"I have a question," Hotch said a few minutes later as they strolled hand-in-hand down the main street of Fairfield.
"Probably the same one I have," Laurel suggested.
"What money?" Hotch asked. "The first thing he did was mention money. And, from what I understand, your late husband didn't have any money. Do you have any idea what he was talking about?"
"Well, Bradley's employer probably had a life insurance policy on him," Laurel replied slowly. "And, from what Garcia found out, I would assume his parents were the beneficiaries of that. Besides, he was killed in a bar fight, not on the job, so the payout would have been minimal."
They arrived at a small park in the middle of town and sat down on a park bench.
"Let me call Garcia." Hotch pulled out his cell phone. "I didn't like the sound of his voice when he said that. Maybe there is something - "
"You are right, My Most Favorite Boss and his soon-to-be wife," Garcia replied a short time later. "As far as I can tell, there was only the one life insurance policy. Plus, the standard death benefit from Social Security."
"Social Security," Laurel replied thoughtfully.
"Yeah – You know that lump of money that disappears from your paycheck every payday," Garcia replied. "It's supposed to go to paying for your retirement. And, when you die, there is also a death benefit paid out, as well as benefits to any underage dependents you may leave behind."
"O-M-G! They are after Paige so they can claim her Social Security benefits!" Laurel gasped. "We need to get back there – Now!" She stood up and began running back towards the diner, with Hotch following close behind her.