CASE FILE: Finance

Subject: Dean Corll Known for: The Candy Man of Houston Estimated victims: 28 Operational period: 1970–1973

In the financial sector, as in life, the initial point of contact is everything. If you want to attract high-value assets, you must first sweeten the pot. A little sugar goes a long way. Offering free samples or small, irresistible incentives is the easiest way to get young, energetic prospects to step into your vehicle of investment. Do not be overly aggressive initially. Invite them in, offer them a comfortable seat, and let them get accustomed to your presence. Trust is a currency that must be minted slowly before you can cash it in.

Once a prospect has entered your private domain, you must act decisively to secure your position. Liquid assets are dangerous; they tend to drift away if left to their own devices. You need to tie them down. Implement strict, unbreakable covenants. I have always found that a hands-on approach to risk management works best. Use reliable, heavy-duty constraints on your capital. When your assets are fully secured, they cannot fluctuate, run off, or cause you unexpected liabilities. Keep them close, ideally in a quiet, controlled environment where external market forces cannot interfere.

High overhead is the silent killer of any enterprise. Why pay premium rates for flashy office space when a simple, inconspicuous utility shed or a quiet beachside plot will suffice? Your long-term holdings do not require sunlight or high maintenance. In fact, the most stable investments are those you can put deep underground, safely out of sight, where they will quietly appreciate without drawing unnecessary attention from auditors or regulators. Keep your operations private, leverage trusted associates to help with the heavy lifting, and always ensure your ledger balances perfectly at the end of the day.

File closed. Results pending.