Chapter 13 - Wyatt’s Version
Wyatt Holbrook requested proffer.
Federal and state prosecutors attended.
His lawyers negotiated no promise beyond truthful cooperation considered at sentencing.
He talked.
For seven hours.
The story he told was ugly because it made him both perpetrator and manipulated son.
Malcolm had introduced Wyatt to “Arthur Vail” two years earlier.
Called him family security consultant.
Vale flattered Wyatt.
Talked about legacy.
Told him Holbrook family was being targeted by bureaucrats jealous of success.
When Professor Shaw found archive box, Wyatt told father.
Malcolm said:
“Get it back quietly.”
Vale gave more specific instruction.
“Make Sterling remember Vanguard.”
Wyatt asked who Alexander was.
Vale showed old photograph.
Told him I abandoned men under fire? False story to make him despise me.
Said Julian Vance stole government property and Alexander had hidden him.
Wyatt believed retrieving case and triggering old line would expose “traitors.”
That did not excuse assault.
But it explained ideological wrapping.
On night of attack:
Wyatt arranged cameras down through Caleb Dunn.
He invited Chloe to donor event.
Confronted.
Asked case.
She refused.
Brantley mocked.
Chad blocked.
Chloe tried leave.
Wyatt grabbed backpack.
Chloe hit him with bag.
Brantley seized her.
Then violence escalated.
Who caused jaw fractures?
Medical experts could not assign each fracture to specific blow.
Video showed Wyatt and Brantley both striking.
Chad one strike.
Group liability/conspiracy possible under law.
Wyatt admitted:
“I wanted her scared enough that her father would come.”
Prosecutor:
“Did you intend severe injury?”
“No.”
“Did you stop when severe injury became apparent?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I was angry.”
There.
Responsibility.
Then:
“Did your father know you planned force?”
Wyatt:
“I told him we might have to scare her.”
“What did he say?”
“Don’t leave marks.”
That was worse.
Malcolm denied.
No recording.
But text:
Wyatt:
What if she fights?
Malcolm:
Be smart. No marks. No police.
Strong corroboration.
Not explicit assault order perhaps, but awareness of coercion.
Vale:
Wyatt said Vale wanted line activated.
After Chloe fled, Wyatt called father.
Malcolm panicked.
Ordered gray case delivered to Holbrook garage.
Vale arrived.
Took ledger and index.
“What happened to ledger?”
Wyatt:
“Vale burned it?”
He didn’t know.
Federal agents searched Vale’s storage unit later.
Found ledger pages partially intact in fireproof document sleeve.
He had not destroyed.
Why?
Leverage over Malcolm.
Vale never trusted partner.
Of course.
The ledger and Julian’s duplicate matched.
Two independent copies.
Case strengthened.
Then Wyatt revealed final thing.
Vale’s plan after line activation:
Not kill Julian.
Kidnap? Harmful? Could be track, pressure. Let's keep lawful-ish sinister: expose and blackmail Julian into signing affidavit that Meridian ledger fabricated, using threats against his adult daughter? But Julian maybe no family? Could create. Better: Vale planned to locate Julian and steal duplicate evidence, not necessarily kill.
“Vale said once Vance surfaced, a private investigator would follow him to wherever he kept original.”
No murder.
Evidence theft.
If necessary, intimidation.
Chloe was bait to restart trail.
That matched notes.
Wyatt’s testimony made federal conspiracy clear.
He did not get immunity.
He eventually accepted plea to serious state and federal counts with substantial prison exposure.
Chloe asked:
“How long?”
Prosecutor refused promise.
Sentencing later.
I appreciated.
Then Brantley remained only one insisting trial.
He called Chloe liar publicly through filings.
Claimed she attacked first.
Hospital video contradicted.
His mother begged him to accept plea.
He refused.
May you like
Pride.
Trial set.
