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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 55
by Stuart, Woods,In Chapter 55, Stone methodically questions Allison Manning about her relationship with her late husband, Paul, during her courtroom testimony. Allison recounts their meeting five years prior, their courtship, and eventual marriage, painting a picture of a loving partnership. She describes their modest beginnings in a small Greenwich Village apartment and how Paul’s success as a novelist improved their lifestyle, allowing them to purchase a luxurious home and a custom-built yacht. The yacht, designed for single-handed sailing, became central to their lives, and Allison emphasizes their happiness and closeness during their travels.
Allison details their Atlantic voyage, highlighting the strength of their marriage despite the challenges of living in close quarters at sea. She emotionally recounts the tragic incident where Paul collapsed and died, leaving her to navigate the yacht alone. Her tearful testimony describes her struggle to learn sailing and celestial navigation, ultimately landing in St. Marks instead of Antigua. The jury appears moved by her account, and Stone skillfully guides her through the narrative, reinforcing her credibility as she swears to the truth of her statements.
The tone shifts dramatically when Sir Winston, the opposing counsel, begins his cross-examination. He aggressively accuses Allison of murdering Paul for financial gain, referencing his earnings and a $12 million insurance policy. Allison, visibly angered, vehemently denies the allegations, shouting her innocence. Sir Winston’s line of questioning suggests a calculated attempt to undermine her credibility, implying she grew to resent Paul during their prolonged time at sea. The tension escalates as Allison struggles to maintain composure under his accusatory tone.
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast between Allison’s heartfelt testimony and Sir Winston’s hostile interrogation. Stone’s careful preparation of Allison appears successful, as her emotional recounting of Paul’s death resonates with the jury. However, Sir Winston’s abrupt accusations introduce doubt, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle. The chapter effectively builds suspense, leaving the reader questioning the true nature of Paul’s death and Allison’s role in it.
FAQs
1. How did Allison and Paul Manning first meet, and what was Paul’s occupation at the time?
Answer:
Allison and Paul Manning first met at a dinner party hosted by Allison’s boss at an advertising agency in New York, where she worked as an art director. Paul was another guest at the dinner. At the time, Paul was a writer who had transitioned from a newspaper career to writing novels. He was working on his third novel when they met but had not yet achieved significant financial success, earning only a modest income from his writing.2. What were the key changes in the Mannings’ lifestyle after Paul’s third novel became a bestseller?
Answer:
After Paul’s third novel became a bestseller, their financial situation improved dramatically. They moved from a modest, cramped apartment in Greenwich Village to a large, comfortable house in Greenwich, Connecticut. They began driving expensive cars, dining out frequently, and hosting dinner parties. Additionally, Paul ordered a custom-built yacht from Finland, designed to be sailed singlehandedly. This marked a significant shift from their earlier, more frugal lifestyle.3. How did Allison describe the state of her marriage during their transatlantic voyage, and what incident tested her sailing skills?
Answer:
Allison described her marriage during the voyage as stronger than ever, emphasizing their closeness and mutual gratitude. However, the journey tested her when she had to retrieve a broken part from the top of the mast—a task that left her stranded when Paul suddenly collapsed below. This incident forced her to quickly learn how to sail and navigate the yacht alone, relying on a celestial navigation book to guide her to land, albeit not their intended destination.4. What was the tone of Sir Winston’s cross-examination, and how did Allison react to his accusations?
Answer:
Sir Winston’s cross-examination was aggressive and accusatory, implying that Allison murdered her husband for financial gain or due to resentment from their time at sea. He interrupted her repeatedly, referencing Paul’s wealth and life insurance policy. Allison grew visibly angry, shouting in denial, which contradicted Stone’s advice to remain composed. Her emotional outburst, however, contrasted with her earlier composed testimony, potentially affecting the jury’s perception.5. Why might Allison’s emotional display during her testimony have been strategically significant for her defense?
Answer:
Allison’s tears and emotional recounting of Paul’s death humanized her and likely elicited sympathy from the jury. Unlike her composed demeanor at the coroner’s inquest, her raw emotion during the trial made her grief appear genuine, reinforcing her innocence. Stone likely recognized that this display would counter Sir Winston’s narrative of her as a cold, calculating murderer, making her testimony more persuasive to the jury.
Quotes
1. “When you spend a lot of time with a person on a boat, you really get to know him.”
This quote captures Allison’s testimony about how her marriage strengthened during their transatlantic voyage, contrasting with common assumptions that close quarters strain relationships. It’s significant as it establishes their seemingly happy marriage before the tragedy.
2. “I began to think of the boat as my partner in survival.”
A powerful metaphor showing Allison’s psychological adaptation after her husband’s death at sea. This quote illustrates her isolation and resourcefulness during the ordeal, making it a pivotal moment in her testimony.
3. “As God is my witness it is the truth.”
Allison’s emphatic declaration of honesty during cross-examination represents the chapter’s central conflict - her credibility versus the prosecution’s accusations. The religious invocation adds weight to her denial of murder allegations.
4. “Sir Winston! I did not kill my husband!”
This emotional outburst marks the chapter’s dramatic climax, showing Allison’s breaking point under aggressive questioning. The raw denial encapsulates the trial’s high stakes and her desperate defense against the murder charge.