27. From W. Y. Traveller: Rivalry
Gregory Lestrade and Tobias Gregson joined the force at roughly the same time as young detectives. They were of similar age and the brightest of their class, and so they drew inevitable comparisons. Lestrade couldn't recall who later, and neither could Gregson, but some smart aleck in their division suggested they start tallying up their successful arrests and make a bet of it. They started in their second year on the force. The stakes were initially quite low. The loser would treat the other to lunch. Lestrade won that year; Gregson won the following. The tradition continued into their promotions as Inspectors, childish as it was. As the year raced to a close, secondary bets would spring up at Scotland Yard for who would class.
The rivalry was foolish, but it spurred them on. A young detective always longs to prove himself. By the time Gregson retired (he was first, struck with arthritis), neither was entirely sure who had won the most years. Both swore it was them, and both refuted the other. It was a game, truly, by then, sheer force of habit. But neither man would ever admit as much.