India, he asked my address, and i just couldnt recollect my friends address. I said, let me give that to you - and he said, you shouldnt be doing this, i know you are genuine but do apply for REP. I was like - my assignment is for less than a year? He said, still...

I probably should have shown him the letter, he let me go, no hassles but i am concerned. I have all ties with US (employment, accounts etc etc) but i vacated my apartment, it just didnt make any financial sense for me.

Should i be worried? I will probably come back in Sep-Oct 009. OR i will be ok as long as i show them the letter clearly stating my assignment start/end dates and my office location etc?

Should i apply for REP? That will be a hassle since me/wife will have to come back again? Should i re-take an apartment?

Please advise