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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 31
by Stuart, Woods,Stone returns to the marina deeply troubled by Libby Manning’s death in a plane crash, despite not having been close to her. He shares the news with Allison, who is shocked and struggles to process the loss. The crash, caused by an engine fire, leaves little evidence, and Stone speculates about possible mechanical failures due to lax oversight. Allison’s initial grief is complicated by the realization that Libby’s death relieves her of a $400,000 financial obligation, sparking a moral dilemma about whether the money should still be paid to Libby’s potential heirs.
Allison questions whether she is legally bound to honor the agreement with Libby, given that the physical documents were lost in the crash. Stone explains that Libby’s heirs could still claim the money if evidence of the agreement exists, such as a copy or a witness. However, he acknowledges that without such proof, Allison’s position is legally secure. The conversation shifts to ethical considerations, with Stone suggesting she search for Libby’s heirs to fulfill her moral obligation, though Allison resists the idea, prioritizing her financial gain over ethical concerns.
Stone reveals that Libby’s alimony had recently expired, meaning her claim to the estate was baseless, and she had essentially lucked into the $400,000. Allison is angered by this revelation but acknowledges Stone’s earlier advice to pay Libby was sound under the circumstances. Stone reiterates that while Allison has no enforceable legal obligation to pay Libby’s heirs, she still faces a moral decision. Allison, however, remains focused on the legal loopholes that allow her to keep the money, dismissing the ethical implications.
The tension escalates as Allison challenges Stone’s own morals, accusing him of hypocrisy for engaging in a relationship with her while representing her as a client. Stone defends himself with legalistic reasoning, which amuses Allison, lightening the mood. Despite the laughter, the underlying conflict about ethics and responsibility remains unresolved, highlighting the complex interplay between legality and morality in their situation. Allison’s final words suggest a mix of affection and admiration for Stone’s unwavering adherence to his principles, even as she resists them.
FAQs
1. What are the legal and ethical implications Allison faces regarding the $400,000 payment to Libby Manning after her death?
Answer:
Allison faces both legal and ethical dilemmas regarding the $400,000 payment. Legally, if Libby had heirs or a will, they could claim the money, especially if evidence of the agreement exists (e.g., a copy mailed to a relative). However, since the original agreement was lost in the crash and no evidence suggests Libby disclosed it, Allison’s position is legally secure. Ethically, Stone advises her to search for Libby’s heirs to fulfill the agreement’s intent, but Allison resists, prioritizing her financial gain over moral obligations. The chapter highlights the tension between legal technicalities (enforceability) and ethical responsibilities (fairness to potential heirs).2. How does Stone’s emotional reaction to Libby’s death contrast with his professional advice to Allison?
Answer:
Stone feels inexplicable guilt and depression over Libby’s death, despite not being close to her, suggesting a subconscious moral conflict. Professionally, however, he objectively outlines Allison’s legal options, emphasizing her lack of enforceable obligations while still advocating for ethical transparency. This contrast reveals his internal struggle: as a lawyer, he prioritizes Allison’s interests, but as a human, he grapples with the broader implications of her choices. His emotional response humanizes him, while his legal counsel remains detached and pragmatic.3. Analyze the significance of Allison’s comment about Stone’s morals in the context of their relationship.
Answer:
Allison’s accusation—that Stone compromised his morals by becoming romantically involved with her (a client) while committed to another woman—serves multiple purposes. First, it deflects attention from her own ethical dilemma by shifting focus to Stone’s behavior. Second, it underscores the hypocrisy she perceives: Stone lectures her about ethics while violating professional boundaries. Stone’s defensive, legalistic response (“no ethical requirement not to fuck you”) highlights his discomfort and the absurdity of reducing moral questions to technicalities. This exchange deepens the tension between personal and professional ethics in their relationship.4. Why does Allison resist Stone’s suggestion to search for Libby’s heirs, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Allison resists because she prioritizes financial self-interest over moral accountability. She rationalizes keeping the money by dismissing the likelihood of heirs and mocking the idea of funding a “statue” for Florida. Her refusal to investigate reveals a transactional worldview: she views the $400,000 as a windfall rather than a debt owed. This contrasts with Stone’s emphasis on due diligence, exposing Allison’s opportunism and lack of empathy. Her reaction aligns with her earlier relief that Libby’s death “saves” her money, underscoring her pragmatic, self-serving nature.5. How does the chapter use the airplane crash as a metaphor for unresolved consequences?
Answer:
The crash symbolizes the abrupt disappearance of evidence (the agreement) and the unresolved moral questions it leaves behind. Just as the plane’s wreckage is irrecoverable in deep water, Libby’s death obscures the truth about the payment, allowing Allison to avoid accountability. The mechanical failure (possibly due to negligence) parallels Allison’s ethical shortcuts. Stone’s remark that “you need the airplane to figure out why it crashed” mirrors his later point: without proof (heirs or documents), the ethical “crash” of the agreement remains unexamined. The metaphor underscores themes of hidden truths and moral ambiguity.
Quotes
1. “‘Libby Manning is dead,’ he said. ‘Come again? I don’t think I heard you right.’ ‘Libby is dead. Chester crashed shortly after takeoff this morning, and Libby and a local woman were killed, along with Chester.’”
This exchange marks the pivotal moment of revelation in the chapter, where Stone delivers the shocking news of Libby’s death to Allison. The blunt delivery and Allison’s disbelief underscore the suddenness and tragedy of the event, setting the stage for the ethical dilemma that follows.
2. “‘Maybe I shouldn’t be depressed,’ Allison said. ‘After all, her death saves me four hundred thousand dollars.’”
This quote captures Allison’s immediate, morally ambiguous reaction to Libby’s death, highlighting the tension between personal gain and human loss. It introduces the central ethical conflict of the chapter—whether financial obligations survive the payee’s death.
3. “‘I mean, the proper thing to do would be to search out Libby’s executor, if she has one, and pay him the money. Then he could distribute it to any heirs or family she may have had.’”
Stone presents the ethically rigorous position, emphasizing legal and moral responsibilities even when they conflict with self-interest. This statement crystallizes the chapter’s core debate about posthumous obligations and the limits of legal enforceability.
4. “‘You also have a moral obligation, but whether or not you meet it would depend on the condition of your morals.’”
This blunt assessment from Stone starkly separates legal technicalities from ethical imperatives, forcing Allison to confront her own values. The quote’s power lies in its challenge to reconcile what one can legally avoid with what one should morally do.
5. “‘It’s also very sweet,’ she said, wiping the tears from her cheeks, ‘and I love you for it. I know now, if I didn’t before, that I have the most legally and ethically prop…’”
The truncated final line captures Allison’s emotional pivot from confrontation to affection, revealing how Stone’s rigid ethical stance—while frustrating—ultimately reinforces her admiration for him. This moment blends the chapter’s themes of morality, professionalism, and personal relationships.