Although cover-ups are common to many less-than-honest law enforcement officers, it doesn't come natural to Heck Tate, the congenial but businesslike sheriff of Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Although the reader may be left questioning who really killed Bob Ewell--Jem or Boo--it is actually the narration by the still innocent Scout that leaves the reader in doubt. Sheriff Tate is aware that only Boo Radley would have had the strength (and the weapon)
