MartinandHarrietweremoreorlesslefttofendforthemselves.”
Vangergheclock.
“Mythirtyminutesarealmostup,butI’mclosetotheendofthestory.Willyougivemeareprieve?”
“Goon,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Inshort,then.Iwaschildless—instrikingtrasttomybrothersandotherfamilymembers,whoseemedobsessedwiththeatethehouseofVanger.GottfriedandIsabeldidmovehere,buttheirmarriagewasontherocks.AfteronlyayearGottfriedmovedouttohis.HelivedtherealonefperiodsabacktoIsabelwhenitgottoocold.ItookartinandHarriet,andtheybecameinmanywaysthechildrenIneverhad.
“Martinwas…totellthetruth,therewasatimeinhisyouthwhenIwasafraidhewasgoingtofollowinhisfather’sfootsteps.Hewasweakandintrovertedandmencholy,buthecouldalsobedelightfuhusiastic.Hehadsometroubledyearsinhisteens,buthestraightenedhimselfoutwheartedattheuy.Heis…well,inspiteofeverythingheisCEOofwhat’sleftoftheVangerCorporation,whichIsupposeistohiscredit.”
“AndHarriet?”
“Harrietwastheappleofmyeye.Itriedtogiveherasenseofsecurityanddevelopherself-fidendwetookalikingtoeachother.Ilookedonherasmyowndaughter,andsheendedupbeingclosertomethantoherparents.Yousee,Harrietwasveryspecial.Shewasintroverted—likeherbrother—andasateenagershebecameedupinreligion,unlikeanyoneelseinthefamily.Butshehadacleartalentaremendouslyintelligent.Shehadbothmoralsandbae.WhenshewasfourteenorfifteenIwasvihatshewastheone—andnotherbrotheroranyofthemediocrecousins,nephews,andniecesaroundme—whowasdestioruntheVangerbusinessoneday,oratleastpyatralroleinit.”
“Sopened?”
“herealreasonIwanttohireyou.IwantyoutofindoutwhointhefamilymurderedHarriet,andwhosihenhasspentalmostfortyyearstryingtodrivemeinsane.”
CHAPTER5
Thursday,December26
Forthefirsttimesincehebeganhismonologue,theoldmanhadmaakeBlomkvistbysurprise.Hehadtoaskhimtorepeatittobesurehehadheardcorrectly.Nothingiingshadhiamurder.
“Ittember24,1966.Harrietwassixteenandhadjustbegunhersedyearatprepschool.ItwasaSaturday,anditturotheworstdayofmylife.I’vegoheeventssomanytimesthatIthinkIaountforpenedineverymihatday—exceptthemostimportantthing.”
Hemadeasweepiure.“Hereinthishouseagreatnumberofmyfamilyhadgathered.Itwastheloathsomeannualdiwasatraditionwhichmyfather’sfatherintrodudwhierallyturoprettydetestableaffairs.Thetraditiooanendiies,whenMartinsimplydecreedthatalldiscussionsaboutthebusinesswouldtakepceatregurboardmeetingsandbyvoting.That’sthebestdecisionheevermade.”
“YousaidthatHarrietwasmurdered…”
“Wait.LetmetellyoupewasaSaturday,asIsaid.Itwasalsothedayoftheparty,withtheChildren’sDayparadethatwasarrahesportsclubiad.Harriethadgoothetownduringthedayandwatchedtheparadewithsomeofherschoolfriends.ShecamebackheretoHedebyIsndjustafter2:00iernoon.Dinnerposedtobeginat5:00,andsheectedtotakepartalongwiththeotheryoungpeopleinthefamily.”
Vaupaovertothewindow.HemotionedBlomkvisttojoinhim,andpointed.
“At2:15,afewmierHarrietcamehome,adramaticaidentourredoutthereonthebridge.AmancalledGustavAronsson,brotherofafarmerat?sterg?rden—asmallholdingonHedebyIsnd—turothebridgeandcrashedhead-onwithanoiltruck.Evidentlybothweregoingtoofastandwhatshouldhavebeenaminorcollisionprovedacatastrophe.Thedriverofthetruck,presumablyinstinctively,turnedhiswheewayfromthecar,hittherailingofthebridgeaankerflippedover;itendedupacrossthebridgewithitstrailerhangiheedge.Oherailingshadbeendrivenintotheoiltankandfmmableheatingoilbeganspurtingout.InthemeantimeAronssonsatpinnedinsidehiscar,screaminginpaiankerdriverwasalsoimaoscrambleoutofhis.”
Theoldmabacktohischair.
“TheaidentactuallyhadnothingtodowithHarriet.Butitwassignifitinacrucialway.Ashamblesensued:peopleonbothsidesofthebridgehurriedtotrytohelp;theriskoffirewassignifitandamajorarmwassounded.Policeofficers,anambuherescuesquad,thefirebrigade,reportersandsightseersarrivedinrapidsuession.Naturallyallofthemassembledonthemainndside;hereontheisndsidewedidwhatwecouldtogetAronssonoutofthewreck,whichprovedtobedamnablydifficult.Heinnedinandseriouslyinjured.
“Wetriedtoprisehimloosewithourbarehands,andthatdidn’twork.Hewouldhavetobecutorsawedout,butwecouldn’tdoanythingthatriskedstrikingaspark;wewerestandinginthemiddleofaseaofoiloatarucklyingonitsside.Ifithadexplodedwewouldhaveallbeenkilled.Ittookalongtimebeforewecouldgethelpfromthemainndside;thetruckwaswedgedrightacrossthebridge,andclimbiwouldhavebeenthesameasclimbingoverabomb.”
Blomkvistcouldthefeelingthattheoldmanwastelliiculouslyrehearsedstory,deliberatelytocapturehisihemanwasanexcellentstoryteller,ion.Oherhand,wherewasthestoryheading?
“Whatmattersabouttheaidentisthatthebridgewasblockedfortwenty-fourhours.NotuntilSundayeveningwasthestoftheoilpumpedout,ahetruckcouldbeliftedupbyeandthebridgeopenedfortraffic.Duriwenty-fourhoursHedebyIsndwastoallisandpurposescutofffromtherestoftheworld.Theonlywaytogetacrosstothemainndwasonafireboatthatwasbroughtintotransportpeoplefromthesmall-boatharbouronthissidetotheoldharbourbelowthechurch.Forseveralhourstheboatwasusedonlybyrescuecrews—itwasn’tuntilquiteteonSaturdaynightthatstrandedisndersbegantobeferriedacross.Doyouuandthesignificeofthis?”
“IassumethatsomethinghappeoHarriethereontheisnd,”Blomkvistsaid,“andthatthelistofsuspectssistsofthefinitenumberofpeopletrappedhere.Asortoflocked-roommysteryinisndformat?”
Vangersmiledironically.“Mikael,youdon’tknowhhtyouare.EvenIhavereadmyDorothySayers.Thesearethefacts:Harrietarrivedhereontheisndabout2:10.Ifwealsoincludechildrenandunmarriedguests,allinalboutfortyfamilymembersarrivedinthecourseoftheday.Alongwithservantsandresidents,thereweresixty-fourpeopleeitherhereorhefarm.Someofthem—theoneswhoingtospendthenight—werebusygettiledinneighbfarmsuestrooms.
“Harriethadpreviouslylivedinahouseacrosstheroad,butgiventhatherGottfriednorIsabelwassistentlystable,andonecouldclearlyseehosetthegirl,undermiudiesandsoon,in1964,whenshewasfourteen,Iarrangedforhertomoveintomyhouse.Isabelprobablythoughtthatitwasjustfiobesparedtheresponsibilityfhter.Harriethadbeenlivinghereforthepasttwoyears.Sothisiswhereshecamethatday.WeknowthatshemetandexgedsomewordswithHaraldinthecourtyard—he’soneofmyolderbrothers.Thenshecameupthestairs,tothisroom,andsaidhellotome.Shesaidthatshewaalktomeaboutsomething.RightthenIhadsomeotherfamilymemberswithmeandIcouldn’tsparethetimeforher.ButsheseemedanxiousandIpromisedI’detoherroomwhenIwasfree.Sheleftthroughthatdoor,andthatwasthesttimeIsawher.Aminuteorsotertherewasthecrashonthebridgeandthebedmthatfollowedupsetallourpnsfortheday.”
“Howdidshedie?”
“It’smoreplicatedthanthat,andIhavetotellthestoryinologicalorder.Whentheaidentourred,peopledroppedwhatevertheyweredoingandrantothese.Iwas…IsupposeItookchargeandwasfeverishlyoupiedforthefewhours.Harrietcamedowntothebridgerightaway—severalpeoplesawher—butthedangerofanexplosionmademeinstruyonewhowasn’tinvolvediingAronssonoutofhiscartostaywellback.FiveofusremaihereweremyselfandmybrotherHarald.TherewasamannamedMagnusNilsson,oneofmyworkers.TherewasasawmillworkernamedSixtenNordnderwhohadahousedownbythefishingharbour.AndtherewasafellownamedJerkerAronsson.Hewasonlysixteen,andIshouldreallyhavesenthimaway,buthewasthenephewofGustavinthecar.
“Atabout2:40Harrietwasihereinthehouse.ShedrankagssofmilkandtalkedbrieflytoAstrid,ourcook.Theylookedoutofthewindowatthemotiondownatthebridge.
“At2:55Harrietcrossedthecourtyard.ShewasseenbyIsabel.AboutamiersheranintoOttoFalk,thepastorinHedeby.AtthattimetheparsonagewaswhereMartinVangerhashisviltoday,aorlivedonthissideofthebridge.Hehadbeeninbed,nursingacold,whentheaidenttookpce;hehadmissedthedrama,butsomeoelephonedandhewasonhiswaytothebridge.Harrietstoppedhimontheroadandapparentlywaosaysomethingtohim,buthewavedheroffandhurriedpast.Falkwasthestpersontoseeheralive.”
“Howdidshedie?”Blomkvistsaidagain.
“Idon’tknow,”Vangersaidwithatroubledexpression.“WedidAronssonoutofhistiround5:00—hesurvived,bytheway,althoughhewasnotingoodshape—andsometimeafter6:00thethreatoffirewassideredpast.Theisndwasstillcutoff,butthiocalmdown.Itwasn’tuntilwesatdownatthetabletohavedeyeddinneraround8:00thatwediscoveredHarrietwasmissing.IsehecousinstogetHarrietfromherroom,butshecamebacktosaythatshecouldn’tfindher.Ididn’tthinkmuchaboutit;Iprobablyassumedshehadgoneforawalkorshehadoldthatdinnerwasserved.AndduringtheeveningIhadtodealwithvariousdiscussionsandargumentswiththefamily.Soitwasn’tuntilthem,whenIsabelwenttofihatwerealisedthatnobodyknewwhereHarrietwasandthatno-onehadseenhersihedaybefore.”Hespreadhisarmsoutwide.“Andfromthatday,shehasbeenmissingwithoutatrace.”
“Missing?”Blomkvistechoed.
“Foralltheseyearswehaven’tbeeofindonemicroscopicscrapofher.”
“Butifshevanished,asyousay,you’tbesurethatshewasmurdered.”
“Iuandtheobje.I’vehadthoughtsalongthesamelines.ersonvahoutatraeoffourthingscouldhavehappened.Shecouldhavegoneoffofherownfreewilndbehidingsomewhere.Shecouldhavehadaanddied.Shecouldhavemittedsuicide.Andfinally,shecouldhavebeeimofacrime.I’veweighedallthesepossibilities.”
“ButyoubelievethatsomeoookHarriet’slife.Why?”
“Becauseit’stheonlyreasonableclusion.”Vangerhelduponefinger.“FromtheoutsetIhopedthatshehadrunaway.Butasthedayspassed,weallrealisedthatthiswasn’tthecase.Imean,howwouldasixteen-year-oldfromsuchaprotectedworld,evenaveryablegirl,beabletomanageonherown?Howcouldshestayhiddenwithoutbeingdiscovered?Wherewouldshegetmoney?Andevenifshegotajobsomewhere,shewouldneedasocialsecuritycardandanaddress.”
Hehelduptwofingers.
“Myhoughtwasthatshehadhadsomekindofaident.eafavotothedeskahetopdrawer.There’samapthere.”
Blomkvistdidashewasaskedandunfoldedthemaponthecoffeetable.HedebyIsndwasanirregurlyshapedndmassabouttwomileslongwithamaximumwidthofaboutonemile.Argepartoftheisndwascoveredbyforest.Therewasabuilt-upareabythebridgeandaroulesummer-househarbour.Ohersideoftheisndwasthesmallholding,?sterg?rden,fromwhichtheunfortunateAronssonhadstartedoutinhiscar.
“Rememberthatshecouldn’thavelefttheisnd,”Vangersaid.“HereonHedebyIsndyoucoulddieinajustlikeanywhereelse.Youcouldbestruckbylightning—buttherewasnothuormthatday.Youcouldbetrampledtodeathbyahorse,falldownawell,ortumbleintoarockcrevice.Therearenodoubthundredsofwaystofallvictimtoahere.I’vethoughtofmostofthem.”
Heheldupthreefingers.
“There’sjustodthisalsoappliestothethirdpossibility—thatthegirl,trarytoeveryindication,tookherownlife.Herbodymustbesomewhereinthislimitedarea.”
Vangersmmedhisfistdownonthemap.
“Inthedaysaftershedisappeared,wesearchedeverywhere,crisscrossingtheisnd.Themehrougheveryditch,scouredeverypatchoffield,cliff,anduprootedtree.Wewentthrougheverybuilding,ey,well,barn,andhiddengarret.”
TheoldmanlookedawayfromBlomkvistandstaredintothedarknessoutsidethewindow.Hisvoicegrewlowerandmoreintimate.
“ThewholeautumnIlookedforher,evehesearchpartiesstoppedandpeoplehadgivenup.WhenIwasn’ttendingtomyworkIbegangoingforwalksbadforthacrosstheisnd.Wintercameonaillhadn’tfoundatraceofher.InthesprionlookinguntilIrealisedhowpreposterousmysearchwas.WhensummercameIhiredthreeexperienenwhodidtheentiresearchainwithdogs.Theybedeverysquarefootoftheisnd.BythattimeIhadbeguntothinkthatsomeohavekilledher.Sotheyalsosearchedfrave.Theyworkedatitforthreemonths.Wefoundnottheslightestvestigeofthegirl.Itwasasifshehaddissolvedintothinair.”
“Ithinkofanumberofpossibilities,”Blomkvistventured.
“Let’shearthem.”
“Shecouldhavedrowned,aidentallyoronpurpose.Thisisanisnd,andwaterhidemostthings.”
“True,buttheprobabilityisn’tgreat.siderthefollowing:ifHarrietmetwithaanddrowned,logicallyitmusthaveourredsomewhereintheimmediateviityofthevilge.RememberthattheexcitementonthebridgewasthemostsensationalthingthathadhappenedhereonHedebyIsndinseveraldecades.Itwasnotatimewhenasixteen-year-oldgirlwithanormalsenseofcuriositywoulddecidetogoforawalktotheothersideoftheisnd.
“Butmoreimportant,”hesaid,“there’snotmuchofacurrenthere,andthewindsatthattimeofyearwereoutofthenorthornortheast.Ifanythingfallsintothewater,itesupsomewherealongthebeathemainnd,ahereit’sbuiltupalmosteverywhere.Don’tthinkthatwedidn’tsiderthis.Wedraggedalmostallthespotswhereshecouldceivablyhavegonedowntothewater.Ialsohiredyoungmenfromascuba-divingclubhereiad.Theyspeoftheseasonbiomofthesoundandalongthebeaches…I’mvincedshe’snotier;ifshehadbeenwewouldhavefoundher.”
“Butcouldshenothavemetwithasomewhereelse?Thebridgewasblocked,ofcourse,butit’sashortdistanceovertothemainnd.Shecouldhaveswumorrowedacross.”
“ItwasteSeptemberaerwassocoldthatHarrietwouldhardlyhavesetofftogoswimminginthemidstofallthemotion.Butifshesuddenlygottheideatoswimtothemainnd,shewouldhavebeenseenanddrawnalotofattention.Thereweredozensofeyesonthebridge,andonthemainndsidethereweretwoorthreehundredpeoplealoerwatgthese.”
“Arowingboat?”
“No.ThatdaytherewerepreciselythirteenboatsonHedebyIsnd.Mostofthepleasureboatswerealreadyinsteonnd.Downinthesmall-boatharbourbythesummersthereweretwoPetterssonboatsier.Thereweresevenekarowingboats,ofwhichfivewerepulleduponshore.Belowtheparsonageonerowingboatwasonshoreahewater.By?sterg?rdentherewasarowingboatandamotorboat.Alltheseboatswerecheckedandwereexactlywheretheyweresupposedtobe.Ifshehadrowedacrossandrunaway,shewouldhavehadtoleavetheboatoherside.”
Vangerheldupfers.
“Sothere’sonlyonereasonablepossibilityleft,hatHarrietdisappearedagainstherwill.Someonekilledherandgotridofthebody.”
LisbethSanderspentChristmasmreadingMikaelBlomkvist’stroversiaboutfinancialjournalism,TheKnightsTempr:ACautionaryTaleforFinancialReporters.ThecoverhadatrendydesignbyChristerMalmfeaturingaphotographoftheStoStockExge.MalmhadworkedinPhotoShop,andittookamomenttonoticethatthebuildingwasfloatinginair.Itwasadramatioverwithwhichtosetthetoneforwhatwastoe.
SandercouldseethatBlomkvistwasafier.Thewassetoutinastraightforwardandengagingway,andevenpeoplewithnoinsightintothebyrinthoffinancialjournalismcouldlearhingfromreadingit.Thetonewassharpandsarcastic,butaboveallitersuasive.
Thefirstchapterwasasortofdecrationofwarinwhikvistdidnotmincewords.Iwentyyears,Swedishfinancialjournalistshaddevelopedintoagroupofickeyswhowerepuffedupwithself-importandwhohadnorecordofthinkingcritically.Hedrewthisclusionbecausetimeaftertime,withouttheleastobje,somanyfinancialreportersseemedtentturgitatethestatementsissuedbyCEOsandstock-marketspecutors—evehisrmationinlymisleading.Thesereporterswerethuseithersonaiveandgulliblethattheyoughttobepackedofftootherassigs,ortheywerepeoplewhoquitesciouslybetrayedtheirjournalisti.Blomkvistcimedthathehadoftenbeenashamedtobecalledafinancialreporter,sihenhewouldriskbeinglumpedtogetherwithpeoplewhomhedidnotrateasreportersatall.
Heparedtheeffortsoffinancialjournalistswiththewaycrimereportersncorresposworked.Hepaintedapictureoftheoutcrythatwouldresultifalegalcorrespobeganuncriticallyreprodugtheprosecutor’scaseasgospelinamurdertrial,withoutsultingthedefenceargumentsorinterviewiim’sfamilybeforefanopinionofwhatwaslikelyorunlikely.AtoBlomkvistthesameruleshadtoapplytofinancialjournalists.
Therestofthesistedofaofevideosupporthiscase.Onelongchapterexamiherepofafamousdot-insixdailypapers,aswelsintheFinancialJournal,DagensIndustri,and“A-ekonomi,”thebusinessreportonSwedishTV.Hefirstquotedandsummarisedwhatthereportershadsaidandwritten.Thenhemadeaparisonwiththeactualsituation.Indescribingthedevelopmentofthepaedtimeaftertimethesimplequestionsthataseriousreporterwouldhaveaskedbutwhichthewholecorpsoffinancialreportershadedtoask.Itwasamove.
AnotherchapterdealtwiththeIPOofTeliastock—itwasthe’smostjodiroion,inwhiefinancialwriterswerecastigatedbyname,includingoneWilliamB,towhomBlomkvistseemedtobeparticurlyhostile.AchapterheendoftheparedthelevelofpetenceofSwedishandfnfinancialreporters.HedescribedhowseriousreportersatLondon’sFinancialTimes,theEist,andsomeGermanfinaneershadreportedsimirsubjetheirowntries.TheparisonwasnotfavourabletotheSwedishjournalists.Thefinalchaptertainedasketchwithsuggestionsastohowthisdeplorablesituationcouldberemedied.Theclusionoftheechoedtheintrodu:
Ifaparliamentaryreporterhandledhisassigbyuncriticallytakingupansupportofeverydecisionthatushedthrough,nomatterhowpreposterous,orifapoliticalreporterweretoshowasimirckofjudgement—thatreporterwouldbefiredorattheleastreassigoadepartmentwhereheorshecouldnotdosomuchdamage.Intheworldoffinancialrep,however,thenormaljournalistidatetouakecritivestigationsandobjectivelyreportfindingstothereadersappearsnottoapply.Ihemostsuessfulrogueisappuded.InthiswaythefutureofSwedenisalsobeied,andallremainingtrustinjournalistsasacorpsofprofessionalsisbeingpromised.
SanderhadnodifficultyuandiateddebatethathadfollowediradepublicationTheJournalist,certainfinaneers,andonthefrontpagesandinthebusinesssesofthedailypapers.Eventhoughonlyafewreporterswerementionedbyhe,Sanderguessedthatthefieldwassmallenoughthateveryonewouldklywhidividualswerebeingreferredtowhenvariousneerswerequoted.Blomkvisthadmadehimselfsomebitterenemies,whichwasalsoreflectedinthemalientstothecourtintheWer?maffair.
Sheclosedtheandlookedatthephotographontheback.Blomkvist’sdarkblondshockofhairfelbitcarelesslyacrosshisforehead,asifcaughtinagustofwind.OrasifChristerMalmhadposedhiverygood-lookingman.Onhiswaytodothreemonthsinthesmmer.
“Hello,KalleBlomkvist,”shesaidtoherself.“You’reprettypleasedwithyourself,aren’tyou?”
AtlunchtimeSanderbootedupheriandopenedEudoratowriteanemail.Shetyped:“Haveyougottime?”ShesigatotheaddressTobeonthesafeside,sheranthemessagethroughherPGPencryptiramme.
Theonbckjeans,heavywinterboots,aoloshirt,adarkpeajacketandmatgknittedgloves,cap,andscarf.Shetooktheringsoutofhereyebrowsandnostril,putonapalepinklipstidexaminedherselfihroommirror.Shelookedlikeanyotherwomanoutforaweekendstroll,andsheregardedheroutfitasappropriatecamoufgeforaionbehindenemylines.ShetookthetunnelbanafromZinkensdammto?stermalmstandwalkeddowntowardsStrandv?gen.Shesaunteredaloralreservereadingthenumbersonthebuildings.Shehadalmostgott?rdsBridgewheoppedandlookedatthedoorshehadbeenseargfor.Shecrossedthestreetandwaitedafewfeetfromthestreetdoor.
ShenoticedthatmostpeoplewhowereoutwalkinginthecoldweatheronthedayafterChristmaswerewalkingalongthequay;onlyafewwereonthepavementside.
ShehadtowaitforalmosthalfanhourbeforeanoldwomanwithaeapproachedfromthedireofDjurg?rden.ThewomanstoppedandstudiedSahsuspi.Sandergaveherafriendlysmileiurn.Thedywiththeereturnedhergreetingandlookedasthoughsheweretryingtorememberwhenshehadstseentheyoungwoman.Saurnedherbadtookafewstepsawayfromthedoor,asthoughshewereimpatientlywaitingforsomeone,pagbadforth.Wheurhedyhadreachedthedoorandwasslowlyputtinginahecodelock.Sanderhadnodifficultyseeingthatthebinationwas1260.
Shewaitedfiveminutesmorebeforeshewenttothedoor.Shepuhecodeandthelockclicked.Shepeeredintothestairwell.TherewasasecuritycamerawhichshegandigwasamodelthatMiltonSecuritycarriedandwasactivatedonlyifanarmforabreak-inoranattackwassouheproperty.Fartherin,totheleftofanantiqueliftcage,therewasadoorwithanothercodelock;shetried1260anditworkedfortheentrahecelrlevendrubbishroom.Sloppy,verysloppy.Shespentthreeminutesiigatingthecelrlevel,whereshelocatedanunlockedundryroomandarecygroom.Thensheusedasetofpicklocksthatshehad“borrowed”fromMilton’slocksmithtoopenalockeddoortowhatseemedtobeameetingroomfortheiniumassociation.Atthebackofthecelrwasahobbyroom.Finallyshefoundwhatshewaslookingfor:thebuilding’ssmallelectri.Sheexamihemeters,fuseboxes,andjunboxesaookoutadigitalcamerathesizeofacigarettepacket.Shetookthreepictures.
Onthewayoutshecasthereyedowofresidentsbytheliftaheheapartmentoopfloor.Wer?m.
ThethebuildingandwalkedrapidlytotheNationalMuseum,whereshewentintothecafeteriatohavesomecoffeeand.AfterabouthalfanhourshemadeherwaybacktoS?derauptoherapartment.
TherewasananswerfromWhenshedecodeditinPGPitread:20.
CHAPTER6
Thursday,December26
ThetimelimitsetbyBlomkvisthadbeenexceededbyagoin.Itwas4:30,andtherewasnohopeofcatgtheafternoontrain,buthestillhadaakingtheeveningtrainat9:30.Hestoodbythewindowrubbinghisneckashestaredoutattheilluminatedfacadeofthechurtheothersideofthebridge.Vangerhadshownhimascrapwitharticlesfromboththeloeeraionalmedia.Therehadbeenquiteabitofmediaiforawhile—girlfromnotedindustrialist’sfamilydisappears.Butwhennobodywasfoundandtherewashroughintheiigation,igraduallywaned.Despitethefactthatapromifamilywasinvolved,thirty-sixyearsterthecaseofHarrietVangerwasallbutfotten.Theprevailingtheoryinarticlesfromthetesixtiesseemedtobethatshedrownedandwassweptouttosea—atragedy,butsomethingthatcouldhappentoanyfamily.
Blomkvisthadbeenfasatedbytheoldman’saount,butwhenVangerexcusedhimselftogotothebathroom,hisscepticismreturheoldmanhadstillnotgottotheend,andBlomkvisthadfinallypromisedtolistentothewholestory.
“Whatdoyouthinkhappeoher?”hesaidwhenVangercamebatotheroom.
“Normallythereweresometwenty-fivepeoplelivinghereyear-round,butbecauseofthefamilygatheringthereweremorethansixtyonHedebyIsndthatday.Ofthese,betweeyay-fiveberuledout,prettymuchso.Ibelievethatofthoseremaining,someone—andinalllikelihooditwassomeonefromthefamily—killedHarrietandhidthebody.”
“Ihaveadozeionstothat.”
“Let’shearthem.”
“Well,thefirstohatevenifsomeonehidherbody,itshouldhavebeenfoundifthesearchwasasthhastheoneyoudescribed.”
“Totellyouthetruth,thesearchwaseveehanI’vedescribed.Itwasn’tuntilIbegantothinkofHarrietasamurdervictimthatIrealisedseveralwaysinwhichherbodycouldhavedisappeared.I’tprovethis,butit’satleastwithintherealmofpossibility.”
“Tellme.”
“Harrietwentmissingsometimearound3:00thatafternoon.Atabout2:55shewasseenbyPastorFalk,whowashurryingtothebridge.Atalmostexactlythesametimeaphotographerarrivedfromthelocalpaper,andforthehourhetookagreatnumberofpicturesofthedrama.We—thepolice,Imean—examihephotographsandfirmedthatHarrietwasnotinahem;buteveryotherpersonintownwasseenione,apartfromverysmallchildren.”
Vaookoutanotheralbumaoable.
“Thesearepicturesfromthatday.ThefirstoakeadduringtheChildren’sDayparade.Thesamephotographertookitaround1:15p.m.,andHarrietisthereinit.”
Thephotographwastakenfromthesedfloorofabuildingandshowedastreetalongwhichtheparade—sontrudgirlsinbathingsuits—hadjustpassed.Spectatorsthrohepavements.Vangerpoiafigureinthecrowd.
“That’sHarriet.It’sabouttwohoursbeforeshewilldisappear;she’swithsomeofherschoolfriendsintown.Thisisthestpicturetakenofher.Butthere’sonemoreiingshot.”
Vangerleafedthroughthepages.Thealbumtainedabout180pictures—fiverolls—fromthecrashonthebridge.Afterhaviheaount,itwasalmosttoomuchtosuddeintheformofsharpbd-whiteimages.Thephotographerrofessionalwhohadmaocapturetheturmoilsurroundingtheaident.Argehepicturesfocusedoivitiesaroundtheoverturaruck.Blomkvisthadnoproblemidentifyiig,muchyoungerHenrikVangersoakedwithheatingoil.
“ThisismybrotherHarald.”TheoldmanpoioamaninshirtsleevesbendingforointingatsomethingihewreckofAronsson’scar.“MybrotherHaraldmaybeanunpleasantperson,butIthinkhebeeliminatedfromthelistofsuspects.Exceptforaveryshortwhile,wheorunbackheretothefarmtogehisshoes,hespeernoononthebridge.”
Vaurnedsomemes.Oneimagefollowedanother.Fothetaruck.Fospectatorsontheforeshore.FoAronsson’scar.Generalviews.Close-upswithatelephotolens.
“Thisistheiingpicture,”Vangersaid.“Asfaraswecoulddetermiwastakeween3:40and3:45,orabout45mierHarrietranintoFalk.Takealookatthehouse,themiddlesedfloorwindow.That’sHarriet’sroom.Inthepregpicturethewindowwasclosed.Hereit’sopen.”
“SomeohavebeeninHarriet’sroom.”
“Iaskedeveryone;nobodywouldadmittoopeningthewindow.”
“WhichmeansthateitherHarrietdiditherself,andshewasstilliveatthatpoint,orelsethatsomeonewaslyingtoyou.Butwhywouldamurderergointoherroomahewindow?Andwhyshouldanyonelieaboutit?”
Vangershookhishead.Noexpnatioeditself.
“Harrietdisappearedsometimearound3:00orshortlythereafter.Thesepicturesgiveanimpressionofwherecertainpeoplewereatthattime.That’swhyIeliminateanumberofpeoplefromthelistofsuspects.ForthesamereasonIcludethatsomepeoplewhowerenotiographsatthattimemustbeaddedtothelistofsuspects.”
“Youdidn’tanswermyquestionabouthowyouthinkthebodywasremoved.Irealise,ofcourse,thattheremustbesomepusibleexpnation.Somesortofmonoldillusionist’strick.”
“Thereareactuallyseveralverypracticalwaysitcouldhavebeendone.Sometimearound3:00thekillerstruck.Heorshepresumablydidn’tuseanysortofon—orwewouldhavefoundtracesofblood.I’mguessingthatHarrietwasstrangledandI’mguessingthatithappenedhere—behindthewallinthecourtyard,somewhereoutofthephotographer’slineofsightandinablindspotfromthehouse.There’sapath,ifyouwanttotakeashortcut,totheparsohestpceshewasseen—andbacktothehouse.Todaythere’sasmallflowerbedandwnthere,butiiesitwasagravelledareausedf.AllthekillerhadtodoeofadputHarrietinside.Whenwebeganseargtheisday,nobodywasthinkingthatacrimehadbeenmitted.Wefocusedontheshorelihebuildings,andthewoodsclosesttothevilge.”
“Sonobodywaschegthebootsofcars.”
“Andbythefollowingeveningthekillerwouldhavebeeogetinhisddriveacrossthebridgetohidethebodysomewhereelse.”
“Rightuhenosesofeveryoneinvolvedinthesearch.Ifthat’sthewayithappened,we’retalkingaboutacold-bloodedbastard.”
Vangergaveabitterugh.“YoujustgaveanaptdescriptionofquiteafewmembersoftheVangerfamily.”
Theytiheirdiscussionoversupperat6:00.Annaservedroastharewithcurrantjellyandpotatoes.Vangerpouredarobustredwine.Blomkviststillhadplentyoftimetomakethesttraihoughtitwasabouttimetosumthingsup.
“It’safasatingstoryyou’vebeentellingme,Iadmitit.ButIstilldon’tknowwhyyouwaohearit.”
“Itoldyou.IwanttonailtheswinewhomurderedHarriet.AndIwanttohireyoutofindoutwhoitwas.”
“Why?”
Vadownhisknifeandfork.“Mikael,forthirty-sixyearsI’vedrivenmyselfcrazywpeoHarriet.I’vedevotedmoreandmoreofmytimetoit.”
Hefellsilentandtookoffhisgsses,scrutinisingsomeinvisiblespeckofdirtonthelens.ThenheraisedhiseyesandlookedatBlomkvist.
“Tobepletelyhowithyou,Harriet’sdisappearahereasonwhygraduallyIwithdrewfromthefirm’sma.Ilostallmotivation.Ikhattherewasakillersomewherenearbyandthewandseargforthetruthbegantoaffectmywork.Theworstthingisthattheburdendidanylighterovertime—orary.Around1970IhadaperiodwhenIjustwaobeleftalohenMartinjoiheboardofdirectors,aotakeonmoreandmoreofmywork.In1976IretiredandMartintookoverasCEO.Istillhaveaseatontheboard,butIhaven’tsailedmanyknotssiurnedfifty.Forthestthirty-sixyearsnotadayhaspassedthatIhavenotponderedHarriet’sdisappearanaythinkI’mobsessedwithit—atleastmostofmyretivesthinkso.”
“Itwasahorrifit.”
“Morethanthat.Itruinedmylife.That’ssomethingI’vebeemoreawareofastimehaspassed.Doyouhaveagoodsenseofyourself?”
“Ithinkso,yes.”
“Idotoo.I’tfetpened.Butmymotiveshavegedovertheyears.Atfirstitrobablygrief.Iwaofindherandatleasthaveacetoburyher.ItwasaboutgettingjusticeforHarriet.”
“Inwhatwayhasthatged?”
“Nowit’smoreaboutfindiardwhodidit.Butthefunnythingis,theet,themoreofanall-abshobbyithasbee.”
“Hobby?”
“Yes,Iwouldusethatword.WhenthepolivestigatioeredoutIkeptgoing.I’vetriedtoproceedsystematicallyandstifically.I’vegatheredallthermationthatcouldpossiblybefound—thephotographs,thepolicereport,I’vewrittendowhingpeopletoldmeaboutwhattheyweredoingthatday.SoiI’vespentalmosthalfmylifecollegrmationaboutasingleday.”
“Yourealise,Isuppose,thatafterthirty-sixyearsthekillerhimselfmightbedeadandburied?”
“Idon’tbelievethat.”
Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrowsattheviinhisvoice.
“Let’sfinishdinnerandgobackupstairs.There’sonemoredetailbeforemystoryisdone.Andit’sthemostperplexingofall.”
SanderparkedtheCorolwiththeautomatismissionbythemuterrailwaystationinSundbyberg.ShehadborrowedtheToyotafromMiltonSecurity’smotorpool.Shehadlyaskedpermission,butArmanskyhadneverexpresslyforbiddenherfromusingMilton’scars.Sooer,shethought,Ihavetogetavehiyown.Shedidownased-handKawasaki125,whichsheusedinthesummertime.Durierthebikewaslockedinhercelr.
ShewalkedtoH?gklintav?genandra6:00o.SedsterthelothestreetdoorclickedauptwoflightsandrangthedoorbellothenameofSvensson.ShehadnoideawhoSvenssonmightbeorifanysuchpersonevehatapartment.
“Hi,Pgue,”shesaid.
“.Youonlypopinwhenyouneedsomething.”
Asusual,itwasdarkintheapartment;thelightfromasinglempseepedoutintothehallfromthebedroomheusedasanoffice.Theman,whowasthreeyearsolderthanSander,wassixfoottwoandweighed330pounds.Sheherselfwasfourfeetelevenandweighed90poundsandhadalwaysfeltlikeamidgetoPgue.Thepcesmelledstuffyandstale.
“It’sbecauseyouakeabath,Pgue.Itsmellslikeamonkeyhouseinhere.IfyoueverwentoutIcouldgiveyousometipsonsoap.TheyhaveitattheKonsum.”
Hegaveherawansmile,butsaidnothiioofollowhimintothekit.Heploppeddownonachairbythekittablewithoutturningonalight.Theonlyilluminationcamefromthestreetlightbeyondthewindow.
“Imean,Imaynotholdtherecordininghouseeither,butifI’vegotoldmilkcartonsthatsmelllikemaggotsIbuhemupandputthemout.”
“I’monadisabilitypension,”hesaid.“I’msociallyi.”
“Sothat’swhythegovergaveyouapcetoliveandfotaboutyou.Aren’tyoueverafraidthatyhboursaregoingtopintotheiors?Thenyoumightfetchupinthefunnyfarm.”
“Haveyousomethingforme?”
Sanderunzippedherjacketpocketandhandedhimfivethousandkronor.
“It’sallIspare.It’smyownmoney,andI’treallydeductyouasadependant.”
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Theeleiuffyoutalkedabouttwomonthsago.Didyougetit?”
Hesmiledandidaboxoable.
“Showmehowitworks.”
Forthefewminutesshelisteently.Theedthecuff.Pguemightbeasociali,buthewasuionablyagenius.
VangerwaiteduntilheoncemorehadBlomkvist’sattention.Blomkvistlookedathiswatdsaid,“Oneperplexiail.”
Vangersaid:“IwasbornonNovember1.WhenHarrietwaseightshegavemeabirthdaypresent,apressedflower,framed.”
Vangerwalkedaroundthedeskandpoihefirstflower.Bluebell.Ithadanamateurishmounting.
“Thatwasthefirst.Igotitin1958.”Hepoiheone.“1959.”Buttercup.“1960.”Daisy.“Itbecameatradition.Shewouldmaketheframesometimeduringthesummerandsaveituntilmybirthday.Ialwayshuhewallinthisroom.In1966shedisappearedaraditionwasbroken.”
Vangerpoioagapintherowofframes.Blomkvistfeltthehairsriseonthebackofhishewallwasfilledwithpressedflowers.
“1967,ayearaftershedisappeared,Ireceivedthisfloweronmybirthday.It’saviolet.”
“Howdidthefloweretoyou?”
“edinwhattheycallgiftpaperandpostedinapaddedenvelopefromStockholssage.”
“Youmeanthat…”Blomkvistmadeasweepiure.
“Precisely.Onmybirthdayeverydamnyear.Doyouknowhowthatfeels?It’sdirectedatme,preciselyasifthemurdererwantstotortureme.I’veworriedmyselfsickoverwhetherHarrietmighthavebeentakenawaybecausesomeoedtogetatme.ItwasthatsheandIhadaspecialretionshipandthatIthoughtofherasmyowndaughter.”
“Sowhatisityouwaodo?”Blomkvistsaid.
WhenSaurheCoroltothegarageunderMiltonSecurity,shemadesuretogotothetoiletupstairsintheoffice.Sheusedhercardkeyinthedoorandtooktheliftstraightuptothethirdfloortoavoidgoinginthroughthemairahesedfloor,wherethedutyofficerworked.SheusedthetoiletandgotacupofcoffeefromtheespressomachihatArmanskyhadboughtwhenatlongsthereisedthatSanderwouldnevermakecoffeejustbecauseitectedofher.Thetoheroffidhungherleatherjacketoverthebackofherchair.
Theofficewasa61/2-by-10-footgsscubicle.TherewasadeskwithanoldmodelDelldesktopPC,atelephone,oneofficechair,ametalaperbasket,andashelf.Theshelftainedanassortmentofdirectoriesandthreebnkhetwodeskdrawershousedsomeballpoints,paperclips,andahewindowsillstoodapottedpntwithbrown,witheredleaves.Sanderlookedthoughtfullyatthepnt,asifitwerethefirsttimeshehadseenit,thenshedepositeditfirmlyiepaperbasket.
Sheseldomhadanythingtodoinheroffidvisiteditnomorethanhalfadozentimesayear,mainlywhensheositbyherselfandprepareareportjustbeforehandingitin.Armanskyhadinsistedthatshehaveherownspace.Hisreasoningwasthatshewouldthenfeellikepartofthepanyalthoughsheworkedasafreencer.ShesuspectedthatArmanskyhopedthatthiswayhewouldhaveacetokeepaneyeonherandmeddleinheraffairs.Atfirstshehadbeengivenspacefartherdownthecorridor,inargerroomthatsheectedtosharewithacolleague.ButsinceshewashereArmanskyfinallymovedherintothecubbyholeattheendofthecorridor.
Saookoutthecuff.Shelookedatit,meditativelybitingherlowerlip.
Itast11:00andshewasalohefloor.Shesuddeexcruciatinglybored.
AfterawhileshegotupandwalkedtotheendofthehalndtriedthedoortoArmansky’soffice.Locked.Shelookedaround.ThecesofanyupinthecorridoraroundmidnightonDecember26werealmostent.Sheopehedooriratecopyofthepany’scardkey,whichshehadtakeroubletomakeseveralyearsbefore.
Armansky’sofficeacious:infrontofhisdeskwereguestchairs,andafereablewithrohtpeoplewasintheer.Iteably.Shehadnotsnoopedinhisofficeforquitesometime,butnowthatshewashere…Shespentawhileathisdesktherselfuptodateregardingthesearchforasuspectedmoleinthepany,whichofhercolleagueshadbeenpntedundercoverinafirmwhereatheftringerating,andwhatmeasureshadbeentakeninallsecrecytoprotectatwhowasafraidherchildwasindangerofbeingkidhefather.
Atstsheputthepapersbackpreciselythewaytheywere,lockedArmansky’sdoor,andwalkedhome.Shefeltsatisfiedwithherday.
“Idon’tknowwhetherwe’llfindoutthetruth,butIrefusetogotomygravewithoutgivingitory,”theoldmansaid.“Isimplywanttomissionyoutoghalltheevidenesttime.”
“Thisiscrazy,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Whyisitcrazy?”
“I’veheardenough.Henrik,Iuandyrief,butIhavetobehowithyou.Whatyou’reaskiodoisawasteofmytimeandyourmoney.Youareaskiojureupasolutiontoamysterythatthepolidexperienvestigatorswithsiderablygreaterresourceshavefailedtosolvealltheseyears.You’reaskiosolveacrimegettingonforfortyyearsafteritwasmitted.HowcouldIpossiblydothat?”
“Wehaven’tdiscussedyourfee,”Vangersaid.
“Thatwon’tbenecessary.”
“I’tforceyou,butlistentowhatI’m.Frodehasalreadydrawnupatract.Weegotiatethedetails,butthetractissimple,andallitneedsisynature.”
“Henrik,thisisabsurd.Ireallydon’tbelieveIsolvethemysteryofHarriet’sdisappearance.”
“Atothetract,youdon’thaveto.Allitasksisthatyoudoyourbest.Ifyoufail,thenit’sGod’swill,or—ifyoudon’tbelieveinHim—it’sfate.”
Blomkvistsighed.HewasfeelingmoreandmoreunfortableandwaoendthisvisittoHedeby,butherelented.
“Allright,let’shearit.”
“IwantyoutoliveandworkhereinHedebyforayear.IwantyoutoghtheiigativereportonHarriet’sdisappearanepageatatime.Iwantyoutoexamihingwithneweyes.Iwantyoutoquestionalltheoldclusiolythewayaigativereporterwould.IwantyoutolookforsomethingthatIandthepolidotheriigatorsmayhavemissed.”
“You’reaskiosetasidemylifeandcareertodevotemyselfforawholeyeartosomethingthat’sapletewasteoftime.”
Vangersmiled.“Astoyourcareer,wemightagreethatforthemomentit’ssomewhatonhold.”
Blomkvisthadnoahat.
“Iwanttobuyayearofyourlife.Giveyouajob.Thesaryisbetterthananyofferyou’llevergetinyourlife.Iwillpayyou200,000kronoramonth—that’s2.4millionkronorifyouaeptandstaythewholeyear.”
Blomkvistwasastonished.
“Ihavenoillusions.Thepossibilityyouwillsueedisminimal,butifagainstalloddsyoushouldcrackthemysterythenI’mabonusofdoublepayment,or4.8millionkronor.Let’sbegenerousandrounditofftofivemillion.”
Vangerleanedbadcockedhishead.
“Ipaythemooanybankaountyouwish,anywhereintheworld.Youalsotakethemoneyincashinasuitcase,soit’suptoyouwhetheryouwanttoreporttheiothetaxauthorities.”
“Thisis…hy,”Blomkviststammered.
“Whyso?”Vangersaidcalmly.“I’meighty-twoandstillinfullpossessionofmyfaculties.Ihaveargepersonalfortune;IspenditanywayIwant.IhavenochildrenandabsolutelynodesiretoleaveanymooretivesIdespise.I’vemademystwilament;I’llbegivingthebulkofmyfortuotheWorldWildlifeFund.Afewpeoplewhoareclosetomewillreceivesignifitamounts—includingAnna.”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“Trytouandme,”Vangersaid.“I’mamanwho’sgoingtodiesoon.There’sohingintheworldIwanttohave—andthat’sanahisquestionthathaspguedmeforhalfmylife.Idon’texpecttofindtheanswer,butIdohaveresourakeotempt.Isthatunreasonable?IoweittoHarriet.AndIoweittomyself.”
“You’llbepayingmeseveralmillionkronorfornothing.AllIodoissigradthentwiddlemythumbsforayear.”
“Youwouldn’tdothat.Orary—you’llworkharderthanyou’veeverworkedinyourlife.”
“Howyoubesosure?”
“BecauseIofferyousomethingthatyou’tbuyforanyprice,butwhichyouwantmorethananythingintheworld.”
“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”
Vanger’seyesnarrowed.
“IgiveyouHans-ErikWer?m.Iprovethathe’saswindler.Hehappehirty-fiveyearsago,tobeginhiscareerwithme,andIgiveyouhisheadonaptter.Solvethemysteryandyouturnyourdefeatincourtintothestoryoftheyear.”
CHAPTER7
Friday,January3
ErikasethercoffeethetableandstoodbythewindowlookingoutattheviewofGamStan.Itwas9:00inthem.AllthesnowhadbeenwashedawaybytherainoverNewYear’s.
“I’vealwayslovedthisview,”shesaid.“AnapartmentlikethiswouldmakemegiveuplivinginSaltsj?baden.”
“You’vegotthekeys.Youmoveoverfromyourupper-cssreserveanytimeyouwant,”Blomkvistsaid.Heclosedthesuitcaseandputitbythefrontdoor.
Bergerturnedandgavehimadisbelievinglook.“You’tbeserious,Mikael,”shesaid.“We’reinourworstcrisisandyou’repagtogoandliveinTjottahejti.”
“Hedestad.Acoupleofhoursbytrain.Andit’snotforever.”
“ItmightaswellbeUnBator.Don’tyouseethatitwilllookasifyou’reslinkingoffwithyourtailbetweenys?”
“That’spreciselywhatIamdoing.Besides,Ihavetodosomegaoltimetoo.”
ChristerMalmwassittingonthesofa.Hewasunfortable.ItwasthefirsttimesiheyfoundedMillenniumthathehadseenBergerandBlomkvistinsuchdisagreement.Overalltheyearstheyhadbeeninseparable.Sometimestheyhadfuriouscshes,buttheirargumentswerealwaysaboutbusinessmatters,andtheywouldinvariablyresolveallthoseissuesbeforethey
Vangergheclock.
“Mythirtyminutesarealmostup,butI’mclosetotheendofthestory.Willyougivemeareprieve?”
“Goon,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Inshort,then.Iwaschildless—instrikingtrasttomybrothersandotherfamilymembers,whoseemedobsessedwiththeatethehouseofVanger.GottfriedandIsabeldidmovehere,buttheirmarriagewasontherocks.AfteronlyayearGottfriedmovedouttohis.HelivedtherealonefperiodsabacktoIsabelwhenitgottoocold.ItookartinandHarriet,andtheybecameinmanywaysthechildrenIneverhad.
“Martinwas…totellthetruth,therewasatimeinhisyouthwhenIwasafraidhewasgoingtofollowinhisfather’sfootsteps.Hewasweakandintrovertedandmencholy,buthecouldalsobedelightfuhusiastic.Hehadsometroubledyearsinhisteens,buthestraightenedhimselfoutwheartedattheuy.Heis…well,inspiteofeverythingheisCEOofwhat’sleftoftheVangerCorporation,whichIsupposeistohiscredit.”
“AndHarriet?”
“Harrietwastheappleofmyeye.Itriedtogiveherasenseofsecurityanddevelopherself-fidendwetookalikingtoeachother.Ilookedonherasmyowndaughter,andsheendedupbeingclosertomethantoherparents.Yousee,Harrietwasveryspecial.Shewasintroverted—likeherbrother—andasateenagershebecameedupinreligion,unlikeanyoneelseinthefamily.Butshehadacleartalentaremendouslyintelligent.Shehadbothmoralsandbae.WhenshewasfourteenorfifteenIwasvihatshewastheone—andnotherbrotheroranyofthemediocrecousins,nephews,andniecesaroundme—whowasdestioruntheVangerbusinessoneday,oratleastpyatralroleinit.”
“Sopened?”
“herealreasonIwanttohireyou.IwantyoutofindoutwhointhefamilymurderedHarriet,andwhosihenhasspentalmostfortyyearstryingtodrivemeinsane.”
CHAPTER5
Thursday,December26
Forthefirsttimesincehebeganhismonologue,theoldmanhadmaakeBlomkvistbysurprise.Hehadtoaskhimtorepeatittobesurehehadheardcorrectly.Nothingiingshadhiamurder.
“Ittember24,1966.Harrietwassixteenandhadjustbegunhersedyearatprepschool.ItwasaSaturday,anditturotheworstdayofmylife.I’vegoheeventssomanytimesthatIthinkIaountforpenedineverymihatday—exceptthemostimportantthing.”
Hemadeasweepiure.“Hereinthishouseagreatnumberofmyfamilyhadgathered.Itwastheloathsomeannualdiwasatraditionwhichmyfather’sfatherintrodudwhierallyturoprettydetestableaffairs.Thetraditiooanendiies,whenMartinsimplydecreedthatalldiscussionsaboutthebusinesswouldtakepceatregurboardmeetingsandbyvoting.That’sthebestdecisionheevermade.”
“YousaidthatHarrietwasmurdered…”
“Wait.LetmetellyoupewasaSaturday,asIsaid.Itwasalsothedayoftheparty,withtheChildren’sDayparadethatwasarrahesportsclubiad.Harriethadgoothetownduringthedayandwatchedtheparadewithsomeofherschoolfriends.ShecamebackheretoHedebyIsndjustafter2:00iernoon.Dinnerposedtobeginat5:00,andsheectedtotakepartalongwiththeotheryoungpeopleinthefamily.”
Vaupaovertothewindow.HemotionedBlomkvisttojoinhim,andpointed.
“At2:15,afewmierHarrietcamehome,adramaticaidentourredoutthereonthebridge.AmancalledGustavAronsson,brotherofafarmerat?sterg?rden—asmallholdingonHedebyIsnd—turothebridgeandcrashedhead-onwithanoiltruck.Evidentlybothweregoingtoofastandwhatshouldhavebeenaminorcollisionprovedacatastrophe.Thedriverofthetruck,presumablyinstinctively,turnedhiswheewayfromthecar,hittherailingofthebridgeaankerflippedover;itendedupacrossthebridgewithitstrailerhangiheedge.Oherailingshadbeendrivenintotheoiltankandfmmableheatingoilbeganspurtingout.InthemeantimeAronssonsatpinnedinsidehiscar,screaminginpaiankerdriverwasalsoimaoscrambleoutofhis.”
Theoldmabacktohischair.
“TheaidentactuallyhadnothingtodowithHarriet.Butitwassignifitinacrucialway.Ashamblesensued:peopleonbothsidesofthebridgehurriedtotrytohelp;theriskoffirewassignifitandamajorarmwassounded.Policeofficers,anambuherescuesquad,thefirebrigade,reportersandsightseersarrivedinrapidsuession.Naturallyallofthemassembledonthemainndside;hereontheisndsidewedidwhatwecouldtogetAronssonoutofthewreck,whichprovedtobedamnablydifficult.Heinnedinandseriouslyinjured.
“Wetriedtoprisehimloosewithourbarehands,andthatdidn’twork.Hewouldhavetobecutorsawedout,butwecouldn’tdoanythingthatriskedstrikingaspark;wewerestandinginthemiddleofaseaofoiloatarucklyingonitsside.Ifithadexplodedwewouldhaveallbeenkilled.Ittookalongtimebeforewecouldgethelpfromthemainndside;thetruckwaswedgedrightacrossthebridge,andclimbiwouldhavebeenthesameasclimbingoverabomb.”
Blomkvistcouldthefeelingthattheoldmanwastelliiculouslyrehearsedstory,deliberatelytocapturehisihemanwasanexcellentstoryteller,ion.Oherhand,wherewasthestoryheading?
“Whatmattersabouttheaidentisthatthebridgewasblockedfortwenty-fourhours.NotuntilSundayeveningwasthestoftheoilpumpedout,ahetruckcouldbeliftedupbyeandthebridgeopenedfortraffic.Duriwenty-fourhoursHedebyIsndwastoallisandpurposescutofffromtherestoftheworld.Theonlywaytogetacrosstothemainndwasonafireboatthatwasbroughtintotransportpeoplefromthesmall-boatharbouronthissidetotheoldharbourbelowthechurch.Forseveralhourstheboatwasusedonlybyrescuecrews—itwasn’tuntilquiteteonSaturdaynightthatstrandedisndersbegantobeferriedacross.Doyouuandthesignificeofthis?”
“IassumethatsomethinghappeoHarriethereontheisnd,”Blomkvistsaid,“andthatthelistofsuspectssistsofthefinitenumberofpeopletrappedhere.Asortoflocked-roommysteryinisndformat?”
Vangersmiledironically.“Mikael,youdon’tknowhhtyouare.EvenIhavereadmyDorothySayers.Thesearethefacts:Harrietarrivedhereontheisndabout2:10.Ifwealsoincludechildrenandunmarriedguests,allinalboutfortyfamilymembersarrivedinthecourseoftheday.Alongwithservantsandresidents,thereweresixty-fourpeopleeitherhereorhefarm.Someofthem—theoneswhoingtospendthenight—werebusygettiledinneighbfarmsuestrooms.
“Harriethadpreviouslylivedinahouseacrosstheroad,butgiventhatherGottfriednorIsabelwassistentlystable,andonecouldclearlyseehosetthegirl,undermiudiesandsoon,in1964,whenshewasfourteen,Iarrangedforhertomoveintomyhouse.Isabelprobablythoughtthatitwasjustfiobesparedtheresponsibilityfhter.Harriethadbeenlivinghereforthepasttwoyears.Sothisiswhereshecamethatday.WeknowthatshemetandexgedsomewordswithHaraldinthecourtyard—he’soneofmyolderbrothers.Thenshecameupthestairs,tothisroom,andsaidhellotome.Shesaidthatshewaalktomeaboutsomething.RightthenIhadsomeotherfamilymemberswithmeandIcouldn’tsparethetimeforher.ButsheseemedanxiousandIpromisedI’detoherroomwhenIwasfree.Sheleftthroughthatdoor,andthatwasthesttimeIsawher.Aminuteorsotertherewasthecrashonthebridgeandthebedmthatfollowedupsetallourpnsfortheday.”
“Howdidshedie?”
“It’smoreplicatedthanthat,andIhavetotellthestoryinologicalorder.Whentheaidentourred,peopledroppedwhatevertheyweredoingandrantothese.Iwas…IsupposeItookchargeandwasfeverishlyoupiedforthefewhours.Harrietcamedowntothebridgerightaway—severalpeoplesawher—butthedangerofanexplosionmademeinstruyonewhowasn’tinvolvediingAronssonoutofhiscartostaywellback.FiveofusremaihereweremyselfandmybrotherHarald.TherewasamannamedMagnusNilsson,oneofmyworkers.TherewasasawmillworkernamedSixtenNordnderwhohadahousedownbythefishingharbour.AndtherewasafellownamedJerkerAronsson.Hewasonlysixteen,andIshouldreallyhavesenthimaway,buthewasthenephewofGustavinthecar.
“Atabout2:40Harrietwasihereinthehouse.ShedrankagssofmilkandtalkedbrieflytoAstrid,ourcook.Theylookedoutofthewindowatthemotiondownatthebridge.
“At2:55Harrietcrossedthecourtyard.ShewasseenbyIsabel.AboutamiersheranintoOttoFalk,thepastorinHedeby.AtthattimetheparsonagewaswhereMartinVangerhashisviltoday,aorlivedonthissideofthebridge.Hehadbeeninbed,nursingacold,whentheaidenttookpce;hehadmissedthedrama,butsomeoelephonedandhewasonhiswaytothebridge.Harrietstoppedhimontheroadandapparentlywaosaysomethingtohim,buthewavedheroffandhurriedpast.Falkwasthestpersontoseeheralive.”
“Howdidshedie?”Blomkvistsaidagain.
“Idon’tknow,”Vangersaidwithatroubledexpression.“WedidAronssonoutofhistiround5:00—hesurvived,bytheway,althoughhewasnotingoodshape—andsometimeafter6:00thethreatoffirewassideredpast.Theisndwasstillcutoff,butthiocalmdown.Itwasn’tuntilwesatdownatthetabletohavedeyeddinneraround8:00thatwediscoveredHarrietwasmissing.IsehecousinstogetHarrietfromherroom,butshecamebacktosaythatshecouldn’tfindher.Ididn’tthinkmuchaboutit;Iprobablyassumedshehadgoneforawalkorshehadoldthatdinnerwasserved.AndduringtheeveningIhadtodealwithvariousdiscussionsandargumentswiththefamily.Soitwasn’tuntilthem,whenIsabelwenttofihatwerealisedthatnobodyknewwhereHarrietwasandthatno-onehadseenhersihedaybefore.”Hespreadhisarmsoutwide.“Andfromthatday,shehasbeenmissingwithoutatrace.”
“Missing?”Blomkvistechoed.
“Foralltheseyearswehaven’tbeeofindonemicroscopicscrapofher.”
“Butifshevanished,asyousay,you’tbesurethatshewasmurdered.”
“Iuandtheobje.I’vehadthoughtsalongthesamelines.ersonvahoutatraeoffourthingscouldhavehappened.Shecouldhavegoneoffofherownfreewilndbehidingsomewhere.Shecouldhavehadaanddied.Shecouldhavemittedsuicide.Andfinally,shecouldhavebeeimofacrime.I’veweighedallthesepossibilities.”
“ButyoubelievethatsomeoookHarriet’slife.Why?”
“Becauseit’stheonlyreasonableclusion.”Vangerhelduponefinger.“FromtheoutsetIhopedthatshehadrunaway.Butasthedayspassed,weallrealisedthatthiswasn’tthecase.Imean,howwouldasixteen-year-oldfromsuchaprotectedworld,evenaveryablegirl,beabletomanageonherown?Howcouldshestayhiddenwithoutbeingdiscovered?Wherewouldshegetmoney?Andevenifshegotajobsomewhere,shewouldneedasocialsecuritycardandanaddress.”
Hehelduptwofingers.
“Myhoughtwasthatshehadhadsomekindofaident.eafavotothedeskahetopdrawer.There’samapthere.”
Blomkvistdidashewasaskedandunfoldedthemaponthecoffeetable.HedebyIsndwasanirregurlyshapedndmassabouttwomileslongwithamaximumwidthofaboutonemile.Argepartoftheisndwascoveredbyforest.Therewasabuilt-upareabythebridgeandaroulesummer-househarbour.Ohersideoftheisndwasthesmallholding,?sterg?rden,fromwhichtheunfortunateAronssonhadstartedoutinhiscar.
“Rememberthatshecouldn’thavelefttheisnd,”Vangersaid.“HereonHedebyIsndyoucoulddieinajustlikeanywhereelse.Youcouldbestruckbylightning—buttherewasnothuormthatday.Youcouldbetrampledtodeathbyahorse,falldownawell,ortumbleintoarockcrevice.Therearenodoubthundredsofwaystofallvictimtoahere.I’vethoughtofmostofthem.”
Heheldupthreefingers.
“There’sjustodthisalsoappliestothethirdpossibility—thatthegirl,trarytoeveryindication,tookherownlife.Herbodymustbesomewhereinthislimitedarea.”
Vangersmmedhisfistdownonthemap.
“Inthedaysaftershedisappeared,wesearchedeverywhere,crisscrossingtheisnd.Themehrougheveryditch,scouredeverypatchoffield,cliff,anduprootedtree.Wewentthrougheverybuilding,ey,well,barn,andhiddengarret.”
TheoldmanlookedawayfromBlomkvistandstaredintothedarknessoutsidethewindow.Hisvoicegrewlowerandmoreintimate.
“ThewholeautumnIlookedforher,evehesearchpartiesstoppedandpeoplehadgivenup.WhenIwasn’ttendingtomyworkIbegangoingforwalksbadforthacrosstheisnd.Wintercameonaillhadn’tfoundatraceofher.InthesprionlookinguntilIrealisedhowpreposterousmysearchwas.WhensummercameIhiredthreeexperienenwhodidtheentiresearchainwithdogs.Theybedeverysquarefootoftheisnd.BythattimeIhadbeguntothinkthatsomeohavekilledher.Sotheyalsosearchedfrave.Theyworkedatitforthreemonths.Wefoundnottheslightestvestigeofthegirl.Itwasasifshehaddissolvedintothinair.”
“Ithinkofanumberofpossibilities,”Blomkvistventured.
“Let’shearthem.”
“Shecouldhavedrowned,aidentallyoronpurpose.Thisisanisnd,andwaterhidemostthings.”
“True,buttheprobabilityisn’tgreat.siderthefollowing:ifHarrietmetwithaanddrowned,logicallyitmusthaveourredsomewhereintheimmediateviityofthevilge.RememberthattheexcitementonthebridgewasthemostsensationalthingthathadhappenedhereonHedebyIsndinseveraldecades.Itwasnotatimewhenasixteen-year-oldgirlwithanormalsenseofcuriositywoulddecidetogoforawalktotheothersideoftheisnd.
“Butmoreimportant,”hesaid,“there’snotmuchofacurrenthere,andthewindsatthattimeofyearwereoutofthenorthornortheast.Ifanythingfallsintothewater,itesupsomewherealongthebeathemainnd,ahereit’sbuiltupalmosteverywhere.Don’tthinkthatwedidn’tsiderthis.Wedraggedalmostallthespotswhereshecouldceivablyhavegonedowntothewater.Ialsohiredyoungmenfromascuba-divingclubhereiad.Theyspeoftheseasonbiomofthesoundandalongthebeaches…I’mvincedshe’snotier;ifshehadbeenwewouldhavefoundher.”
“Butcouldshenothavemetwithasomewhereelse?Thebridgewasblocked,ofcourse,butit’sashortdistanceovertothemainnd.Shecouldhaveswumorrowedacross.”
“ItwasteSeptemberaerwassocoldthatHarrietwouldhardlyhavesetofftogoswimminginthemidstofallthemotion.Butifshesuddenlygottheideatoswimtothemainnd,shewouldhavebeenseenanddrawnalotofattention.Thereweredozensofeyesonthebridge,andonthemainndsidethereweretwoorthreehundredpeoplealoerwatgthese.”
“Arowingboat?”
“No.ThatdaytherewerepreciselythirteenboatsonHedebyIsnd.Mostofthepleasureboatswerealreadyinsteonnd.Downinthesmall-boatharbourbythesummersthereweretwoPetterssonboatsier.Thereweresevenekarowingboats,ofwhichfivewerepulleduponshore.Belowtheparsonageonerowingboatwasonshoreahewater.By?sterg?rdentherewasarowingboatandamotorboat.Alltheseboatswerecheckedandwereexactlywheretheyweresupposedtobe.Ifshehadrowedacrossandrunaway,shewouldhavehadtoleavetheboatoherside.”
Vangerheldupfers.
“Sothere’sonlyonereasonablepossibilityleft,hatHarrietdisappearedagainstherwill.Someonekilledherandgotridofthebody.”
LisbethSanderspentChristmasmreadingMikaelBlomkvist’stroversiaboutfinancialjournalism,TheKnightsTempr:ACautionaryTaleforFinancialReporters.ThecoverhadatrendydesignbyChristerMalmfeaturingaphotographoftheStoStockExge.MalmhadworkedinPhotoShop,andittookamomenttonoticethatthebuildingwasfloatinginair.Itwasadramatioverwithwhichtosetthetoneforwhatwastoe.
SandercouldseethatBlomkvistwasafier.Thewassetoutinastraightforwardandengagingway,andevenpeoplewithnoinsightintothebyrinthoffinancialjournalismcouldlearhingfromreadingit.Thetonewassharpandsarcastic,butaboveallitersuasive.
Thefirstchapterwasasortofdecrationofwarinwhikvistdidnotmincewords.Iwentyyears,Swedishfinancialjournalistshaddevelopedintoagroupofickeyswhowerepuffedupwithself-importandwhohadnorecordofthinkingcritically.Hedrewthisclusionbecausetimeaftertime,withouttheleastobje,somanyfinancialreportersseemedtentturgitatethestatementsissuedbyCEOsandstock-marketspecutors—evehisrmationinlymisleading.Thesereporterswerethuseithersonaiveandgulliblethattheyoughttobepackedofftootherassigs,ortheywerepeoplewhoquitesciouslybetrayedtheirjournalisti.Blomkvistcimedthathehadoftenbeenashamedtobecalledafinancialreporter,sihenhewouldriskbeinglumpedtogetherwithpeoplewhomhedidnotrateasreportersatall.
Heparedtheeffortsoffinancialjournalistswiththewaycrimereportersncorresposworked.Hepaintedapictureoftheoutcrythatwouldresultifalegalcorrespobeganuncriticallyreprodugtheprosecutor’scaseasgospelinamurdertrial,withoutsultingthedefenceargumentsorinterviewiim’sfamilybeforefanopinionofwhatwaslikelyorunlikely.AtoBlomkvistthesameruleshadtoapplytofinancialjournalists.
Therestofthesistedofaofevideosupporthiscase.Onelongchapterexamiherepofafamousdot-insixdailypapers,aswelsintheFinancialJournal,DagensIndustri,and“A-ekonomi,”thebusinessreportonSwedishTV.Hefirstquotedandsummarisedwhatthereportershadsaidandwritten.Thenhemadeaparisonwiththeactualsituation.Indescribingthedevelopmentofthepaedtimeaftertimethesimplequestionsthataseriousreporterwouldhaveaskedbutwhichthewholecorpsoffinancialreportershadedtoask.Itwasamove.
AnotherchapterdealtwiththeIPOofTeliastock—itwasthe’smostjodiroion,inwhiefinancialwriterswerecastigatedbyname,includingoneWilliamB,towhomBlomkvistseemedtobeparticurlyhostile.AchapterheendoftheparedthelevelofpetenceofSwedishandfnfinancialreporters.HedescribedhowseriousreportersatLondon’sFinancialTimes,theEist,andsomeGermanfinaneershadreportedsimirsubjetheirowntries.TheparisonwasnotfavourabletotheSwedishjournalists.Thefinalchaptertainedasketchwithsuggestionsastohowthisdeplorablesituationcouldberemedied.Theclusionoftheechoedtheintrodu:
Ifaparliamentaryreporterhandledhisassigbyuncriticallytakingupansupportofeverydecisionthatushedthrough,nomatterhowpreposterous,orifapoliticalreporterweretoshowasimirckofjudgement—thatreporterwouldbefiredorattheleastreassigoadepartmentwhereheorshecouldnotdosomuchdamage.Intheworldoffinancialrep,however,thenormaljournalistidatetouakecritivestigationsandobjectivelyreportfindingstothereadersappearsnottoapply.Ihemostsuessfulrogueisappuded.InthiswaythefutureofSwedenisalsobeied,andallremainingtrustinjournalistsasacorpsofprofessionalsisbeingpromised.
SanderhadnodifficultyuandiateddebatethathadfollowediradepublicationTheJournalist,certainfinaneers,andonthefrontpagesandinthebusinesssesofthedailypapers.Eventhoughonlyafewreporterswerementionedbyhe,Sanderguessedthatthefieldwassmallenoughthateveryonewouldklywhidividualswerebeingreferredtowhenvariousneerswerequoted.Blomkvisthadmadehimselfsomebitterenemies,whichwasalsoreflectedinthemalientstothecourtintheWer?maffair.
Sheclosedtheandlookedatthephotographontheback.Blomkvist’sdarkblondshockofhairfelbitcarelesslyacrosshisforehead,asifcaughtinagustofwind.OrasifChristerMalmhadposedhiverygood-lookingman.Onhiswaytodothreemonthsinthesmmer.
“Hello,KalleBlomkvist,”shesaidtoherself.“You’reprettypleasedwithyourself,aren’tyou?”
AtlunchtimeSanderbootedupheriandopenedEudoratowriteanemail.Shetyped:“Haveyougottime?”ShesigatotheaddressTobeonthesafeside,sheranthemessagethroughherPGPencryptiramme.
Theonbckjeans,heavywinterboots,aoloshirt,adarkpeajacketandmatgknittedgloves,cap,andscarf.Shetooktheringsoutofhereyebrowsandnostril,putonapalepinklipstidexaminedherselfihroommirror.Shelookedlikeanyotherwomanoutforaweekendstroll,andsheregardedheroutfitasappropriatecamoufgeforaionbehindenemylines.ShetookthetunnelbanafromZinkensdammto?stermalmstandwalkeddowntowardsStrandv?gen.Shesaunteredaloralreservereadingthenumbersonthebuildings.Shehadalmostgott?rdsBridgewheoppedandlookedatthedoorshehadbeenseargfor.Shecrossedthestreetandwaitedafewfeetfromthestreetdoor.
ShenoticedthatmostpeoplewhowereoutwalkinginthecoldweatheronthedayafterChristmaswerewalkingalongthequay;onlyafewwereonthepavementside.
ShehadtowaitforalmosthalfanhourbeforeanoldwomanwithaeapproachedfromthedireofDjurg?rden.ThewomanstoppedandstudiedSahsuspi.Sandergaveherafriendlysmileiurn.Thedywiththeereturnedhergreetingandlookedasthoughsheweretryingtorememberwhenshehadstseentheyoungwoman.Saurnedherbadtookafewstepsawayfromthedoor,asthoughshewereimpatientlywaitingforsomeone,pagbadforth.Wheurhedyhadreachedthedoorandwasslowlyputtinginahecodelock.Sanderhadnodifficultyseeingthatthebinationwas1260.
Shewaitedfiveminutesmorebeforeshewenttothedoor.Shepuhecodeandthelockclicked.Shepeeredintothestairwell.TherewasasecuritycamerawhichshegandigwasamodelthatMiltonSecuritycarriedandwasactivatedonlyifanarmforabreak-inoranattackwassouheproperty.Fartherin,totheleftofanantiqueliftcage,therewasadoorwithanothercodelock;shetried1260anditworkedfortheentrahecelrlevendrubbishroom.Sloppy,verysloppy.Shespentthreeminutesiigatingthecelrlevel,whereshelocatedanunlockedundryroomandarecygroom.Thensheusedasetofpicklocksthatshehad“borrowed”fromMilton’slocksmithtoopenalockeddoortowhatseemedtobeameetingroomfortheiniumassociation.Atthebackofthecelrwasahobbyroom.Finallyshefoundwhatshewaslookingfor:thebuilding’ssmallelectri.Sheexamihemeters,fuseboxes,andjunboxesaookoutadigitalcamerathesizeofacigarettepacket.Shetookthreepictures.
Onthewayoutshecasthereyedowofresidentsbytheliftaheheapartmentoopfloor.Wer?m.
ThethebuildingandwalkedrapidlytotheNationalMuseum,whereshewentintothecafeteriatohavesomecoffeeand.AfterabouthalfanhourshemadeherwaybacktoS?derauptoherapartment.
TherewasananswerfromWhenshedecodeditinPGPitread:20.
CHAPTER6
Thursday,December26
ThetimelimitsetbyBlomkvisthadbeenexceededbyagoin.Itwas4:30,andtherewasnohopeofcatgtheafternoontrain,buthestillhadaakingtheeveningtrainat9:30.Hestoodbythewindowrubbinghisneckashestaredoutattheilluminatedfacadeofthechurtheothersideofthebridge.Vangerhadshownhimascrapwitharticlesfromboththeloeeraionalmedia.Therehadbeenquiteabitofmediaiforawhile—girlfromnotedindustrialist’sfamilydisappears.Butwhennobodywasfoundandtherewashroughintheiigation,igraduallywaned.Despitethefactthatapromifamilywasinvolved,thirty-sixyearsterthecaseofHarrietVangerwasallbutfotten.Theprevailingtheoryinarticlesfromthetesixtiesseemedtobethatshedrownedandwassweptouttosea—atragedy,butsomethingthatcouldhappentoanyfamily.
Blomkvisthadbeenfasatedbytheoldman’saount,butwhenVangerexcusedhimselftogotothebathroom,hisscepticismreturheoldmanhadstillnotgottotheend,andBlomkvisthadfinallypromisedtolistentothewholestory.
“Whatdoyouthinkhappeoher?”hesaidwhenVangercamebatotheroom.
“Normallythereweresometwenty-fivepeoplelivinghereyear-round,butbecauseofthefamilygatheringthereweremorethansixtyonHedebyIsndthatday.Ofthese,betweeyay-fiveberuledout,prettymuchso.Ibelievethatofthoseremaining,someone—andinalllikelihooditwassomeonefromthefamily—killedHarrietandhidthebody.”
“Ihaveadozeionstothat.”
“Let’shearthem.”
“Well,thefirstohatevenifsomeonehidherbody,itshouldhavebeenfoundifthesearchwasasthhastheoneyoudescribed.”
“Totellyouthetruth,thesearchwaseveehanI’vedescribed.Itwasn’tuntilIbegantothinkofHarrietasamurdervictimthatIrealisedseveralwaysinwhichherbodycouldhavedisappeared.I’tprovethis,butit’satleastwithintherealmofpossibility.”
“Tellme.”
“Harrietwentmissingsometimearound3:00thatafternoon.Atabout2:55shewasseenbyPastorFalk,whowashurryingtothebridge.Atalmostexactlythesametimeaphotographerarrivedfromthelocalpaper,andforthehourhetookagreatnumberofpicturesofthedrama.We—thepolice,Imean—examihephotographsandfirmedthatHarrietwasnotinahem;buteveryotherpersonintownwasseenione,apartfromverysmallchildren.”
Vaookoutanotheralbumaoable.
“Thesearepicturesfromthatday.ThefirstoakeadduringtheChildren’sDayparade.Thesamephotographertookitaround1:15p.m.,andHarrietisthereinit.”
Thephotographwastakenfromthesedfloorofabuildingandshowedastreetalongwhichtheparade—sontrudgirlsinbathingsuits—hadjustpassed.Spectatorsthrohepavements.Vangerpoiafigureinthecrowd.
“That’sHarriet.It’sabouttwohoursbeforeshewilldisappear;she’swithsomeofherschoolfriendsintown.Thisisthestpicturetakenofher.Butthere’sonemoreiingshot.”
Vangerleafedthroughthepages.Thealbumtainedabout180pictures—fiverolls—fromthecrashonthebridge.Afterhaviheaount,itwasalmosttoomuchtosuddeintheformofsharpbd-whiteimages.Thephotographerrofessionalwhohadmaocapturetheturmoilsurroundingtheaident.Argehepicturesfocusedoivitiesaroundtheoverturaruck.Blomkvisthadnoproblemidentifyiig,muchyoungerHenrikVangersoakedwithheatingoil.
“ThisismybrotherHarald.”TheoldmanpoioamaninshirtsleevesbendingforointingatsomethingihewreckofAronsson’scar.“MybrotherHaraldmaybeanunpleasantperson,butIthinkhebeeliminatedfromthelistofsuspects.Exceptforaveryshortwhile,wheorunbackheretothefarmtogehisshoes,hespeernoononthebridge.”
Vaurnedsomemes.Oneimagefollowedanother.Fothetaruck.Fospectatorsontheforeshore.FoAronsson’scar.Generalviews.Close-upswithatelephotolens.
“Thisistheiingpicture,”Vangersaid.“Asfaraswecoulddetermiwastakeween3:40and3:45,orabout45mierHarrietranintoFalk.Takealookatthehouse,themiddlesedfloorwindow.That’sHarriet’sroom.Inthepregpicturethewindowwasclosed.Hereit’sopen.”
“SomeohavebeeninHarriet’sroom.”
“Iaskedeveryone;nobodywouldadmittoopeningthewindow.”
“WhichmeansthateitherHarrietdiditherself,andshewasstilliveatthatpoint,orelsethatsomeonewaslyingtoyou.Butwhywouldamurderergointoherroomahewindow?Andwhyshouldanyonelieaboutit?”
Vangershookhishead.Noexpnatioeditself.
“Harrietdisappearedsometimearound3:00orshortlythereafter.Thesepicturesgiveanimpressionofwherecertainpeoplewereatthattime.That’swhyIeliminateanumberofpeoplefromthelistofsuspects.ForthesamereasonIcludethatsomepeoplewhowerenotiographsatthattimemustbeaddedtothelistofsuspects.”
“Youdidn’tanswermyquestionabouthowyouthinkthebodywasremoved.Irealise,ofcourse,thattheremustbesomepusibleexpnation.Somesortofmonoldillusionist’strick.”
“Thereareactuallyseveralverypracticalwaysitcouldhavebeendone.Sometimearound3:00thekillerstruck.Heorshepresumablydidn’tuseanysortofon—orwewouldhavefoundtracesofblood.I’mguessingthatHarrietwasstrangledandI’mguessingthatithappenedhere—behindthewallinthecourtyard,somewhereoutofthephotographer’slineofsightandinablindspotfromthehouse.There’sapath,ifyouwanttotakeashortcut,totheparsohestpceshewasseen—andbacktothehouse.Todaythere’sasmallflowerbedandwnthere,butiiesitwasagravelledareausedf.AllthekillerhadtodoeofadputHarrietinside.Whenwebeganseargtheisday,nobodywasthinkingthatacrimehadbeenmitted.Wefocusedontheshorelihebuildings,andthewoodsclosesttothevilge.”
“Sonobodywaschegthebootsofcars.”
“Andbythefollowingeveningthekillerwouldhavebeeogetinhisddriveacrossthebridgetohidethebodysomewhereelse.”
“Rightuhenosesofeveryoneinvolvedinthesearch.Ifthat’sthewayithappened,we’retalkingaboutacold-bloodedbastard.”
Vangergaveabitterugh.“YoujustgaveanaptdescriptionofquiteafewmembersoftheVangerfamily.”
Theytiheirdiscussionoversupperat6:00.Annaservedroastharewithcurrantjellyandpotatoes.Vangerpouredarobustredwine.Blomkviststillhadplentyoftimetomakethesttraihoughtitwasabouttimetosumthingsup.
“It’safasatingstoryyou’vebeentellingme,Iadmitit.ButIstilldon’tknowwhyyouwaohearit.”
“Itoldyou.IwanttonailtheswinewhomurderedHarriet.AndIwanttohireyoutofindoutwhoitwas.”
“Why?”
Vadownhisknifeandfork.“Mikael,forthirty-sixyearsI’vedrivenmyselfcrazywpeoHarriet.I’vedevotedmoreandmoreofmytimetoit.”
Hefellsilentandtookoffhisgsses,scrutinisingsomeinvisiblespeckofdirtonthelens.ThenheraisedhiseyesandlookedatBlomkvist.
“Tobepletelyhowithyou,Harriet’sdisappearahereasonwhygraduallyIwithdrewfromthefirm’sma.Ilostallmotivation.Ikhattherewasakillersomewherenearbyandthewandseargforthetruthbegantoaffectmywork.Theworstthingisthattheburdendidanylighterovertime—orary.Around1970IhadaperiodwhenIjustwaobeleftalohenMartinjoiheboardofdirectors,aotakeonmoreandmoreofmywork.In1976IretiredandMartintookoverasCEO.Istillhaveaseatontheboard,butIhaven’tsailedmanyknotssiurnedfifty.Forthestthirty-sixyearsnotadayhaspassedthatIhavenotponderedHarriet’sdisappearanaythinkI’mobsessedwithit—atleastmostofmyretivesthinkso.”
“Itwasahorrifit.”
“Morethanthat.Itruinedmylife.That’ssomethingI’vebeemoreawareofastimehaspassed.Doyouhaveagoodsenseofyourself?”
“Ithinkso,yes.”
“Idotoo.I’tfetpened.Butmymotiveshavegedovertheyears.Atfirstitrobablygrief.Iwaofindherandatleasthaveacetoburyher.ItwasaboutgettingjusticeforHarriet.”
“Inwhatwayhasthatged?”
“Nowit’smoreaboutfindiardwhodidit.Butthefunnythingis,theet,themoreofanall-abshobbyithasbee.”
“Hobby?”
“Yes,Iwouldusethatword.WhenthepolivestigatioeredoutIkeptgoing.I’vetriedtoproceedsystematicallyandstifically.I’vegatheredallthermationthatcouldpossiblybefound—thephotographs,thepolicereport,I’vewrittendowhingpeopletoldmeaboutwhattheyweredoingthatday.SoiI’vespentalmosthalfmylifecollegrmationaboutasingleday.”
“Yourealise,Isuppose,thatafterthirty-sixyearsthekillerhimselfmightbedeadandburied?”
“Idon’tbelievethat.”
Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrowsattheviinhisvoice.
“Let’sfinishdinnerandgobackupstairs.There’sonemoredetailbeforemystoryisdone.Andit’sthemostperplexingofall.”
SanderparkedtheCorolwiththeautomatismissionbythemuterrailwaystationinSundbyberg.ShehadborrowedtheToyotafromMiltonSecurity’smotorpool.Shehadlyaskedpermission,butArmanskyhadneverexpresslyforbiddenherfromusingMilton’scars.Sooer,shethought,Ihavetogetavehiyown.Shedidownased-handKawasaki125,whichsheusedinthesummertime.Durierthebikewaslockedinhercelr.
ShewalkedtoH?gklintav?genandra6:00o.SedsterthelothestreetdoorclickedauptwoflightsandrangthedoorbellothenameofSvensson.ShehadnoideawhoSvenssonmightbeorifanysuchpersonevehatapartment.
“Hi,Pgue,”shesaid.
“.Youonlypopinwhenyouneedsomething.”
Asusual,itwasdarkintheapartment;thelightfromasinglempseepedoutintothehallfromthebedroomheusedasanoffice.Theman,whowasthreeyearsolderthanSander,wassixfoottwoandweighed330pounds.Sheherselfwasfourfeetelevenandweighed90poundsandhadalwaysfeltlikeamidgetoPgue.Thepcesmelledstuffyandstale.
“It’sbecauseyouakeabath,Pgue.Itsmellslikeamonkeyhouseinhere.IfyoueverwentoutIcouldgiveyousometipsonsoap.TheyhaveitattheKonsum.”
Hegaveherawansmile,butsaidnothiioofollowhimintothekit.Heploppeddownonachairbythekittablewithoutturningonalight.Theonlyilluminationcamefromthestreetlightbeyondthewindow.
“Imean,Imaynotholdtherecordininghouseeither,butifI’vegotoldmilkcartonsthatsmelllikemaggotsIbuhemupandputthemout.”
“I’monadisabilitypension,”hesaid.“I’msociallyi.”
“Sothat’swhythegovergaveyouapcetoliveandfotaboutyou.Aren’tyoueverafraidthatyhboursaregoingtopintotheiors?Thenyoumightfetchupinthefunnyfarm.”
“Haveyousomethingforme?”
Sanderunzippedherjacketpocketandhandedhimfivethousandkronor.
“It’sallIspare.It’smyownmoney,andI’treallydeductyouasadependant.”
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Theeleiuffyoutalkedabouttwomonthsago.Didyougetit?”
Hesmiledandidaboxoable.
“Showmehowitworks.”
Forthefewminutesshelisteently.Theedthecuff.Pguemightbeasociali,buthewasuionablyagenius.
VangerwaiteduntilheoncemorehadBlomkvist’sattention.Blomkvistlookedathiswatdsaid,“Oneperplexiail.”
Vangersaid:“IwasbornonNovember1.WhenHarrietwaseightshegavemeabirthdaypresent,apressedflower,framed.”
Vangerwalkedaroundthedeskandpoihefirstflower.Bluebell.Ithadanamateurishmounting.
“Thatwasthefirst.Igotitin1958.”Hepoiheone.“1959.”Buttercup.“1960.”Daisy.“Itbecameatradition.Shewouldmaketheframesometimeduringthesummerandsaveituntilmybirthday.Ialwayshuhewallinthisroom.In1966shedisappearedaraditionwasbroken.”
Vangerpoioagapintherowofframes.Blomkvistfeltthehairsriseonthebackofhishewallwasfilledwithpressedflowers.
“1967,ayearaftershedisappeared,Ireceivedthisfloweronmybirthday.It’saviolet.”
“Howdidthefloweretoyou?”
“edinwhattheycallgiftpaperandpostedinapaddedenvelopefromStockholssage.”
“Youmeanthat…”Blomkvistmadeasweepiure.
“Precisely.Onmybirthdayeverydamnyear.Doyouknowhowthatfeels?It’sdirectedatme,preciselyasifthemurdererwantstotortureme.I’veworriedmyselfsickoverwhetherHarrietmighthavebeentakenawaybecausesomeoedtogetatme.ItwasthatsheandIhadaspecialretionshipandthatIthoughtofherasmyowndaughter.”
“Sowhatisityouwaodo?”Blomkvistsaid.
WhenSaurheCoroltothegarageunderMiltonSecurity,shemadesuretogotothetoiletupstairsintheoffice.Sheusedhercardkeyinthedoorandtooktheliftstraightuptothethirdfloortoavoidgoinginthroughthemairahesedfloor,wherethedutyofficerworked.SheusedthetoiletandgotacupofcoffeefromtheespressomachihatArmanskyhadboughtwhenatlongsthereisedthatSanderwouldnevermakecoffeejustbecauseitectedofher.Thetoheroffidhungherleatherjacketoverthebackofherchair.
Theofficewasa61/2-by-10-footgsscubicle.TherewasadeskwithanoldmodelDelldesktopPC,atelephone,oneofficechair,ametalaperbasket,andashelf.Theshelftainedanassortmentofdirectoriesandthreebnkhetwodeskdrawershousedsomeballpoints,paperclips,andahewindowsillstoodapottedpntwithbrown,witheredleaves.Sanderlookedthoughtfullyatthepnt,asifitwerethefirsttimeshehadseenit,thenshedepositeditfirmlyiepaperbasket.
Sheseldomhadanythingtodoinheroffidvisiteditnomorethanhalfadozentimesayear,mainlywhensheositbyherselfandprepareareportjustbeforehandingitin.Armanskyhadinsistedthatshehaveherownspace.Hisreasoningwasthatshewouldthenfeellikepartofthepanyalthoughsheworkedasafreencer.ShesuspectedthatArmanskyhopedthatthiswayhewouldhaveacetokeepaneyeonherandmeddleinheraffairs.Atfirstshehadbeengivenspacefartherdownthecorridor,inargerroomthatsheectedtosharewithacolleague.ButsinceshewashereArmanskyfinallymovedherintothecubbyholeattheendofthecorridor.
Saookoutthecuff.Shelookedatit,meditativelybitingherlowerlip.
Itast11:00andshewasalohefloor.Shesuddeexcruciatinglybored.
AfterawhileshegotupandwalkedtotheendofthehalndtriedthedoortoArmansky’soffice.Locked.Shelookedaround.ThecesofanyupinthecorridoraroundmidnightonDecember26werealmostent.Sheopehedooriratecopyofthepany’scardkey,whichshehadtakeroubletomakeseveralyearsbefore.
Armansky’sofficeacious:infrontofhisdeskwereguestchairs,andafereablewithrohtpeoplewasintheer.Iteably.Shehadnotsnoopedinhisofficeforquitesometime,butnowthatshewashere…Shespentawhileathisdesktherselfuptodateregardingthesearchforasuspectedmoleinthepany,whichofhercolleagueshadbeenpntedundercoverinafirmwhereatheftringerating,andwhatmeasureshadbeentakeninallsecrecytoprotectatwhowasafraidherchildwasindangerofbeingkidhefather.
Atstsheputthepapersbackpreciselythewaytheywere,lockedArmansky’sdoor,andwalkedhome.Shefeltsatisfiedwithherday.
“Idon’tknowwhetherwe’llfindoutthetruth,butIrefusetogotomygravewithoutgivingitory,”theoldmansaid.“Isimplywanttomissionyoutoghalltheevidenesttime.”
“Thisiscrazy,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Whyisitcrazy?”
“I’veheardenough.Henrik,Iuandyrief,butIhavetobehowithyou.Whatyou’reaskiodoisawasteofmytimeandyourmoney.Youareaskiojureupasolutiontoamysterythatthepolidexperienvestigatorswithsiderablygreaterresourceshavefailedtosolvealltheseyears.You’reaskiosolveacrimegettingonforfortyyearsafteritwasmitted.HowcouldIpossiblydothat?”
“Wehaven’tdiscussedyourfee,”Vangersaid.
“Thatwon’tbenecessary.”
“I’tforceyou,butlistentowhatI’m.Frodehasalreadydrawnupatract.Weegotiatethedetails,butthetractissimple,andallitneedsisynature.”
“Henrik,thisisabsurd.Ireallydon’tbelieveIsolvethemysteryofHarriet’sdisappearance.”
“Atothetract,youdon’thaveto.Allitasksisthatyoudoyourbest.Ifyoufail,thenit’sGod’swill,or—ifyoudon’tbelieveinHim—it’sfate.”
Blomkvistsighed.HewasfeelingmoreandmoreunfortableandwaoendthisvisittoHedeby,butherelented.
“Allright,let’shearit.”
“IwantyoutoliveandworkhereinHedebyforayear.IwantyoutoghtheiigativereportonHarriet’sdisappearanepageatatime.Iwantyoutoexamihingwithneweyes.Iwantyoutoquestionalltheoldclusiolythewayaigativereporterwould.IwantyoutolookforsomethingthatIandthepolidotheriigatorsmayhavemissed.”
“You’reaskiosetasidemylifeandcareertodevotemyselfforawholeyeartosomethingthat’sapletewasteoftime.”
Vangersmiled.“Astoyourcareer,wemightagreethatforthemomentit’ssomewhatonhold.”
Blomkvisthadnoahat.
“Iwanttobuyayearofyourlife.Giveyouajob.Thesaryisbetterthananyofferyou’llevergetinyourlife.Iwillpayyou200,000kronoramonth—that’s2.4millionkronorifyouaeptandstaythewholeyear.”
Blomkvistwasastonished.
“Ihavenoillusions.Thepossibilityyouwillsueedisminimal,butifagainstalloddsyoushouldcrackthemysterythenI’mabonusofdoublepayment,or4.8millionkronor.Let’sbegenerousandrounditofftofivemillion.”
Vangerleanedbadcockedhishead.
“Ipaythemooanybankaountyouwish,anywhereintheworld.Youalsotakethemoneyincashinasuitcase,soit’suptoyouwhetheryouwanttoreporttheiothetaxauthorities.”
“Thisis…hy,”Blomkviststammered.
“Whyso?”Vangersaidcalmly.“I’meighty-twoandstillinfullpossessionofmyfaculties.Ihaveargepersonalfortune;IspenditanywayIwant.IhavenochildrenandabsolutelynodesiretoleaveanymooretivesIdespise.I’vemademystwilament;I’llbegivingthebulkofmyfortuotheWorldWildlifeFund.Afewpeoplewhoareclosetomewillreceivesignifitamounts—includingAnna.”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“Trytouandme,”Vangersaid.“I’mamanwho’sgoingtodiesoon.There’sohingintheworldIwanttohave—andthat’sanahisquestionthathaspguedmeforhalfmylife.Idon’texpecttofindtheanswer,butIdohaveresourakeotempt.Isthatunreasonable?IoweittoHarriet.AndIoweittomyself.”
“You’llbepayingmeseveralmillionkronorfornothing.AllIodoissigradthentwiddlemythumbsforayear.”
“Youwouldn’tdothat.Orary—you’llworkharderthanyou’veeverworkedinyourlife.”
“Howyoubesosure?”
“BecauseIofferyousomethingthatyou’tbuyforanyprice,butwhichyouwantmorethananythingintheworld.”
“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”
Vanger’seyesnarrowed.
“IgiveyouHans-ErikWer?m.Iprovethathe’saswindler.Hehappehirty-fiveyearsago,tobeginhiscareerwithme,andIgiveyouhisheadonaptter.Solvethemysteryandyouturnyourdefeatincourtintothestoryoftheyear.”
CHAPTER7
Friday,January3
ErikasethercoffeethetableandstoodbythewindowlookingoutattheviewofGamStan.Itwas9:00inthem.AllthesnowhadbeenwashedawaybytherainoverNewYear’s.
“I’vealwayslovedthisview,”shesaid.“AnapartmentlikethiswouldmakemegiveuplivinginSaltsj?baden.”
“You’vegotthekeys.Youmoveoverfromyourupper-cssreserveanytimeyouwant,”Blomkvistsaid.Heclosedthesuitcaseandputitbythefrontdoor.
Bergerturnedandgavehimadisbelievinglook.“You’tbeserious,Mikael,”shesaid.“We’reinourworstcrisisandyou’repagtogoandliveinTjottahejti.”
“Hedestad.Acoupleofhoursbytrain.Andit’snotforever.”
“ItmightaswellbeUnBator.Don’tyouseethatitwilllookasifyou’reslinkingoffwithyourtailbetweenys?”
“That’spreciselywhatIamdoing.Besides,Ihavetodosomegaoltimetoo.”
ChristerMalmwassittingonthesofa.Hewasunfortable.ItwasthefirsttimesiheyfoundedMillenniumthathehadseenBergerandBlomkvistinsuchdisagreement.Overalltheyearstheyhadbeeninseparable.Sometimestheyhadfuriouscshes,buttheirargumentswerealwaysaboutbusinessmatters,andtheywouldinvariablyresolveallthoseissuesbeforethey