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    [Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water

    by Stuart, Woods,
    In “Dead in the Water,” part of Stuart Woods’ Stone Barrington series, the suave attorney and former NYPD detective finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes legal thriller. While vacationing in the Caribbean, Barrington is drawn into a case involving a wealthy woman accused of murdering her husband at sea. As he investigates, he uncovers layers of deception, maritime law complexities, and dangerous adversaries. The novel blends legal intrigue with action, showcasing Barrington’s wit and resourcefulness. Themes of justice, trust, and survival underpin this fast-paced entry in the popular series, appealing to fans of courtroom dramas and adventure alike.
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    [Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water

    Chapter 7

    by Stuart, Woods,

    Stone returns to Mark­stown, con­tem­plat­ing how to assist Alli­son Man­ning, who faces seri­ous legal trou­ble. Real­iz­ing local lawyers are reluc­tant to oppose Sir Win­ston, a pow­er­ful fig­ure seek­ing a high-pro­file con­vic­tion, Stone con­sid­ers hir­ing a British bar­ris­ter. He meets Thomas Hardy, who pro­vides a list of poten­tial lawyers, but all refuse due to Sir Winston’s influ­ence. The only remain­ing option is Sir Leslie Hewitt, an elder­ly, semi-retired bar­ris­ter with a per­son­al grudge against Sir Win­ston, though his com­pe­tence is ques­tion­able due to his advanced age and occa­sion­al laps­es in clar­i­ty.

    Thomas explains Leslie’s back­ground: once a bril­liant lawyer, he is now in his eight­ies and hasn’t prac­ticed in years. Despite his decline, Leslie might be the only one will­ing to rep­re­sent Alli­son tem­porar­i­ly until a more qual­i­fied bar­ris­ter can be brought in from Lon­don. Stone wor­ries about Allison’s abil­i­ty to afford such an expense, but Thomas insists they vis­it Leslie imme­di­ate­ly. They dri­ve to Leslie’s beach­side cot­tage, learn­ing about his family’s his­to­ry and the polit­i­cal tur­moil that left him with lit­tle but his home.

    Upon meet­ing Leslie, Stone finds him eccen­tric but sharp enough to under­stand the urgency of the sit­u­a­tion. Leslie agrees to han­dle the ini­tial hear­ing, though he doubts his abil­i­ty to try a full mur­der case. He sug­gests bail might be pos­si­ble if Allison’s yacht is used as col­lat­er­al, but warns the amount could be steep. Leslie insists on meet­ing Alli­son before the hear­ing and arranges to con­vene at the cour­t­house the next morn­ing, empha­siz­ing the need for prepa­ra­tion.

    The chap­ter ends with Leslie’s grim rev­e­la­tion that St. Marks still enforces cap­i­tal pun­ish­ment, and hang­ing is a real pos­si­bil­i­ty for seri­ous crimes. Stone is unset­tled by this, real­iz­ing the stakes are high­er than he antic­i­pat­ed. The urgency to secure com­pe­tent legal rep­re­sen­ta­tion for Alli­son inten­si­fies, as Leslie’s lim­i­ta­tions and the island’s harsh legal sys­tem pose sig­nif­i­cant chal­lenges to her defense.

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    FAQs

    • Answer:
      Stone faces two primary challenges: finding a qualified barrister willing to oppose Sir Winston and ensuring Allison can afford the legal costs. Most barristers refuse the case because Sir Winston is politically powerful, with an upcoming election, and they believe opposing him would be detrimental to their careers. The legal community also assumes Sir Winston will win, making the case unattractive. Additionally, the potential for favorable publicity from a conviction makes barristers reluctant to interfere with Sir Winston’s ambitions. This leaves Stone with limited options, forcing him to consider unconventional solutions like Sir Leslie Hewitt.

      2. How does Sir Leslie Hewitt’s background and current condition influence his suitability as Allison Manning’s temporary barrister?

      Answer:
      Sir Leslie Hewitt is a former top barrister with a personal vendetta against Sir Winston, making him willing to take the case. However, his advanced age (over 80), lack of recent trial experience (15 years), and occasional mental lapses raise concerns about his reliability. While he is sharp at times, his inconsistency makes him a risky choice for a high-stakes murder defense. Nonetheless, his legal knowledge and hatred for Sir Winston make him a viable short-term solution for the hearing, buying time to secure a more competent barrister from London.

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights a corrupt and politically charged legal system in St. Marks. Sir Winston’s influence over the judiciary and the barristers’ fear of crossing him demonstrate how politics intertwines with justice. The lack of opposition to Sir Winston suggests a system where fairness is compromised for political gain. Additionally, the mention of capital punishment and the absence of a proper prison system reveal a harsh legal environment. These factors stack the odds against Allison, as her case is seen as a tool for Sir Winston’s political advancement rather than a pursuit of justice.

      4. Why is bail a potential option for Allison Manning, and what conditions might the judge impose?

      Answer:
      Bail is possible because St. Marks is an isolated island, making it difficult for foreigners like Allison to flee. The judge might grant bail if convinced she won’t escape, possibly requiring a hefty sum (\(100,000–\)200,000) or collateral like her yacht. Since she has no local property, the yacht serves as a tangible asset to secure her appearance in court. However, the judge’s decision will likely hinge on political considerations, given Sir Winston’s influence, which could lead to unjustly high bail or outright denial.

      5. How does the historical context of St. Marks, particularly Sir Leslie Hewitt’s family background, reflect broader themes of colonialism and inequality in the story?

      Answer:
      Sir Leslie’s family history—from a freed slave who built wealth to a man stripped of his assets post-independence—mirrors the island’s colonial legacy and its lingering inequalities. The confiscation of his property by the new government suggests a cycle of oppression, where power shifts but systemic injustice persists. This backdrop underscores the novel’s themes of corruption and inequality, as Sir Winston, a symbol of the entrenched elite, continues to exploit the system. Leslie’s personal decline parallels the island’s unresolved struggles with its colonial past and flawed governance.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The word is out that Sir Winston really wants this one—nobody knows exactly why—and nobody is going to go up against him right at this moment in time, with an election coming up soon. The consensus seems to be that a conviction would give him a lot of favorable publicity, and nobody wants to get between Sir Winston and publicity.”

      This quote reveals the political dynamics at play in Allison Manning’s case, showing how Sir Winston’s ambitions are influencing the legal community’s reluctance to oppose him. It highlights the theme of power and corruption in the justice system.

      2. “Leslie was once a first-rate barrister, one of the best, in fact. And now? He’s well past eighty; he hasn’t tried a case in at least fifteen years; and… he’s…failing, you know? I mean, he’s bright as a new penny at times, but at other times…”

      This passage introduces Sir Leslie Hewitt as a tragic yet potentially pivotal figure, underscoring the desperation of Allison’s legal situation. It sets up the tension between his past brilliance and current limitations.

      3. “It’s quite easy to get hanged in St. Marks. You see, Mr. Barrington, there’s no prison system to speak of on our lovely island. Crimes tend to get divided into three classes…”

      Sir Leslie’s chilling explanation of St. Marks’ justice system reveals the high stakes of Allison’s case and the brutal efficiency of the island’s legal framework. This quote serves as a stark warning about the potential consequences she faces.

      4. “I shall want to meet her before the hearing… May we meet at the courthouse at, say, nine in the morning? That should give us time.”

      Despite his age and eccentricities, this quote shows Sir Leslie stepping into his professional role with precision, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dire situation. It marks a turning point where the defense strategy begins to take shape.

    Quotes

    1. “The word is out that Sir Winston really wants this one—nobody knows exactly why—and nobody is going to go up against him right at this moment in time, with an election coming up soon. The consensus seems to be that a conviction would give him a lot of favorable publicity, and nobody wants to get between Sir Winston and publicity.”

    This quote reveals the political dynamics at play in Allison Manning’s case, showing how Sir Winston’s ambitions are influencing the legal community’s reluctance to oppose him. It highlights the theme of power and corruption in the justice system.

    2. “Leslie was once a first-rate barrister, one of the best, in fact. And now? He’s well past eighty; he hasn’t tried a case in at least fifteen years; and… he’s…failing, you know? I mean, he’s bright as a new penny at times, but at other times…”

    This passage introduces Sir Leslie Hewitt as a tragic yet potentially pivotal figure, underscoring the desperation of Allison’s legal situation. It sets up the tension between his past brilliance and current limitations.

    3. “It’s quite easy to get hanged in St. Marks. You see, Mr. Barrington, there’s no prison system to speak of on our lovely island. Crimes tend to get divided into three classes…”

    Sir Leslie’s chilling explanation of St. Marks’ justice system reveals the high stakes of Allison’s case and the brutal efficiency of the island’s legal framework. This quote serves as a stark warning about the potential consequences she faces.

    4. “I shall want to meet her before the hearing… May we meet at the courthouse at, say, nine in the morning? That should give us time.”

    Despite his age and eccentricities, this quote shows Sir Leslie stepping into his professional role with precision, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dire situation. It marks a turning point where the defense strategy begins to take shape.

    FAQs

    Answer:
    Stone faces two primary challenges: finding a qualified barrister willing to oppose Sir Winston and ensuring Allison can afford the legal costs. Most barristers refuse the case because Sir Winston is politically powerful, with an upcoming election, and they believe opposing him would be detrimental to their careers. The legal community also assumes Sir Winston will win, making the case unattractive. Additionally, the potential for favorable publicity from a conviction makes barristers reluctant to interfere with Sir Winston’s ambitions. This leaves Stone with limited options, forcing him to consider unconventional solutions like Sir Leslie Hewitt.

    2. How does Sir Leslie Hewitt’s background and current condition influence his suitability as Allison Manning’s temporary barrister?

    Answer:
    Sir Leslie Hewitt is a former top barrister with a personal vendetta against Sir Winston, making him willing to take the case. However, his advanced age (over 80), lack of recent trial experience (15 years), and occasional mental lapses raise concerns about his reliability. While he is sharp at times, his inconsistency makes him a risky choice for a high-stakes murder defense. Nonetheless, his legal knowledge and hatred for Sir Winston make him a viable short-term solution for the hearing, buying time to secure a more competent barrister from London.

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights a corrupt and politically charged legal system in St. Marks. Sir Winston’s influence over the judiciary and the barristers’ fear of crossing him demonstrate how politics intertwines with justice. The lack of opposition to Sir Winston suggests a system where fairness is compromised for political gain. Additionally, the mention of capital punishment and the absence of a proper prison system reveal a harsh legal environment. These factors stack the odds against Allison, as her case is seen as a tool for Sir Winston’s political advancement rather than a pursuit of justice.

    4. Why is bail a potential option for Allison Manning, and what conditions might the judge impose?

    Answer:
    Bail is possible because St. Marks is an isolated island, making it difficult for foreigners like Allison to flee. The judge might grant bail if convinced she won’t escape, possibly requiring a hefty sum (\(100,000–\)200,000) or collateral like her yacht. Since she has no local property, the yacht serves as a tangible asset to secure her appearance in court. However, the judge’s decision will likely hinge on political considerations, given Sir Winston’s influence, which could lead to unjustly high bail or outright denial.

    5. How does the historical context of St. Marks, particularly Sir Leslie Hewitt’s family background, reflect broader themes of colonialism and inequality in the story?

    Answer:
    Sir Leslie’s family history—from a freed slave who built wealth to a man stripped of his assets post-independence—mirrors the island’s colonial legacy and its lingering inequalities. The confiscation of his property by the new government suggests a cycle of oppression, where power shifts but systemic injustice persists. This backdrop underscores the novel’s themes of corruption and inequality, as Sir Winston, a symbol of the entrenched elite, continues to exploit the system. Leslie’s personal decline parallels the island’s unresolved struggles with its colonial past and flawed governance.

    Note