With her breath held, she waited until the bearers released the supporting straps before she exhaled the held air from her burning lungs. She’d half expected someone to yell ‘stop’ as they noticed an irregularity in the ground – fingers sticking up from a loose bit of earth. But there was resounding silence.

How would Tiff have reacted if she knew what they’d done? Buried a murderer beneath her. Louisa’s body shook violently. An arm came across from her right, then enveloped her tightly.

‘I’m sorry, Lou. This must be so terrible for you.’ Brian gave her a weak smile.

He’d never know just how terrible.

THE EPILOGUE

The Mid-Devon Advertiser article
dated 21 June 2019

Archaeological dig uncovers body: and as one mystery is solved, another begins.

A body found during a local archaeological dig has been identified today as that of a missing woman from 1995. Farmland close to the village of Little Penchurch, the site recently discovered to be an old Roman settlement, has not only uncovered ancient artefacts but also a tragic twenty-four-year-old mystery. Excavation of the land began in early June and two days into the dig, human bones were unearthed. Exeter Archaeology Group immediately suspended the dig as they suspected the bones to be human, and from recent years.

The remains have been identified as the body of a local woman, Helen Herbert, who was first reported missing by her parents in February 1995 when she supposedly ran away following family disagreements. Despite extensive police investigations at the time, no evidence was found to suggest harm had come to Helen, and with no leads, the search dwindled. Her family were said to have tried, and failed, to find Helen themselves, finally giving up hope after fifteen years and coming to the devastating conclusion Helen had committed suicide despite a body having never being found.

Until now.

Helen’s sister, Mrs Melissa Dunmore, who herself had been reported missing in March of this year and had returned of her own accord in early April, was said to have been glad to finally gain closure for her and her family.

Helen’s funeral took place last week with a private service for family only. Melissa’s husband was not in attendance. Mr Oliver Dunmore, who’d initially been a suspect in Melissa’s disappearance, has not been seen for over eight weeks. Police say that a letter, addressed to his missing wife, was found at their rented flat. In the letter, Mr Dunmore apologised for his behaviour, which he felt was the reason his wife had ‘run off’ in March without telling him her whereabouts.

Friends of Mr Dunmore confirmed he’d been experiencing suicidal thoughts since his wife had left. Police investigations have yet to find him, and it’s their belief Mr Dunmore has taken himself somewhere remote and may have taken his own life.

The archaeological dig will resume shortly.