4
Harrison Jefferson held the first crisis meeting in the same ballroom where Jamal had received the medal.
The stage had been removed.
The white roses were gone.
Ten attorneys, three public relations consultants, two security executives, and one private investigator sat around the tables.
Bartholomew waited upstairs under electronic monitoring.
He had been charged with aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, conspiracy to fabricate evidence, and obstruction.
The murder charge remained pending.
That delay was intentional.
The island prosecutor wanted forensic confirmation before risking a case against a family that could fund a defense longer than the territory could fund an investigation.
Harrison stood beneath the chandelier.
“The public has already convicted him.”
William Mercer sat near the end of the table.
He had not resigned yet.
Not officially.
“The recording is damaging,” Mercer said.
“It does not capture the cliff.”
“It captures motive and preparation.”
“Motive is not murder.”
“No, but it tells jurors why they should believe Lauren’s first statement.”
Harrison looked toward the private investigator.
“Her family?”
“Dependent on Jefferson Holdings through two contracts and a foundation position.”
“Cameron?”
“His father’s commercial development is financed through Jefferson Capital.”
“Peter?”
“Mother sits on three boards connected to the family.”
“Madison?”
“Her father’s company is overleveraged.”
Harrison glanced toward Mercer.
“Then why are we still discussing witnesses?”
“Because influence that becomes visible looks like obstruction.”
“Only if handled poorly.”
Mercer removed his glasses.
“Harrison, your son is on audio explaining a coordinated frame-up.”
“A teenage prank.”
“He restrained Lauren.”
“Chase did.”
“Under Bartholomew’s direction.”
“Unproven.”
“Madison says otherwise.”
“Madison is protecting herself.”
Mercer looked around the room.
Everyone had begun using the same strategy.
Not proving Bart innocent.
Making every witness guilty enough to become unreliable.
Harrison continued.
“The cliff footage does not clearly show contact.”
“It shows Jamal stepping backward immediately after Bartholomew moves forward.”
“Interpretation.”
“Lauren saw the push.”
“Lauren wanted Jamal.”
“Cameron saw it.”
“Cameron helped plan the night.”
“Peter?”
“Coward.”
“Madison?”
“Camera operator.”
Mercer stared.
“You intend to destroy every child your son involved.”
“I intend to protect mine.”
“From something he did.”
“From a system eager to make him the symbol of white evil because Jamal became the symbol of Black excellence.”
Several people shifted.
Harrison’s words were too honest.
A public relations consultant spoke carefully.
“That framing cannot leave this room.”
Harrison looked at her.
“Why? It is already the public framing.”
“No. The public sees a wealthy white student accused of killing an exceptional Black classmate. If we complain about racial symbolism, it confirms the insecurity theory.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Grief. Mental health. Pressure. Confusion. Two remarkable boys damaged by impossible expectations.”
Cleo would later call that sentence murder in a softer suit.
Mercer closed his folder.
“Jamal is dead. Bartholomew is alive. Do not present them as equal casualties.”
Harrison turned.
“You work for this family.”
“I work within the law.”
“You have never confused those before.”
The room became silent.
Mercer looked at him.
“That may be the first true thing you have said today.”