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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 34
by Stuart, Woods,Stone arrives at Sir Leslie Hewitt’s house seeking clarity after a tense meeting with Sir Winston Sutherland. To his surprise, he finds Hewitt having lunch with Allison Manning, their client. Stone is alarmed by this unauthorized meeting and questions Hewitt’s role, reminding him that he, not Hewitt, is the lead attorney. Hewitt dismisses Stone’s concerns, claiming authority over the case. The tension escalates as Stone insists on leaving with Allison, who resists but eventually complies. Hewitt’s erratic behavior, including forgetting Allison’s identity, hints at his declining mental state, adding to Stone’s unease.
Stone confronts Hewitt about the lunch with Sir Winston, who had become hostile during their discussion. Hewitt warns Stone about the dangers of insulting Sutherland, suggesting it could jeopardize Allison’s case. Stone grows frustrated as Hewitt’s focus wavers, leaving him uncertain about the potential consequences. Allison, confused by Hewitt’s behavior, presses Stone for answers. Stone avoids elaborating in front of the taxi driver, heightening the mystery and tension as they return to the yacht.
Back aboard the yacht, Allison demands an explanation for Hewitt’s actions. Stone reveals his concerns about Hewitt’s mental instability and reiterates his role as her primary attorney. Allison admits Hewitt questioned her extensively about her case, acting as if he were her sole representative. Stone admonishes her for meeting Hewitt alone, emphasizing the need for transparency. The conversation shifts to Stone’s meeting with Sutherland, where he reveals the judge inquired about Libby’s next of kin. Allison’s reaction to this news suggests she may be hiding something, unsettling Stone.
Stone presses Allison for full disclosure, warning her against withholding information that could undermine their case in court. Allison insists she has been truthful but becomes emotional, leaving Stone to comfort her. Despite his reassurances, Stone remains deeply worried about the trial and Allison’s credibility. The chapter ends with Stone grappling with his own doubts and the looming threat posed by Sutherland, underscoring the precariousness of their legal situation.
FAQs
1. What is the nature of the professional conflict between Stone and Leslie Hewitt regarding Allison Manning’s representation?
Answer:
The conflict stems from differing views on their roles in Allison Manning’s legal defense. Stone asserts that he is the lead attorney making case decisions, while Hewitt acts as a local consultant for navigating the judiciary. This escalates when Stone discovers Hewitt meeting alone with Allison, which he views as inappropriate since it excludes him. Hewitt counters that local law requires him to be the lead attorney, referencing Stone’s own court declaration. The tension highlights jurisdictional complexities in legal representation and the importance of clear role delineation in attorney-client relationships.2. How does Sir Winston Sutherland’s behavior during the lunch meeting foreshadow potential complications for Allison’s case?
Answer:
Sir Winston’s aggressive questioning about Libby and his volatile interaction with Stone (“we ended up shouting at each other”) suggest he may use his authority to retaliate. Hewitt warns that Sutherland is “a very dangerous man to insult” and that his retaliation “could be the end of Allison,” implying political or legal repercussions. This foreshadows potential judicial bias, unethical leverage (e.g., digging into Libby’s background), or procedural obstacles, emphasizing the high-stakes power dynamics in St. Marks’ legal system.3. Analyze Allison Manning’s reaction to Hewitt’s cognitive decline. What does this reveal about her understanding of her legal situation?
Answer:
Allison’s shock (“Doesn’t he know who I am anymore?”) and dismay (“I’m being represented by a lawyer who’s gaga?”) reveal her naivety about the case’s complexities. Initially trusting Hewitt as her sole advocate, she fails to grasp Stone’s primary role until confronted with Hewitt’s memory lapse. Her focus on Hewitt’s competence—rather than Stone’s reassurances—suggests anxiety about inadequate representation, compounded by her emotional outbursts (“tears in her eyes”). This underscores her vulnerability and potential unreliability as a client, hinting at undisclosed information about Libby.4. Why does Stone emphasize the importance of Allison’s full transparency about Libby, and what might her evasive response imply?
Answer:
Stone stresses transparency to avoid courtroom surprises (“I don’t want to get into that courtroom tomorrow and have Sir Winston raise something I’ve never heard about”). His insistence reflects legal strategy: withholding information risks undermining Allison’s defense. Her evasion (“No, certainly not”) and tears suggest guilt or fear, possibly indicating she knows damaging details about Libby (e.g., financial ties or motives for her death). This tension between Stone’s need for truth and Allison’s secrecy heightens suspense about her credibility and the case’s outcome.5. Evaluate Hewitt’s warning about civility in St. Marks’ legal culture. How does this contrast with Stone’s approach, and what are the implications?
Answer:
Hewitt highlights the cultural expectation of civility among St. Marks’ attorneys, chastising Stone for shouting at Sutherland. This contrasts with Stone’s confrontational style, shaped by U.S. legal adversarialism. The clash reveals deeper stakes: Sutherland’s influence makes rudeness professionally perilous, as Hewitt notes (“It could be the end of Allison”). Stone’s frustration (“he really began to get up my nose”) risks alienating a key power figure, illustrating how cultural missteps may jeopardize legal outcomes in foreign jurisdictions.
Quotes
1. “‘Leslie, may I remind you that I am Allison’s attorney, and you are a consultant on the case, hired to help me with the local judiciary at the trial. You are not the lead attorney, and I must ask you not to have meetings with my client from which I am excluded.’”
This quote highlights the tension between Stone and Hewitt over legal authority in Allison’s case. It underscores Stone’s insistence on maintaining control as the lead attorney while revealing Hewitt’s overreach, setting up a conflict that threatens their professional dynamic.
2. “‘Winston is not a man to be dallied with… He could be a very dangerous man to insult. I hope you did not insult him.’”
Hewitt’s warning about Sir Winston Sutherland’s potential retaliation emphasizes the high-stakes political and legal environment of St. Marks. This foreshadows possible consequences for Stone and Allison, adding suspense to the narrative.
3. “‘Allison, I don’t want you ever to meet alone with Leslie again… Leslie is not…the man he once was.’”
Stone’s revelation about Hewitt’s declining mental state marks a turning point, exposing vulnerabilities in their legal team. This moment forces Allison (and the reader) to question the reliability of their allies in the upcoming trial.
4. “‘Because this is no time to start withholding information from your lawyer. I need to know everything there is to know.’”
Stone’s urgent plea to Allison underscores the chapter’s central theme of trust and transparency in legal defense. His suspicion that Allison may be hiding something about Libby creates dramatic tension and foreshadows potential revelations.
5. “‘I wouldn’t lie to you,’ she sobbed. ‘Why don’t you believe me?’”
Allison’s emotional outburst encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of truth and deception. Her defensive reaction to Stone’s questioning raises red flags about her credibility, leaving the reader uncertain about what she may truly know.