“Kindness doesn’t change the rating,” the barge operator said.
Drake looked at the first loading plan and agreed.
It put supported patients where sacks usually stood, left too little room for attendants, and assumed the vessel would settle as if the altered weight had no opinion about water.
“What would make it acceptable?”
The operator, a compact man named Hobbett, looked surprised to hear a question instead of a speech.
“Different supports. A working lane. Fewer per run. Proper charter.”
“And the guarantee.”
“Yes.”
