Over the Edge by Jonathan Kellerman Read Free Book Online Page B

group of clients. Most were megarich; a few, like myself, he kept on for sentimental reasons. He alternated, now, between a home office in the Willamette Valley and a hundred-foot yacht christened The Incentive. Both were outfitted with a fortune in computer gizmos that enabled him to talk to an international army of floor traders by modem.
    'Your portfolio came up on-screen the other day, Alex. I've got everything tagged, just like a dentist. Time for a midyear checkup.'
    'What's up?'
    'You've got two hundred eighty K in tax-frees at an average yield of eight-point-seventy-three percent, producing a yearly income of twenty-four thou four hundred forty that Uncle Sam can't touch. Ninety K of that matures over the next few months. It's generally the older stuff with a slightly lower yield - seven-point-nine percent average. The question is, Do you want more munis or should I get you high-yield corporates or T bills? They'd be taxable, but if you're not earning much, the higher rates would put more bucks in your pocket. According to my records, you pulled in forty-two grand last year doing odds and ends. What about this year?'
    'I'm working a little more. About six thousand a month.'
    'Gross or net?'
    'Gross.'
    'Any big deducations?'
    'Not really.'
    'Last year's rentals and interest income were thirty-one K. Any reason for that to change?'
    'None that I can foresee.'
    'So you're pulling a little over a hundred thou, still in a healthy fifty percent bracket. Unless you need to be liquid or feel like gambling, the munis are the way to go.'
    'What kind of gambling are you talking about?'
    'Brand-new over-the-counter issues, mostly unlisted. I've got a laser imaging firm based in Switzerland that looks     promising,     a     Pennsylvania     scrap     conversion
    syndicate, and something right up your alley: a Carolina outfit specialising in booby hatches.' 'Booby hatches?'
    'You bet. This group - Psycorp - contracts for mental health services in medium-sized communities. Mostly down South and midwest, but it's expanding. Very aggressive marketing, and the demographics look good. Lots of crazies out there, Alex. Bet you never thought of yourself as a high-growth industry.'
    'I think I'll stick with bonds. What kinds of rates are you getting?'
    'I've got a line on some ten and a half percent stuff at par from an estate sale, but you'll have to go out long-term -thirty years minimum. Your net increase in income will be approximately' - I heard keys clicking in the background -'two thousand three hundred and forty dollars. Don't spend it all in one place.'
    'Double A?'
    'These are rated triple B - which is still investment quality - but I expect an upgrade to A in a few months. I don't take ratings that seriously anymore; the services have got lazy. Look at the WPPSS debacle - from triple A to the toilet, and they never saw it until it was too late. Best thing is to bird-dog each issue yourself. Which I do - assiduously. The one I've got in mind for you is very kosher. Conservative beach community with a heavy tax base. Long-overdue public utility financing, no controversy. You want in?'
    'Sure. How much can you get?'
    'Two hundred and fifty thou. I'm committed for a hundred to someone else. You can have the other one fifty.'
    'Get me a hundred even. Ninety from the maturing bonds, and I'll wire you ten thousand tomorrow. Oregon or the West Indies?'
    'Oregon. Sherry's handling transactions while I'm gone.'
    'How long are you planning to be away?'
    'A week, maybe longer. Depends on the fishing and how
    long it takes for the rich folk to get on each other's nerves. By the way, we got your thank-you note for the coho. Good stuff, huh?'
    'That was terrific salmon, Lou. We invited friends over and barbecued it like you suggested.'
    'Good. You should see the bluefin we've been hauling in. Three-hundred-pounders with meat like purple butter. Got a plate of it sashimied right here in front of me. I'll save you some