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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 17
by Stuart, Woods,After dinner, Stone Barrington is approached by two men, Henry and Arliss, who are providing security for the marina. They verify his identity and discuss their roles in protecting Allison Manning, a client Stone is representing. Stone suggests they position themselves more visibly to deter unwanted visitors. The men agree, and Stone heads to his yacht, where Allison unexpectedly joins him in bed, revealing her playful and reckless nature by crossing the dock naked despite the presence of a nearby camera crew.
Stone wakes to find the *60 Minutes* crew arriving early for an interview with Allison. Panicked, he tries to delay them while Allison, still naked, sneaks back to her own yacht via the water. Stone attempts to maintain composure, pretending Allison is just waking up, but her antics nearly expose their intimate relationship. The crew leaves briefly, giving Allison time to prepare, though she teasingly suggests another intimate encounter before the interview, much to Stone’s exasperation.
By eight o’clock, Allison is miraculously ready, appearing fresh and professional in a modest dress that belies her earlier behavior. She greets the crew warmly, while Stone struggles to calm his nerves after the morning’s chaos. The contrast between Allison’s composed public demeanor and her private impulsiveness highlights the tension between her personal life and the high-stakes media scrutiny she faces.
The chapter captures the duality of Allison’s character—charming yet reckless—and Stone’s role as both her lawyer and reluctant accomplice in her escapades. Their dynamic adds humor and tension, especially as Stone navigates the professional risks of their relationship. The arrival of *60 Minutes* underscores the public spotlight on Allison’s case, making Stone’s efforts to maintain control all the more precarious.
FAQs
1. What was the initial interaction between Stone Barrington and the security figures Henry and Arliss, and how did Stone demonstrate quick thinking in this situation?
Answer:
When Stone was grabbed by two shadowy figures on the dock, he remained calm and immediately identified himself by asking if they were Thomas Hardy’s brothers. Upon confirming their identity, he strategically established his credibility by providing his name, residence, and purpose for requesting security. Stone then directed them to position themselves visibly under a lamp rather than lurking in darkness, showing tactical awareness about effective security presence. This demonstrated his ability to think quickly under pressure while establishing authority in the situation (referencing his instructions: “our purposes would be better served if you stood over there under the lamp”).2. How does Allison Manning’s behavior create both interpersonal tension and professional risks in this chapter?
Answer:
Allison’s repeated naked appearances—first crawling into Stone’s bed, then crossing between boats—create interpersonal tension through her bold sexuality and disregard for boundaries (“Why don’t you get behind me?”). Professionally, Stone highlights the risk of her behavior being captured by the 60 Minutes crew’s cameras, which could undermine her public image and legal standing (“your interview may be preceded by a shot of you, naked in the moonlight”). Her actions force Stone to improvise cover-ups (pretending to call for her while she swims back) and reveal a conflict between personal desire and professional consequences.3. Analyze the significance of the 60 Minutes crew’s arrival timing and how Stone and Allison handle the situation. What does this reveal about their characters?
Answer:
The crew’s early arrival at 7:15 AM creates urgency, testing Stone and Allison’s adaptability. Stone’s composed facade (“I haven’t finished breakfast yet”) contrasts with Allison’s impulsive escape (slithering naked between his legs to swim back). While Stone prioritizes maintaining appearances through structured lies, Allison relies on audacious physical solutions, laughing off the risk. This dichotomy reveals Stone as pragmatic and image-conscious versus Allison as reckless yet resourceful. Their coordinated deception (Stone pretending to check on her while she reboards wet) shows an unspoken partnership despite their differing approaches to crisis management.4. How does the chapter use humor to offset tension in high-stakes situations? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The chapter employs situational humor to lighten tense moments, such as Stone’s deadpan question about Allison’s nudity timing (“Were you naked when you left your boat, or after?”) during a security breach. The absurdity of Allison casually swimming naked between yachts while avoiding detection contrasts with the serious context of media scrutiny. Later, her playful offer of a “quickie” amid the crew’s arrival and Stone’s exasperated reaction (“You’d bloody well better be [ready]”) create comic relief. These moments humanize the characters while underscoring the precariousness of their circumstances.5. Evaluate Stone Barrington’s dual role as both legal advisor and intimate partner to Allison Manning. What ethical or practical challenges does this create?
Answer:
Stone’s dual role creates clear conflicts: as her lawyer, he must protect her public image (“That might not exactly get the American public behind you”), yet as her lover, he participates in risky behavior (allowing her nocturnal visits). His attempt to separate roles (“When this is over, remind me to talk to you about your interview”) shows awareness of the conflict. Practically, their intimacy compromises his ability to enforce boundaries (failing to stop her naked crossing) and forces improvisational damage control. The chapter subtly critiques the professional hazards of mixing personal relationships with legal counsel through Stone’s strained reactions.
Quotes
1. “I think our purposes would be better served if you stood over there under the lamp by the gate, instead of lurking in the dark. You can do the most good by being seen to be keeping people away from Mrs. Manning.”
This quote showcases Stone Barrington’s strategic thinking as he advises the security team on effective protection tactics. It reveals his understanding that visible deterrence is often more effective than covert surveillance.
2. “Allison, while your craving for my body may be perfectly understandable—even admirable—you have to remember that there is now on the island a camera crew for the most popular television news program in the United States of America, and we don’t know yet how powerful their lenses are.”
This humorous yet insightful exchange captures the tension between personal desire and public image. Stone demonstrates his awareness of media scrutiny while acknowledging their mutual attraction.
3. “Why don’t you get behind me?” She reached between her legs, found him, and guided him in.
This provocative quote represents a key turning point in the chapter, showing Allison’s boldness and the intimate relationship between the characters. It’s particularly memorable for its directness and the contrast with the professional concerns discussed moments before.
4. “I don’t know if I can be ready by eight,” she said, laughing. / “You’d bloody well better be,” he muttered, refusing to look at her.
This exchange perfectly captures the playful yet urgent dynamic between Stone and Allison as they navigate both their personal relationship and professional responsibilities with the approaching interview.