Linda made that a flat statement rather than a question.

Then Shallan made a single, flat statement for all of them.

His flat statement seemed to hang in the air between them.

Again, it was not a question, but a flat statement.

Always this flat statement, without looking at it in a wider light.

It was not a question, but a flat statement.

He made the words a flat statement, not a question.

It was a flat statement meant to be taken at face value.

"You know something we don't," he said, a flat statement.

It was a flat statement, intended to have the force of natural law.