donât think we realized how much until you got here, but God knew.â
Daniel agreed with her. His primary reason for being in Atlanta was to support Gavin and the church ministry, but working this case with Phil was also part of the reason he was here. He hadnât been able to balance the two in the past.He hoped to do better going forward. âEnough about me,â he said. âI got another idea listening to you and Eve talk about her catering business. What would it take to get something like that up and running?â
Natalie shrugged. âI have no idea, but I bet Eve does. You should have asked her.â
Daniel shook his head. âI wanted to talk to you first. I had thought to use Gloriaâs insurance money to help folks get themselves out of personal financial binds, but maybe we can focus on helping folks start small businesses where they can employ folks in need.â
Natalieâs eyes lit up. âThatâs a great idea, Daniel, but I donât see why we canât do both things. Youâre starting with a good bit of money. Thereâs no reason we canât help folks out short term and also help them long term with starting a small business. Of course, folks are going to need some education in what starting and running a small business entails but youâre the perfect person for that. Look what you, William, and George did with GDW Investigations. Youâve come a long way since you started.â
Daniel nodded. GDW had started with just the three of them working out of rented space above a Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of downtown Memphis. Today, they had a floor of offices in a major downtown business complex and employed more than fifty full-time staff. âThe business certainly exceeded our expectations.â
âSo letâs call the programs youâre starting here the Ephesians 3:20 Project. This fund is going to be the answer to somebodyâs prayer in a way they never imagined. You thinkyouâre popular now. Just wait until folks find out what youâre doing.â
âThe name works for me,â he said, âbut I donât want folks knowing that Iâm funding the project. Letâs keep the focus on what the project is doing rather than who is funding it.â
âI understand you want to be humble about it, Daniel, but folks are going to figure it out since youâre running the project.â
He shook his head. âThen I wonât run it. Iâm sure you know somebody in the congregation who could do it.â
âYes, but youâd still need to be involved, especially with the small business education.â
âIâm on board with that,â he said. âI just donât want to be the face of the project. You can bring on somebody to do that.â
Natalie smiled. âI think I have just the person. And youâve already met her.â
âEve?â
Natalie shook her head. âDestiny.â
Daniel eyed her. âThis is not you matchmaking again, is it?â
Natalie chuckled. âLetâs just say itâs matchmaking plus. That you and Destiny would get to spend some time together as friends and coworkers is a bonus. The real truth is that Destiny could use the extra work and the money that goes with it.â
Daniel hated to think of Destiny in need. Heâd been raised by a single mother so he knew that finances could get tight. âSo her ex-husband is one of those deadbeat dads?â
Natalie shook her head. âItâs more complex than that,â she said. âIf you want to know more, youâll have to talk to Destiny. You are going to see her again, arenât you?â
Daniel grinned. âYou donât give up, do you?â
âNever. Not when it matters. And you and Destiny both matter.â
âWell, you and Gavin have done your parts. Now you need to step back and let us figure out the rest.â
âYes, sir,â
Learning to Kill: Stories