And then, from a hospital bed, on an unrecorded call to a three-star at zero-dark-something, you withdrew that recusal and told him you would oversee the execution personally.”

“Mercer approved it.”

“I’m sure he did. Is it in writing?”

The room got very quiet.

“I asked for the warrants to be sealed,” I said.

“I know you did. It’s in the file. It’s the only part of the file that’s in writing.” Kessler leaned back. “General, you said two things on that call, according to your own later statement.