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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 15

    by Stuart, Woods,

    Stone, prepar­ing for Allison’s tri­al, falls asleep due to exhaus­tion and depres­sion. He is abrupt­ly awak­ened by Thomas, who informs him that two promi­nent journalists—Jim For­rester from *The New York­er* and Jake Bur­rows from *60 Minutes*—are wait­ing down­stairs. Stone hur­ried­ly fresh­ens up and meets them, where Bur­rows imme­di­ate­ly demands an exclu­sive inter­view. Stone nego­ti­ates, insist­ing the *60 Min­utes* seg­ment must air the fol­low­ing Sun­day to max­i­mize its impact on the tri­al. Bur­rows reluc­tant­ly agrees to secure a writ­ten guar­an­tee, while Stone allows For­rester to observe the inter­view for his mag­a­zine piece.

    The ten­sion between the jour­nal­ists high­lights the high stakes of Allison’s case. Bur­rows empha­sizes the pres­tige of *60 Min­utes*, but Stone coun­ters that tim­ing is crit­i­cal to save Allison’s life. He plans a media blitz, includ­ing a press con­fer­ence, to keep her sto­ry in the pub­lic eye. For­rester, mean­while, reveals he pre­vi­ous­ly met Alli­son and her late hus­band, Paul, in the Canary Islands, offer­ing poten­tial insights into their rela­tion­ship. Stone rec­og­nizes Forrester’s first­hand account as valu­able and shifts focus to ques­tion­ing him about the cou­ple.

    For­rester describes Paul as charis­mat­ic and Alli­son as intel­li­gent and charm­ing, not­ing their appar­ent mutu­al affec­tion. His rec­ol­lec­tions sug­gest a sta­ble, lov­ing rela­tion­ship, con­tra­dict­ing any motive for Alli­son to harm Paul. Stone probes fur­ther, ask­ing about the time For­rester spent with them, includ­ing a din­ner aboard their boat. Forrester’s obser­va­tions could bol­ster Allison’s defense by paint­ing her as a devot­ed part­ner. The chap­ter ends with Stone eager to delve deep­er into Forrester’s expe­ri­ences, see­ing them as a poten­tial break­through in the case.

    The chap­ter under­scores Stone’s strate­gic use of media to influ­ence pub­lic opin­ion and the legal out­come. His nego­ti­a­tions with Bur­rows and For­rester reveal his abil­i­ty to bal­ance com­pet­ing inter­ests while pri­or­i­tiz­ing Allison’s sur­vival. Mean­while, Forrester’s tes­ti­mo­ny offers a glimpse into Allison’s char­ac­ter and rela­tion­ship dynam­ics, which may prove piv­otal in court. The inter­play between legal strat­e­gy and media manip­u­la­tion dri­ves the nar­ra­tive for­ward, set­ting the stage for the trial’s unfold­ing dra­ma.

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    FAQs

    • Answer:
      Stone demonstrates shrewd negotiation skills by leveraging the journalists’ competitive interests against each other. With Jake Burrows from 60 Minutes, he insists on a guaranteed air date before Allison’s potential execution, showing his focus on timely media coverage to save her life. He also cleverly allows Jim Forrester from The New Yorker to observe the interview, ensuring broader publicity. This reveals Stone’s strategic use of media as a legal tool—prioritizing immediate impact (60 Minutes) while building a longer-term narrative (The New Yorker) to shape public perception and legal outcomes.

      2. How does Jim Forrester’s prior connection to Allison and Paul Manning add value to Stone’s case?

      Answer:
      Forrester’s firsthand account of the Mannings’ relationship in the Canary Islands provides critical testimony to counter narratives of Allison’s guilt. He describes them as affectionate, humorous, and harmonious—key details that undermine potential motives for Allison to harm Paul. Stone recognizes this when he says, “I’ve got a guy on a plane for Las Palmas right now, looking for somebody just like you.” Forrester’s impartial perspective as a journalist lends credibility to Allison’s innocence, reinforcing Stone’s defense strategy of humanizing her and challenging the prosecution’s portrayal.

      3. Analyze the significance of Stone’s demand for a “full segment” on 60 Minutes and how it reflects his understanding of media influence.

      Answer:
      Stone’s insistence on a full segment (not just airtime) highlights his grasp of media psychology. A full segment ensures depth—allowing Allison’s story to be framed comprehensively, evoking viewer empathy. He knows fragmented coverage could distort her narrative. By tying the interview to her impending trial (“before the Sunday after that rolls around, my client could very well have been executed”), he pressures 60 Minutes to act urgently. This reflects Stone’s tactical use of high-profile media to create public pressure, potentially swaying legal outcomes through widespread awareness of Allison’s plight.

      4. How does the chapter portray the tension between journalistic ethics and competitive pressures?

      Answer:
      The clash between Burrows (60 Minutes) and Forrester (The New Yorker) illustrates this tension. Burrows demands exclusivity, threatening to leave if not granted, while Stone manipulates this rivalry to secure favorable terms. Burrows’ line—”Everybody is a competitor”—reveals the cutthroat nature of media, even when covering a life-or-death story. Forrester, in contrast, prioritizes a nuanced, long-form piece. The chapter critiques how competition can overshadow ethical reporting, yet Stone exploits it to ensure Allison’s story reaches audiences through multiple reputable platforms, balancing immediacy and depth.

      5. Why does Stone emphasize daylight and a nautical setting for Allison’s interview, and what psychological effect might this achieve?

      Answer:
      Stone agrees to Burrows’ request for daylight with “palms and water” and suggests the boat’s cockpit to visually associate Allison with innocence and freedom. The natural setting contrasts with prison imagery, subtly reinforcing her humanity and the injustice of her situation. Daylight conveys transparency, while the yacht—a symbol of her past life with Paul—hints at her lost normalcy. This staging aims to evoke viewer sympathy by presenting her as relatable and vulnerable, countering potential perceptions of her as a hardened criminal. Stone understands visual storytelling’s power to shape public opinion ahead of the trial.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Either it runs Sunday night, or there’s no interview.”

      This quote captures Stone’s hardball negotiation tactics with the 60 Minutes producer, showing his urgency to save Allison’s life through immediate media exposure. It represents a pivotal moment where Stone asserts control over the media narrative.

      2. “I thought your show liked saving innocent people from death row, not reporting on the execution later.”

      Stone’s cutting remark highlights the moral stakes of the situation and challenges the media’s priorities. This powerful statement underscores the chapter’s tension between justice and sensationalism.

      3. “The only way I can save her life is to carpet American TV wall to wall with her face, and that’s what I intend to do.”

      This quote reveals Stone’s media strategy and the desperate measures required to prevent an execution. It encapsulates the chapter’s theme of using media as a tool for justice.

      4. “There’s nothing I can do to save her life, but if what she says rings true, then I can reinforce her innocence if she survives.”

      Jim Forrester’s pragmatic statement reflects the secondary but crucial role of journalism in shaping public perception post-trial. It shows the long-term implications of media coverage beyond immediate legal outcomes.

      5. “They seemed to like each other a lot… I remember I admired how well they got along, especially after spending several months together on a boat.”

      Forrester’s recollection of Allison and Paul’s relationship provides crucial character insight and foreshadows potential contradictions in the case against Allison. This testimony could be key to establishing reasonable doubt.

    Quotes

    1. “Either it runs Sunday night, or there’s no interview.”

    This quote captures Stone’s hardball negotiation tactics with the 60 Minutes producer, showing his urgency to save Allison’s life through immediate media exposure. It represents a pivotal moment where Stone asserts control over the media narrative.

    2. “I thought your show liked saving innocent people from death row, not reporting on the execution later.”

    Stone’s cutting remark highlights the moral stakes of the situation and challenges the media’s priorities. This powerful statement underscores the chapter’s tension between justice and sensationalism.

    3. “The only way I can save her life is to carpet American TV wall to wall with her face, and that’s what I intend to do.”

    This quote reveals Stone’s media strategy and the desperate measures required to prevent an execution. It encapsulates the chapter’s theme of using media as a tool for justice.

    4. “There’s nothing I can do to save her life, but if what she says rings true, then I can reinforce her innocence if she survives.”

    Jim Forrester’s pragmatic statement reflects the secondary but crucial role of journalism in shaping public perception post-trial. It shows the long-term implications of media coverage beyond immediate legal outcomes.

    5. “They seemed to like each other a lot… I remember I admired how well they got along, especially after spending several months together on a boat.”

    Forrester’s recollection of Allison and Paul’s relationship provides crucial character insight and foreshadows potential contradictions in the case against Allison. This testimony could be key to establishing reasonable doubt.

    FAQs

    Answer:
    Stone demonstrates shrewd negotiation skills by leveraging the journalists’ competitive interests against each other. With Jake Burrows from 60 Minutes, he insists on a guaranteed air date before Allison’s potential execution, showing his focus on timely media coverage to save her life. He also cleverly allows Jim Forrester from The New Yorker to observe the interview, ensuring broader publicity. This reveals Stone’s strategic use of media as a legal tool—prioritizing immediate impact (60 Minutes) while building a longer-term narrative (The New Yorker) to shape public perception and legal outcomes.

    2. How does Jim Forrester’s prior connection to Allison and Paul Manning add value to Stone’s case?

    Answer:
    Forrester’s firsthand account of the Mannings’ relationship in the Canary Islands provides critical testimony to counter narratives of Allison’s guilt. He describes them as affectionate, humorous, and harmonious—key details that undermine potential motives for Allison to harm Paul. Stone recognizes this when he says, “I’ve got a guy on a plane for Las Palmas right now, looking for somebody just like you.” Forrester’s impartial perspective as a journalist lends credibility to Allison’s innocence, reinforcing Stone’s defense strategy of humanizing her and challenging the prosecution’s portrayal.

    3. Analyze the significance of Stone’s demand for a “full segment” on 60 Minutes and how it reflects his understanding of media influence.

    Answer:
    Stone’s insistence on a full segment (not just airtime) highlights his grasp of media psychology. A full segment ensures depth—allowing Allison’s story to be framed comprehensively, evoking viewer empathy. He knows fragmented coverage could distort her narrative. By tying the interview to her impending trial (“before the Sunday after that rolls around, my client could very well have been executed”), he pressures 60 Minutes to act urgently. This reflects Stone’s tactical use of high-profile media to create public pressure, potentially swaying legal outcomes through widespread awareness of Allison’s plight.

    4. How does the chapter portray the tension between journalistic ethics and competitive pressures?

    Answer:
    The clash between Burrows (60 Minutes) and Forrester (The New Yorker) illustrates this tension. Burrows demands exclusivity, threatening to leave if not granted, while Stone manipulates this rivalry to secure favorable terms. Burrows’ line—”Everybody is a competitor”—reveals the cutthroat nature of media, even when covering a life-or-death story. Forrester, in contrast, prioritizes a nuanced, long-form piece. The chapter critiques how competition can overshadow ethical reporting, yet Stone exploits it to ensure Allison’s story reaches audiences through multiple reputable platforms, balancing immediacy and depth.

    5. Why does Stone emphasize daylight and a nautical setting for Allison’s interview, and what psychological effect might this achieve?

    Answer:
    Stone agrees to Burrows’ request for daylight with “palms and water” and suggests the boat’s cockpit to visually associate Allison with innocence and freedom. The natural setting contrasts with prison imagery, subtly reinforcing her humanity and the injustice of her situation. Daylight conveys transparency, while the yacht—a symbol of her past life with Paul—hints at her lost normalcy. This staging aims to evoke viewer sympathy by presenting her as relatable and vulnerable, countering potential perceptions of her as a hardened criminal. Stone understands visual storytelling’s power to shape public opinion ahead of the trial.

    Note