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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 23
by Stuart, Woods,Stone Barrington receives a call from Bob Cantor while having lunch at the Shipwright’s Arms. Cantor, recently returned from the Canaries, shares new findings about Paul Manning’s financial situation. Despite earning a substantial income, Manning was living on the edge, heavily reliant on loans to sustain his lifestyle. Cantor reveals that Manning’s credit records show he was maxed out on credit cards and frequently borrowed large sums to bridge gaps between royalty payments. This financial strain suggests Manning’s precarious position before his death, raising questions about the timing of his demise.
Cantor admits to unauthorized snooping in Manning’s Greenwich home, uncovering detailed financial records. Manning’s debts were so significant that his wife, Allison, would face substantial liabilities—except for the revelation that he held $12 million in life insurance. The premiums were exorbitant, further straining his finances. Cantor notes that Allison has already transferred most of the insurance payout to a Cayman Islands account, suggesting shrewd financial maneuvering. This development casts suspicion on Allison, as her husband’s death coincided perfectly with his financial collapse, leaving her wealthy and debt-free.
The conversation shifts to the circumstances of Manning’s death. Cantor and Stone speculate whether Manning could have faked his death using a sailable dinghy, but they dismiss the idea since both dinghies remain on the yacht. The possibility of Manning swimming back is also deemed unlikely due to sharks and the risk of being spotted. Stone acknowledges the mounting circumstantial evidence against Allison but reiterates his role as her lawyer, not an investigator. His primary focus is securing her acquittal, regardless of her guilt or innocence.
Stone reflects on the ethical dilemma of defending a potentially guilty client but resolves to proceed professionally. The chapter ends with Stone reaffirming his commitment to Allison’s defense, even as the evidence paints a damning picture. Cantor’s discoveries have undeniably shifted the narrative, implicating Allison in a possible murder-for-financial-gain scheme. However, Stone’s duty remains clear: to navigate the legal complexities and ensure a fair trial, despite his personal reservations about her innocence.
FAQs
1. What financial pressures was Paul Manning facing before his death, and how does this information impact the case?
Answer:
Paul Manning was living beyond his means despite earning between \(1-2 million annually. According to Bob Cantor's investigation, Manning was "maxed out" on credit cards and frequently borrowed \)100,000 at a time from banks to bridge gaps between royalty payments. His \(15,000/month life insurance premiums further strained his finances. This context raises suspicions about Allison Manning's potential motive, as her husband's death left her with \)12 million in tax-free insurance payouts, property, and cleared debts. The financial distress suggests Manning’s death was timely for Allison’s financial gain, adding complexity to Stone’s defense strategy.2. How does the presence (or absence) of the Parker Sportster dinghy affect theories about Paul Manning’s disappearance?
Answer:
The Parker Sportster—a sailable dinghy—could theoretically have allowed Manning to escape the yacht undetected, but both it and the non-sailable dinghy were found onboard. This eliminates the possibility Manning sailed away alive, leaving only two scenarios: he either died (supporting Allison’s account) or swam (deemed unlikely due to sharks and visibility). The dinghy’s presence undermines theories of premeditated escape, making foul play by Allison a more plausible suspicion, especially given her financial windfall.3. Why does Stone’s role as Allison’s lawyer create ethical tension in this chapter?
Answer:
Stone acknowledges the mounting circumstantial evidence against Allison (financial motive, insurance payout timing) but reiterates his duty to defend her regardless of guilt. He muses, “If she’s guilty, she won’t be the first guilty client I’ve represented,” highlighting the lawyer’s ethical obligation to provide a zealous defense. However, his personal desire for her innocence (“he wanted her to be innocent”) contrasts with his professional detachment, illustrating the conflict between moral judgment and legal responsibility.4. Analyze how Allison’s financial maneuvers (e.g., Cayman Islands transfer) complicate her legal position.
Answer:
Allison’s swift transfer of insurance funds to the Cayman Islands—a jurisdiction known for banking secrecy—suggests premeditation and attempts to shield assets. This action, combined with selling the Greenwich property, implies she anticipated legal scrutiny. While Cantor notes insurers would struggle to reclaim the money, the move paints Allison as calculating, undermining her credibility. For Stone, this creates a challenge: jurors might interpret her financial prudence as guilt, even if it’s legally permissible.5. How does the chapter use Paul Manning’s life insurance policy to build narrative tension?
Answer:
The \(12 million policy, acquired just two years prior, becomes a pivotal plot device. Its exorbitant cost (\)15,000/month) and Manning’s unsustainable spending habits suggest he was a liability to his own estate. The policy’s payout timing—coinciding with his death and Allison’s immediate financial relief—raises red flags. The chapter leverages this detail to shift reader perspective: Manning’s death transitions from a tragic accident to a potential crime of opportunity, leaving Stone (and the audience) questioning Allison’s innocence.
Quotes
1. “Seems Mr. Manning was living right on the edge. He was pulling in a magnificent income, of course, probably something between a million and two million a year, and closer to two. But he was spending one hell of a lot of money, too.”
This quote reveals the financial tension in Paul Manning’s life, showing that despite his high income, he was barely staying afloat. It introduces the key theme of financial motive that becomes central to the chapter’s mystery.
2. “Bottom line is, Mrs. Manning’s husband could not have kicked off at a better time for her. If Manning had lived and had continued to live as he did, I reckon he wouldn’t have been able to afford the life insurance premiums much longer.”
This impactful statement summarizes the suspicious timing of Paul Manning’s death and its financial benefit to Allison. It represents the turning point where the conversation shifts from financial troubles to potential motive.
3. “I’m not the cops,” Stone repeated to himself. “I’m her lawyer, and if she’s guilty, she won’t be the first guilty client I’ve represented.” Still, he wanted her to be innocent.
This quote captures Stone’s internal conflict between professional duty and personal desire. It serves as a powerful conclusion to the chapter, revealing the moral complexity of the situation.