# Bill Rankin — Behind That Curtain character guide

> Bill Rankin in Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Rankin, Willie

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-the-bungalow-in-the-sky

## Snapshot

A newspaper reporter with a nose for romance and a chief who threatens to fire him, Rankin trades theories with Charlie Chan while chasing a scoop on Sir Frederic's murder.

## Who they are

Rankin is the press man on the case, forever angling for a morsel to feed his paper's million panting readers and half-afraid his dear old Chief will cast him off for failing to solve the mystery. He reads sentiment into Colonel Beetham's book inscription and spins theories about boyhood sweethearts and British aviators, revealing a romantic streak that colors his reporting. His easy banter with Chan keeps the investigation's human texture alive and gives readers a wry outsider's view of the detective's slow, patient method.

## Relationships

### [Sergeant Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan)

_rivalry_

Bill Rankin and Charlie Chan are antagonists, with Rankin often obstructing or clashing with Chan's investigative methods.

### [Sergeant Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan)

_rivalry_

Bill Rankin and Charlie Chan are antagonists, with Rankin often obstructing or clashing with Chan's investigative methods.

### [Sergeant Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan)

_rivalry_

Bill Rankin and Charlie Chan are antagonists, with Rankin often obstructing or clashing with Chan's investigative methods.

## In the story

### [The Man from Scotland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/i-the-man-from-scotland)

Reporter for the Globe who interviews Sir Frederic and arranges a meeting with Charlie Chan.

### [What Happened to Eve Durand?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/ii-what-happened-to-eve-durand)

Arranges the meeting between Sir Frederic and Chan, and prompts discussion of crime cases.

### [The Voice in the Next Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/v-the-voice-in-the-next-room)

Rankin shares his theory about the murder and tries to involve Chan, but Chan declines.

### [IX: The Port of Missing Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/ix-the-port-of-missing-women)

Summoned by Chan to the bungalow; joins the group at the Globe office.

### [A Misty Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xii-a-misty-evening)

Visits Chan with a newspaper clipping about Eve Durand's disappearance; seeks a tip on the case.

### [The Discreet Mr. Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xv-the-discreet-mr-cuttle)

Shows Chan Colonel Beetham's book with the dedication 'To one who will remember, and understand.'

### [Hawaii Bound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xxii-hawaii-bound)

Rushes in with news of a murder in Oakland, hoping to involve Chan, but Chan escapes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/bill_rankin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters