Shadows of Deceit Read Online Free Page B

recently – I’m trying to remember where?”
    The Officers became embarrassed and turned away muttering quietly to themselves.
    “That’s got them thinking, a knowing smile works every time. Don’t worry about them. Now to business, the job I’m offering.”
    Harry sipped his drink,
    “Firstly,” Harry asked,
    “How did you start in the property business?”
    Andrew drank deeply down his glass and sat forward,
    “I’ve mentioned before that I helped my father out with his construction work for a while but when he died I decided to concentrate on doing something else that I could control myself. He had carried out some major new build and refurbishment contracts during his life. My Dad was a skilled tradesman and knew the industry backwards and could easily manage the various subcontractors required. You see for me I never felt totally confident that I could manage and trust these people. I wasn’t a tradesman so I could easily find myself out of my depth, not fully understanding what their problems were. The antiques market was also poor at the time so I was looking for another opportunity to keep me going. I had managed to save some cash and decided to buy a property in town to convert to flats and rent them out. I scrutinized the renovation quotations that came in, selected the most cost effective and tied up a legal contract with one builder. I didn’t have to deal with all the various trades like my father did. The rentals provided a regular income for me each week. Then I decided to buy another property and convert that one as well. I hired someone to work with me and I set up an Agency. As I bought more cheap houses to convert, the income I received was more than paying for my assistant and later for a secretary. I decided to branch out and advertised that I could manage the letting of houses for absentee landlords as well.”
    “How does that work?”
    Andrew downed more of his drink before replying,
    “The landlords pay me a fee to set up the tenancy; the tenants pay me through my bank. I take my cut and later in the month pass on the balance to the owners. You see that way I’m not using any of my own money, all the funding flows from the owners and the tenants. I just arrange to collect rents and it rolls on month after month. The tenant’s money is lodged in my bank account for a few weeks before I pass on the owner’s share, after deducting my commission. It really is very simple, and by the way, I also collect the bank interest on the cash sitting in my account as well.”
    “Can anyone set up these tenancy or letting arrangements?”
    “Yes, it’s all above board and transparent. You do need to get some legal advice, but apart from that the money begins, and continues, to flow in. The important thing is to try and select suitable tenants that have the means to pay regularly.”
    “Are you still controlling all this yourself?”
    “Yes, I am here in Glasgow, but I do have an association with an old friend of my father, his name is Dermot Cassidy. He used to help dad out with supplying labour and materials now and again. After dad died Dermot continued with his building company but became more interested in what I was doing. So I helped him out in establishing his own letting business.”
    “Where does he operate from then?”
    “Originally in Northumberland but he now has an operation in Edinburgh as well. We work together sometimes and share ideas. He comes up here fairly often with his son. Dermot often visits his sister who lives somewhere in Edinburgh.”
    “So you meet up often?”
    “About once or twice a month I guess. Dermot’s getting to be an old man now, a rough diamond really, as long as you don’t cross him.”
    “Another drink?”
    Harry had been so fascinated by the business description that he had quite forgotten that he’d finished his pint.
    “Andrew, is it OK for me to order and pay at the bar in this club?”
    “Yes, go ahead, no one will mind.”
    Harry walked