Colonel Derek Eichel in The Killing Game Series is a complicated story—at least from Colonel Eichel’s perspective. At 42 years old, Eichel is a retired Jagdkommando operative now working for INTERPOL under the man - agement of Rolf Schumann. Their partnership began three years before Eichel’s retirement when Schumann recruited him at INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, for a sector chief position in Frankfurt. However, Schumann had something very different in mind. That role marked Eichel’s introduction to Frederich Stultz and the start of his under - cover operations on Heinrich von Schäfer’s neo-Nazi schemes. But that’s just the backstory. What you came to hear about is Eichel and Allina. Allina first learns that Eichel is a retired Jagdkommando operative because he tells her, which sparks her curiosity. She quietly wonders why a retired colonel would serve as Stultz’s aide. However, this question takes a backseat to her primary focus: escaping the Mittelstädt Estate. Eichel’s military back - ground only makes her goal seem more daunting. From their first official meeting, Allina strug - gles to understand Eichel. His demeanor un - settles her; she recalls his voice from the long, tense journey that took her from New York to Switzerland and eventually to the estate in Kreuth. The way he looks into her eyes re - minds her of Ives’ “interrogation face,” a blend of intensity and control. Over time, through their daily interactions, Allina pieces together more about Eichel’s personality, fill - ing in the gaps with her writer’s imagination. But Eichel’s serious gaze has little to do with suspicion. It reflects his internal struggle. The more time he spends around Allina, the more he falls in love with her. “She’s another man’s wife,” he tells himself repeatedly, shutting down his emotions to focus on protecting her. Yet, in quiet moments, he imagines what life might be like if she weren’t married. Allina is precisely the kind of woman he admires—loyal, strong, and trustworthy. Her unwavering love for Ives, whom von Schäfer schemed to make her believe is dead, is a fortress around her heart that no one, not even Eichel, can penetrate. He respects her deeply for it, as he holds marriage as an in - stitution in the highest regard. As Allina grows less desperate to escape, Eichel tries to ease her time at the estate. He introduces her to his partner, Hans, a German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, who be - comes her constant companion. Hans’ pres - ence is both a comfort to Allina and a calculated choice by Eichel, who uses the dog to maintain an open dialogue with her. However, Eichel’s greatest fear becomes a reality: Allina executes her escape plan. After months of careful strategizing, she makes her way to the estate’s deceptive lake, attempt - ing to swim across its treacherous waters. When she goes under, it isn’t von Schäfer who leaps into the freezing lake to save her—it’s Eichel. Stripping off his jacket and boots, he dives in and barely catches her trailing hair before she sinks to the depths. This is the second time he saves her from drowning, the first being in The Last Hope during her dramatic fall into the stormy wa - ters of the Lower Narrows of New York Harbor. Eichel risks his life not out of duty, but out of affection. In that moment, he realizes that taking her away from Ives was a cata - strophic mistake—for both her and himself. Later, meeting with Stultz, Eichel insists that they should have returned her to Ives imme - diately after her first rescue. From this point, a deep divide forms between Eichel and Allina. Eichel longs for her to see him as a friend, but she keeps him at a dis - tance. Too much has happened for her to feel at ease around him. Recognizing this, Eichel urges Stultz to bring Ives to the estate as soon as possible. He knows another escape attempt is inevitable. Despite his feelings, Eichel remains bound by honor. His duties to Stultz, INTERPOL, and the mission at hand take precedence over his personal desires. Allina, on the other hand, turns to prayer, finding peace in the belief that Eichel is simply a man on a mission and that she is a mere distraction. Promising Stultz that she will not try to escape again, she gains more freedom within the estate, though not the freedom to leave. Eichel bides his time, strategizing how to re - unite Allina with Ives while struggling with his own torn emotions. His love for Allina be - comes an exercise in duty, honor, and self- sacrifice. Still, he wonders: how long can he keep up the charade?