It survived more than it should have. Given the lack of men in the area after the Great War and the roaring excess of the Twenties tugging a depression behind it, the place should have crumbled to nonexistence. It should have vanished.
But it survived.
Despite everything the Cerulean Swan survived. It changed hands a few times, had a few more coats of paint now than it did then, but it still stood. Still bid the common man come enter for a drink, a good time, and dancing. Sometimes more than that… but no one mentioned it.
However, on this night, a 'good time' was not in the cards for anyone. After the drinks were drunk and the music stopped, only death remained. So, in the middle of the night, DCI John Bates reported to the scene.
He entered the building, removing his coat to shake off the rain, and turned to the constable at the door. "What do we have here?"
"Apparently there were seven people who broke in here to rob the place. Six got away, we're tracking them as best we can now, and one was killed down here on the main floor."
John craned his head back, looking up toward the hubbub in the glass-cased room. "What's all that then?"
"They were all there when the lights went out and so they're our witnesses to the killing."
"Alright." John turned as someone else entered the door, the man pulling his hat from his head. "Glad you could join us Robert."
"Don't start with me Bates. The rain's absolutely pelting and it's brass monkeys outside. It was all I could do just to get out of my house."
"I'm sure your wife would agree." John sighed, "We've got a number of interviews to conduct and this whole place to canvas."
"I'd be glad if you could do that after I get my team to clean it." Both men turned to see a smaller, blonde woman, entering the Swan with a case in her hands. "It there's forensic evidence to find I'd rather get it before the boots on the ground stomp it all to pieces."
"And you are?"
"Anna Smith, forensic expert." She shook John's hand, "Pleasure to finally meet you DCI Bates. I've heard only good things."
"I'm sorry that I've heard nothing about you in turn, Ms. Smith."
"Don't be. You'll know me soon enough." She motioned to the room. "All mine then?"
"Considering we've a heist with six escaped perpetrators and one dead man I'd say sooner is better than later." Robert patted John's back. "Shall we?"
"If we don't want to be here all day then yes, we should."