timesoverintenyears.Latelyanewtgrouphadarisen:affluentwomenseekingprotefromformerboyfriendsorhusbandsorfromstalkers.Inaddition,MiltonSecurityhadacooperativearrawithsimirfirmsofgoodreputeinEuropeaedStates.ThepanyalsohandledsecurityformanyiionalvisitorstoSweden,includinganAmeriactresswhowasshootingafilmfortwomonthsinTrollh?ttan.Heragehatherstatuswarrantedhavingbodyguardsayherwhenevershetookherinfrequentwalkshehotel.
Afourth,siderablysmallerareathatoupiedonlyafewemployeesascalledPIorP-In,ininternaljargonpinders,whichstoodforpersonaliigations.
Armanskywasnotaltogetherenamouredofthispartoftheirbusiness.Itwastroublesomeandlesslucrative.Itputgreaterdemandsontheemployees’judgementandexperiehanontheirknowledgeoftelemunicationsteologyortheinstaltionofsurveilnceapparatus.Personaliigationstablewhenitwasamatterofcreditrmation,backgroundchecksbeforehiring,ortoiigatesuspisthatsomeemployeehadleakedpanyrmatiagedincriminactivity.Insuchcasesthepinderswereanintegralpartoftheoperationactivity.Butnotinfrequentlyhisbusinesstswoulddraginprivateproblemsthathadateocreateuurmoil.Iwanttoknowwhatsortofcreepmydaughterisgoingoutwith…Ithinkmywifeisbeingunfaithful…TheguyisOKbuthe’smixedupwithbadpany…I’mbeingbckmailed…Armanskyoftehemastraightforwardno.Ifthedaughterwasanadult,shehadtherighttogooutwithanycreepshewao,ahoughtiywassomethingthathusbandsandwivesoughttoworkoutontheirown.HiddeninallsuquiriesweretrapsthatcouldleadtosdaelegalproblemsforMiltonSecurity.WhichwaswhyDraganArmanskykeptaclosewattheseassigs,inspiteofhowmodesttherevenuewas.
Them’stopicwasjustsuchapersonaliigation.Armanskystraightehecreaseinhistrousersbeforeheleanedbahisfortablechair.HegncedsuspiciouslyathiscolleagueLisbethSander,whowasthirty-twoyearshisjunior.Hethoughtforthethousandthtimethatnobodyseemedmoreoutofpaprestigioussecurityfirmthanshedid.Hismistrustwasbothwiseandirrational.InArmansky’seyes,Sanderwasbeyonddoubtthemostableiigatorhehadmetinallhisyearsinthebusiness.Duringthefouryearsshehadworkedforhimshehadneveroncefumbledajoborturnedinasinglemediocrereport.
Orary,herreportswereinacssbythemselves.Armanskywasvihatshepossessedau.Anybodycouldfindoutcreditrmationorrunacheckwithpolicerecords.ButSanderhadimagination,andshealwayscamebackwithsomethingdifferentfromwhatheexpected.Howshedidit,hehadneveruood.Sometimeshethoughtthatherabilitytogatherrmationwassheermagic.Shekhebureaucraticarchivesi.Aboveall,shehadtheabilitytogetuheskinofthepersonshewasiigating.Iftherewasanydirttobedugup,shewouldhomeinonitlikeacruisemissile.
Somehowshehadalwayshadthisgift.
Herreportscouldbeacatastrophefortheindividualwhondedinherradar.Armanskywouldthetimeheassigodoaroutinechearesearcherinthepharmaceutidustrybeforeacorporatebuyout.Thejobwasscheduledtotakeaweek,butitdraggedonforawhile.Afterfourweeks’silendseveralreminders,whichsheignored,Sandercamebackortdotingthatthesubjequestionaedophile.Ontwooasionshehadboughtsexfromathirteen-year-oldchildprostituteinTallinn,andtherewereindicationsthathehadahyiinthedaughterofthewomanwithwhomhewascurrentlyliving.
SanderhadhabitsthatsometimesdroveArmanskytotheedgeofdespair.Inthecaseofthepaedophile,shedidnotpickupthetelephoneandcallArmanskyoreintohisoffitingtotalktohim.No,withoutindigbyasinglewordthattherephttainexplosivematerial,sheiditonhisdeskoneevening,justasArmanskywasabouttoleavefortheday.Hereaditoevening,ashewasrexingoverabottleofwineinfrontoftheTVwithhiswifeintheirvilonLiding?.
Thereportwas,asalways,almoststificallyprecise,withfootnotes,quotations,andsourcereferehefirstfewpagesgavethesubject’sbackground,education,career,andfinancialsituation.Notuntilpage24didSanderdropthebombshelboutthetripstoTallinn,inthesamedry-as-dusttonesheusedtoreportthathelivedinSollentunaanddroveadarkblueVolvo.Shereferredtodotationinanexhaustiveappendix,includingphotographsofthethirteen-year-oldgirlinthepanyofthesubject.ThepictureshadbeentakeninahotelcorridorinTallinn,andthemanhadhishanduhegirl’ssweater.Sanderhadtrackeddownthegirliionandshehadprovidedheraountontape.
ThereporthadcreatedpreciselythechaosthatArmanskyhadwaoavoid.Firsthehadtoswallowafewulcertabletsprescribedbyhisdoctor.Thenhecalledinthetforasombreemergeing.Finally—overthet’sfierceobjes—hewasforcedtoreferthematerialtothepolice.ThismeantthatMiltonSecurityriskedbeingdrawnintoatangledweb.IfSander’sevidencecouldnotbesubstantiatedorthemanwasacquitted,thepanymightriskalibelsuit.Itwasanightmare.
However,itwasnotLisbethSander’sastonishingotionalinvolvementthatmostupsethim.Milton’simagewasoneofservativestability.Satedintothispictureaboutaswelsabuffaloataboatshow.Armansky’sstarresearcherale,anorexigwomanwhohadhairasshortasafuse,andapieroseandeyebrows.Shehadatattooaboutaningonherneck,atattooedlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarmandanotheraroundherleftahoseoasionswhenshehadbeenwearingatanktop,Armanskyalsosawthatshehadadragontattooonherleftshoulderbde.Shewasanaturalredhead,butshedyedherhairravenbck.Shelookedasthoughshehadjustemergedfromaweek-longywithagangofhardrockers.
Shedidnotinfacthaveaingdisorder,Armanskywassureofthat.Orary,sheseemedtoeeverykindofjunkfood.Shehadsimplybeenbornthin,withslenderbohatmadeherlookgirlishandfine-limbedwithsmallhands,narrowwrists,andchildlikebreasts.Shewastwenty-four,butshesometimeslookedfourteen.
Shehadawidemouth,asmallnose,andhighcheekbohatgaveheranalmostAsianlook.Hermovementswerequidspidery,andwhenshewaswattheputerherfingersflewoverthekeys.Herextremeslendernesswouldhavemadeacareerinmodellingimpossible,butwiththerightmake-upherfacecouldhaveputheronanybillboardintheworld.Sometimessheworebcklipstidinspiteofthetattoosandthepieroseandeyebrowsshewas…well…attractive.Itwasinexplicable.
ThefactthatSanderworkedfanArmanskyatallwasastonishing.Shewasnotthesortofwomanwithwhomhewouldnormallyeintotact.
Shehadbeenhiredasajill-of-all-trades.HolgerPalmgren,asemi-retiredwyerwholookedafteroldJ.F.Milton’spersonaffairs,hadtoldArmanskythatthisLisbethSanderwasaquick-wittedgirlwith“arathertryingattitude.”Palmgrenhadappealedtohimtogiveherace,whichArmanskyhad,againsthisbetterjudgement,promisedtodo.Palmgrenwasthetypeofmanwhowouldonlytake“no”asanencementtoredoublehisefforts,soitwaseasiertosay“yes”rightaway.ArmanskykhatPalmgreedhimselftotroubledkidsandothersocialmisfits,buthedidhavegoodjudgement.
Hehadregrettedhisdecisiontohirethegirlthemomeher.Shedidnotjustseemdifficult—inhiseyesshewastheveryquintessenceofdifficult.Shehaddroppedoutofsdhadnosortofhighereducation.
Thefirstfewmonthsshehadworkedfulltime,well,almostfulltime.Sheturnedupattheoffiowandthen.Shemadecoffee,wenttothepostoffidtookcareofthecopying,butventionalofficehoursorworkroutineswereaoher.Oherhand,shehadatalentforirritatiheremployees.Shebecameknownas“thegirlwithtwobraincells”—oneforbreathingandoneforstandingup.Shealkedaboutherself.Colleagueswhotriedtotalktoherseldomgotaresponseandsoongaveup.Herattitudeencedhertrustnorfriendship,andshequicklybecameanoutsiderwanderingthecorridorsofMiltoraycat.Shewasgenerallysideredahopelesscase.
Afteramonthofnothingbuttrouble,Armanskysentforher,fullyintendingtolethergo.Shelisteohiscatalogueofheroffehoutobjeandwithoutevenraisinganeyebrow.Shedidnothavethe“rightattitude,”hecluded,andwasabouttotellherthatitwouldprobablybeagoodideaifshelookedforemploymentwithanotherfirmthatakebetteruseofherskills.Onlythendidsheinterrupthim.
“Youknow,ifyoujustwantanofficeserfyougetonefromthetempagency.Ihahingandanyoneyouwant,andifyoudon’thaveaeruseformethanspost,thenyou’reanidiot.”
Armanskysatthere,stunnedandangry,aourbed.
“Youhaveamanherewhospentthreeweekswritingapletelyuselessreportaboutthatyuppiethey’rethinkingofrecruitingforthatdot-pany.Icopiedthepieceofcrapforhimstnight,a’slyingonyourdesknow.”
Armansky’seyeswenttothereport,andforageheraisedhisvoice.
“You’renotsupposedtoreadfidentialreports.”
“Apparentlynot,butthesecurityroutinesinyourfirmhaveanumberofshs.Atoyourdirectivehe’ssupposedtocopysuchthingshimself,buthechuckedthereportatmebeforeheleftforthebaryesterday.Andbytheway,Ifoundhispreviousreportieen.”
“Youdidwhat?”
“Calmdown.Iputitinhisin-box.”
“Didhegiveyouthebinationtohisdotsafe?”Armanskywasaghast.
“ly;hewroteitonapieceofpaperhekeptunderhhisblotteralongwiththepasswordtohisputer.Butthepointisthatyourjokeofaprivatedetectivehasdoneaworthlesspersonaliigation.Hemissedthefactthattheguyhasoldgamblisandsnortscoelikeavacuumer.Orthathisgirlfriendhadtoseekhelpfromthewomen’scrisistreafterhebeattheshitoutofher.”
Armanskysatforacoupleofmiurningthepagesofthereport.Itetentlysetout,writteninclearnguage,andfilledwithsourcereferencesaswelsstatementsfromthesubject’sfriendsandacquaintances.Finallyheraisedhiseyesandsaidtwowords:“Proveit.”
“HowmuchtimehaveIgot?”
“Threedays.Ifyou’tproveyourallegationsbyFridayafternoonyou’refired.”
Threedaystershedeliveredareportwhich,withequallyexhaustivesourcerefereransformedtheoutwardlypleasantyoungyuppieintoanunreliablebastard.Armanskyreadherreportovertheweekend,severaltimes,apartofMondaydoingahalf-hearteddouble-cheeofherassertions.Evenbeforehebeganhekhatherrmationwouldprovetobeaurate.
Armanskywasbewilderedandalsoangrywithhimselfforhavingsoobviouslymisjudgedher.Hehadtakenherforstupid,maybeevearded.Hehadnotexpectedthatagirlwhohadanycssesinschoolthatshedidnotgraduatecouldwriteareprammaticallycorrect.Italsotaiailedobservationsandrmation,aesimplycouldnotprehendhowshecouldhaveacquiredsuchfacts.
HecouldnotimagihatanyoneelseatMiltonSecuritywouldhaveliftedexcerptsfromthefidentialjournalofadoctoratawomen’scrisistre.Whenheaskedherhowshehadmahat,shetoldhimthatshehadnoiionhersources.ItbecameclearthatSanderwasnotgoingtodiscussherworkmethods,eitherwithhimorwithanyoneelse.Thisdisturbedhim—butnotenoughforhimtoresistthetemptatioher.
Hethoughtaboutthematterforseveraldays.HerecalledHolgerPalmgren’ssayingwhenhehadseohim,“Everyonedeservesace.”HethoughtabouthisownMuslimupbringing,whichhadtaughthimthatitwashisdutytoGodtohelptheoutcasts.OfcoursehedidnotbelieveinGodandhadnotbeeninamosquesincehewasateenager,buthereisedLisbethSanderasapersoninneedofresolutehelp.Hehadnotdonemuchalongtheselinesoverthepastfewdecades.
InsteadofgivingSaheboot,hesummonedherforameetinginwhichhetriedtoworkoutwhatmadethedifficultgirltick.Hisimpressionwasfirmedthatshesufferedfromsomeseriousemotionalproblem,buthealsodiscoveredthatbehindhersullenfacadetherewasanunusualintelligence.Hefoundherpricklyandirksome,butmuchtohissurprisehebegantolikeher.
OverthefollowingmonthsArmanskytookSanderunderhiswing.Intruth,hetookheronasasmallsocialproject.Hegaveherstraightforwardresearchtasksandtriedtogiveherguidelinesonhowtoproceed.Shewouldlistenpatientlyaofftocarryouttheassigjustasshesawfit.HeaskedMilton’steicaldirectiveherabasiourseinITsce.Theysattogetheralfternoonuntilhereportedbackthatsheseemedtohaveabetteruandingofputersthanmostofthestaff.
Butdespitedevelopmentdiscussions,offersofin-housetraining,andotherformsofe,itwasevidentthatSanderhadnoiionofadaptingtoMilton’sofficeroutihisputArmanskyinadifficultspot.
Hewouldnothaveputupwithanyotheremployeeingandgoingatwill,andundernormalcircumstanceshewouldhavedemahatshegeo.ButhehadahunchthatifhegaveSanderanultimatumorthreateofirehershewouldsimplyshrughershouldersandbegone.
Amoreseriousproblemwasthathecouldnotbesureofhisownfeelingsfortheyoungwoman.Shewaslikeanaggingitch,repellentandatthesametimetempting.Itwasnotasexuattra,atleasthedidnotthinkso.Thewomenhewasusuallyattractedtowereblondeandcurvaceous,withfulllipsthatarousedhisfantasies.Andbesides,hehadbeenmarriedfortweoaFinnishwomavawhostillmorethansatisfiedtheserequirements.Hehadneverbeenunfaithful,well…somethingmayhavehappenedjustondhiswifemighthavemisuoodifshehadknownaboutit.ButthemarriageyawodaughtersofSander’sage.Inanycase,hewasnotiedinft-chestedgirlswhomightbemistakenforskinnyboysatadistahatwasnothisstyle.
Evenso,hehadcaughthimselfhavinginappropriatedaydreamsaboutLisbethSander,andhereisedthathewasnotpletelyuedbyher.Buttheattra,Armanskythought,wasthatSanderwasafuretohim.Hemightjustaswellhavefallenihapaintingofanymphreekamphora.Sanderrepresentedalifethatwasnotrealforhim,thatfasatedhimthoughhecouldnotshareit—andinanycasesheforbadehimfromsharingit.
OnoneoasionArmanskywassittingatacaféonStortetinGamStanwhenSandercamesaunteringupandsatatatableashortdistanceaway.Shewaswiththreegirlsandaboy,alldressedinmuchthesameway.Armanskyhadwatchedherwithi.Sheseemedtobejustasreservedasshewasatwork,butshehadactuallyalmostsmiledatastorytoldbyoneofherpanions,agirlwithpurplehair.
Armanskywonderedhowshewouldreactifonedayhecametoworkwithgreenhair,worn-outjeans,aherjacketcoveredwithgraffitiandrivets.Sheprobablywouldjustsmirkathim.
Shehadbeensittingwithherbaanddidnotturnaroundonce,obviouslyunawarethathewasthere.Hefeltstrangelydisturbedbyherpresence.Whenatsthegotuptoslinkawayunnoticed,shesuddenlyturnedandstaredstraightathim,asthoughshehadbeenawareallthetimethathewassittingthereandhadhimonherradar.Hergazehadesosurprisinglythatitfeltlikeanattadhepretetoseeherandhurriedlyleftthecafé.Shehadnotsaidhelloeven,butshefollowedhimwithhereyes,hewassureofit,andnotuntilheturheerdidtheystintohisneck.
Sherarelyughed.ButovertimeArmanskythoughthenoticedasofteningofherattitude.Shehadadrysenseofhumour,toputitmildly,whichcouldpromptacrooked,ironicsmile.
Armanskyfeltsoprovokedbyherotionalresposometimeshewaograbholdofherandshakeher.Toforcehiswayintohershelndwinherfriendship,oratleastherrespect.
Onlyoershehadbeenwforhimforhs,hadhetriedtodiscussthesefeelingswithher.ItwasatMiltonSecurity’sChristmaspartyoneeveninginDecember,andforoncehewasnotsober.Nothinginappropriatehadhappened—hehadjusttriedtotellherthatheactuallylikedher.Mostofallhewaoexpinthathefeltprotectivetowardsher,andifsheeverneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldatetoetohifriendliness,ofcourse.
Shehadwriggledoutofhisclumsyembradlefttheparty.Afterthatshehadnotappearedattheofficeoransweredhermobile.Herabsencehadfeltliketorture—almostaformofpersonalpunishment.Hehadnobodytodiscusshisfeelingswith,andforthefirsttimeherealisedallingcritywhatadestructiveholdshehadoverhim.
Threeweekster,whenArmanskywaswteoneeveninggoiheyear-endkeeping,Sanderreappeared.Shecameintohisofficeassilentlyasaghost,andhebecameawarethatshewasstandingintheshadowsihedoorway,watghim.Hehadnoideahowlongshehadbeenthere.
“Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”sheasked.Shehandedhimacupfromtheespressomaeieen.Mutelyheaeptedit,feelingbothreliefandterrorwhensheshovedthedoorclosedwithherfoot.Shesatdownoppositehisdeskandlookedhimstraightihensheaskedthequestioninawaythatcouldherbeughedoffnoravoided.
“Dragan,areyouattractedtome?”
Armanskysatasifparalysed,whiledesperatelywhowtoanswer.Hisfirstimpulseretendtobeinsulted.Thenhesawherexpressionanditcametohimthatthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverutteredanysuchpersonalquestion.Itwasseriouslymeant,andifhetriedtoughitoffshewouldtakeitasanaffront.Shewaalktohim,andhewonderedhowlongithadtakeogetupthecetoaskthatquestion.Heslowlyputdownhispenandleanedbahischair.Finallyherexed.
“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”hesaid.
“Thewayyoulookatme,andthewayyoudon’tlookatme.Aimesyouwereabouttoreachoutyourhandandtouchmebutstoppedyourself.”
Hesmiledather.“Ireyou’dbiteoffmyhandifIidafingeronyou.”
Shedidnotsmile.Shewaswaiting.
“Lisbeth,I’myourboss,andevenifIwereattractedtoyou,I’donit.”
Shewasstillwaiting.
“Betweenus—yes,therehavebeentimeswhenIhavefeltattractedtoyou.I’texpinit,butthat’sthewayitis.ForsomereasonIdon’treallyuand,Ilikeyoualot.Butit’snotaphysicalthing.”
“That’sgood.Becauseit’llneverhappen.”
Armanskyughed.Thefirsttimeshehadsaidsomethingpersonanditwasthemostdishearteningnewsamancouldimaginereceiviruggledtofindtherightwords.
“Lisbeth,Iuandthatyou’renotiedinanoldmanoffiftyplus.”
“I’mnotiedinanoldmanoffiftypluswho’smyboss.”Sheheldupahand.“Wait,letmespeak.You’resometimesstupidandmaddeninglybureaucratic,butyou’reactuallyanattractiveman,and…Ialsofeel…Butyou’remybossandI’vemetyourwifeandIwanttokeepmyjobwithyou,aidiotigIcoulddoisgetinvolvedwithyou.”
Armanskysaidnothing,hardlydaringtobreathe.
“I’mawareofwhatyou’vedoneforme,andI’mnotungrateful.Iappreciatethatyouactuallyshowedyourselftobegreaterthanyourprejudidhavegivenmeacehere.ButIdon’twantyouformylover,andyou’renotmyfather.”
AfterawhileArmanskysighedhelplessly.“Whatexactlydoyouwantfromme?”
“Iwanttotinuewforyou.Ifthat’sOKwithyou.”
Henoddedandthenansweredherasholyashecould.“Ireallydowantyoutoworkforme.ButIalsowantyoutofeelsomesortoffriendshipandtrustinme.”
Shenodded.
“You’renotapersonwhoencesfriendship,”hesaid.Sheseemedtowithdraw,buthewenton.“Iuandthatyoudon’twantaerferinginyourlife,andI’lltrynottodothat.ButisitallrightifItiolikeyou?”
Sahoughtaboutitforalongtime.Thensherepliedbygettingup,walkingaroundthedesk,andgivinghimahug.Hewastotallyshocked.Onlywhenshereleasedhimdidhetakeherhand.
“Webefriends?”
Shenoddedonce.
Thatwastheonlytimesheevershowedhimanytenderness,andtheonlytimesheevertouchedhim.ItwasamomentthatArmanskyfondlyremembered.
AfterfouryearsshehadstillvouchsafedhardlyadetaiboutherprivatelifeorherbackgroundtoArmansky.Onceheappliedhisownknowledgeofthepinder’sartonher.HealsohadalongtalkwithHolgerPalmgren—whodidnotseemsurprisedtoseehim—andwhathefinallyfoundoutdidnotincreasehistrustinher.Henevermentionedawordaboutthistoherorletherknowthathehadbeensnoopingintoherlife.Insteadhehidhisuneasinessandincreasedhiswatchfulness.
Beforethatstrangeeveningwasover,ArmanskyandSanderhadetoanagreement.Infutureshewoulddoresearchprojeonafreencebasis.Shewouldreceiveasmallmonthlyihershedidanyassigsornot.Therealmoneywouldbemadewhensheerassig.Shecouldworkthewayshewao;iurnshepledgedodoanythingthatmightembarrasshimorrisksubjegMiltonSecuritytosdal.
ForArmanskythiswasasolutionthatwasadvaohim,thepany,andSanderherself.HecutthetroublesomePIdepartmentdowntoasinglefull-timeemployee,anoldercolleaguewhohandledroutinejobsperfectlywelndrachecks.AllplicatedortrickyassigsheturnedovertoSanderaherfreencerswho—iresort—wereindepetractorsforwhomMiltonSecurityhadactuallynoresponsibility.Sinceheregurlyengagedherservices,sheearnedagoodsary.Itcouldhavebeenmuchhigher,butSanderworkedonlywhelikeit.
Armanskyaeptedherasshewas,butshewasnotallowedtomeetthets.Today’sassigwasaion.
SanderwasdressedforthedayinabckT-shirtictureonitofE.T.withfangs,andthewordsIAMALSOANALIEN.Shehadonabckskirtthatwasfrayedatthehem,aworn-outbck,mid-lengthleatherjacket,rivetbelt,heavyDocMartenboots,andhorizontallystriped,green-and-redkneesocks.Shehadputonmake-upinacolourschemethatindicatedshemightbecolourblind.Inotherwords,shewasexceptionallydeckedout.
Armanskysighedandshiftedhisgazetotheservativelydressedguestwiththethickgsses.DirchFrode,awyer,hadinsistedoingandbeingabletoaskquestionsoftheemployeewhopreparedthereport.Armanskyhaddoneallhecivillycouldtopreveingtakingpce,sayingthatSanderhadacold,wasaway,orwassedwithotherwork.Thewyerrepliedcalmlythatitmadenodifferehematterwasnentandhecouldeasilyleofdays.Atsttherewasnowaytoaviogether.NowFrode,whoseemedtobeinhistesixties,waslookingatLisbethSahevidentfasation.Sandergloweredbackressionthatdidnotindicateanywarmfeelings.
ArmanskysighedandlookedoncemoreatthefoldershehadphisdeskbelledCARLMIKAELBLOMKVIST.Thenamewasfollowedbyasocialsecuritynumber,lyprihecover.Hesaidtheloud.HerrFrodesofhisbewitchedstateandturoArmansky.
“SowhatyoutellmeaboutMikaelBlomkvist?”hesaid.
“ThisisMs.Sander,whopreparedthereport.”Armanskyhesitatedasedandtheonwithasmilethatwasinteoengenderfidewhichseemedhelplesslyapologetic.“Don’tbefooledbyheryouth.Sheisourabsolutebestresearcher.”
“I’mpersuadedofthat,”Frodesaidinadrytohathiheopposite.“Tellmewhatshefoundout.”
ItwasclearthatFrodehadnoideahowtoacttowardsSander.HeresortedtodiregthequestiontoArmansky,asifshehadnotbeenintheroom.Sanderblewabigbubblewithhergum.BeforeArmanskycouldanswer,shesaid,“Couldyouaskthetwhetherhewouldpreferthelongortheshortversion?”
Therewasabrief,embarrassedsilencebeforeFrodefinallyturoSanderandtriedtorepairthedamagebyassumingafriendly,avuncurtone.
“Iwouldbegratefuliftheyoungdywouldgivemeaverbalsummaryoftheresults.”
ForamomentherexpressionwassosurprisinglyhostilethatitsentacoldshiverdownFrode’sspihenjustasquicklyherexpressionsoftenedandFrodewonderedwhetherhehadimagihatlook.Whenshebegantospeakshesoundedlikeacivilservant.
“Allowmetosayfirstthatthiswasnotaveryplicatedassig,apartfromthefactthatthedescriptionofthetaskitselfwassomewhatvague.Youwaoknow‘everythingthatcouldbedugup’abouthim,butgavenoindicationofwhethertherewereanythinginparticuryouwerelookingfor.Forthisreasonit’ssomethingofapotpourriofhislife.Thereportis193pageslong,but120pagesarecopiesofarticleshewroteorpressclippings.Blomkvistisapublicpersonwithfewsecretsandnotverymuchtohide.”
“Buthedoeshavesomesecrets?”Frodesaid.
“Everyonehassecrets,”sherepliedrally.“It’sjustamatteroffindingoutwhattheyare.”
“Let’shear.”
“MikaelBlomkvistwasbornonJanuary18,1960,whichmakeshimforty-twoyearsold.HewasborninBebuthasneverlivedthere.Hisparents,KurtandAnitaBlomkvist,werearoundthirty-fivewhenthechildwasborn.Bothhavesincedied.Hisfatherwasamaeryinstallerandmovedaroundagooddeal.Hismother,asfarasIcouldsee,wasneveranythingbutahousewife.ThefamilymovedhousetoStowhenMikaelstartedschool.HehasasisterthreeyearsyoungernamedAnnikawhoisawyer.Healsohassomecousins,bothmaleandfemale.Wereyoupnningtoservecoffee?”
ThisstwasdirectedatArmansky,whohastilypumpedthreecupsofcoffeefromthethermoshehadorderedforthemeetiionedforSaogoon.
“Soin1966thefamilylivedinLilEssingen.BlomkvistwenttoschoolfirstinBlommaaoprepschoolonKungsholmen.Hehaddetgraduatingmarks—therearecopiesinthefolder.DuringhisprepschooldayshestudiedmusidpyedbassinarodnamedBootstrap,whichactuallyputoutasiyedontheradiointhesummerof1979.Afterprepschoolheworkedasaticketcollectoriunnelbana,savedsomemoney,andtravelledabroad.Hewasawayforayear,mostlybummingaroundAsia—India,Thaind—andaswingdowntoAustralia.HebeganstudyingtobeajournalistinStowhewenty-ointerruptedhisstudiesafterthefirstyeartodohismilitaryserviceasariflemaninKirunainLapnd.Itwassomesortofmait,awithgoodmarks.Aftermilitaryservicehepletedhisjournalismdegreeandhasworkedinthefieldeversince.Howdetaileddoyouwaobe?”
“Justtellwhatyouthinkisimportant.”
“HeesoffalittlelikePracticalPigihreeLittlePigs.Sofarhehasbeenanexcellentjournalist.Iieshehadalotoftemporaryjobs,firstintheprovincialpressandtheninSto.There’salist.HisbreakthroughcamewiththestoryabouttheBearGang—thebankrobbersheidentified.”
“KalleBlomkvist.”
“Hehatestheniame,whichisuandable.Somebody’dgetafatlipiftheyevercalledmePippiLongstogonanecard.”
ShecastadarklookatArmansky,whoswallowedhard.OhanoneoasiohoughtofSanderaspreciselyPippiLongstog.Hewavedfetonwithit.
“Onesourcedecresthatuptotheedtobeacrimereporter—aernedasoaneveningpaper.Buthehasbeeknownforhisolitidfinancialreporter.Hehasprimarilybeenafreencer,withonefull-timepositionataneveningpaperieeighties.Heleftin1990whenhehelpedstartthemonthlymagazineMillennium.Themagazinebeganasarealoutsider,withoutanybigpublishingpanytoholditshand.Itscircutionhasgrownandtodayis21,000copiesmonthly.TheeditorialofficeisonG?tgatanonlyafewblocksfromhere.”
“Aleft-wingmagazine.”
“Thatdependsonhowyoudefihecept‘left-wing.’Millenniumisgenerallyviewedascriticalofsociety,butI’mguessingtheanarchiststhinkit’sawimpybeoiscrapmagazinealongthelinesofArenaorOrdfront,whiletheModerateStudentsAssociationprobablythinksthattheeditorsareallBolsheviks.ThereisnothingtoindicatethatBlomkvisthaseverbeenactivepolitically,evenduri-henhewasgoingtoprepschool.WhileheluggingawayattheSchoolofJournalismhewaslivingwithagirlwhoatthetimewasactiveintheSyndicalistsandtodaysitsinParliamentasarepresentativeoftheLeftparty.Heseemstohavebeeheleft-wingstampprimarilybecauseasafinancialjournalisthespecialisesiigativerepaboutcorruptionandshadytransasinthecorporateworld.Hehasdonesomedevastatingindividualportraitsofcaptainsofindustryandpolitis—whichweremostlikelywelldeserved—andcausedanumbernationsandlegalrepercussions.Themostwell-knownwastheArbogaaffair,whichresultedintheforcedresignationofaservativepolitiaengofaformercillortoayearinprisonforembezzlement.Callingattentiontocrimeshardlybesideredanindicationthatsomeoneisleft-wing.”
“Iuandwhatyoumean.Whatelse?”
“Hehaswrittentwos.OneabouttheArbogaaffairandoneaboutfinancialjournalismentitledTheKnightsTempr,whichcameoutthreeyearsago.Ihavehe,butjudgingfromthereviewsitseemstohavebeentroversial.Itpromptedagooddealofdebateinthemedia.”
“Money?”Frodesaid.
“He’snotrich,buthe’snotstarving.Iaxreturachedtothereport.Hehasabout250,000SEKinthebank,inbotharetirementfundandasavingsaount.Hehasanaountofaround100,000kronorthatheusesascashfexperavendsuch.Heownsaco-opapartmentthat’spaidoff—700squarefeetonBellmansgatan—andhehasnoloansordebts.Hehasoherasset—somepropertyinSandhamnoutinthearchipego.It’sacottageof270squarefeet,furnishedasasummerandbythewater,rightiattractivepartofthevilge.Apparentlyanuncleofhisboughtitiies,whensuchthiillpossiblefornormalmortals,andtheendedupinBlomkvist’shands.Theydividedthingsupsothathissistergottheparents’apartmentinLilEssingenandBlomkvistgotthe.Ihavenoideawhatitmightbeworthtoday—certainlyafewmillion—butoherhandhedoesowanttosell,andhegoesouttoSandhamnfairlyoften.”
“Ine?”
“He’spartownerofMillennium,butheonlytakesoutabout12,000insaryeath.Therestheearnsfromhisfreencejobs—thetotalvaries.Hehadabigyearthreeyearsagowheookinaround450,000.Lastyearheonlymade120,000fromfreencejobs.”
“Hehastopay150,000intaxesinadditiontowyer’sfees,etcetera,”Frodesaid.“Let’sassumethatthetotalisratherhigh.He’llsobelosingmoneywhileservinghisgaolterm.”
“Whichmeansthathe’sgoingtobeedout,”Sandersaid.
“Isheho?”
“That’shistrustcapital,sotospeak.Hisimageistoappearastheguardianofrobustmoralityasopposedtothebusinessworld,andheisinvitedprettyregurlytopontificateontelevision.”
“Thereprobablyisn’tmuchleftofthatcapitafterhisvitoday,”Frodesaid.
“Idon’twanttocimthatIklywhatdemandsaremadeonajournalist,butafterthissetbackitwillprobablybealongtimebeforeMasterDetectiveBlomkvistwinstheGrandPrizeforJournalism.He’sreallymadeafoolofhimselfthistime,”Sandersaid.“IfImaymakeaperso…”
Armanskyopenedhiseyeswide.IntheyearsSanderhadworkedforhim,shehadnevermadeasinglepersoinaigationofanindividual.Bone-dryfactswereallthatmatteredtoher.
“Itwasn’tpartofmyassigolookatthequestionoffatheWer?maffair,butIdidfollowthetriandhavetoadmitthatIwasactuallyfbbergasted.Thethiwrong,andit’stotally…outofcharacterforMikaelBlomkvisttopublishsomethingthatseemstobesooffthewall.”
Sanderscratchedherneck.Frodelookedpatient.ArmanskywonderedwhetherhemightbemistakenorwhetherSanderreallywasuotiheSanderheknewwasneverunsureorhesitant.Finallysheseemedtomakeuphermind.
“Quiteofftherecord,sotospeak…Ihaven’tstudiedtheWer?maffairproperly,butIreallythinkthatMikaelBlomkvistwassetup.Ithinkthere’ssomethingtotallydifferentinthisstorythanwhatthecourt’sverdictisindig.”
ThewyerscrutinisedSahseargeyes,andArmanskynoticedthatforthefirsttimesinceshebeganherreport,thetwasshowingmorethanapolitei.HemadeamentaltheWer?maffairheldacertaiforFrode.Corre,Armanskythoughtatonce,FrodewasnotiedintheWer?maffair—itwaswhenSanderhihatBlomkvistwassetupthatFrodereacted.
“Howdoyoumealy?”Frodesaid.
“It’sspeypart,butI’mvihatsomeorickedhim.”
“Andwhatmakesyouthinkso?”
“EverythinginBlomkvist’sbackgroundshowsthathe’saverycarefulreporter.Everytroversialrevetionhepublishedbeforewasalwayswelldoted.Iwenttocourtonedayandlistened.Heseemedtohavegivenupwithoutafight.Thatdoesn’taordwithhischaracteratall.Ifwearetobelievethecourt,hemadeupastoryaboutWer?mwithoutashredofevidendpublisheditlikesomesortofjournalisticsuicidebomber.That’ssimplynotBlomkvist’sstyle.”
“Sowhatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“Ilyguess.Blomkvistbelievedinhisstory,butsomethinghappenedalongthewayaionturtobefalse.Thisinturhatthesourcewassomeorustedorthatsomeonedeliberatelyfedhimfalsermation—whichsoundsimprobablyplicated.Thealternativeisthathewassubjectedtosuchaseriousthreatthathethrewiowendwouldratherbeseenasaidiotthanfightback.ButI’mjustspeg,asIsaid.”
WhenSandermadeaotinueheraount,Frodehelduphishaforamoment,drumminghisfingersonthearmrestofhischairbeforehehesitantlyturain.
“IfweshoulddecidetoeouhetruthintheWer?maffair…howmuchceistherethatyou’dfindoutanything?”
“I’tahat.Theremayhingtofind.”
“Butwouldyoubewillingtomakea?”
Sheshrugged.“It’snotmypcetodecide.IworkforHerrArmansky,andhedecideswhatjobshewantstoassigntome.Adependswhatsortofrmationyou’relookingfor.”
“Letmeputitthisway…andItakeitthatwe’respeakinginfidence?”Armanskynodded.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthisparticurmatter,butIdoknowbeyondanydoubtthatiuationsWer?mhasacteddisholy.TheWer?mcasehasseriouslyaffectedMikaelBlomkvist’slife,andIhaveaindisiherthere’sanythinginyourspecutions.”
Theversationhadtakenanuedturn,andArmanskywasinstantlyonthealert.WhatFrodewasaskingwasforMiltonSecuritytopokearoundinacasethathadalreadybeencluded.AcaseinwhichtheremayhavebeeofthreattothemanBlomkvist,andiftheytookthison,MiltonwouldriskcollidingwithWer?m’sregimentofwyers.ArmanskywasnotintheleastfortedbythethoughtSanderlooseinsuchasituation,likeacruisemissileoutoftrol.
Itwasnotmerelyamatterofforthepany.SanderhadmadepinthatshedidnotwantArmanskytoactassomesortofworriedstepfather,andsiheiragreementhehadbeencarefulobehavelikeoiyhewouldopwabouther.HesometimescaughthimselfparingSaohisdaughters.Hesideredhimselfagoodfatherwhodidnotinterfereunnecessarilyintheirlives.ButhekhathewouldnottolerateitifhisdaughtersbehavedlikeSanderorlivedthelifesheled.
IhsofhisCroatian—orpossiblyBosnianorArmeniahehadneverbeeoshedthevithatSander’slifewasheadingfordisaster.Sheseemedtheperfectvictimforanyonewhowishedherill,andhedreadedthemhewouldbeawakehehatsomeonehaddoneherharm.
“Aigationofthiskindcouldgetexpensive,”Armanskysaid,issuingawarningsoastogaugetheseriousnessofFrode’sinquiry.
“Thenwe’llsetaceiling,”Frodesaid.“Idon’tdemandtheimpossible,butit’sobviousthatyourcolleague,justasyouassuredme,isexceedinglypetent.”
“Sander?”Armanskysaid,turningtoherwitharaisedeyebrow.
“I’mnonanythingelserightnow.”
“OK.ButIwantustobeinagreementaboutthestraintsofthejob.Let’sheartherestofyourreport.”
“Thereisn’tmuchmoreapartfromhisprivatelife.In1986hemarriedMonicaAbrahamssonandthesameyeartheyhadadaughter,Pernil.Themarriagedidn’tst;theyweredivor1991.Abrahamssonhasremarried,buttheyseemtobefriendsstill.ThedaughterliveswithhermotheraseeBlomkvistoften.”
FrodeaskedformorecoffeeauroSander.
“Yousaidthateveryonehassecrets.Didyoufindany?”
“Imeantthatallpeoplehavethingstheysidertobeprivateandthattheydon’tgoaroundairinginpublikvistisobviouslyabighitwithwomen.He’shadseveralloveaffairsandagreatmanycasualflings.Butonepersonhaskeptturningupinhislifeovertheyears,andit’sanunusualretionship.”
“Inwhatway?”
“ErikaBerger,editorinchiefofMillennium:upper-cssgirl,Swedishmother,BelgianfatherresidentinSweden.BergerandBlomkvistmetinjournalismsdhavehadanon-and-offretionshipeversince.”
“Thatmaynotbesounusual,”Frodesaid.
“No,possiblynot.ButBergerhappenstobemarriedtotheartistGregerBe,aminorcelebritywhohasdoofterriblethingsinpubliues.”
“Soshe’sunfaithful.”
“Beknowsabouttheirretionship.It’sasituationapparentlyaeptedbyallpartiesed.SometimesshesleepsatBlomkvist’sandsometimesathome.Idon’tklyhowitworks,butitrobablyatributingfactortothebreakupofBlomkvist’smarriagetoAbrahamsson.”
CHAPTER3
Friday,December20–Saturday,December21
ErikaBergerlookedupquizzicallyarentlyfreezingBlomkvistcameintotheeditorialoffice.Millennium’sofficeswereireofthetreionofG?tgatan,abovetheofficesofGreenpeace.Therentwasactuallyabittoosteepforthemagazitheyhadalgreedtokeepthespace.
Shegheclock.Itwas5:10,anddarknesshadfalleolongbefore.Shehadbeeinghimaroundlunchtime.
“I’msorry,”hesaidbeforeshemaosayanything.“ButIwasfeelingtheweightoftheverdiddidn’tfeelliketalking.Iwentforalongwalktothinkthingsover.”
“Iheardtheverditheradio.ShefromTV4calledandwantedament.”
“What’dyousay?”
“Somethingtotheeffectthatweweregoingtoreadthejudgementcarefullybeforewemakeanystatements.SoIsaidnothing.Andmyopinionstillholds:it’sthewrongstrategy.Weeofflookingweakwiththemedia.TheywillruhingonTVthisevening.”
Blomkvistlookedglum.
“Howareyoudoing?”
BlomkvistshruggedandploppeddowninhisfavouritearmchairothewindowinErika’soffice.Thedecorartan,withadeskandfunalcasesandcheapofficefurniture.AllofitwasfromIKEAapartfromthetwofortablearavagantarmchairsandasmallendtable—acessiontomyupbringing,shelikedtosay.Shewouldsitreadingihearmchairswithherfeettuckedunderhherwheedtogetawayfromthedesk.BlomkvistlookeddownonG?tgatan,wherepeoplewerehurryingbyinthedark.Christmasshoppingwasinfullswing.
“Isupposeit’llpass,”hesaid.“ButrightnowitfeelsasifI’vegotmyselfaveryrawdeal.”
“Yes,Iimagi’sthesameforallofus.JanneDahlmahomeearlytoday.”
“Iassumehewasn’toverthemoonabouttheverdict.”
“He’snotthemostpositivepersonanyway.”
Mikaelshookhishead.ForthepasthsDahlmanhadbeenmanagior.HehadstartedtherejustastheWer?maffairgotgoing,andhefoundhimselfoorialstaffincrisismode.BlomkvisttriedtorememberwhattheirreasoninghadbeenwhenheandBergerdecidedtohirehim.Heetent,ofcourse,andhadworkedattheTTnewsbureau,theeveningpapers,andEkoontheradio.Butheapparentlydidnotlikesailingagainstthewind.DuriyearBlomkvisthadoftetedthattheyhadhiredDahlman,whohadainghabitoflookingateverythingiivealightaspossible.
“HaveyouheardfromChrister?”Blomkvistaskedwithouttakinghiseyesoffthestreet.
ChristerMalmwastheartdirectoranddesignerofMillennium.HeartowhemagaziogetherwithBergerandBlomkvist,buthewasonatripabroadwithhisboyfriend.
“Hecalledtosayhello.”
“He’llhavetobetheoakesoveraspublisher.”
“Layoff,Micke.Aspublisheryouhavetotonbeingpuhenoseeverysooften.It’spartofthejobdescription.”
“Yhtaboutthat.ButIwastheonewhowrotethearticlethatublishedinamagazineofwhichIalsohappehepublisher.Thatmakeseverythinglookdifferentallofasudde’samatterofbadjudgement.”
Bergerfeltthatthedisquietshehadbeencarryingwithheralldaywasabouttoexplode.Intheweeksbeforethetrialstarted,Blomkvisthadbeenwalkingaroundunderabckcloud.Butshehadneverseenhimasgloomyaedasheseemedtobenowinthehourofhisdefeat.Shewalkedtohissideofthedeskandsatonhisp,straddlinghim,andputherarmsroundhisneck.
“Mikael,listentome.Webothklyhoened.I’masmueasyouare.Wesimplyhavetorideoutthestorm.”
“Thereisn’tanystormtorideout.Asfarasthemediaareed,theverdictmeansthatI’vebeenshotinthebackofthehead.I’tstayonasthepublisherofMillennium.Thevitalthingistomaintainthemagazine’scredibility,tostopthebleeding.YouknowthataswelsIdo.”
“IfyouthinkIioletyoutaketherapallbyyourself,thenyouhaven’tlearnedadamnthingaboutmeintheyearswe’veworkedtogether.”
“Iknowhowyouoperate,Ricky.You’re100pertloyaltoyourcolleagues.Ifyouhadtochoose,you’dkeepfightingagainstWer?m’swyersuntilyourcredibilitywasgooo.Wehavetobesmarterthanthat.”
“Andyouthinkit’ssmarttojumpshipandmakeitlookasifIsackedyou?”
“IfMillenniumisgoingtosurvive,itdependsonyounow.Christerisgreat,buthe’sjustaniceguywhoknowsaboutimagesandyoutahaveaclueaboutstreetfightingwithbillio’sjustnothisthing.I’mgoingtohavetodisappearforawhile,aspublisher,reporter,andboardmember.Wer?mknowsthatIknowwhathedid,andI’mabsolutelysurethataslongasI’manywherenearMillenniumhe’sgoingtotrytoruinus.”
“Sowhynotpublisheverythingweknow?Sinkorswim?”
“Becauseroveadamnthing,andrightnowIhavenocredibilityatall.Let’saeptthatWer?mwonthisround.”
“OK,I’llfireyou.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Ineedabreak,tobeho.I’mburnedrightout.I’mgoingtotakesometimeformyselfforawhile,someofitinprison.Thenwe’llsee.”
Bergerputherarmsaroundhimandpulledhisheaddowntoherbreasts.Shehuggedhimhard.
“Wantsomepanytonight?”shesaid.
Blomkvistnodded.
“Good.I’vealreadyterI’matyourpight.”
Thestreetlightsreflegofftheersofthewindowswereallthatlittheroom.WhenBergerfelsleepsometimeafter2:00inthem,Blomkvistyawakestudyingherprofileinthedimhecoversweredownaroundherwaist,achedherbreastsslowlyrisingandfalling.Hewasrexed,andtheanxiousknotinhisstomachhadeased.Shehadthateffehidhekhathehadthesameeffeher.
Twentyyears,hethought.That’showlongithadbeen.Asfarashewased,theycouldgoonsleepingtogetherforawodecades.Atleast.Theyhadneverseriouslytriedtohidetheirretionship,eveledtoawkwardnessintheirdealingswithotherpeople.
Theyhadmetatapartywhentheywerebothintheirsedyearatjournalismschool.Beforetheysaidgoodnighttheyhadexgedtelephoneheybothkhattheywouldendupiogether,andihaheyrealisedthisviwithouttellingtheirrespectivepartners.
Blomkvistwassurethatitwasnottheold-fashionedkindoflovethatleadstoasharedhome,asharedme,Christmastrees,andchildren.Duringtheeighties,whentheywerenotboundbyotherretionships,theyhadtalkedofmovingiher.Hehadwao,butErikaalwaysbackedoutatthestmiwouldn’twork,shesaid,theywouldriskwhattheyhadiftheyfellioo.Blomkvisthadoftenwonderedwhetheritwerepossibletobemorepossessedbydesireforanyotherwomawasthattheyfunedwelltogether,andtheyhadaeasaddictiveasheroin.
Sometimestheyweretogethersooftenthatitfeltasthoughtheyreallyle;sometimesweeksandmonthswouldgobybeforetheysaweachother.Butevenasalcoholicsaredrawntothestateliquorstoreafterastintonthewagon,theyalwayscamebacktoeachother.
Iablyitdidnotworkinthelongrun.Thatkindofretionshipwasalmostboundtocausepain.Theyhadbothleftbrokenpromisesandunhappyloversbehind—hisownmarriagehadcolpsed
Afourth,siderablysmallerareathatoupiedonlyafewemployeesascalledPIorP-In,ininternaljargonpinders,whichstoodforpersonaliigations.
Armanskywasnotaltogetherenamouredofthispartoftheirbusiness.Itwastroublesomeandlesslucrative.Itputgreaterdemandsontheemployees’judgementandexperiehanontheirknowledgeoftelemunicationsteologyortheinstaltionofsurveilnceapparatus.Personaliigationstablewhenitwasamatterofcreditrmation,backgroundchecksbeforehiring,ortoiigatesuspisthatsomeemployeehadleakedpanyrmatiagedincriminactivity.Insuchcasesthepinderswereanintegralpartoftheoperationactivity.Butnotinfrequentlyhisbusinesstswoulddraginprivateproblemsthathadateocreateuurmoil.Iwanttoknowwhatsortofcreepmydaughterisgoingoutwith…Ithinkmywifeisbeingunfaithful…TheguyisOKbuthe’smixedupwithbadpany…I’mbeingbckmailed…Armanskyoftehemastraightforwardno.Ifthedaughterwasanadult,shehadtherighttogooutwithanycreepshewao,ahoughtiywassomethingthathusbandsandwivesoughttoworkoutontheirown.HiddeninallsuquiriesweretrapsthatcouldleadtosdaelegalproblemsforMiltonSecurity.WhichwaswhyDraganArmanskykeptaclosewattheseassigs,inspiteofhowmodesttherevenuewas.
Them’stopicwasjustsuchapersonaliigation.Armanskystraightehecreaseinhistrousersbeforeheleanedbahisfortablechair.HegncedsuspiciouslyathiscolleagueLisbethSander,whowasthirty-twoyearshisjunior.Hethoughtforthethousandthtimethatnobodyseemedmoreoutofpaprestigioussecurityfirmthanshedid.Hismistrustwasbothwiseandirrational.InArmansky’seyes,Sanderwasbeyonddoubtthemostableiigatorhehadmetinallhisyearsinthebusiness.Duringthefouryearsshehadworkedforhimshehadneveroncefumbledajoborturnedinasinglemediocrereport.
Orary,herreportswereinacssbythemselves.Armanskywasvihatshepossessedau.Anybodycouldfindoutcreditrmationorrunacheckwithpolicerecords.ButSanderhadimagination,andshealwayscamebackwithsomethingdifferentfromwhatheexpected.Howshedidit,hehadneveruood.Sometimeshethoughtthatherabilitytogatherrmationwassheermagic.Shekhebureaucraticarchivesi.Aboveall,shehadtheabilitytogetuheskinofthepersonshewasiigating.Iftherewasanydirttobedugup,shewouldhomeinonitlikeacruisemissile.
Somehowshehadalwayshadthisgift.
Herreportscouldbeacatastrophefortheindividualwhondedinherradar.Armanskywouldthetimeheassigodoaroutinechearesearcherinthepharmaceutidustrybeforeacorporatebuyout.Thejobwasscheduledtotakeaweek,butitdraggedonforawhile.Afterfourweeks’silendseveralreminders,whichsheignored,Sandercamebackortdotingthatthesubjequestionaedophile.Ontwooasionshehadboughtsexfromathirteen-year-oldchildprostituteinTallinn,andtherewereindicationsthathehadahyiinthedaughterofthewomanwithwhomhewascurrentlyliving.
SanderhadhabitsthatsometimesdroveArmanskytotheedgeofdespair.Inthecaseofthepaedophile,shedidnotpickupthetelephoneandcallArmanskyoreintohisoffitingtotalktohim.No,withoutindigbyasinglewordthattherephttainexplosivematerial,sheiditonhisdeskoneevening,justasArmanskywasabouttoleavefortheday.Hereaditoevening,ashewasrexingoverabottleofwineinfrontoftheTVwithhiswifeintheirvilonLiding?.
Thereportwas,asalways,almoststificallyprecise,withfootnotes,quotations,andsourcereferehefirstfewpagesgavethesubject’sbackground,education,career,andfinancialsituation.Notuntilpage24didSanderdropthebombshelboutthetripstoTallinn,inthesamedry-as-dusttonesheusedtoreportthathelivedinSollentunaanddroveadarkblueVolvo.Shereferredtodotationinanexhaustiveappendix,includingphotographsofthethirteen-year-oldgirlinthepanyofthesubject.ThepictureshadbeentakeninahotelcorridorinTallinn,andthemanhadhishanduhegirl’ssweater.Sanderhadtrackeddownthegirliionandshehadprovidedheraountontape.
ThereporthadcreatedpreciselythechaosthatArmanskyhadwaoavoid.Firsthehadtoswallowafewulcertabletsprescribedbyhisdoctor.Thenhecalledinthetforasombreemergeing.Finally—overthet’sfierceobjes—hewasforcedtoreferthematerialtothepolice.ThismeantthatMiltonSecurityriskedbeingdrawnintoatangledweb.IfSander’sevidencecouldnotbesubstantiatedorthemanwasacquitted,thepanymightriskalibelsuit.Itwasanightmare.
However,itwasnotLisbethSander’sastonishingotionalinvolvementthatmostupsethim.Milton’simagewasoneofservativestability.Satedintothispictureaboutaswelsabuffaloataboatshow.Armansky’sstarresearcherale,anorexigwomanwhohadhairasshortasafuse,andapieroseandeyebrows.Shehadatattooaboutaningonherneck,atattooedlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarmandanotheraroundherleftahoseoasionswhenshehadbeenwearingatanktop,Armanskyalsosawthatshehadadragontattooonherleftshoulderbde.Shewasanaturalredhead,butshedyedherhairravenbck.Shelookedasthoughshehadjustemergedfromaweek-longywithagangofhardrockers.
Shedidnotinfacthaveaingdisorder,Armanskywassureofthat.Orary,sheseemedtoeeverykindofjunkfood.Shehadsimplybeenbornthin,withslenderbohatmadeherlookgirlishandfine-limbedwithsmallhands,narrowwrists,andchildlikebreasts.Shewastwenty-four,butshesometimeslookedfourteen.
Shehadawidemouth,asmallnose,andhighcheekbohatgaveheranalmostAsianlook.Hermovementswerequidspidery,andwhenshewaswattheputerherfingersflewoverthekeys.Herextremeslendernesswouldhavemadeacareerinmodellingimpossible,butwiththerightmake-upherfacecouldhaveputheronanybillboardintheworld.Sometimessheworebcklipstidinspiteofthetattoosandthepieroseandeyebrowsshewas…well…attractive.Itwasinexplicable.
ThefactthatSanderworkedfanArmanskyatallwasastonishing.Shewasnotthesortofwomanwithwhomhewouldnormallyeintotact.
Shehadbeenhiredasajill-of-all-trades.HolgerPalmgren,asemi-retiredwyerwholookedafteroldJ.F.Milton’spersonaffairs,hadtoldArmanskythatthisLisbethSanderwasaquick-wittedgirlwith“arathertryingattitude.”Palmgrenhadappealedtohimtogiveherace,whichArmanskyhad,againsthisbetterjudgement,promisedtodo.Palmgrenwasthetypeofmanwhowouldonlytake“no”asanencementtoredoublehisefforts,soitwaseasiertosay“yes”rightaway.ArmanskykhatPalmgreedhimselftotroubledkidsandothersocialmisfits,buthedidhavegoodjudgement.
Hehadregrettedhisdecisiontohirethegirlthemomeher.Shedidnotjustseemdifficult—inhiseyesshewastheveryquintessenceofdifficult.Shehaddroppedoutofsdhadnosortofhighereducation.
Thefirstfewmonthsshehadworkedfulltime,well,almostfulltime.Sheturnedupattheoffiowandthen.Shemadecoffee,wenttothepostoffidtookcareofthecopying,butventionalofficehoursorworkroutineswereaoher.Oherhand,shehadatalentforirritatiheremployees.Shebecameknownas“thegirlwithtwobraincells”—oneforbreathingandoneforstandingup.Shealkedaboutherself.Colleagueswhotriedtotalktoherseldomgotaresponseandsoongaveup.Herattitudeencedhertrustnorfriendship,andshequicklybecameanoutsiderwanderingthecorridorsofMiltoraycat.Shewasgenerallysideredahopelesscase.
Afteramonthofnothingbuttrouble,Armanskysentforher,fullyintendingtolethergo.Shelisteohiscatalogueofheroffehoutobjeandwithoutevenraisinganeyebrow.Shedidnothavethe“rightattitude,”hecluded,andwasabouttotellherthatitwouldprobablybeagoodideaifshelookedforemploymentwithanotherfirmthatakebetteruseofherskills.Onlythendidsheinterrupthim.
“Youknow,ifyoujustwantanofficeserfyougetonefromthetempagency.Ihahingandanyoneyouwant,andifyoudon’thaveaeruseformethanspost,thenyou’reanidiot.”
Armanskysatthere,stunnedandangry,aourbed.
“Youhaveamanherewhospentthreeweekswritingapletelyuselessreportaboutthatyuppiethey’rethinkingofrecruitingforthatdot-pany.Icopiedthepieceofcrapforhimstnight,a’slyingonyourdesknow.”
Armansky’seyeswenttothereport,andforageheraisedhisvoice.
“You’renotsupposedtoreadfidentialreports.”
“Apparentlynot,butthesecurityroutinesinyourfirmhaveanumberofshs.Atoyourdirectivehe’ssupposedtocopysuchthingshimself,buthechuckedthereportatmebeforeheleftforthebaryesterday.Andbytheway,Ifoundhispreviousreportieen.”
“Youdidwhat?”
“Calmdown.Iputitinhisin-box.”
“Didhegiveyouthebinationtohisdotsafe?”Armanskywasaghast.
“ly;hewroteitonapieceofpaperhekeptunderhhisblotteralongwiththepasswordtohisputer.Butthepointisthatyourjokeofaprivatedetectivehasdoneaworthlesspersonaliigation.Hemissedthefactthattheguyhasoldgamblisandsnortscoelikeavacuumer.Orthathisgirlfriendhadtoseekhelpfromthewomen’scrisistreafterhebeattheshitoutofher.”
Armanskysatforacoupleofmiurningthepagesofthereport.Itetentlysetout,writteninclearnguage,andfilledwithsourcereferencesaswelsstatementsfromthesubject’sfriendsandacquaintances.Finallyheraisedhiseyesandsaidtwowords:“Proveit.”
“HowmuchtimehaveIgot?”
“Threedays.Ifyou’tproveyourallegationsbyFridayafternoonyou’refired.”
Threedaystershedeliveredareportwhich,withequallyexhaustivesourcerefereransformedtheoutwardlypleasantyoungyuppieintoanunreliablebastard.Armanskyreadherreportovertheweekend,severaltimes,apartofMondaydoingahalf-hearteddouble-cheeofherassertions.Evenbeforehebeganhekhatherrmationwouldprovetobeaurate.
Armanskywasbewilderedandalsoangrywithhimselfforhavingsoobviouslymisjudgedher.Hehadtakenherforstupid,maybeevearded.Hehadnotexpectedthatagirlwhohadanycssesinschoolthatshedidnotgraduatecouldwriteareprammaticallycorrect.Italsotaiailedobservationsandrmation,aesimplycouldnotprehendhowshecouldhaveacquiredsuchfacts.
HecouldnotimagihatanyoneelseatMiltonSecuritywouldhaveliftedexcerptsfromthefidentialjournalofadoctoratawomen’scrisistre.Whenheaskedherhowshehadmahat,shetoldhimthatshehadnoiionhersources.ItbecameclearthatSanderwasnotgoingtodiscussherworkmethods,eitherwithhimorwithanyoneelse.Thisdisturbedhim—butnotenoughforhimtoresistthetemptatioher.
Hethoughtaboutthematterforseveraldays.HerecalledHolgerPalmgren’ssayingwhenhehadseohim,“Everyonedeservesace.”HethoughtabouthisownMuslimupbringing,whichhadtaughthimthatitwashisdutytoGodtohelptheoutcasts.OfcoursehedidnotbelieveinGodandhadnotbeeninamosquesincehewasateenager,buthereisedLisbethSanderasapersoninneedofresolutehelp.Hehadnotdonemuchalongtheselinesoverthepastfewdecades.
InsteadofgivingSaheboot,hesummonedherforameetinginwhichhetriedtoworkoutwhatmadethedifficultgirltick.Hisimpressionwasfirmedthatshesufferedfromsomeseriousemotionalproblem,buthealsodiscoveredthatbehindhersullenfacadetherewasanunusualintelligence.Hefoundherpricklyandirksome,butmuchtohissurprisehebegantolikeher.
OverthefollowingmonthsArmanskytookSanderunderhiswing.Intruth,hetookheronasasmallsocialproject.Hegaveherstraightforwardresearchtasksandtriedtogiveherguidelinesonhowtoproceed.Shewouldlistenpatientlyaofftocarryouttheassigjustasshesawfit.HeaskedMilton’steicaldirectiveherabasiourseinITsce.Theysattogetheralfternoonuntilhereportedbackthatsheseemedtohaveabetteruandingofputersthanmostofthestaff.
Butdespitedevelopmentdiscussions,offersofin-housetraining,andotherformsofe,itwasevidentthatSanderhadnoiionofadaptingtoMilton’sofficeroutihisputArmanskyinadifficultspot.
Hewouldnothaveputupwithanyotheremployeeingandgoingatwill,andundernormalcircumstanceshewouldhavedemahatshegeo.ButhehadahunchthatifhegaveSanderanultimatumorthreateofirehershewouldsimplyshrughershouldersandbegone.
Amoreseriousproblemwasthathecouldnotbesureofhisownfeelingsfortheyoungwoman.Shewaslikeanaggingitch,repellentandatthesametimetempting.Itwasnotasexuattra,atleasthedidnotthinkso.Thewomenhewasusuallyattractedtowereblondeandcurvaceous,withfulllipsthatarousedhisfantasies.Andbesides,hehadbeenmarriedfortweoaFinnishwomavawhostillmorethansatisfiedtheserequirements.Hehadneverbeenunfaithful,well…somethingmayhavehappenedjustondhiswifemighthavemisuoodifshehadknownaboutit.ButthemarriageyawodaughtersofSander’sage.Inanycase,hewasnotiedinft-chestedgirlswhomightbemistakenforskinnyboysatadistahatwasnothisstyle.
Evenso,hehadcaughthimselfhavinginappropriatedaydreamsaboutLisbethSander,andhereisedthathewasnotpletelyuedbyher.Buttheattra,Armanskythought,wasthatSanderwasafuretohim.Hemightjustaswellhavefallenihapaintingofanymphreekamphora.Sanderrepresentedalifethatwasnotrealforhim,thatfasatedhimthoughhecouldnotshareit—andinanycasesheforbadehimfromsharingit.
OnoneoasionArmanskywassittingatacaféonStortetinGamStanwhenSandercamesaunteringupandsatatatableashortdistanceaway.Shewaswiththreegirlsandaboy,alldressedinmuchthesameway.Armanskyhadwatchedherwithi.Sheseemedtobejustasreservedasshewasatwork,butshehadactuallyalmostsmiledatastorytoldbyoneofherpanions,agirlwithpurplehair.
Armanskywonderedhowshewouldreactifonedayhecametoworkwithgreenhair,worn-outjeans,aherjacketcoveredwithgraffitiandrivets.Sheprobablywouldjustsmirkathim.
Shehadbeensittingwithherbaanddidnotturnaroundonce,obviouslyunawarethathewasthere.Hefeltstrangelydisturbedbyherpresence.Whenatsthegotuptoslinkawayunnoticed,shesuddenlyturnedandstaredstraightathim,asthoughshehadbeenawareallthetimethathewassittingthereandhadhimonherradar.Hergazehadesosurprisinglythatitfeltlikeanattadhepretetoseeherandhurriedlyleftthecafé.Shehadnotsaidhelloeven,butshefollowedhimwithhereyes,hewassureofit,andnotuntilheturheerdidtheystintohisneck.
Sherarelyughed.ButovertimeArmanskythoughthenoticedasofteningofherattitude.Shehadadrysenseofhumour,toputitmildly,whichcouldpromptacrooked,ironicsmile.
Armanskyfeltsoprovokedbyherotionalresposometimeshewaograbholdofherandshakeher.Toforcehiswayintohershelndwinherfriendship,oratleastherrespect.
Onlyoershehadbeenwforhimforhs,hadhetriedtodiscussthesefeelingswithher.ItwasatMiltonSecurity’sChristmaspartyoneeveninginDecember,andforoncehewasnotsober.Nothinginappropriatehadhappened—hehadjusttriedtotellherthatheactuallylikedher.Mostofallhewaoexpinthathefeltprotectivetowardsher,andifsheeverneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldatetoetohifriendliness,ofcourse.
Shehadwriggledoutofhisclumsyembradlefttheparty.Afterthatshehadnotappearedattheofficeoransweredhermobile.Herabsencehadfeltliketorture—almostaformofpersonalpunishment.Hehadnobodytodiscusshisfeelingswith,andforthefirsttimeherealisedallingcritywhatadestructiveholdshehadoverhim.
Threeweekster,whenArmanskywaswteoneeveninggoiheyear-endkeeping,Sanderreappeared.Shecameintohisofficeassilentlyasaghost,andhebecameawarethatshewasstandingintheshadowsihedoorway,watghim.Hehadnoideahowlongshehadbeenthere.
“Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”sheasked.Shehandedhimacupfromtheespressomaeieen.Mutelyheaeptedit,feelingbothreliefandterrorwhensheshovedthedoorclosedwithherfoot.Shesatdownoppositehisdeskandlookedhimstraightihensheaskedthequestioninawaythatcouldherbeughedoffnoravoided.
“Dragan,areyouattractedtome?”
Armanskysatasifparalysed,whiledesperatelywhowtoanswer.Hisfirstimpulseretendtobeinsulted.Thenhesawherexpressionanditcametohimthatthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverutteredanysuchpersonalquestion.Itwasseriouslymeant,andifhetriedtoughitoffshewouldtakeitasanaffront.Shewaalktohim,andhewonderedhowlongithadtakeogetupthecetoaskthatquestion.Heslowlyputdownhispenandleanedbahischair.Finallyherexed.
“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”hesaid.
“Thewayyoulookatme,andthewayyoudon’tlookatme.Aimesyouwereabouttoreachoutyourhandandtouchmebutstoppedyourself.”
Hesmiledather.“Ireyou’dbiteoffmyhandifIidafingeronyou.”
Shedidnotsmile.Shewaswaiting.
“Lisbeth,I’myourboss,andevenifIwereattractedtoyou,I’donit.”
Shewasstillwaiting.
“Betweenus—yes,therehavebeentimeswhenIhavefeltattractedtoyou.I’texpinit,butthat’sthewayitis.ForsomereasonIdon’treallyuand,Ilikeyoualot.Butit’snotaphysicalthing.”
“That’sgood.Becauseit’llneverhappen.”
Armanskyughed.Thefirsttimeshehadsaidsomethingpersonanditwasthemostdishearteningnewsamancouldimaginereceiviruggledtofindtherightwords.
“Lisbeth,Iuandthatyou’renotiedinanoldmanoffiftyplus.”
“I’mnotiedinanoldmanoffiftypluswho’smyboss.”Sheheldupahand.“Wait,letmespeak.You’resometimesstupidandmaddeninglybureaucratic,butyou’reactuallyanattractiveman,and…Ialsofeel…Butyou’remybossandI’vemetyourwifeandIwanttokeepmyjobwithyou,aidiotigIcoulddoisgetinvolvedwithyou.”
Armanskysaidnothing,hardlydaringtobreathe.
“I’mawareofwhatyou’vedoneforme,andI’mnotungrateful.Iappreciatethatyouactuallyshowedyourselftobegreaterthanyourprejudidhavegivenmeacehere.ButIdon’twantyouformylover,andyou’renotmyfather.”
AfterawhileArmanskysighedhelplessly.“Whatexactlydoyouwantfromme?”
“Iwanttotinuewforyou.Ifthat’sOKwithyou.”
Henoddedandthenansweredherasholyashecould.“Ireallydowantyoutoworkforme.ButIalsowantyoutofeelsomesortoffriendshipandtrustinme.”
Shenodded.
“You’renotapersonwhoencesfriendship,”hesaid.Sheseemedtowithdraw,buthewenton.“Iuandthatyoudon’twantaerferinginyourlife,andI’lltrynottodothat.ButisitallrightifItiolikeyou?”
Sahoughtaboutitforalongtime.Thensherepliedbygettingup,walkingaroundthedesk,andgivinghimahug.Hewastotallyshocked.Onlywhenshereleasedhimdidhetakeherhand.
“Webefriends?”
Shenoddedonce.
Thatwastheonlytimesheevershowedhimanytenderness,andtheonlytimesheevertouchedhim.ItwasamomentthatArmanskyfondlyremembered.
AfterfouryearsshehadstillvouchsafedhardlyadetaiboutherprivatelifeorherbackgroundtoArmansky.Onceheappliedhisownknowledgeofthepinder’sartonher.HealsohadalongtalkwithHolgerPalmgren—whodidnotseemsurprisedtoseehim—andwhathefinallyfoundoutdidnotincreasehistrustinher.Henevermentionedawordaboutthistoherorletherknowthathehadbeensnoopingintoherlife.Insteadhehidhisuneasinessandincreasedhiswatchfulness.
Beforethatstrangeeveningwasover,ArmanskyandSanderhadetoanagreement.Infutureshewoulddoresearchprojeonafreencebasis.Shewouldreceiveasmallmonthlyihershedidanyassigsornot.Therealmoneywouldbemadewhensheerassig.Shecouldworkthewayshewao;iurnshepledgedodoanythingthatmightembarrasshimorrisksubjegMiltonSecuritytosdal.
ForArmanskythiswasasolutionthatwasadvaohim,thepany,andSanderherself.HecutthetroublesomePIdepartmentdowntoasinglefull-timeemployee,anoldercolleaguewhohandledroutinejobsperfectlywelndrachecks.AllplicatedortrickyassigsheturnedovertoSanderaherfreencerswho—iresort—wereindepetractorsforwhomMiltonSecurityhadactuallynoresponsibility.Sinceheregurlyengagedherservices,sheearnedagoodsary.Itcouldhavebeenmuchhigher,butSanderworkedonlywhelikeit.
Armanskyaeptedherasshewas,butshewasnotallowedtomeetthets.Today’sassigwasaion.
SanderwasdressedforthedayinabckT-shirtictureonitofE.T.withfangs,andthewordsIAMALSOANALIEN.Shehadonabckskirtthatwasfrayedatthehem,aworn-outbck,mid-lengthleatherjacket,rivetbelt,heavyDocMartenboots,andhorizontallystriped,green-and-redkneesocks.Shehadputonmake-upinacolourschemethatindicatedshemightbecolourblind.Inotherwords,shewasexceptionallydeckedout.
Armanskysighedandshiftedhisgazetotheservativelydressedguestwiththethickgsses.DirchFrode,awyer,hadinsistedoingandbeingabletoaskquestionsoftheemployeewhopreparedthereport.Armanskyhaddoneallhecivillycouldtopreveingtakingpce,sayingthatSanderhadacold,wasaway,orwassedwithotherwork.Thewyerrepliedcalmlythatitmadenodifferehematterwasnentandhecouldeasilyleofdays.Atsttherewasnowaytoaviogether.NowFrode,whoseemedtobeinhistesixties,waslookingatLisbethSahevidentfasation.Sandergloweredbackressionthatdidnotindicateanywarmfeelings.
ArmanskysighedandlookedoncemoreatthefoldershehadphisdeskbelledCARLMIKAELBLOMKVIST.Thenamewasfollowedbyasocialsecuritynumber,lyprihecover.Hesaidtheloud.HerrFrodesofhisbewitchedstateandturoArmansky.
“SowhatyoutellmeaboutMikaelBlomkvist?”hesaid.
“ThisisMs.Sander,whopreparedthereport.”Armanskyhesitatedasedandtheonwithasmilethatwasinteoengenderfidewhichseemedhelplesslyapologetic.“Don’tbefooledbyheryouth.Sheisourabsolutebestresearcher.”
“I’mpersuadedofthat,”Frodesaidinadrytohathiheopposite.“Tellmewhatshefoundout.”
ItwasclearthatFrodehadnoideahowtoacttowardsSander.HeresortedtodiregthequestiontoArmansky,asifshehadnotbeenintheroom.Sanderblewabigbubblewithhergum.BeforeArmanskycouldanswer,shesaid,“Couldyouaskthetwhetherhewouldpreferthelongortheshortversion?”
Therewasabrief,embarrassedsilencebeforeFrodefinallyturoSanderandtriedtorepairthedamagebyassumingafriendly,avuncurtone.
“Iwouldbegratefuliftheyoungdywouldgivemeaverbalsummaryoftheresults.”
ForamomentherexpressionwassosurprisinglyhostilethatitsentacoldshiverdownFrode’sspihenjustasquicklyherexpressionsoftenedandFrodewonderedwhetherhehadimagihatlook.Whenshebegantospeakshesoundedlikeacivilservant.
“Allowmetosayfirstthatthiswasnotaveryplicatedassig,apartfromthefactthatthedescriptionofthetaskitselfwassomewhatvague.Youwaoknow‘everythingthatcouldbedugup’abouthim,butgavenoindicationofwhethertherewereanythinginparticuryouwerelookingfor.Forthisreasonit’ssomethingofapotpourriofhislife.Thereportis193pageslong,but120pagesarecopiesofarticleshewroteorpressclippings.Blomkvistisapublicpersonwithfewsecretsandnotverymuchtohide.”
“Buthedoeshavesomesecrets?”Frodesaid.
“Everyonehassecrets,”sherepliedrally.“It’sjustamatteroffindingoutwhattheyare.”
“Let’shear.”
“MikaelBlomkvistwasbornonJanuary18,1960,whichmakeshimforty-twoyearsold.HewasborninBebuthasneverlivedthere.Hisparents,KurtandAnitaBlomkvist,werearoundthirty-fivewhenthechildwasborn.Bothhavesincedied.Hisfatherwasamaeryinstallerandmovedaroundagooddeal.Hismother,asfarasIcouldsee,wasneveranythingbutahousewife.ThefamilymovedhousetoStowhenMikaelstartedschool.HehasasisterthreeyearsyoungernamedAnnikawhoisawyer.Healsohassomecousins,bothmaleandfemale.Wereyoupnningtoservecoffee?”
ThisstwasdirectedatArmansky,whohastilypumpedthreecupsofcoffeefromthethermoshehadorderedforthemeetiionedforSaogoon.
“Soin1966thefamilylivedinLilEssingen.BlomkvistwenttoschoolfirstinBlommaaoprepschoolonKungsholmen.Hehaddetgraduatingmarks—therearecopiesinthefolder.DuringhisprepschooldayshestudiedmusidpyedbassinarodnamedBootstrap,whichactuallyputoutasiyedontheradiointhesummerof1979.Afterprepschoolheworkedasaticketcollectoriunnelbana,savedsomemoney,andtravelledabroad.Hewasawayforayear,mostlybummingaroundAsia—India,Thaind—andaswingdowntoAustralia.HebeganstudyingtobeajournalistinStowhewenty-ointerruptedhisstudiesafterthefirstyeartodohismilitaryserviceasariflemaninKirunainLapnd.Itwassomesortofmait,awithgoodmarks.Aftermilitaryservicehepletedhisjournalismdegreeandhasworkedinthefieldeversince.Howdetaileddoyouwaobe?”
“Justtellwhatyouthinkisimportant.”
“HeesoffalittlelikePracticalPigihreeLittlePigs.Sofarhehasbeenanexcellentjournalist.Iieshehadalotoftemporaryjobs,firstintheprovincialpressandtheninSto.There’salist.HisbreakthroughcamewiththestoryabouttheBearGang—thebankrobbersheidentified.”
“KalleBlomkvist.”
“Hehatestheniame,whichisuandable.Somebody’dgetafatlipiftheyevercalledmePippiLongstogonanecard.”
ShecastadarklookatArmansky,whoswallowedhard.OhanoneoasiohoughtofSanderaspreciselyPippiLongstog.Hewavedfetonwithit.
“Onesourcedecresthatuptotheedtobeacrimereporter—aernedasoaneveningpaper.Buthehasbeeknownforhisolitidfinancialreporter.Hehasprimarilybeenafreencer,withonefull-timepositionataneveningpaperieeighties.Heleftin1990whenhehelpedstartthemonthlymagazineMillennium.Themagazinebeganasarealoutsider,withoutanybigpublishingpanytoholditshand.Itscircutionhasgrownandtodayis21,000copiesmonthly.TheeditorialofficeisonG?tgatanonlyafewblocksfromhere.”
“Aleft-wingmagazine.”
“Thatdependsonhowyoudefihecept‘left-wing.’Millenniumisgenerallyviewedascriticalofsociety,butI’mguessingtheanarchiststhinkit’sawimpybeoiscrapmagazinealongthelinesofArenaorOrdfront,whiletheModerateStudentsAssociationprobablythinksthattheeditorsareallBolsheviks.ThereisnothingtoindicatethatBlomkvisthaseverbeenactivepolitically,evenduri-henhewasgoingtoprepschool.WhileheluggingawayattheSchoolofJournalismhewaslivingwithagirlwhoatthetimewasactiveintheSyndicalistsandtodaysitsinParliamentasarepresentativeoftheLeftparty.Heseemstohavebeeheleft-wingstampprimarilybecauseasafinancialjournalisthespecialisesiigativerepaboutcorruptionandshadytransasinthecorporateworld.Hehasdonesomedevastatingindividualportraitsofcaptainsofindustryandpolitis—whichweremostlikelywelldeserved—andcausedanumbernationsandlegalrepercussions.Themostwell-knownwastheArbogaaffair,whichresultedintheforcedresignationofaservativepolitiaengofaformercillortoayearinprisonforembezzlement.Callingattentiontocrimeshardlybesideredanindicationthatsomeoneisleft-wing.”
“Iuandwhatyoumean.Whatelse?”
“Hehaswrittentwos.OneabouttheArbogaaffairandoneaboutfinancialjournalismentitledTheKnightsTempr,whichcameoutthreeyearsago.Ihavehe,butjudgingfromthereviewsitseemstohavebeentroversial.Itpromptedagooddealofdebateinthemedia.”
“Money?”Frodesaid.
“He’snotrich,buthe’snotstarving.Iaxreturachedtothereport.Hehasabout250,000SEKinthebank,inbotharetirementfundandasavingsaount.Hehasanaountofaround100,000kronorthatheusesascashfexperavendsuch.Heownsaco-opapartmentthat’spaidoff—700squarefeetonBellmansgatan—andhehasnoloansordebts.Hehasoherasset—somepropertyinSandhamnoutinthearchipego.It’sacottageof270squarefeet,furnishedasasummerandbythewater,rightiattractivepartofthevilge.Apparentlyanuncleofhisboughtitiies,whensuchthiillpossiblefornormalmortals,andtheendedupinBlomkvist’shands.Theydividedthingsupsothathissistergottheparents’apartmentinLilEssingenandBlomkvistgotthe.Ihavenoideawhatitmightbeworthtoday—certainlyafewmillion—butoherhandhedoesowanttosell,andhegoesouttoSandhamnfairlyoften.”
“Ine?”
“He’spartownerofMillennium,butheonlytakesoutabout12,000insaryeath.Therestheearnsfromhisfreencejobs—thetotalvaries.Hehadabigyearthreeyearsagowheookinaround450,000.Lastyearheonlymade120,000fromfreencejobs.”
“Hehastopay150,000intaxesinadditiontowyer’sfees,etcetera,”Frodesaid.“Let’sassumethatthetotalisratherhigh.He’llsobelosingmoneywhileservinghisgaolterm.”
“Whichmeansthathe’sgoingtobeedout,”Sandersaid.
“Isheho?”
“That’shistrustcapital,sotospeak.Hisimageistoappearastheguardianofrobustmoralityasopposedtothebusinessworld,andheisinvitedprettyregurlytopontificateontelevision.”
“Thereprobablyisn’tmuchleftofthatcapitafterhisvitoday,”Frodesaid.
“Idon’twanttocimthatIklywhatdemandsaremadeonajournalist,butafterthissetbackitwillprobablybealongtimebeforeMasterDetectiveBlomkvistwinstheGrandPrizeforJournalism.He’sreallymadeafoolofhimselfthistime,”Sandersaid.“IfImaymakeaperso…”
Armanskyopenedhiseyeswide.IntheyearsSanderhadworkedforhim,shehadnevermadeasinglepersoinaigationofanindividual.Bone-dryfactswereallthatmatteredtoher.
“Itwasn’tpartofmyassigolookatthequestionoffatheWer?maffair,butIdidfollowthetriandhavetoadmitthatIwasactuallyfbbergasted.Thethiwrong,andit’stotally…outofcharacterforMikaelBlomkvisttopublishsomethingthatseemstobesooffthewall.”
Sanderscratchedherneck.Frodelookedpatient.ArmanskywonderedwhetherhemightbemistakenorwhetherSanderreallywasuotiheSanderheknewwasneverunsureorhesitant.Finallysheseemedtomakeuphermind.
“Quiteofftherecord,sotospeak…Ihaven’tstudiedtheWer?maffairproperly,butIreallythinkthatMikaelBlomkvistwassetup.Ithinkthere’ssomethingtotallydifferentinthisstorythanwhatthecourt’sverdictisindig.”
ThewyerscrutinisedSahseargeyes,andArmanskynoticedthatforthefirsttimesinceshebeganherreport,thetwasshowingmorethanapolitei.HemadeamentaltheWer?maffairheldacertaiforFrode.Corre,Armanskythoughtatonce,FrodewasnotiedintheWer?maffair—itwaswhenSanderhihatBlomkvistwassetupthatFrodereacted.
“Howdoyoumealy?”Frodesaid.
“It’sspeypart,butI’mvihatsomeorickedhim.”
“Andwhatmakesyouthinkso?”
“EverythinginBlomkvist’sbackgroundshowsthathe’saverycarefulreporter.Everytroversialrevetionhepublishedbeforewasalwayswelldoted.Iwenttocourtonedayandlistened.Heseemedtohavegivenupwithoutafight.Thatdoesn’taordwithhischaracteratall.Ifwearetobelievethecourt,hemadeupastoryaboutWer?mwithoutashredofevidendpublisheditlikesomesortofjournalisticsuicidebomber.That’ssimplynotBlomkvist’sstyle.”
“Sowhatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“Ilyguess.Blomkvistbelievedinhisstory,butsomethinghappenedalongthewayaionturtobefalse.Thisinturhatthesourcewassomeorustedorthatsomeonedeliberatelyfedhimfalsermation—whichsoundsimprobablyplicated.Thealternativeisthathewassubjectedtosuchaseriousthreatthathethrewiowendwouldratherbeseenasaidiotthanfightback.ButI’mjustspeg,asIsaid.”
WhenSandermadeaotinueheraount,Frodehelduphishaforamoment,drumminghisfingersonthearmrestofhischairbeforehehesitantlyturain.
“IfweshoulddecidetoeouhetruthintheWer?maffair…howmuchceistherethatyou’dfindoutanything?”
“I’tahat.Theremayhingtofind.”
“Butwouldyoubewillingtomakea?”
Sheshrugged.“It’snotmypcetodecide.IworkforHerrArmansky,andhedecideswhatjobshewantstoassigntome.Adependswhatsortofrmationyou’relookingfor.”
“Letmeputitthisway…andItakeitthatwe’respeakinginfidence?”Armanskynodded.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthisparticurmatter,butIdoknowbeyondanydoubtthatiuationsWer?mhasacteddisholy.TheWer?mcasehasseriouslyaffectedMikaelBlomkvist’slife,andIhaveaindisiherthere’sanythinginyourspecutions.”
Theversationhadtakenanuedturn,andArmanskywasinstantlyonthealert.WhatFrodewasaskingwasforMiltonSecuritytopokearoundinacasethathadalreadybeencluded.AcaseinwhichtheremayhavebeeofthreattothemanBlomkvist,andiftheytookthison,MiltonwouldriskcollidingwithWer?m’sregimentofwyers.ArmanskywasnotintheleastfortedbythethoughtSanderlooseinsuchasituation,likeacruisemissileoutoftrol.
Itwasnotmerelyamatterofforthepany.SanderhadmadepinthatshedidnotwantArmanskytoactassomesortofworriedstepfather,andsiheiragreementhehadbeencarefulobehavelikeoiyhewouldopwabouther.HesometimescaughthimselfparingSaohisdaughters.Hesideredhimselfagoodfatherwhodidnotinterfereunnecessarilyintheirlives.ButhekhathewouldnottolerateitifhisdaughtersbehavedlikeSanderorlivedthelifesheled.
IhsofhisCroatian—orpossiblyBosnianorArmeniahehadneverbeeoshedthevithatSander’slifewasheadingfordisaster.Sheseemedtheperfectvictimforanyonewhowishedherill,andhedreadedthemhewouldbeawakehehatsomeonehaddoneherharm.
“Aigationofthiskindcouldgetexpensive,”Armanskysaid,issuingawarningsoastogaugetheseriousnessofFrode’sinquiry.
“Thenwe’llsetaceiling,”Frodesaid.“Idon’tdemandtheimpossible,butit’sobviousthatyourcolleague,justasyouassuredme,isexceedinglypetent.”
“Sander?”Armanskysaid,turningtoherwitharaisedeyebrow.
“I’mnonanythingelserightnow.”
“OK.ButIwantustobeinagreementaboutthestraintsofthejob.Let’sheartherestofyourreport.”
“Thereisn’tmuchmoreapartfromhisprivatelife.In1986hemarriedMonicaAbrahamssonandthesameyeartheyhadadaughter,Pernil.Themarriagedidn’tst;theyweredivor1991.Abrahamssonhasremarried,buttheyseemtobefriendsstill.ThedaughterliveswithhermotheraseeBlomkvistoften.”
FrodeaskedformorecoffeeauroSander.
“Yousaidthateveryonehassecrets.Didyoufindany?”
“Imeantthatallpeoplehavethingstheysidertobeprivateandthattheydon’tgoaroundairinginpublikvistisobviouslyabighitwithwomen.He’shadseveralloveaffairsandagreatmanycasualflings.Butonepersonhaskeptturningupinhislifeovertheyears,andit’sanunusualretionship.”
“Inwhatway?”
“ErikaBerger,editorinchiefofMillennium:upper-cssgirl,Swedishmother,BelgianfatherresidentinSweden.BergerandBlomkvistmetinjournalismsdhavehadanon-and-offretionshipeversince.”
“Thatmaynotbesounusual,”Frodesaid.
“No,possiblynot.ButBergerhappenstobemarriedtotheartistGregerBe,aminorcelebritywhohasdoofterriblethingsinpubliues.”
“Soshe’sunfaithful.”
“Beknowsabouttheirretionship.It’sasituationapparentlyaeptedbyallpartiesed.SometimesshesleepsatBlomkvist’sandsometimesathome.Idon’tklyhowitworks,butitrobablyatributingfactortothebreakupofBlomkvist’smarriagetoAbrahamsson.”
CHAPTER3
Friday,December20–Saturday,December21
ErikaBergerlookedupquizzicallyarentlyfreezingBlomkvistcameintotheeditorialoffice.Millennium’sofficeswereireofthetreionofG?tgatan,abovetheofficesofGreenpeace.Therentwasactuallyabittoosteepforthemagazitheyhadalgreedtokeepthespace.
Shegheclock.Itwas5:10,anddarknesshadfalleolongbefore.Shehadbeeinghimaroundlunchtime.
“I’msorry,”hesaidbeforeshemaosayanything.“ButIwasfeelingtheweightoftheverdiddidn’tfeelliketalking.Iwentforalongwalktothinkthingsover.”
“Iheardtheverditheradio.ShefromTV4calledandwantedament.”
“What’dyousay?”
“Somethingtotheeffectthatweweregoingtoreadthejudgementcarefullybeforewemakeanystatements.SoIsaidnothing.Andmyopinionstillholds:it’sthewrongstrategy.Weeofflookingweakwiththemedia.TheywillruhingonTVthisevening.”
Blomkvistlookedglum.
“Howareyoudoing?”
BlomkvistshruggedandploppeddowninhisfavouritearmchairothewindowinErika’soffice.Thedecorartan,withadeskandfunalcasesandcheapofficefurniture.AllofitwasfromIKEAapartfromthetwofortablearavagantarmchairsandasmallendtable—acessiontomyupbringing,shelikedtosay.Shewouldsitreadingihearmchairswithherfeettuckedunderhherwheedtogetawayfromthedesk.BlomkvistlookeddownonG?tgatan,wherepeoplewerehurryingbyinthedark.Christmasshoppingwasinfullswing.
“Isupposeit’llpass,”hesaid.“ButrightnowitfeelsasifI’vegotmyselfaveryrawdeal.”
“Yes,Iimagi’sthesameforallofus.JanneDahlmahomeearlytoday.”
“Iassumehewasn’toverthemoonabouttheverdict.”
“He’snotthemostpositivepersonanyway.”
Mikaelshookhishead.ForthepasthsDahlmanhadbeenmanagior.HehadstartedtherejustastheWer?maffairgotgoing,andhefoundhimselfoorialstaffincrisismode.BlomkvisttriedtorememberwhattheirreasoninghadbeenwhenheandBergerdecidedtohirehim.Heetent,ofcourse,andhadworkedattheTTnewsbureau,theeveningpapers,andEkoontheradio.Butheapparentlydidnotlikesailingagainstthewind.DuriyearBlomkvisthadoftetedthattheyhadhiredDahlman,whohadainghabitoflookingateverythingiivealightaspossible.
“HaveyouheardfromChrister?”Blomkvistaskedwithouttakinghiseyesoffthestreet.
ChristerMalmwastheartdirectoranddesignerofMillennium.HeartowhemagaziogetherwithBergerandBlomkvist,buthewasonatripabroadwithhisboyfriend.
“Hecalledtosayhello.”
“He’llhavetobetheoakesoveraspublisher.”
“Layoff,Micke.Aspublisheryouhavetotonbeingpuhenoseeverysooften.It’spartofthejobdescription.”
“Yhtaboutthat.ButIwastheonewhowrotethearticlethatublishedinamagazineofwhichIalsohappehepublisher.Thatmakeseverythinglookdifferentallofasudde’samatterofbadjudgement.”
Bergerfeltthatthedisquietshehadbeencarryingwithheralldaywasabouttoexplode.Intheweeksbeforethetrialstarted,Blomkvisthadbeenwalkingaroundunderabckcloud.Butshehadneverseenhimasgloomyaedasheseemedtobenowinthehourofhisdefeat.Shewalkedtohissideofthedeskandsatonhisp,straddlinghim,andputherarmsroundhisneck.
“Mikael,listentome.Webothklyhoened.I’masmueasyouare.Wesimplyhavetorideoutthestorm.”
“Thereisn’tanystormtorideout.Asfarasthemediaareed,theverdictmeansthatI’vebeenshotinthebackofthehead.I’tstayonasthepublisherofMillennium.Thevitalthingistomaintainthemagazine’scredibility,tostopthebleeding.YouknowthataswelsIdo.”
“IfyouthinkIioletyoutaketherapallbyyourself,thenyouhaven’tlearnedadamnthingaboutmeintheyearswe’veworkedtogether.”
“Iknowhowyouoperate,Ricky.You’re100pertloyaltoyourcolleagues.Ifyouhadtochoose,you’dkeepfightingagainstWer?m’swyersuntilyourcredibilitywasgooo.Wehavetobesmarterthanthat.”
“Andyouthinkit’ssmarttojumpshipandmakeitlookasifIsackedyou?”
“IfMillenniumisgoingtosurvive,itdependsonyounow.Christerisgreat,buthe’sjustaniceguywhoknowsaboutimagesandyoutahaveaclueaboutstreetfightingwithbillio’sjustnothisthing.I’mgoingtohavetodisappearforawhile,aspublisher,reporter,andboardmember.Wer?mknowsthatIknowwhathedid,andI’mabsolutelysurethataslongasI’manywherenearMillenniumhe’sgoingtotrytoruinus.”
“Sowhynotpublisheverythingweknow?Sinkorswim?”
“Becauseroveadamnthing,andrightnowIhavenocredibilityatall.Let’saeptthatWer?mwonthisround.”
“OK,I’llfireyou.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Ineedabreak,tobeho.I’mburnedrightout.I’mgoingtotakesometimeformyselfforawhile,someofitinprison.Thenwe’llsee.”
Bergerputherarmsaroundhimandpulledhisheaddowntoherbreasts.Shehuggedhimhard.
“Wantsomepanytonight?”shesaid.
Blomkvistnodded.
“Good.I’vealreadyterI’matyourpight.”
Thestreetlightsreflegofftheersofthewindowswereallthatlittheroom.WhenBergerfelsleepsometimeafter2:00inthem,Blomkvistyawakestudyingherprofileinthedimhecoversweredownaroundherwaist,achedherbreastsslowlyrisingandfalling.Hewasrexed,andtheanxiousknotinhisstomachhadeased.Shehadthateffehidhekhathehadthesameeffeher.
Twentyyears,hethought.That’showlongithadbeen.Asfarashewased,theycouldgoonsleepingtogetherforawodecades.Atleast.Theyhadneverseriouslytriedtohidetheirretionship,eveledtoawkwardnessintheirdealingswithotherpeople.
Theyhadmetatapartywhentheywerebothintheirsedyearatjournalismschool.Beforetheysaidgoodnighttheyhadexgedtelephoneheybothkhattheywouldendupiogether,andihaheyrealisedthisviwithouttellingtheirrespectivepartners.
Blomkvistwassurethatitwasnottheold-fashionedkindoflovethatleadstoasharedhome,asharedme,Christmastrees,andchildren.Duringtheeighties,whentheywerenotboundbyotherretionships,theyhadtalkedofmovingiher.Hehadwao,butErikaalwaysbackedoutatthestmiwouldn’twork,shesaid,theywouldriskwhattheyhadiftheyfellioo.Blomkvisthadoftenwonderedwhetheritwerepossibletobemorepossessedbydesireforanyotherwomawasthattheyfunedwelltogether,andtheyhadaeasaddictiveasheroin.
Sometimestheyweretogethersooftenthatitfeltasthoughtheyreallyle;sometimesweeksandmonthswouldgobybeforetheysaweachother.Butevenasalcoholicsaredrawntothestateliquorstoreafterastintonthewagon,theyalwayscamebacktoeachother.
Iablyitdidnotworkinthelongrun.Thatkindofretionshipwasalmostboundtocausepain.Theyhadbothleftbrokenpromisesandunhappyloversbehind—hisownmarriagehadcolpsed