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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 37

    by Stuart, Woods,

    Stone returns to Expan­sive with reluc­tance, antic­i­pat­ing a dif­fi­cult con­ver­sa­tion with Alli­son, who is prepar­ing to leave after her tri­al. To his sur­prise, he finds her pack­ing and learns she plans to sell the boat and move on. When Stone insists on dis­cussing a press­ing mat­ter, Alli­son paus­es her prepa­ra­tions, reveal­ing her prag­mat­ic yet detached demeanor. The ten­sion builds as Stone pre­pares to deliv­er unwel­come news, set­ting the stage for a fraught dis­cus­sion about Libby’s moth­er and poten­tial legal com­pli­ca­tions.

    Stone reveals that Libby’s elder­ly moth­er, who relies on her daugh­ter for sup­port, is now des­ti­tute fol­low­ing Libby’s death. He explains that the mother’s lawyer may pur­sue finan­cial claims against Alli­son, giv­en Libby’s pos­si­ble ties to Paul’s estate. Alli­son reacts cool­ly, dis­miss­ing imme­di­ate action and assert­ing she will han­dle the mat­ter post-tri­al. Stone’s attempts to per­suade her to address the issue soon­er are met with resis­tance, high­light­ing Allison’s deter­mi­na­tion to pri­or­i­tize her own legal trou­bles over the moral impli­ca­tions of the sit­u­a­tion.

    As Stone leaves the boat, he notices a sleek motor yacht arriv­ing at the mari­na, spark­ing a fleet­ing sus­pi­cion about Allison’s inten­tions. He pro­ceeds to con­tact Libby’s mother’s lawyer, Harley Pot­ter, to relay the inquest’s out­come and the lack of assets in Libby’s estate. Pot­ter express­es con­cern for Mrs. Peters’ plight, but Stone deflects respon­si­bil­i­ty, stat­ing Alli­son will con­sult her own attor­ney lat­er. The call under­scores Stone’s dis­com­fort with the eth­i­cal dilem­ma, as he grap­ples with the lim­its of his abil­i­ty to inter­vene.

    In a final act of con­science, Stone arranges for $25,000 from his per­son­al funds to be sent to Libby’s mother’s estate, attribut­ing the ges­ture to Alli­son. This deci­sion reflects his inter­nal con­flict and desire to mit­i­gate the sit­u­a­tion, even as he rec­og­nizes the futil­i­ty of his efforts. The chap­ter clos­es with Stone’s unre­solved unease, empha­siz­ing the moral com­plex­i­ties and per­son­al stakes inter­twined with Allison’s legal bat­tle and the fall­out from Libby’s death.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What are Stone’s two main concerns about discussing Libby’s mother with Allison?

      Answer:
      Stone has two primary reservations about bringing up this sensitive topic. First, he worries about burdening Allison with additional problems while she’s already facing a murder trial, recognizing the stress this could add to her situation. Second, he anticipates Allison might create an emotional scene, as he’s observed her tendency toward dramatic reactions in the past. These concerns reveal Stone’s awareness of Allison’s volatile personality and his desire to avoid unnecessary conflict during an already tense period (Chapter 37, opening paragraphs).

      2. How does Allison’s reaction to the news about Libby’s mother differ from what Stone expected?

      Answer:
      Contrary to Stone’s expectations of a dramatic reaction, Allison remains remarkably composed and pragmatic. When informed about Libby’s elderly, ill mother who depended on her daughter for support, Allison shows no visible emotion and simply states she’ll “do the right thing” after the trial. Her calm response surprises Stone, who anticipated more resistance or emotional outbursts. This reaction suggests Allison may be either compartmentalizing her stress or has already considered such potential complications (Chapter 37, middle section where Allison says “I’ll deal with this after the trial”).

      Answer:
      Stone confronts a complex dilemma involving both legal obligations and moral responsibility. Legally, Libby’s mother may have a claim to Libby’s estate, including any financial arrangements with Paul’s estate. Ethically, Stone feels compelled to help the vulnerable elderly woman who has lost her sole means of support. His solution—sending $25,000 from his own funds—demonstrates his attempt to reconcile these competing demands when Allison refuses immediate action. This highlights the tension between strict legal processes and human compassion in legal practice (Chapter 37, phone conversation with Potter and Stone’s subsequent actions).

      4. Analyze the significance of Allison’s packing behavior and her handling of the folder. What might this reveal about her character?

      Answer:
      Allison’s packing activity serves multiple character-revealing purposes. Her early preparation to leave quickly after the trial suggests both pragmatism and a desire to escape her current situation. More telling is her deliberate interception when Stone notices the folder containing her agreement with Libby—she immediately stuffs it into her duffel bag. This action implies either possessiveness over the document or concern about its contents being examined. Combined with her calm demeanor about serious matters, these behaviors paint a picture of a calculating individual who maintains control over sensitive information while appearing cooperative on the surface (Chapter 37, packing scene and folder interaction).

      5. What potential foreshadowing occurs with the arrival of the motor yacht “Race”?

      Answer:
      The appearance of the high-speed yacht “Race” serves as subtle foreshadowing that builds suspense. Stone’s observation of the vessel—noting its speed capabilities and foreign registration (indicated by the customs flag)—combined with his immediate suspicion (“a bad thought”) suggests this yacht may become relevant to Allison’s plans. His internal denial (“Allison wouldn’t do that”) actually plants the idea that she might attempt an escape, especially given her stated desire to leave quickly after the trial. This moment creates anticipation about whether the yacht’s arrival connects to Allison’s future actions (Chapter 37, final scenes with yacht description).

    Quotes

    • 1. “‘I don’t blame you for wanting to get out of here,’ he said. ‘What will you do about the boat?’ ‘Oh, I don’t know; probably take your advice and sell it in Fort Lauderdale. I don’t want to think about the boat; I’m sick of it, and once I’m out of here I never want to see it again.’”

      This exchange reveals Allison’s deep emotional exhaustion and desire to leave her current situation behind. The boat symbolizes her troubled past, and her vehement rejection of it shows her readiness for a fresh start.

      2. “‘It would cost a lot of money to sue me for it, wouldn’t it?’ ‘Maybe not; you wouldn’t have much of a defense; it would be cut and dried.’”

      This tense dialogue captures the legal dilemma surrounding Libby’s mother’s potential claim. Stone’s blunt assessment underscores the precariousness of Allison’s position, hinting at moral and legal obligations she may try to avoid.

      3. “‘Allison, I’m glad you feel that way, but…’ ‘But what if the trial goes wrong?’ He nodded. ‘Well, then, her lawyer can make a claim on my estate, can’t he?’”

      This moment reveals Allison’s pragmatic (and somewhat cold) calculation about potential outcomes. Her focus shifts from moral responsibility to legal contingencies, showing her survival instincts in the face of possible conviction.

      4. “As he watched she moved into a berth a few yards down, and two smartly dressed crewmen hopped onto the pontoon to make her fast. She was flying a yellow customs flag…”

      The arrival of the mysterious yacht “Race” serves as both atmospheric detail and potential foreshadowing. The description creates suspense, hinting at new developments while mirroring Stone’s growing unease about Allison’s intentions.

      5. “‘I will be in touch if any further information comes my way.’ ‘Thank you, Mr. Barrington, for your kindness,’ Potter said. ‘Good-bye.’ ‘Good-bye, Mr. Potter,’ Stone replied, then hung up. He felt sick to his stomach, but there was nothing else he could do in the circumstances.”

      This conclusion to Stone’s phone call powerfully conveys his moral discomfort. His physical reaction (“sick to his stomach”) reveals the ethical tension between legal obligations and human compassion in his profession.

    Quotes

    1. “‘I don’t blame you for wanting to get out of here,’ he said. ‘What will you do about the boat?’ ‘Oh, I don’t know; probably take your advice and sell it in Fort Lauderdale. I don’t want to think about the boat; I’m sick of it, and once I’m out of here I never want to see it again.’”

    This exchange reveals Allison’s deep emotional exhaustion and desire to leave her current situation behind. The boat symbolizes her troubled past, and her vehement rejection of it shows her readiness for a fresh start.

    2. “‘It would cost a lot of money to sue me for it, wouldn’t it?’ ‘Maybe not; you wouldn’t have much of a defense; it would be cut and dried.’”

    This tense dialogue captures the legal dilemma surrounding Libby’s mother’s potential claim. Stone’s blunt assessment underscores the precariousness of Allison’s position, hinting at moral and legal obligations she may try to avoid.

    3. “‘Allison, I’m glad you feel that way, but…’ ‘But what if the trial goes wrong?’ He nodded. ‘Well, then, her lawyer can make a claim on my estate, can’t he?’”

    This moment reveals Allison’s pragmatic (and somewhat cold) calculation about potential outcomes. Her focus shifts from moral responsibility to legal contingencies, showing her survival instincts in the face of possible conviction.

    4. “As he watched she moved into a berth a few yards down, and two smartly dressed crewmen hopped onto the pontoon to make her fast. She was flying a yellow customs flag…”

    The arrival of the mysterious yacht “Race” serves as both atmospheric detail and potential foreshadowing. The description creates suspense, hinting at new developments while mirroring Stone’s growing unease about Allison’s intentions.

    5. “‘I will be in touch if any further information comes my way.’ ‘Thank you, Mr. Barrington, for your kindness,’ Potter said. ‘Good-bye.’ ‘Good-bye, Mr. Potter,’ Stone replied, then hung up. He felt sick to his stomach, but there was nothing else he could do in the circumstances.”

    This conclusion to Stone’s phone call powerfully conveys his moral discomfort. His physical reaction (“sick to his stomach”) reveals the ethical tension between legal obligations and human compassion in his profession.

    FAQs

    1. What are Stone’s two main concerns about discussing Libby’s mother with Allison?

    Answer:
    Stone has two primary reservations about bringing up this sensitive topic. First, he worries about burdening Allison with additional problems while she’s already facing a murder trial, recognizing the stress this could add to her situation. Second, he anticipates Allison might create an emotional scene, as he’s observed her tendency toward dramatic reactions in the past. These concerns reveal Stone’s awareness of Allison’s volatile personality and his desire to avoid unnecessary conflict during an already tense period (Chapter 37, opening paragraphs).

    2. How does Allison’s reaction to the news about Libby’s mother differ from what Stone expected?

    Answer:
    Contrary to Stone’s expectations of a dramatic reaction, Allison remains remarkably composed and pragmatic. When informed about Libby’s elderly, ill mother who depended on her daughter for support, Allison shows no visible emotion and simply states she’ll “do the right thing” after the trial. Her calm response surprises Stone, who anticipated more resistance or emotional outbursts. This reaction suggests Allison may be either compartmentalizing her stress or has already considered such potential complications (Chapter 37, middle section where Allison says “I’ll deal with this after the trial”).

    Answer:
    Stone confronts a complex dilemma involving both legal obligations and moral responsibility. Legally, Libby’s mother may have a claim to Libby’s estate, including any financial arrangements with Paul’s estate. Ethically, Stone feels compelled to help the vulnerable elderly woman who has lost her sole means of support. His solution—sending $25,000 from his own funds—demonstrates his attempt to reconcile these competing demands when Allison refuses immediate action. This highlights the tension between strict legal processes and human compassion in legal practice (Chapter 37, phone conversation with Potter and Stone’s subsequent actions).

    4. Analyze the significance of Allison’s packing behavior and her handling of the folder. What might this reveal about her character?

    Answer:
    Allison’s packing activity serves multiple character-revealing purposes. Her early preparation to leave quickly after the trial suggests both pragmatism and a desire to escape her current situation. More telling is her deliberate interception when Stone notices the folder containing her agreement with Libby—she immediately stuffs it into her duffel bag. This action implies either possessiveness over the document or concern about its contents being examined. Combined with her calm demeanor about serious matters, these behaviors paint a picture of a calculating individual who maintains control over sensitive information while appearing cooperative on the surface (Chapter 37, packing scene and folder interaction).

    5. What potential foreshadowing occurs with the arrival of the motor yacht “Race”?

    Answer:
    The appearance of the high-speed yacht “Race” serves as subtle foreshadowing that builds suspense. Stone’s observation of the vessel—noting its speed capabilities and foreign registration (indicated by the customs flag)—combined with his immediate suspicion (“a bad thought”) suggests this yacht may become relevant to Allison’s plans. His internal denial (“Allison wouldn’t do that”) actually plants the idea that she might attempt an escape, especially given her stated desire to leave quickly after the trial. This moment creates anticipation about whether the yacht’s arrival connects to Allison’s future actions (Chapter 37, final scenes with yacht description).

    Note