Confronting Madeline.

Steve decided he needed to get the awkward conversation out the road, so cross the floor to Madeline’s office. She begged him to entre moments later. “Madeline,” he greeted her as he closed the door.

“Steve, I guess this is serious for you to be closing the door,” she stated, putting her pen down. She hardly wrote with it but played with a pen while thinking.

“I’m afraid it is, and it is a personal note.”

Madeline sat up slightly, straighter, “I hope everything is alright?”

Steve took the seat she indicated, “You asked me to be the cultural liaison for our new mythfolk staff, and I am sorry to say that something has been raised with me between you and Keron.”

Madeline paused only a moment before saying, “I see. I don’t know how another staff member became aware, but I think I know where this is going.”

“I’m sorry, Madeline, it’s just that the program is well known for being tough, for making sure that those who succeed are effective, and anything like this could jeopardise the program.” He took a deep breath, “I also have to ask, as a friend, is there something wrong with you and Bill?” Bill was Madeline’s husband of fifteen years.

She shrugged, “We separated about a month ago, I don’t know if we will make amends, and Keron, well, he filled a void.”

Steve sighed, “I’m sorry to hear that, Madeline if I can help at all, let me know. And as far as Keron is concerned, should we move him to another area, just to avoid the potential perception? If you weren’t in his direct chain, things would be different. He is a very affable young man, maybe moving him to a more forward-facing area in a different division?”

She nodded, “You are right, of course, and I am sorry to have put you in such an awkward position. I will talk to him and some of the other managers. I really have no excuse, he is an interesting young man, and there is something,” she paused again, “I think continuing that line of conversation would be crossing the professional lines.”

Steve nodded, “It’s alright. I understand how exciting the mythfolk can be.”

Madeline paused, “Are you and Jan alright?” she asked, cluing on to his suggestion.

“Never better, but to answer your unspoken question, yes, we have crossed certain lines with our neighbours,” he explained.

“Oh, well, maybe we can discuss this in more detail if you are willing, of course, and out of work time.” She paused for a moment, “And Steve, you are a liaison officer to Keron and Amat. Neither would be a direct report to you if that was part of your concern.”

Steve laughed, “Always perceptive, Madeline, but no, I have not gone there.”

Madeline smiled, “Yet.”

Steve cleared his throat, “Keep me informed as to what you decide with Keron, and Madeline. If you want to talk about you and Bill, or you and Keron, please know that you can always call on me as a friend.”