•Chapter Three {Next Of Kin}•

Spencer and I sat in the SUV, listening to the music in the background. We were on our way to meet Edith and Brigham's child. Robert Yehush. Only child, single, 35.

"Hey, did the Emik's have any children?" I asked.

"Yeah. A daughter, her name is Lilah Emik. Only child, single, 32." Spencer answered.

"Must be a coincidence." I muttered, "For now at least." My phone started to ring, not paying attention to the call ID, I answered.

M- "Agent Stamper."

J- "Baby?"

M- "Oh, I'm sorry Joe. I wasn't looking, I'm driving."

J- "Sorry, I just got your text. We just back from our first concert."

M- "How was it?"

J- "It was good. So you're sure it's not my parents?"

M- "They weren't reported missing, and we haven't found any bodies. So, yes. I'm gonna see them after the case is over."

J- "Alright. I also wanted to check on you."

M- "Thanks. I'm good. I gotta go again. I love you, and I'll call soon."

J- "Alright. Talk to you later. I love you too."

I hung up and put my phone away as we parked in the next-of-kin's driveway. Spencer looked at me before getting out. Spencer questioned, "Does he always worry about you like that?"

I nodded, "Yeah. He's even more worried, since I took this job, me traveling a lot, and with him being on tour. He's worried about me, and he's worried about his parents."

"Must be nice to have someone who loves you." He muttered.

"Hey, look at me. You have a mother, and a whole team who loves you, worries about you, protects you. And they speak very fondly of you. This is what family is." I grinned, "They love you. Don't tell yourself otherwise. I think fondly of you. You're a great person, and a great friend. I'm glad that I get to call you that, a friend, a brother, someone who I trust with my life."

"Thanks." He smiled softly. I knocked on the door, pulling out my badge as I did so. A short man, about 5'6, short dark red hair came out.

"Are you Robert Yehush?" I asked.

"Yeah. Who's wanting know?" He growled.

"FBI. SSA Stamper, and my colleague Dr. Reid." I introduced myself, flashing my badge.

"What do you want?" He muttered. I huffed slightly.

Spencer sighed, "You're parents are deceased. They were found two days ago."

Robert's face fell with a saddened look, and changed his attitude almost instantly.

"We're sorry. We were wondering if you would be up to answering any questions." I suggested, apologetically.

"Uh, sure." He murmured.

"We were just wanting to know, can you think of anyone who would to hurt your parents?" Spencer questioned.

"Uh, no one. My parents never had enemies, they were good people, constantly volunteering." Robert shook his head.

"Thank you. If you have anymore information, call us." I offered, handing him a card. He takes it and nods. Then heads back into his house. We turn around and head towards the car.

Once we get in, I start the car and music starts to play softly in the background. "Poor guy. I feel horrible." I muttered.

"Yeah. No family anymore." Spencer mentioned.

We drive in silence, until we reach the station minutes later. Where Hotch greeted us inside.

"Hey, Hotch." I greeted.

"Did you talk to the Emiks?" He questioned.

I shook my head, "Uh, no we didn't."

"Good. I sent Morgan and JJ over there." He responded.

Spencer and I walked back to the makeshift office, where Emily was. I looked over the case file, trying to come up and work a theory. I had a partical theory. I just wasn't sure how to tell Hotch. He's been really stern with me, and it kind of scares me. 'Screw it, I'm telling him.' I thought.

"Hey, Hotch!" I called. He came walking into the room. "Is it only these two couples?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"I might've come up with a theory." I explained. He just stared at me, waiting for my theory. "What if their children are the real victims. Both children are the only child, single, and within their 30's."

"But it could also just be a coincidence." Emily added.

"That's what I thought too." I sighed. Hotch walked off with my theory. Spencer put his hand on my shoulder as I sighed again.

"Hey, that was good for your first time." He reassured.

"Thanks Spencer." I smiled. I continued to look at the files Garcia gave us. They were like those stereotypical perfect families. Suburbs, perfect family, good jobs, financially stable. Hotch comes back in, staring at me. "Anything you need me to do?" I asked hopefully.

"No. There's been another. Prentiss & Reid, you two go. Ashley, I want you to stay here." He demanded.

"Yes sir." I replied. Morgan and JJ walk back, and sit next to me. I was still overlooking both files, with Hotch constantly looking over my shoulder.

"Stamper. I need to talk to you." Hotch stated.

"Coming sir." I whispered, putting down the files.

"Are you absolutely sure, you can do this?" He questioned, again. That really getting on my nerves.

I nodded, "Yes, I am, sir."

"I don't want to see you fall behind. If I feel that you can not do your best, I will pull you off the case. Understand?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Completely sir." I answered.

"Now go." He shooed. With that I left and scurried away back to our 'office'.

"Everything okay?" Morgan asked.

"I hope so. What did Lilah say?" I nodded.

"No enemies, they had lots of friends, they volunteered." JJ answered.

I thought about it, both victims are very similar.

"Stamper. I need you." Hotch shouted.

"Coming sir." I called. I sighed and put down the files again, then walk to the front of the station. I find him, and my mother-in-law. "Jeannie?" I asked

"Ashley." She smiled. She came running to me, and attacked me in a hug. "I know Rose and David. Are you sure it's them?"

"Yeah. We're sure. I'm sorry." I soothed. "Would you happen to know anything?"

"I know that they were good people. We sat with them at church. Joseph and Lilah used to be friends. They went to Sunday school together." She answered.

"Oh. I remember, he was telling me about her." I stated. "Did you possibly know Brigham and Edith Yehush?"

"I think so, Edith sounds familiar." She nodded. I pulled out a picture and show Jeannie. "Oh. She didn't go to our church, but I know that she did. I think it's next to the supermarket."

"Thanks. I gotta go, but I'll see you after the case, Joey was a little worried. So was I, when I got the case." I stated. We both stood up, she gave me hug before saying goodbye. I walked back to the office, before saying anything.

"Did she know something?" JJ questioned.

"Actually, both families went to church. Lilah and my husband went to the same church growing up. I had only met her a couple of times. I don't really know her." I answered truthfully.

"What about the other family?" Rossi asked, who was hiding in the corner.

"They also went, but to a church across town, near the supermarket." I responded.

"Alright. You and JJ go talk to pastor at your moms church. Rossi and Reid to the other." Hotch requested.

"Yes sir." We answered before taking off once again.

•A/N•

Woo-hoo! Chapter 3.

I'm gonna try and update as soon as possible, like after I finish another chapter. It might be a day or a couple in between updates. And for my other book, it might be awhile. I'm having trouble with my second book, 'With The Anthem Guys', I'm having serious writers block with it.

Please don't be afraid to vote, comment ideas or share my books. I really appreciate it.

-xxBabyxxGirlxx😘