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 again. If Molly died, he would be eligible to collect the $500,000 from Molly's insurance policy, plus what was in the savings and Fidelity accounts. There were also the Norton Industries and Colgate stocks that he and Molly had purchased. He let out a breath of astonishment. As soon as it was all settled, he would move to San Francisco and away from his father. His mother and sister deserved better, though he wasn't going to worry about them.

Once he left the house, it would no longer be his. It would be taken over by his father. Rob could care less. He wanted out of the house anyway. He had planned for him and Molly to find another place-a house his father had never touched.

He wanted to find a job out of his father's reach, too, but it had never happened. Everywhere he turned, his father was an obstacle.

Soon, there would be no more Margaret's or Molly's in his life. Maybe Sharon would move in with him. Then he thought about Krista. There would be many more like her in San Francisco.

Soon he'd have no more failures. His plan was solid. There would be no guilt or fear; only his lust to succeed.

He heard footsteps and wondered what Margaret was doing. She was probably getting herself another beer.

Another image flickered in his mind. It was Tim and Molly together. What did she see in a musician that she didn't see in him?

Chapter Three

Margaret waited for Rob, and remained patient while occupying the love seat. She pushed her hair back exposing more of her face.

Molly's presence in the house hung in the air. Margaret glanced around the room and noticed how clean the room was. It had all those little touches of decoration that only Molly could do.

She glanced toward the window and listened. Other then Rob flushing the toilet, it was quiet.

She told herself, "You can do this."

She didn't want games or false promises. She wanted the truth to come out.

She didn't plan to use the pistol in her purse unless it was necessary. She kept her purse close by and partially opened. She remained alert because Rob was so unpredictable.

Margaret saw Rob leave the bathroom and enter the bedroom. Then she heard Rob's voice speaking to someone. He must have made a phone call. Seconds later, he returned to the bathroom. She thought to herself, "What the hell?"

Besides the two six-packs she had brought, Rob had more in the refrigerator. There were seven empty bottles on the coffee table that he had consumed.

Margaret remembered Molly at her wedding, so beautiful and Rob so handsome. She loved her sisters. They were not only sisters; they were friends who shared an unfailing devotion to each other-the Libra Trust.

She and Melissa knew the other side of Rob and prayed for Molly's well-being. They were opposed to the wedding from the start, yet Molly stood by Rob. Their predictions had come true. Rob was not the man for Molly. Nevertheless, their relationship was left to fate.

Margaret didn't feel sorry for him. He was a vicious bastard.

Chapter Four

Thirty-three years earlier, the records and vital statistic's page in the September 24, 1952 issue of the Sacramento Bee announced the birth of identical triplets to Sue and Dave Morgan. They named the babies Margaret, Melissa, and Molly.

Grandma and Grandpa Morgan and Nana and Papa Pettigrew, plus Dave and his sisters, Louise and Lydia, and mother's brother, Brett, had waited eleven hours for Sue to give birth. When the infants arrived home a week after they were born, Mom and both grandmothers cared for them. They changed diapers, fed and bathed them, and rocked them to sleep. Mom cuddled and cooed to establish an attachment with her little ones. On Saturdays and Sundays, Dave gave the grandmothers a respite. He and Sue spent hours bonding with their daughters and at the same time, they treated each one of the triplets as individuals.

Not far away another baby was born. Rob Norton entered the world on October 1, 1952. Then eleven months later, his sister, Clarice, was born.

The Morgans didn't know then that sometime in the future the Nortons would play a role in their lives.

Four weeks later, the girls were christened and the family attended Mass on Sundays.

Dave moved his dental practice to a larger building and established a partnership with two other dentists. His new schedule allowed him to give additional attention to Sue and the girls.

Both parents were supportive and attentive. Sue was the teacher and Dave was the family man who was emotionally available to his family.

Just before the triplets turned three, Sue began potty training them. Since she had the same plumbing it made it easier for the girls. The birth order came into play, and it followed the same sequence as the girls were born-Margaret first, followed by Melissa, and then Molly.

After potty training, their parents sent them to preschool. Sue rotated the girls among school, home, and family to develop their individualism.

When the girls entered kindergarten, Sue drove them to school and walked them to their rooms. She introduced herself and the girls to the teacher, and then left. At first, starting school was a frightening experience for the three girls. They were given love and encouragement, and they responded. Sue had the unenviable job of teaching the girls manners, but it was done with a loving touch.

Sue and Dave took their children to their first communion when they turned eight.

Sue worked to maintain a balance between them. Despite the birth order, she wanted her girls to know that they were equal in the family.

Once introduced to the library, the girls began reading books. Dave and Sue learned that Margaret loved her animal books, and she liked watching the animals perform at the circus. Melissa liked the little pop-up books that told stories of princes and princesses. Molly liked coloring and finger-painting books and Dr. Seuss.

In the evenings, the girls would gather around and with the help of their father, they read the comic strips in the newspaper. Their favorites were Nancy, Blondie, and Dennis the Menace. On a whim, Sue read the girls their horoscopes. She explained what they meant and told them they were under the sign of Libra. She told them that they were happy and controlled little girls. At their request, Sue continued reading their horoscope from the daily paper. Although sometimes the horoscope readings appeared confusing, there was always a happy ending. The girls liked the word Libra so much that they started calling each other "Libra." Later, they changed it to the Libra Trust.

When they turned ten, Sue maintained clear authority, and Dave continued with his father/daughter time and kept up with his daughters' interests. Sue and Dave joined the YMCA and enrolled the three girls in gymnastic classes and swimming. At home, they played hide-and-seek and tossed the Frisbee with Dave. They discovered friends in the neighborhood and began establishing their social attachments.

They progressed through grammar school with their achievements and grades being exceptional; they were given student awards signed by the governor.

During the summers prior to the sixth and seventh grades, the girls got to go to summer school at Camp Pacific in Carlsbad, California, where they enjoyed the combined activities of athletics and academics.

St. Patrick's Day was always a family affair. One year Dave was the grand marshal. It was a day for corned beef and cabbage, and watching the dancers. It was a full day dedicated to celebrating their Irish heritage and the wearing of the green. Grandpa and Grandma Morgan knew all the songs by heart. It was a day of family fun and celebration.

Chapter Five

Dave and his sisters grew up in Sacramento, California, in an older part of the city. Their parents owned an exclusive men and women's apparel store downtown. When their first daughter was born, they named her Louise. Estelle stayed home to care for her. Later, a second daughter, Lydia was born, followed by Dave.

They lived in a structured family and learned to obey the rules. Being the only son, Dave was pampered by his older sisters. Old- fashioned punishment was just a mistake away.

Edward and Estelle Morgan paid for private schools and monitored their children's progress. When it came time for college, Dave's older sister, Louise, went to Stanford to study law. When Lydia graduated from high school, she packed her bags for UCLA to become a doctor. Dave chose to attend Loma Linda University and enrolled in the School of Dentistry.

Following graduation and obtaining his state license, he opened a small dental practice on Rush River Road. He hired two hygienists and an accountant. Sue Pettigrew was one of the hygienists and a year later, they were married. Sue had graduated from Chabot College in Hayward. Her family farmed a thousand acres on the west side of the Altamont Pass and raised beef cattle.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Libra Trustby B.J. Loft Copyright © 2009 by B. J. Loft. Excerpted by permission.
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