Turn it over.”

The back page was the acknowledgment.

Two lines, saying the discrepancy was clerical and that Sergeant K.

Conroy had no further statement to make to the readiness board.

Underneath, a witness line, already stamped with the legal office seal and dated the eleventh of August.

The day before the gate.

“Somebody had this ready to sign before I ever told her no,” I said.

Dewitt set the folder down flat and put both hands on the table.