# Major Eric Durand — Behind That Curtain character guide

> Major Eric Durand in Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Durand, Eric Durand, Major Durand, Eric

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-what-happened-to-eve-durand

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case.

### [Inspector Duff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/inspector_duff)

_professional_

Inspector Duff and Major Eric Durand have a professional relationship, collaborating on aspects of the investigation.

### [Captain Flannery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/captain_flannery)

_professional_

Captain Flannery and Major Eric Durand work together professionally, with Durand's military background complementing Flannery's police work.

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

_professional_

Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case.

### [Captain Flannery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/captain_flannery)

_professional_

Captain Flannery and Major Eric Durand work together professionally, with Durand's military background complementing Flannery's police work.

### [Inspector Duff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/inspector_duff)

_professional_

Inspector Duff and Major Eric Durand have a professional relationship, collaborating on aspects of the investigation.

### [Captain Flannery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/captain_flannery)

_professional_

Captain Flannery and Major Eric Durand work together professionally, with Durand's military background complementing Flannery's police work.

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

_professional_

Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case.

### [Inspector Duff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/inspector_duff)

_professional_

Inspector Duff and Major Eric Durand have a professional relationship, collaborating on aspects of the investigation.

## In the story

### [Dinner for Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xiv-dinner-for-two)

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

### [XVIII: Flannery's Big Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xx-the-truth-arrives)

Confronted as the killer of Sir Frederic Bruce; arrested.

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

Confesses to killing Sir Frederic Bruce, then leaps to his death from the bungalow garden.

## Links

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