Another "Cotton" actually surfaces in the series: a mention of a girl's uncle in Jigsaw.
Our Cotton served in the Navy during WWII, as a torpedoman and/or a Chief Petty Officer. (could he be both?)
He is a big man, 6'2", weighing in at a lean 190. He is "obviously muscular", possesses electric blue eyes and is quite attractive to women. His intelligence, manifesting nicely as intellect, is superior to most of the other detectives.
He transferred into the Eight-Seven from the upscale 30th Precinct. His initial inexperience with hardened criminals almost cost his partner Carella's life. Cotton learned fast from his mistakes, and soon became an invaluable member of the squad.
From his childhood, when he joined in afternoon teas with his father's parishoners, Cotton developed a preference for tea over coffee. He does occasionally drink coffee, as in Lady Killer. Miscolo keeps tea on hand in the Clerical Office, as a courtesy. He also retains the childhood habit of Sunday church attendance. Mention is made of him being a "music lover" in Til Death, but what KIND of music he loves is left unsaid. He is tall and undeniably attractive, most notably for a dramatic white streak in his red hair, sort of like Bonnie Raitt.
Convertibles made by General Motors are his cars of choice.
He is definitely a bachelor with a roving eye, although he dated Christine Maxwell for a long time. Later involved with dynamic Detective First Annie Rawles.
