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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 14
by Stuart, Woods,Stone receives a phone call from Bob Cantor in New York, who provides background information on Allison Manning and her husband, Paul. While details about Allison are scarce, Cantor reveals that Paul is a successful writer with a lucrative book contract, a lavish lifestyle, and significant assets, including a multi-million-dollar home and a yacht. However, Paul also carries substantial debts, including a large mortgage and credit card balances. The conversation suggests that while Paul appears wealthy, his financial situation is more precarious than it seems, with a net worth estimated at five to six million dollars.
Cantor further discloses that Paul has no criminal record and only one ex-wife, with a brief marriage that ended before his financial success. Paul’s career began in journalism before he transitioned to full-time writing, earning accolades and awards. The call ends abruptly as Cantor must board his flight, leaving Stone with preliminary but inconclusive information. Stone expresses frustration to Thomas, the bartender, about the lack of progress in Allison’s case, though the background on Paul provides some context.
Thomas mentions increased media interest in Allison’s case, with more reporters arriving in St. Marks. Stone, concerned about Allison’s privacy, arranges for security at the marina with Thomas’s help, leveraging his connections with local police. Their conversation shifts to Thomas’s large family, highlighting their prosperity in St. Marks, which adds a personal touch to the otherwise tense narrative.
The chapter concludes with Stone receiving a fax from Arrington, who informs him she is leaving for Los Angeles indefinitely. Her detached tone unsettles Stone, prompting him to react emotionally by tearing up the fax. His resentment fuels a resolve to continue his affair with Allison, reflecting his personal turmoil. The chapter ends with Stone returning to work on Allison’s case, blending professional duty with his unresolved personal emotions.
FAQs
1. What key financial and personal details does Cantor reveal about Paul Manning in his phone call with Stone?
Answer:
Cantor provides a comprehensive financial profile of Paul Manning, revealing he is a successful writer who secured a \(4.5 million contract for two books. Manning owns a lavish Greenwich estate worth \)3.5–4 million (with a \(2 million mortgage), a yacht with a \)1.2 million debt, and carries \(60,000 in credit card debt. His net worth is estimated at \)5–6 million, including pending book payments. Personally, Manning has no criminal record, was previously married (divorced a month before marrying Allison), and worked as a journalist before becoming a full-time writer. Cantor also notes Manning’s spending habits align with his income but leave him leveraged.2. How does Stone’s reaction to Arrington’s fax reveal his emotional state and priorities?
Answer:
Stone’s response to Arrington’s fax—where she informs him she’s leaving for L.A. with Vance—is notably bitter. He fixates on her closing (“Best” instead of “Love”), interprets it as emotional distance, and reacts by tearing up the fax. His immediate thought—being “glad he’d fucked Allison Manning” and vowing to continue—suggests he’s using physical intimacy as a coping mechanism for rejection. This reveals his vulnerability, pride, and a tendency to deflect emotional pain through control or retaliation, even as he outwardly focuses on Allison’s legal case.3. What logistical and security concerns arise for Allison Manning’s case, and how does Stone address them?
Answer:
With the press descending on St. Marks for Allison’s case, Stone anticipates privacy and security risks, particularly around her yacht. He enlists Thomas’s connections—two police sergeant brothers—to organize round-the-clock security (two officers at a time) at the marina. This proactive measure reflects Stone’s attention to Allison’s need for privacy amid media scrutiny and his reliance on local networks (Thomas’s family) to navigate challenges in St. Marks. The plan also hints at the growing public interest in the case, which could complicate legal proceedings.4. Analyze the significance of Paul Manning’s financial background in relation to Allison’s legal situation.
Answer:
Paul Manning’s financial profile is double-edged for Allison’s case. On one hand, his wealth (via book contracts and assets) suggests Allison could access funds for her defense. However, his high leverage ($3.2 million in combined debt) and spending habits imply liquidity issues—he may not have readily available cash. The life insurance policy (hinted at by the Chubb inquiry) could be a motive if Allison is accused of his death, but Cantor finds no evidence of financial strife (e.g., late payments). This complicates theories of Allison’s guilt while leaving financial motives ambiguous.5. How does Thomas’s family background illustrate the socioeconomic context of St. Marks?
Answer:
Thomas’s description of his large family (six brothers, four sisters) reflects St. Marks’ pre-tourism era, where limited opportunities led to emigration or local careers like policing. His siblings’ paths—two sergeants, others returning after leaving—show how tourism later improved prosperity. The sisters’ traditional roles (“married and had babies”) contrast with Thomas’s entrepreneurial success, highlighting gendered divides. His network also underscores how familial ties function as social capital in St. Marks, enabling Stone to secure security through Thomas’s connections—a detail that emphasizes community interdependence on the island.
Quotes
1. “He’s got a two-million-dollar mortgage on the house—that’s about the max you could get at that level—and he owes a million two on the boat. There’s some smaller stuff, but not that small; he’s got sixty grand in credit card debt and a line of credit secured by the equity in the house—three hundred thousand—and half that is used up.”
This quote reveals the financial pressures Paul Manning was under despite his apparent wealth, providing crucial context for understanding his character and potential motives. It highlights the disparity between his lavish lifestyle and his actual financial stability.
2. “In short, he lives like a prince, but he’s not all that rich.”
This concise summary captures the essence of Paul Manning’s financial situation, contrasting his extravagant lifestyle with his more modest net worth. It’s a pivotal insight that could inform later plot developments regarding his character.
3. “I’ve no idea how long I’ll be out there, but it’s going to be at least a couple of weeks. I’ll call you when you’re back in New York. Best, Arrington.”
This seemingly casual message carries emotional weight, showing the strain in Stone’s personal relationship. The formal closing (“Best” instead of “Love”) subtly signals relationship troubles that affect Stone’s state of mind.
4. “He didn’t like the sound of that in the least, and he was suddenly very glad he’d fucked Allison Manning. He would do it again, every chance he had, for as long as he could.”
This raw, emotional reaction reveals Stone’s complex psychology and how personal disappointments influence his professional conduct. It shows a significant character moment where personal and professional boundaries blur.