How far would your sisters go for you? That is the heart of the Libra Trust. Triplet sisters Margaret, Melissa and Molly were raised in Sacramento, California. Their story covers their coming of age, their loves, heartaches and murder. Molly marries her dream man, Rob Norton. Rob's dreams fall through. Eight years of blissful marriage is trumped by six years of abuse. Both of Molly's sisters and her family try to help. One night Rob goes too far.

The Libra Trust

By B.J. Loft

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 B. J. Loft
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-0804-8

Chapter One

Margaret left the hotel at 10:30 p.m. and drove the rental car to Lake Front Drive. She parked around the corner from Tramline Court, exited the car, and walked toward the house. The neighborhood was dark except for the kitchen light streaming from the window of Rob and Molly's house. The only sound was laughter coming from the television. She glanced at her watch. It was a few minutes before eleven.

Rob Norton heard a noise. Whatever it was came from outside the house. He stood next to the sofa and listened, not knowing what he expected to see. Margaret stood on the porch for an instant and then knocked on the front door. She knocked again. Seconds later, she heard the latch click as Rob unlocked and opened the door. When he saw her, his face turned ashen with surprise. She was the last person he expected to see that night. Her presence caused sweat to bead on his forehead. She had threatened him before.

Seeing Rob resurrected memories of angry and bitter scenes. She had a gun in her purse, and she was ready to use it if Rob attacked her. Margaret concealed her anger.

Rob stared at her, still blocking the doorway. It was the first time Margaret had seen him in jeans, T-shirt, and socks without his shoes. In their past, he always dressed spiffy whether he was at work or home. She noted that his fingernails had been manicured and he smelled like Aramis aftershave. She was cautious. The look on his face was unnerving. His jaw was tight, and his hazel eyes piercing.

"Well, are you going to let me in?" she asked.

"Sure, I'm sorry."

Margaret handed him two six-packs of his favorite beer and then she sauntered into the living room.

Rob set the cold Heinekens on the coffee table and glared at Margaret. He wasn't afraid of her, but he had to find out what her intentions were.

"Thanks for the beer. Want one?" he asked.

"Sounds good."

Rob put two beers on the table and carried the rest to the refrigerator while glancing over his shoulder.

When he returned, he sat on the couch across from her. Margaret lounged on the love seat with only a coffee table between them.

"Why are you here?" Rob queried.

"Jesus, your wife is in the hospital fighting for her life. I thought we could share a few beers and talk about the carjacking. I'm sure you're just as upset as I am, so I thought we could console one another."

Contrary to the police investigation exonerating Rob, Margaret thought that Rob had something to do with her sister's assault.

Rob looked at Margaret and said, "I'm glad you dropped by. Sitting in this house alone with Molly in the hospital is so depressing. I wish I could catch the son-of-a-bitch who did it."

Margaret smiled and said, "I figured you felt that way. If we're lucky, the police will catch his ass."

"It's just so damned hard to believe," Rob remarked, feeling regret. "I let her down, Margaret. I stopped loving her when she needed to be loved."

"My sister stuck by you, Rob. She made excuses for your abuse. She loved you so much." She paused. "Nevertheless, that's history."

Rob stared into Margaret's icy blue sapphire eyes for some sign as to the real reason she had stopped by. Margaret smiled nonchalantly and appeared to keep her poise. She wore a black Calvin Klein walking suit over a wine-colored blouse, which was accented by her black Gucci pumps.

Her blonde hair had grown to shoulder length since the last time he had seen her. He remembered how beautiful Molly had always looked in black. It enhanced her blonde hair and blue eyes and made her look sexy as hell.

"I'm feeling bummed out right now. What happened to Molly was my fault."

"Why do you say that?" Margaret asked.

"I was ready for bed and then remembered I had forgotten to stop at Safeway and pick up the groceries Molly wanted. I suggested that she drive over and pick up what we needed for breakfast, and I told her I'd pick up the rest on my way home from work the next day. I should have never sent her out so late."

Margaret spoke, "I just left the hospital. My sister Melissa, Dad, Mom, and Uncle Brett were still there," she lied.

She turned and looked toward the kitchen to hide the smirk on her face.

"I was there much of the day, but it hurt too much to see her all wrapped up in bandages knowing it was my fault," Rob said.

Margaret listened to his meaningless words.

Rob said, "The doctor told me that she's in a coma from the beating and that it could be months, maybe longer, even years, before she recovers. There's also the possibility of her death if things don't go right."

Margaret thought Rob sounded more malicious than sympathetic.

"All we can do is pray for Molly and hope she comes out of this okay," Margaret whispered.

"I've been saying prayers all night," Rob revealed.

"It was good of your mom and your sister Clarice to drop by to see her."

Margaret's voice was soothing. She wanted him to relax and alleviate the fear that now shone on his face.

"They love her, too," Rob said. "Clarice and Molly are close."

"Has your father been to see her?" Margaret asked.

Rob managed a smile, "I doubt if he would go to my mother's funeral."

"He can't be that bad," Margaret asserted.

"You don't know him like I do. Sometimes he can be that bad. He fired me for no reason. As much as I hated the job, I made good money."

"Grandpa Morgan and Grandma and Grandpa Pettigrew were there earlier, although they didn't stay long. Like you, it hurt them to see her. Roxy was beside herself. She and Molly have been friends since kindergarten. She went to the cafeteria and brought us coffee and doughnuts. She couldn't sit still for a minute. She had a worried look written all over her face."

"There are so many people who care for her," Rob remarked.

"You're right, Rob. Many people do care for her, especially her family. Dr. Perry was there. He had called in two specialists to help him determine the extent of her injuries. He's been our family doctor ever since we were born."

"If any person can keep her alive, it's Dr. Perry," he responded.

"Rob, you and I have been adversaries in the past because I didn't like you abusing my sister. I got mad as hell when Mom, Dad, or Melissa called to tell me you had battered her yet one more time. Now, someone's beaten her worse than you ever did. I love her, and I know deep down you love her, too. That's why you've got to be strong for her."

Rob's suspicions surfaced again.

"I sure do love her. I can't imagine the horror that she went through."

In disbelief, Margaret listened to Rob talk about Molly. She knew he was incapable of having a guilty conscience, but she wanted answers. The more questions she asked, the more suspicious Rob seemed to become.

Suddenly, Rob got up and left the room to go to the bathroom.

Margaret waited for his return. She shrewdly walked into the kitchen and poured her beer down the sink. She returned to the love seat and set her bottle on the end table.

Chapter Two

Rob entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He took a leak, flushed the toilet, washed his hands, and combed his hair.

He looked into the mirror thinking that at his age he was still a hunk.

He was in no hurry. Maybe if he waited long enough Margaret would catch the hint and leave.

He looked at himself in the mirror...