Behind That Curtain · Character

Major Eric Durand

A big, haunted military man who confesses to one killing and flees through a French window into the night, his dishonorable discharge and vanished wife shadowing every step.

supporting

Also known as Durand, Eric Durand, Major Durand, Eric

First appearance: ii what happened to eve durand

As a supporting figure in Behind That Curtain, Major Eric Durand is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Provides information about the Peshawar picnic, revealing Colonel Beetham's presence.

In the storyDinner for TwoOpen this moment free

See Major Eric Durand in Dinner for Two Book page

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Durand is the brooding figure at the edge of the case, a man whose nerve is gone and whose past includes a murder he does not deny. His leap from the garden rail ends his pursuit in a huddled heap beneath a street lamp, and a cable later reveals he was stripped of his rank and perhaps his title ten years ago. His connection to Eve Durand and to Colonel Beetham's Afghan expedition makes him the human knot the investigators must untangle.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Major Eric Durand sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Major Eric Durand in ii what happened to eve durand

Character Web

24 connections

A slice of how Major Eric Durand sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Primary Investigation Characters
Protagonist

+19 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of despair and failure:…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Sergeant Charlie Chan
professional · ambivalent
Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand… How this plays out →
Inspector Duff
professional · positive
Captain Flannery
professional · ambivalent
Sergeant Charlie Chan
professional · ambivalent
Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand… How this plays out →
Captain Flannery
professional · ambivalent
Inspector Duff
professional · positive
Captain Flannery
professional · ambivalent
Sergeant Charlie Chan
professional · ambivalent
Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand… How this plays out →
Inspector Duff
professional · positive

Sergeant Charlie Chan
Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case.
Inspector Duff
Inspector Duff and Major Eric Durand have a professional relationship, collaborating on aspects of the investigation.
Captain Flannery
Captain Flannery and Major Eric Durand work together professionally, with Durand's military background complementing Flannery's police work.
Sergeant Charlie Chan
Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case.
Captain Flannery
Captain Flannery and Major Eric Durand work together professionally, with Durand's military background complementing Flannery's police work.
Inspector Duff
Inspector Duff and Major Eric Durand have a professional relationship, collaborating on aspects of the investigation.
Captain Flannery
Captain Flannery and Major Eric Durand work together professionally, with Durand's military background complementing Flannery's police work.
Sergeant Charlie Chan
Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case.
Inspector Duff
Inspector Duff and Major Eric Durand have a professional relationship, collaborating on aspects of the investigation.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Major Eric Durand in ii what happened to eve durand

In the story

Major Eric Durand appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Dinner for Two
Provides information about the Peshawar picnic, revealing Colonel Beetham's presence.
XVIII: Flannery's Big Scene
Brought in to identify his wife; initially hopeful but ultimately declares the woman is not Eve.
A Vigil in the Dark
Initially a grieving husband, he is later revealed as the suspect when Chan orders his arrest at the club.
XX: The Truth Arrives
Confronted as the killer of Sir Frederic Bruce; arrested.
XXI: What Happened to Eve Durand
Confesses to killing Sir Frederic Bruce, then leaps to his death from the bungalow garden.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Major Eric Durand unlock in the free preview.

See Major Eric Durand in ii what happened to eve durand

See Major Eric Durand in Dinner for Two