It was a three-storey modern glass and steel building situated close to Old Street roundabout, and ran courses in business, accountancy, finance and the like. She was wearing her most student-like clothes – faded blue jeans, denim jacket and T-shirt – in the hope that she’d merge with the crowd. Unsure of the security procedures, she waited until a group of girls was climbing the steps before casually tagging along behind them. As it turned out no one was checking ID and she got in without a problem. Quickly she made her way to a row of noticeboards, found the one for Business Studies and checked out the timetable. There was a lecture in Room 14 on the second floor. Jess went up the stairs, located the room and peered in through the small reinforced oblong of glass in the door. There were about thirty people inside but no sign of Sylvie. She knew that didn’t prove anything – lots of students skipped Monday morning lectures – but she’d got the impression that Sylvie wasn’t the type to miss classes.
