> I'm trying to manufacture a theory that better fits all the facts. Intimidation is a simple theory, and acceptable as a fallback, but if that's all that was going on, then it raises some questions.

You definitely seem like you're trying to manufacture a theory, but nothing you've written "better fits all the facts."

At best, I think you're operating under a set of faulty assumptions that's causing you to mistakenly reject most likely explanation.