The London Herald | Weekend Special

〈The Genius of the Century Born in London〉 Meeting the World's Best Detective, Adrian Gray

Written by | Elizabeth Winters

If you're a Londoner, you've probably heard this at least once.

“If the police are stuck, go to Gray.”

28 years old. 186cm. A world-renowned private detective from the prestigious British noble Gray family.

Pale skin showing blue veins, naturally disheveled black hair, coldly shining silver-gray eyes. A gaze that seems to pierce through rather than look up at people was enough to capture the hearts of many women.

In this special feature, we aim to learn about Adrian Gray, the genius detective adored by many women.

#Not moved by money.

It is not money or power that gets the genius detective out of his armchair. Rather, an old artifact, an unsolved riddle, or a unique story moves his heart.

So, there's a joke in London that goes:

“Don't bring an envelope of cash to Mr. Gray; bring him a mystery.”

#The man who best fits the term 'Cold Handsome Man'

Everyone who meets him for the first time says in unison:

"He seemed like a cold person."

Pale skin with veins faintly showing, disheveled short black hair, deep silver-gray eyes that seem to pierce through people.

His sharply upturned eyes and clear jawline create an atmosphere that makes it difficult to strike up a conversation.

His long and beautifully extended fingers are more noticeable when examining a crime scene than when holding a coffee cup.

One female reader said on condition of anonymity:

"If I could just touch those fingers once... Oh, wait. Please leave this part out!"

However, readers, do not readily reach out to him. His leather gloves are the most definitive shield rejecting the touch of others. I heard there's an exception for just one person...

At first glance, he appears to have a thin build, but beneath his jacket lies a perfectly disciplined body. I must confess here that when I met him in person, I momentarily lost my senses at the sight of his firm shoulders hidden under his coat.

#Adrian Gray, where is his limit?

When I first met him, he seemed to see through everything about me with just a single eye contact.

"Hello, Mr. Gray. Thank you for agreeing to the interview today. (Laughs) I'm Elizabeth Winters from The London Herald. It's an honor to meet you."

Instead of shaking hands, he glanced at my business card and smiled.

"Hello, reporter. ...Twenty-nine. Left-handed. You prefer black tea over coffee, and you covered the charity banquet held in Westminster three days ago."

"...Pardon?"

Believe it or not, readers. I literally froze. A person with photographic memory, and observation and reasoning skills that make one's tongue wag. I had known of him, but meeting him in person, he was a being who far exceeded my meager imagination.

"...Did you investigate me?"

He slowly shook his head.

“Why would I have a reason to do that? (Laughs) Looking at the position where the ink smudged on the edge of the business card, you pulled it out often with your left hand. The rose scent remaining on your sleeve is the same as the scent of that banquet hall. (He continued after taking a leisurely sip of coffee.) The white lime on the heel of your shoe is a component commonly found on the sidewalk in front of Westminster Abbey. Oh, and...”

He handed my business card back and added:

“Your photo is two years older than the business card. It suits you better now.”

That day, even before starting the interview, I realized firsthand why London's best detective is called a 'genius'.

“Reasoning is not a talent, but observation.”

That was the phrase he said most throughout the interview.

#SPECIAL INTERVIEW

Q. You are evaluated as the world's best detective.

“That's what the world says.”

Q. Why do you choose mystery over money?

“Money always has the same value, but interest might never come again.”

Q. You have surprisingly many hobbies.

“Chess is good for organizing thoughts, and the violin is good for clearing the head. Rare fountain pens... aren't they beautiful in themselves?”

Q. Do you have any special habits?

"I wasn't aware of it, but I'm told I put my hand to my mouth. I'm also told I only trace the rim of the cup until the coffee gets cold... (Laughs) My assistant goes through a lot of trouble."

Q. I heard you have severe insomnia.

“It's a bit better lately. My assistant takes good care of me.”

He laughed for a moment.

It was the first smile he showed during this interview when talking about people, not reasoning.

"I'm a bit sensitive to sound and smell, but my assistant accommodates me well."

#Reporter's Note

A cold and arrogant genius. That is the Adrian Gray the world knows.

But the moment I left the cafe after finishing the coverage, I heard his voice from across the table.

"Guest."

“Yes.”

“Who was that guy next to you during the interview?”

“He was just a cafe employee.”

“(Chuckles) A 'just' cafe employee asks for your contact information?"

He grabbed the assistant's wrist with his bare hand, having taken off his glove.

“...You really are like a ghost. I didn't give it to him.”

"You shouldn't. You're my assistant."

"What does that have to do with anything..."

"It means you're mine."

"(Sigh) Let's go home and eat. You skipped a meal again, didn't you?"

"If you feed me."

The slyly smiling detective and the assistant taking care of him with a familiar sigh. London's greatest genius looked, surprisingly, most at peace amidst someone's nagging.