John Grisham - The Accused

“What if someone checks the entry record to the firm’s InfoBrief and sees that it was accessed off-site?”

“Well, if you are confronted, then you tell the truth. And, I’ll step in, tell the truth, too, and take all the blame.”

“You can’t take all the blame, Ike, because I stole the password.”

“Under the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. I’ll have a little chat with your parents and explain that I insisted on looking at the files. We’ll fight and all that, but we’ve been fighting for a long time. Sometimes you gotta fight, Theo. Remember?”

“I guess, but I still don’t feel good about it.”

“Let’s do this, Theo. Let’s not mention this issue again for one full month. I’m writing this down. One month from today we’ll discuss it again.”

Theo thought about it for a moment, then reluctantly said, “Okay.” Theo knew, though, that it was not okay, and he knew it would bug him until he told his mother everything.

“Mom says you’re invited to dinner tonight at Robilio’s.”

“Tell her I said thanks.”

“I need to go. I don’t know what to say, Ike. You’re the greatest.”

“Not the greatest, Theo, but maybe in the top five.”

Theo bounded down the steps, hopped on his bike, and headed for the office. He pedaled furiously as he flew down the street. Everything seemed lighter-the air, the mood, the bike.

Theodore Boone, no longer the accused.