Free The Last Layover by Steven Bird

out until then.”
    Jason turned to Evan and said, “Hammer pairs, man, hammer pairs. You’re wasting ammo!”
    “Yeah I know, I just get caught up in things and wanna shoot till he drops. I'll get it together for next time.”
    “Next time? Next time?” Peggy shouted. “What's wrong with you two? Why does everything have to end up in a gunfight?”
    Jason responded sharply, “Peggy, we could just let you negotiate for us the next time some dirt bags want to rob us and do who knows what else. Do you remember the last time you saw a regular cop around here, or anyone else in uniform?” He didn’t need to wait for her answer. “Me neither, and the other people around here are noticing it too. I don't know how many times we have to go through this with you, but in a situation like this, if you aren't aggressive enough, you won't make it very far.”
    Damon interjected, “Yep, it's like Marine Corps General James Mattis said, ‘Be polite and professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.’”
    With that, Jason turned to Damon and said, “Here, I got you a present.” He handed Damon the pistol grip pump shotgun he grabbed from the dead assailant as they ran from the scene. 
    “Thanks!” Damon said. He looked it over and said, “A Mossberg 500. Nice! Looks like a full tube of ammo is in it too.  It's the extended tube so eight in the pipe and one in the chamber for nine rounds.”
    “Sorry, I didn't have time to search the guy for more ammo,” Jason said. “But even with just one loaded magazine tube of ammo, it's better than nothing. The way things are getting, you’re likely to use it sooner rather than later.”

Chapter 6: The Jones Home
     
     
    The morning of Jason's flight a few days earlier, had started out as a normal day back at the Jones household. Jason left a little early to swing by Evan's hotel to pick him up for their trip, while Jason's wife, Sarah, got their two boys ready for school. Wrangling two rambunctious young boys in the morning, while trying to get ready for work, could be quite a chore, and today they had put her a few steps behind. She dropped them off for school on her way to work at the Belleau Woods Apartments, where she was the front office manager. Since she didn't get off until five o'clock in the afternoon on the average day, the boys would simply ride the school bus to the apartment complex along with the other kids who lived there.
    Today was her least favorite day of the month at work. It was the day she had to knock on doors and post late notices for those residents who were two weeks or more behind. With the economy the way it was these days, her delinquent list seemed like it got longer each month. She dreaded the possible confrontations and excuse-filled stories she would get. She had heard it all over the two years since she started working there. These days, with the unemployment rate being so high in Ohio and only getting worse, she truly had sympathy for them. How would she handle it if she and Jason were faced with the same situation? How would they be able to face their children when it came time for a potential eviction? Seeing the heartbreak and embarrassment in the eyes of people who had to face this dilemma was often too much to bare.
    She saved her “bad news” rounds to do last that day. She didn't want to be in the middle of a heated discussion when her sons got off the bus, so she figured if she posted them on the doors on her way out, she wouldn't have to deal with anyone until the next day. She met them at the bus stop and led them to the playground, where they could play until she made her rounds. She welcomed them with their usual group hugs and kisses and said, “Oh, my handsome little boys, how I've missed you. Mommy loves you so much.”
    They both smiled and said, “Love you too, Mommy!”
    As they walked to the playground, she asked, “So how was your day?”
    Michael, their older son responded, “It was good until we got on