The London Herald | Weekend Special

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

Written by | Elizabeth Winters

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

“If the police are stuck, find Gray.”

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

Pale skin showing blue veins, naturally messy black hair, and coldly shining silver-gray eyes. His gaze, which 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 is what moves his heart.

That's why there's a joke in London:

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

#The Man Who Best Fits the Term 'Cold Beauty'

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

"He seems like a cold person."

Pale skin with faint veins, messy short black hair, and deep silver-gray eyes that seem to see through you.

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

His long, beautifully extended fingers are more noticeable when he's examining a crime scene than when he's holding a coffee cup.

One female reader, on condition of anonymity, said:

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

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

Though he appears lean at a glance, a perfectly toned body is hidden under his jacket. I must confess here that when I met him in person, I was momentarily lost in thought at the sight of his solid shoulders hidden beneath his coat.

#Adrian Gray, Where Are His Limits?

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 a handshake, he glanced over 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 was literally frozen. A person with photographic memory, and observation and reasoning skills that make one's tongue wag. I knew of him, but meeting him in person, he was a being who far exceeded my meager imagination.

"...Did you investigate me?"

He shook his head leisurely.

“Why would I have a reason to do that? (Laughs) Looking at where the ink smudged on the edge of the business card, you took 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 card back and added:

“The photo of you is two years older than the business card. You look better now.”

That day, before the interview even began, 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 often throughout the interview.

#SPECIAL INTERVIEW

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

“So the world says.”

Q. Why do you choose mystery over money?

“Money always has the same value, but interest may 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 didn't realize it myself, but I'm told I put my hand to my mouth. They also say I just 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 a smile shown for the first time in this interview when talking about a person, 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 interview, I heard his voice from across the table.

"Guest."

“Yes.”

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

“Just a cafe employee.”

“(Snicker) Just a cafe employee asks for your contact information?"

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