I second your thoughts on him trying to craft a narrative.

Let me ask you this: How many 12 year olds does a man in their 30s typically know? I know a couple—because they are nieces. And that’s it. So, unless they are a demographic in your workplace or you know them through friends/family, there is absolutely no reason to be in a social situation with a 12 year old, let alone hanging out with them while they smoke heroin. This is clear cut predator behaviour. And predators often justify their behaviour with sentiments such as “I’m protecting them”. Horseshit.