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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 5
by Stuart, Woods,The chapter opens with Sir Winston aggressively questioning Allison Manning about her husband’s wealth, implying she may have killed him for financial gain. Allison defends herself, explaining she was uninvolved in their finances and emphasizing her husband’s physical strength, making it unlikely she could overpower him. The tension escalates as Sir Winston shifts focus to her husband’s habits on the yacht, suggesting Allison could have pushed him overboard while he urinated. Allison dismisses the insinuation with disdain, and the jury reacts with amusement, though Stone Barrington grows concerned about her assertive tone.
Stone intervenes, requesting permission to question Allison on her behalf. He challenges the informal nature of the proceedings and gains the coroner’s approval. Stone methodically dismantles Sir Winston’s accusations by establishing Paul Manning’s profession as a writer and his practice of keeping detailed notes, which Sir Winston had misrepresented as a diary. Stone then introduces medical evidence, revealing Paul’s poor health, including dangerously high cholesterol and a family history of heart disease, suggesting he likely died of natural causes.
Stone concludes his argument by portraying Allison as a courageous survivor who endured a tragic ordeal at sea. His compelling presentation leaves Sir Winston deflated and the jury silent. The coroner dismisses the jury to deliberate, while Stone and Allison retreat to a local bar, where she expresses gratitude for his defense. Stone remains cautiously optimistic about the verdict, having systematically addressed all suspicions raised against her.
The chapter highlights the clash between Allison’s vulnerability and Sir Winston’s accusatory tactics, ultimately undermined by Stone’s strategic intervention. Through logical reasoning and evidence, Stone shifts the narrative, casting doubt on the murder theory and emphasizing the plausibility of Paul’s natural death. The scene underscores themes of justice, perception, and the power of a well-constructed defense, leaving the reader anticipating the jury’s decision.
FAQs
1. What was Sir Winston’s primary line of questioning regarding Allison Manning’s potential motive, and how did she respond?
Answer:
Sir Winston implied that Allison Manning might have murdered her husband for financial gain, given her admission that she knew little about their finances. He suggested her small stature could have allowed her to push her large husband overboard while he was vulnerable during urination. Allison vehemently denied this, pointing out her husband’s size and strength, and dismissed the speculation as unworthy of response. Her assertive rebuttal and sarcastic tone revealed her frustration with the insinuation, though Stone Barrington had advised her against such argumentative responses.2. How did Stone Barrington strategically use Paul Manning’s medical records to counter Sir Winston’s implications?
Answer:
Stone presented Paul Manning’s medical report showing severe health issues—extreme obesity, dangerously high cholesterol (325), and triglycerides (410)—to establish that Paul was at high risk for a heart attack. He highlighted that Paul ignored doctor’s advice to diet and exercise, framing his death as medically predictable rather than suspicious. By connecting these facts to Allison’s testimony about finding him dead, Stone argued her account was too detailed and emotionally raw to be fabricated, effectively shifting the jury’s focus from foul play to natural causes.3. Analyze the significance of Paul Manning’s diary in the courtroom exchange. How did Stone reinterpret its purpose?
Answer:
Sir Winston had treated the diary as evidence of marital discord, but Stone reframed it as part of Paul’s creative process. Allison explained it was actually a draft outline for a novel, consistent with Paul’s writing habits. Stone’s questioning revealed Sir Winston had cherry-picked entries without context, undermining his credibility. This pivot turned the diary from a damning artifact into a mundane professional tool, neutralizing its impact as “evidence” of motive and exposing flaws in the prosecution’s narrative.4. What does the courtroom dynamic reveal about legal strategy in informal proceedings like this inquest?
Answer:
The scene illustrates how informal settings allow unconventional tactics. Stone, though unlicensed locally, leveraged the coroner’s flexible authority to intervene. His success hinged on theatricality (dramatically reading medical records) and procedural nuance (noting the inquest wasn’t a formal trial). Meanwhile, Sir Winston’s aggressive questioning backfired when Allison’s defiance resonated with the jury. The exchange underscores that in less rigid forums, persuasion and narrative control often outweigh strict legal formalities.5. Evaluate Allison Manning’s testimony about her role in her marriage. How might this influence the jury’s perception of her?
Answer:
Allison portrayed herself as a traditional housewife who deferred to Paul on finances and sailing, which could initially paint her as naive or dependent. However, her sharp retorts to Sir Winston (“Sir whatever-your-name-is”) revealed unexpected assertiveness, complicating the “helpless spouse” image. This duality makes her both relatable (as someone grieving) and suspicious (as someone capable of defiance). The jury’s laughter at her comebacks suggests they may have viewed her authenticity favorably, but her temper could also undermine her credibility if perceived as manipulative.
Quotes
1. “‘Paul Manning is a forty-two-year-old author who has come in for a physical examination prior to an extensive sea voyage… Because of these numbers, in conjunction with Mr. Manning’s lack of regular exercise and a history of heart disease in his family, I have advised Mr. Manning to immediately undertake a program of exercise, a diet low in cholesterol and other fats, and to bring his weight down to a maximum of two hundred pounds.’”
This medical report is pivotal as it provides concrete evidence supporting Allison Manning’s account of her husband’s death, undermining the prosecution’s insinuations of foul play by revealing his precarious health condition.
2. “‘This large husband of yours made himself vulnerable for just a moment when he urinated. A small shove, even by a small woman, was all it would take, eh?’”
Sir Winston’s provocative question highlights the prosecution’s attempt to construct a speculative narrative of murder, showcasing the tension and absurdity of the accusations against Allison Manning.
3. “‘Paul Manning was grossly overweight and had been clogging his coronary arteries with cholesterol for many years. He was, in short, a heart attack waiting to happen, and happen it did, in exactly the way Mrs. Manning has described.’”
Stone Barrington’s closing argument synthesizes the medical evidence with Allison’s testimony, delivering a powerful rebuttal to the prosecution’s case and emphasizing the natural cause of Paul Manning’s death.
4. “‘That speculation, Sir whatever-your-name-is, is not worthy of a reply.’”
Allison Manning’s sharp retort to Sir Winston demonstrates her growing assertiveness and refusal to entertain baseless accusations, marking a turning point in her demeanor during the inquest.
5. “‘You cannot believe otherwise. Thank you for your time, Your Honor, gentlemen.’”
Stone’s concluding statement is a masterful appeal to the jury’s reason and empathy, encapsulating his defense strategy and leaving a lasting impression on the proceedings.