Russian Roulette
by Elizabeth Darrell
Summary
Known as Tolstoy because of his Anglo-Russian parentage, Major Leo Bekov had as many enemies among fellow officers as he had admirers among their wives. Good-looking, charismatic and fluent in several languages, he was set for great things, until his body was found tied to a post outside the officers’ mess on a British military base in Germany. A newly arrived military policeman, Max Rydal--a man with a tragic past--takes on the case, with the help of his deputy Tom Black. He soon discovers that rather than closing ranks, many in the camp are only too willing to talk. But perhaps the vital clue can only be provided by Bekov himself?
Excerpt
The evening was degenerating satisfactorily. The top brass had departed, leaving the younger element to indulge in traditional mess antis. Flushed with alcohol they were throwing themselves into the horseplay, growing ever wilder. The girls were as reckless as the men, holding their long skirts high for freedom of movement as they “tightroped” along the backs of settees, or leaped from one “safe house” to another represented by rugs scattered like islands on the sea of polished parquet.
He was in his element. He had surely earned professional kudos during toda’s high-powered conference. He was now enjoying the type of evening he reveled in: walls hung with heroic battle scenes, table set with regimental silver, white-coated stewards, stimulating conversation, deference to rank, handsome uniforms the loyal toast. Then, hectic letting-off of steam!
Well on the road to getting agreeable right, he had his eye on a luscious lieutenant who had responded to his verbal foreplay during pre-dinner drinks and was now exhibiting long tanned legs as she wobbled precariously along a chintz-covered perch. He stepped forward, grinning, and kneed the settee. As she fell to the seat cushions he had a gratifying view of black lace panties. He would have those off her before the night was over. The glance she flashed him while scrambling unsteadily to her feet told him he would meet with little resistance.
A carrot-haired subaltern soon instigated a game of rugby. The large toy pig used as a ball had clearly suffered the indignity before. It was no longer pink and bore a number of stains on its stuffed body. The men entered into the scrum with enthusiasm. It offered them leeway to handle the girls, and to headbutt the balls of anyone needing a score settled.
Stripping to his shirtsleeves for the fray, he caught Mark studying hi with dark intent. He had heard Reena giving Mark hell in the adjoining bedroom as they had dressed for dinner. She had a sharp tongue, needed firm handling. He knew! He grinned across at mark and shook his head. He needed his balls in good order for what he planned with the sexy lieutenant.
A couple of hours later in the dim gymnasium they made hectic love on one of the soft-landing mattresses, confident they wouldn’t be interrupted at that hour. High on alcohol and sex, he then embarked on naked gymnastics. She soon joined him, scrambling along parallel bars, vaulting the horse and swinging monkeywise on ropes. Their attempts on the trampoline failed dismally. They collapsed in a giggling heap.
She slowly grew passive beneath him. He began to suspect she had fallen asleep. Rolling from the trampoline, he shook the girl several times with no result. He left her and, following the trail of his discarded uniform, he struggled to dress….
Her returned to the trampoline, where the girl was dead to the world, breathing heavily.
She was as limp as a rag doll.
Reviews
"An action-packed plot, skillful writing, colorful characters, a surprise ending…a page-turner with panache"--Booklist
"Well-crafted…a memorable, full-blooded historical"--Publishers Weekly on We Will Remember
"A fascinating account of a little-appreciated branch of the armed forces"--Booklist on Unsung Heroes
Author's Biography
Elizabeth Darrell was born into a large Army family and served as an officer in the WRAC. Her many bestselling novels include the acclaimed World War II trilogy At the Going Down of the Sun, And in the Morning, and We Will Remember. She travels worldwide to research her novels.