The Mystery of Miss Chimes...

Chapter 1

Annabella Chimes

A soft wind was blowing the cool fog onto the coastline just off spindrift road in Carmel CA. The curtains billowed and swayed in the open windows, just soft chiffon dancers, partners one to the other as the sad soulful sounds of the saxophone filled the house from the turntable in the living room, ‘Europa’ mixed and mingled with the hot steam of the shower’s water falling onto Annabella, as she finished rinsing the lather out of her hair.

The shower curtain racked back. Wet footprints marked the pathway Annabella made all the way to the bedroom closet where she quickly dried off and applied oil to her smooth, soft, golden skin. Annabella slipped on her panties, matching bra, a mini skirt with a crisp white blouse. After she rolled her hair up in large curlers, to blow dry her hair in the bathroom, she briskly began applying her make up in the mirror - Her cell phone rang.

She quickly put it on speaker, “Hello Don. I told you last night - our… what ever you call it - relationship is officially over; don’t call me!, I never want to speak to you again. I told you. I am not the kind of woman you can lie to and be forgiven. Not for something like this. You're married, Don. I don’t date married men. I read the text you sent last night, “You are planning on leaving your wife.” Well, not for me, you’re not!” The sound of the phone tone going dead made a quick chime and was gone. Annabella had met Don at an out door jazz performance put together by some of the local collage students, several months prior. He had been funny and charming, with an air of warmth about him that said “I am loyal and trust worthy.” He played up a good game to gain her confidence after using the ruse of looking to buy a house in the immediate area to get her phone number so he could call her later as a potential client.

Don had been everything on Annabella’s list of wants in a man - in a potential relationship. He fit all the criteria with only one real exception, he was already married. She couldn’t believe what had transpired the night before. Never in Annabella’s wildest dreams, could she have imaged a women dressed in red would walk into the restaurant during their dinner date and claim to be Don’s wife. Annabella was relieved she had not invested more of her time and heart before this sad bit of news came too light. Although she was single and stunningly beautiful she wasn’t one to date a lot of men. She was late and didn’t want to waste any more time thinking about him now, ever.

Annabella’s hair is long, full, and dark burnet. She loves to wear it in large soft curls worn down around her delicate oval face. Her lips are full; her eyes wide, dark almond shapes. Annabella is warm-hearted and fun to be around, which was why she was easily assessable to a guy like Don. If he hadn’t been pretending to be looking to buy property locally; she would have never given him her phone number, would never think to go on a date with him after just meeting. He tried to play a long game. The alarm rang, “Oh no, time to go,” she gasped, as she dropped her lip stick into her hand bag. She was temped to bite her lip, one of her tiny habits she was trying to conquer and eliminate.

Annabella took one last look in the mirror, set off to work, and was now late for an appointment with a client.

Annabella looked at her calendar for the address of the cute little cottage set just outside of town for sale which was due to be listed by the Hoffmans, if they agreed to let her sale their house. She jumped into ‘The Little Red Barron’ she called her fathers 1990 Porsche 550 Spyder and headed up the driveway towards Spindrift Rd and took a fast right down the road to the main highway.

The Hoffmans were a very old - wealthy family who lived in Carmel, CA on the Monterey Peninsula since they moved there to retire twenty years ago; the fog, now approaching in quiet, thick, soft rolls of puff, is how she found the little brick cottage now nestled on the cliffs of Carmel as if out of a fairy tale was all lit up by a golden glow of light from within, while the fireplace sent out friendly smoke signals to by-passers. Annabella was welcomed into the Hoffman’s home as though she was already one of the family.

They absolutely adored Annabella from the first moment she stepped into their family cottage. Helga and Hans Hoffman’s ancestors were originally from Germany. Mr. Hoffman had served in a special branch of the Military for the whole of his life, and was a decorated veteran who retired, Admiral in the US Navy. It was absolutely immediate that the two of them decided to let her help them with the listing and sale of their home. The three of them spent the better half of the day, first on a tour of the quaint english cottage and then going over paperwork outlining the contract necessary between Annabella and the Hoffman’s for the purpose of selling their home.

Annabella was owner of Oceanside Reality. She had a little office on the seaside of Monterey, CA and offered a variety of specialties to her clients from purchase listings, sales, interior design, landscaping and general contractor work. Annabella had extensive schooling and worked with other companies as partners to increase trust and loyalty within an owner-operator base, based on recommendations of others specialities within their network in Monterey. After the tour, extensive paperwork and many notes taken in a lengthy conversation, Annabella Realized it was getting late.

She had arrived at 11 am and was still there. The time was fast approaching 5 pm. She stood up, half expecting to say her goodby’s when the door bell rang. “Oh, I didn’t know you were expecting someone. I am so sorry to take up your whole day,” she said. “Well, I guess I better get going and leave you two to your guests. I had a wonderful time meeting the two of you and will get right to work on the listing.” The bell rang again. Hans stood up and quickly stated, “No, no, no, young lady, We have special surprise we are expecting… we would like you to stay for dinner and meet our son. You see, He is our adopted son. Hellen and I never had children of our own. Please stay for dinner, dear. I can vouch for him.” Hans added quickly with half a laugh.

They never had children of their own, but had somewhat taken charge of raising a young man, while he was still in his youth, a troubled soul, who came under the protection of Mr and Mrs Hoffman only after trying to steal their car. The door suddenly began to open, before Hans could reach the door knob. A tall, well built, good looking man came walking through the door as though he had done so countless times before. Marcus Townes was well dressed though he was wearing casual attire.

Marcus filled the entrance of the quaint little cottage. He wore a broad warm smile and stood tall with the presence of authority. “I brought the Chinese food you ordered and wanted me to pick up on my way into town,” He half laughed and added, “what are the two of you up to?” He handed over the bags to Mr. Hoffman as he shook his hand and hugged Mrs Hoffman close to him as though he was hugging his only treasure. All the while, his eyes fell on Annabella. He thought he was looking at a masterful work of art.

Annabella smiled, but no words came out of her mouth. she tried to think of something to say, but just stood still staring. Helga interrupted the moment to save Annabella, “Oh, dear… where are my manners. Marcus Dear, this is Annabella, the realtor we have enlisted to help us - well, list our little cottage on the market. You remember my dear, we told you, we were going to sell the cottage and move back to New York, where all our friends are.”

“I’m your only friend in New York Mama. You two have been speaking of selling this cottage for several years now, and so you’re finally gonna do it. Well, Miss?” “Chimes, My name is Annabella Chimes, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she half whispered, trying to catch her breath. “Marcus, Marcus Townes,” he repeated, trying to stamp a note of approval to his name, hoping to impress her with his presence. His hands were coupling hers now, he was trying to shake her hand but found himself fondly holding both hands as if she was fine procain, pulled right out of the box for admiration and inspection.

They both stood still for what appeared to be a lifetime but only seconds had transpired between them. Mrs Hoffman interrupted their mutual silence, “Would you two like to join us in the dining room, Marcus… Anna Bella, dear? I am going to the kitchen to see whats the hold up and offer my help to dear Hans.” “oh, no you don’t Ma'am. I will help Hans in the kitchen and you can show Annabella to the dinning room and wait for us Men to bring in the take out.” He half smiled and laughed at the same time. Marcus had been to more than one of their take out dinner set ups before to recognize this beautiful little ruse they had planned for a meal, to be nothing more than a blind date with two chaperones at the table, so they could be witnesses to the happy beginnings of his fairy tale life, they envisioned for him.

“Well, what are your plans, Hans” Marcus was half smiling and half laughing in happy consent to the choice of blind take out meals they set up for him. Mr. Hoffman had a wry smile on his face, as Marcus entered the Kitchen. “Isn’t she just lovely my good man,” Hans softly stated, as he pulled the dished out of the cabinets. The forks and spoons were already sitting on a to go tray. I bottle of Dark Horse, Merlot was sitting on the counter, next to the cork screw, and four wine goblets. “Come now Hans, My Dear Da, as much as I appreciate your care for my heart in the matter of romance, Admiral… I am pretty sure I can find my own wife.” He was now trying to sound more stern, as though he didn’t approve, but Oh, how he did approve.

Ever since Marcus announced he had plans to eventually marry, Mr and Mrs Hoffman had been busy setting up Marcus on blind dates, with take out meals in their home. Marcus didn’t really mind. He never in his life knew a more lovely couple. Though the Admiral had served in the Military all of his life, long enough to earn the title of Admiral in the Navy, he was a tender hearted soul when it came to the ladies. Mr and Mrs Hoffman had been married some 50 years and were coming up on their 51st wedding anniversary, in a months time.

Marcus and Hans entered the dining room with all the essentials for a Mr Lees, Chinese take out, couples blind date, just as planned many times before, only this time Marcus was looking forward to it. Anna Bella and Helga were sitting at the Victorian oak dining table, where candle lights danced in the hurricane lamps, blue, yellow-gold flames, all aglow. Anna Bella was a willing, yet unknowing participant of this whole affair, but was happy to be with such warm hearted oceanside town folk.

The Monterey coastline is home to the wealthy, mostly retired folks, who choose the coast to live in quiet contemplation, and for those of the Carmel coast, it is all about the privacy of the cliffs overlooking the seas that called them to this place. The Hoffman’s were just such a pair. Helga wanted to begin the conversation on the right foot, and began by bringing up the anniversary party, which was next month. “Marcus, I do hope you’re planning on staying until our anniversary party is over next month.” "Oh, and Anna Bella Dear, you are officially invited my dear.” Anna Bella accepted a plate and silverware and with a half smile said, Oh, my dears, I would love to come. When is it?” “Why, it’s the Winter Solstice My Dear,” Helga happily replied.

Marcus chimed in for a brief second to respond to the request for an answer from Mrs Hoffman. “I was planning on it Mama, wouldn’t miss is for all the world.” “That’s good my dear, I never doubted you for a second,” Helga spoke up cheerfully. “Anna Bella was starting to feel a bit self conscious, and quickly stated, “what a beautiful day for your anniversary, my dears. I will clear my calendar.” Han’s shyly interjected, “it’s our 51st, I am happy to announce.” Hans was starting to feel as if they were getting a bit ahead of themselves and wanted to change the subject. “Marcus, Anna Bella lives over on Spindrift Rd, he began to say.” Anna Bella Jumped in quickly in order to change the subject again, “so how did you two love birds meet,” she half laughed.

“Well, I was a nurse at the Naval Academy, and Hans was getting ready to head out on his first Mission. All the men had to come through the infirmary for a final check up before heading out,” Helga, started. “My duties back then were to take the mens blood pressure, temperature and administer vaccinations, just the basics, but Hans had a pulse that was going a mile a minute, and well, since He was otherwise the picture of health, I knew he was into me,” she laughed. I gave him my phone number and told him to call me when he got back from his mission,” She glanced over at Hans and smiled brightly, ever so fondly.

“That’s right.” Hans began his own version, “I called Helga the moment the ship docked on our return home. I didn’t want her to find out, us men, had returned and I had not taken my first moments on land to contact her, for a quiet little dinner out on the town, just the two of us.” My shipmates usually spent their first nights back, either with the gals they were currently dating, or they went in packs to look for the ladies, out at the ‘Anchors A-way’, a Sailors bar for us Lads.”

“Not me.” He laughed and continued. “I was already done with all that, the minute Helga gave me her phone number. Why, I could see my whole life stretched out before me, and well, Helga was by my side the whole time.” He smiled and took Helga’s hand into his and reached across the table to wipe the tear in Helga’s eye as it fell from her beautifully weathered cheek, with his tablecloth, and kissed her forehead.

“Oh, Hans.” Helga whispered. you still manage to steal my heart. How I have been so blessed to be by your side this whole wonderful life of ours.” Turns out, Helga and Hans were meant to be, like two souls born on the same day, with their path hewn down the same cobble stone pathway. What a beautiful couple you make,” Anna Bella, softly stated. As it turns out, the two married just before Hans left again on His second mission out to sea.

They both had given their entire life to the Navel forces. Theirs was a devotion to the remaining freedom of life in the America’s as their German ancestors come from overseas, after WWII, and found solace and peace in the America’s. The Hoffmans were both of military families, in heart and mind alike, as both were born in the 1940’s. The Hoffmans both took turns sharing their wedding and honeymoon stories with Marcus and Anna Bella eagerly listening in awe, and fondness.

All the while, the candles dancing in twin flames across the table one from the other. Marcus could not stop noticing all the tiny details that made up Anna Bella Chimes, from the head of her raven hair, to her tiny toes which peaked out from within the sandals she was wearing. He could smell her perfume from across the room. She wore a light sent, some spring time flowers, mixed in warm hues of lavender.

Dinner was coming to a close. Marcus didn’t want it to end. He had a hundred questions floating in his head, coming from the heart of a new born ache, the likes which he had never experienced before now. Was it possible to know every detail of every facet of her soul - questions, many questions, came to mind. “Anna Bella Chimes”, he quietly stated over and over in his head, as he entered the kitchen, only to find Hans slumped on the kitchen floor.