In Death and Other Details, Rufus Cotesworth is regarded as the world’s greatest detective. Mandy Patinkin plays Rufus.
The Colliers hire Rufus Cotesworth to solve the case of Imogene’s mother’s death. At that time, Cotesworth was at the peak of his career.
Rufus doesn’t claim to be the world’s greatest detective. It’s the people who gave him this title.
However, after not being able to solve Imogene’s mother’s case, Rufus faces a downfall over the years, and his name becomes the talk of yesterday.
Imogene is left heartbroken while the Colliers, especially Lawrence, come to think that Rufus is a hack since he was only able to reach the name Viktor Sams after three months of investigation into Imogene’s mother’s case.
Rufus and Imogene’s relationship
Rufus and Imogene are at the center of Death and Other Details, solving the murder of Keith Trubitsky, a guest attending the celebration of Lawrence Collier’s retirement on a luxury cruise.
Rufus always works with an assistant, but Imogene is reluctant to join hands with him since he failed her when she was a kid.
Imogene was the only witness to her mother’s murder. Hence, she was an important piece in the case for Rufus.
The more Rufus and Imogene got to know each other, the more Rufus realized how great of a detective Imogene is.
Rufus promises Imogene that he will find her mother’s murderer and bring them to justice, but when the Colliers stop cooperating the moment Rufus finds the name of Viktor Sams, Rufus walks away.
For years, Imogene kept thinking that Rufus had stopped investigating because Colliers had stopped paying him, which is not true.
Rufus’ goal
While Rufus is on the cruise as the Chuns’ personal security detail, it can be said that it’s just a cover to investigate a far bigger conspiracy.
It is revealed that Keith Trubitsky was actually Rufus’ assistant, Danny. Six months ago, Danny visited Rufus to tell him about Lawrence Colliers’ plans to hand over the reins to his daughter, Anna.
He also reveals that they are welcoming outside investors, which means they will have to open the books and expose their corporate secrets.
Danny believed this was an opportunity for them to find the connection the Colliers have with Viktor Sams, solve Imogene’s mother’s case, and keep the promise Rufus made to Imogene.
Danny’s death suggests that he was getting closer to the truth. Rufus can only trust Imogene on the ship. Hence, he requires her assistance to solve the case.
Also Read: Imogene Scott: Death and Other Details character explained
