Chapter 13 - SILAS’S CONTRACTS
Silas’s company had done real work for Everwood.
That saved him from the simple story I wanted.
Howerin Strategic Supply delivered packaging and imported hardware on time during difficult supply years.
Employees testified Silas sometimes saved production schedules.
But pricing audits showed approximately $1.6 million in excess charges over four years compared with reasonable benchmarks after adjusting for rush fees and specialty services.
The board approvals disclosed Silas’s ownership.
Not always the size of his margins.
More serious:
Robert used trust-related cash flow to pay overdue Silas invoices ahead of other vendors while claiming my branch had received equivalent “family support.”
Silas knew some of this.
Emails:
SILAS: Why is Bennett reserve paying admin this quarter?
ROBERT: Internal balancing.
SILAS: Does Bennett know?
ROBERT: He opted out of family information.
Silas did not ask again.
Later:
ROBERT: Northlake closes and you’re clean.
SILAS: Then get Bennett signed.
That tied him to pressure.
Not necessarily trust fraud at first.
But after Christmas, Silas deleted three email folders.
Corporate backup restored them.
He claimed routine cleanup.
Timing hurt.
Prosecutors charged him with false lender certification and obstruction-related deletion where evidence supported intent.
He pleaded to narrower counts.
Short custodial term.
Restitution.
Supervised release.
Temporary prohibition from managing related-party procurement.
At sentencing, the judge mentioned my assault separately.
“You were physically harmed by Bennett.”
“Yes.”
“That does not erase your own conduct.”
“No.”
Silas looked toward me.
Afterward, through counsel, he sent one message:
I was cruel to Josephine because Robert made cruelty feel like belonging.
I asked my attorney to reply:
You were thirty-five.
Silas answered:
May you like
I know.
That was enough.
