untillongafterdarkfell,at10:00atnight.Thetemperaturehtdroppedtofreezing.
DuriernoonIorMorellsetuphisheadquartersinadrawingroomthatHenrikVangerhadputathisdisposalonthegroundflooroftheVaeoffice.Hehaduakenanumberofmeasures.
InthepanyofIsabelVanger,hehadexaminedHarriet’sroomandtriedtoascertaiheranythingwasmissing:clothes,asuitcase,orthelike,whichwouldindicatethatHarriethadrunawayfromhome.Isabel,anoteimplied,hadnotbeenhelpfunddidobefamiliarwithherdaughter’swardrobe.Sheoftenworejeans,buttheyalllookthesame,don’tthey?Harriet’spursewasonherdesk.IttainedID,awalletholdingninekronorandfifty?re,ab,amirror,andahandkerchief.Aftertheiion,Harriet’sroomwaslocked.
Morellhadsummonedmorepeopletobeinterviewed,familymembersandemployees.Alltheinterviewsweremeticulouslyreported.
Wheitsinthefirstsearchpartybegaurningwithdisheartenis,theiordecidedthatamoresystematicsearchhadtobemade.Thateveningandnight,rertswerecalledin.Morelltacted,amongothers,thechairmaad’sOrienteeringClubandappealedforhelpinsummoningvolunteersforthesearchparty.Bymidnighthewastoldthatfifty-threemembers,mostlyfromthejuniordivision,wouldbeattheVaeat7:00them.HenrikVangercalledinpartofthemshift,numberingfiftymen,fromthepapermill.Healsedforfoodanddrinkforthemall.
BlomkvistcouldvividlyimagihesespyedoutattheVaeduringthosedays.Theaidentonthebridgehadcertainlytributedtothefusithefirsthours—bymakingitdifficulttinrerts,andalsobecausepeoplesomehowthoughtthatthesetwodramatitshappeningatthesamepdclosetothesametimemustinsomewayhavebeenected.Whearuckwashoistedaway,IorMorellwentdowntothebridgetobesurethatHarrietVangerhadnot,bysomeuurs,endedupuhewreck.ThatwastheonlyirrationathatMikaelcoulddetetheior’sduct,sihemissinggirlhaduionablybeeheisndaftertheaidenthadourred.
Duringthosefirstfusedtwenty-fourhours,theirhopesthatthesituationwouldetoaswiftandhappyresolutionsank.Iheyweregraduallyrepcedbytwotheories.Inspiteoftheobviousdifficultiesinleavingtheisndunnoticed,Morellrefusedtodistthepossibilitythatshehadrunaway.Hedecidedthatanall-pointsbulletinshouldbesentoutforHarrietVanger,andhegaveinstrusforthepatrolofficersiadtokeeptheireyesopenforthemissinggirl.Healsosentacolleagueinthecriminaldivisiontointerviewbusdriversandstaffattherailwaystation,tofindoutwhetheranyonemighthaveseenher.
Astheivereportscamein,itbecameincreasinglylikelythatHarrietVangerhadfallenvictimtosomesortofmisfortuhistheoryendedupdominatingtheiigativeworkofthefollowingdays.
Thebigsearchpartytwodaysafterherdisappearancearently,asfarasBlomkvistcouldtell,carriedouteffectively.Polidfirefighterseriehsimiroperationshadahesearch.HedebyIsnddidhavesomepartsthatwerealmostinaessible,butitwashelessasmalrea,andtheisndwassearchedwithafioothbinoneday.Apoliceboatandtwovoluterssonboatsdidwhattheycouldtosearchthewatersaroundtheisnd.
Onthefollowingdaythesearchwastihdecreasedmanpower.Patrolsweresentouttomakeasedsweepoftheparticurlyruggedterrain,aswelsanareaknownas“thefortress”—anow-abandonedbunkersystemthatwasbuiltduringtheSedWorldWar.Thatdaytheyalsosearchedcubbyholes,wells,vegetablecelrs,outhouses,andattithevilge.
Acertainfrustrationcouldbereadintheoffioteswhenthesearchwascalledoffohirddayafterthegirl’sdisappearance.Morellwas,ofcourse,awareofit,butatthatmomenthehadactuallyreachedasfarintheiigationashewouldeverget.Heuzzledandstruggledtoidentifythenaturaleporanypcewherethesearchoughttobepursued.HarrietVangerseemedtohavedissolvedintothinair,andHenrikVanger’syearsoftormenthadbegun.
CHAPTER9
Monday,January6–Wednesday,January8
BlomkvistkeptreadinguntilthesmallhoursanddidupuntilteonEpiphanyDay.Anavyblue,te-modelVolvoarkedoutsideVanger’shouse.Evenashereachedforthedoorhahedoorenedbyamanonhiswayout.Theyalmostcollided.Themaobeinahurry.
“Yes?Ihelpyou?”
“I’mheretoseeHenrikVanger,”Blomkvistsaid.
Theman’seyesbrightened.Hesmiledandstuckouthishand.“YoumustbeMikaelBlomkvist,theonewho’sgoingtohelpHenrikwiththefamilyicle,right?”
Theyshookhands.VangerhadapparentlybegunspreadingBlomkvist’scoverstory.Themanwasht—theresult,nodoubt,oftoomanyyearsofiatinginoffidferens—butBlomkvistnoticedatohelikehesimiritybetweenhisfadHarrietVanger’s.
“I’mMartinVahemansaid.“WeletoHedestad.”
“Thankyou.”
“IsawyouonTVawhileago.”
“EverybodyseemstohaveseeV.”
“Wer?mis…notverypopurinthishouse.”
“Henrikmentiohat.I’mwaitingtoheartherestofthestory.”
“Hetoldmeafewdaysagothathe’dhiredyou.”MartinVangerughed.“HesaiditrobablybecauseofWer?mthatyoutookthejobuphere.”
Blomkvisthesitatedbeforedegtotellthetruth.“Thatwasoneimportantreason.Buttobeho,IogetawayfromSto,aadcroppedupattherightmoment.AtleastIthinkso.I’tpretendthatthecourteverhappened.Andanyway,I’mgoingtohavetogotoprison.”
MartinVangernodded,suddenlyserious.“youappeal?”
“Itwon’tdoanygood.”
Vangerghiswatch.
“IhavetobeinStotonight,soImusthurryaway.I’llbebaafewdays.eoverandhavedinner.I’dreallyliketohearwhatactuallywentthattrial.Henrikisupstairs.Ghtin.”
VangerwassittingonasofainhisofficewherehehadtheHedestadCourier,DagensIndustri,SvenskaDagbdet,andbothnationaleveningpapersonthecoffeetable.
“IranintoMartinoutside.”
“Rushingofftosavetheempire,”Vangersaid.“Coffee?”
“Yes,please.”Blomkvistsatdown,wwhyVangerlookedsoamused.
“You’rementiohepaper.”
Vangershovedacrossoheeveningpapers,openatapagewiththeheadline“MediaShortCircuit.”ThearticlewaswrittenbyanistreviouslyworkedforMonopolyFinancialMagazine,makinganameforhimselfasonewhocheerfullyridiculedeveryonewhofeltpassionateaboutanyissueorwhostucktheirneckout.Feminists,antiracists,andenviroactivistscouldallreonreceivingtheirshare.Thewriterwasnotknownforespousingasingleviofhisown.Now,severalweeksafterthetrialintheWer?maffair,hewasbringinghisfiretobearonMikaelBlomkvist,whomhedescribedasapleteidiot.ErikaBergerortrayedasamediabimbo:
ArumouriscirgthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpseinspiteofthefactthattheeditorinchiefisafeministwhowearsmini-skirtsandpoutsherlipsonTV.Forseveralyearsthemagazinehassurvivedontheimagethathasbeensuessfullymarketedbytheeditors—youerswhouakeiigativejournalismandexposethesdrelsofthebusinessworld.Thisadvertisingtrickmayworkwithyounganarchistswhowanttohearjustsuchamessage,butitdoesn’twashirictcourt.AsKalleBlomkvistretlyfoundout.
Blomkvistswitchedonhismobileandcheckedtoseeifhehadanycallsfrer.Therewerenomessages.Vangerwaitedwithoutsayinganything.Blomkvistrealisedthattheoldmanwasallowinghimtobreakthesilence.
“He’samoron,”Blomkvistsaid.
Vangerughed,buthesaid:“Thatmaybe.Buthe’snottheonewhowassentehecourt.”
“That’strue.Andheneverwillbe.Heneversaysanythinginal;healwaysjustjumpsonthebandwagonandcaststhefinalstohemostdamagingtermshegetawaywith.”
“I’vehadmanyenemiesovertheyears.Ifthere’sohingI’velear’sneverengageinafightyou’resuretolose.Oherhand,anyonewhohasinsultedyougetawaywithit.Bideyourtimeandstrikebackwhenyou’reinapositionth—evenifyounolongerostrikeback.”
“Thankyouforyourwisdom,Henrik.NowI’dlikeyoutotellmeaboutyourfamily.”Hesetthetaperecorderbetweehetableandpressedtherecordbutton.
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“I’vereadthroughthefirstbinder,aboutthedisappearahesearches,buttherearesomanyVangersmentiohatIneedyourhelpidentifyingthemall.”
FornearlytenminutesSaoodiyhallwithhereyesfixedonthebrasspquethatsaid“AdvokatN.E.Bjurman”beforesherangthebell.Thelotheentrydoorclicked.
ItwasTuesday.Itwastheirseeeting,andshehadabadfeelingaboutit.
ShewasnotafraidofBjurman—Sanderwasrarelyafraidofanyoneoranything.Oherhand,shefeltunfortablewiththisnewguardian.Hispredecessor,AdvokatHolgerPalmgren,hadbeenofairelydifferentilk:courteousandkind.ButthreemonthsagoPalmgrenhadhadastroke,andNilsErikBjurmanhadiedherinaordahsomebureaucraticpegorder.
IwelveyearsthatSanderhadbeenundersodpsychiatricguardianship,twoofthoseyearsinachildren’sic,shehadneveroncegiventhesameahesimplequestion:“So,howareyoutoday?”
Wheurhirteen,thecourthaddecided,underwsgtheguardianshipofminors,thatsheshouldbeentrustedtothelockedwardatSt.Stefan’sPsychiatrilinicforChildreninUppsa.Thedecisionrimarilybasedothatshewasdeemedtobeemotionallydisturbedanddangerouslyviolenttowardshercssmatesandpossiblytowardsherself.
Alttemptsbyateacheroranyauthorityfiguretoinitiateaversationwiththegirboutherfeeliionallife,orthestateofherhealthweremet,totheirgreatfrustration,withasullensilendagreatdealofintearingatthefloor,ceiling,andwalls.Shewouldfoldherarmsandrefusetoparticipateinanypsychologicaltests.Herresistaoalttemptstomeasure,weigh,chart,analyse,oreducateherappliedalsotoherschoolwork—theauthoritiescouldhavehercarriedtoaandcouldhertothebench,buttheycouldnotstopherfromclosingherearsandrefusingtoliftapentowriteanything.Shepletedthenineyearsofpulsoryschoolingwithoutacertificate.
Thishadsequentlybeeassociatedwiththegreatdifficultyofevendiagnosinghermentaldeficies.Inshort,LisbethSanderwasanythingbuteasytohandle.
Bythetimeshewasthirteen,itwasalsodecidedthatatrusteeshouldbeassigakecareofherisandassetsuntilshecameofage.ThistrusteewasAdvokatPalmgrenwho,inspiteofaratherdifficultstart,hadsueededwherepsychiatristsanddoctorshadfailed.Graduallyhewonnotonlyacertainamountoftrustbutalsoamodestamountofwarmthfromthegirl.
Wheurnedfifteeorshadmoreorlessagreedthatshewasnot,afterall,dangerouslyviolent,nordidsherepresentanyimmediatedaoherself.Herfamilyhadbeencategorisedasdysfunal,andshehadiveswhocouldlookafterherwelfare,soitwasdecidedthatLisbethSandershouldbereleasedfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildreninUppsaandeasedbatosocietybywayofafosterfamily.
Thathadnotbeenaneasyjourney.Sheranawayfromthefirstfosterfamilyafteronlytwoweeks.Thesedandthirdfosterfamiliesfellbythewaysideinquicksuession.AtthatpointPalmgrenhadaseriousdiscussionwithher,expiningbluntlythatifshepersistedonthispathshewouldbeinstitutionalisedagain.Thisthreathadtheeffectthatsheaeptedfosterfamilynumberfour—anelderlycouplewholivedinMidsommarkransen.
Butitdidnotmean,however,thatshebehavedherself.Attheageofseventeen,Sanderwasarrestedbythepolifouroasions;twiceshewassointoxicatedthatsheendedupintheemergen,andoncesheinlyuheinfluenarcotioheseoasionsshewasfounddeaddrunk,withherclothesindisarray,inthebackseatofacarparkedatS?derM?rstrand.Shewaswithanequallydrunkandmucholderman.
Thestarrestourredthreeweeksbeforehereighteenthbirthday,whenshe,perfectlysober,kickedamalepasseheheadihegatesoftheGamStantunnelbanastation.Shewaschargedwithassaultandbattery.Sandercimedthatthemanhadgropedher,aestimonyportedbywitheprosecutordismissedthecase.Butherbackgroundwassuchthatthedistrictcourtorderedapsychiatricevaluation.Sincesherefused,aswasher,toansweraionsortoparticipateintheexaminations,thedoctorssultedbytheNationalBoardofHealthandWelfarehandeddoinionbasedon“observationsofthepatient.”Itwasunclearpreciselywhatcouldbeobservedwhenitwasamatterofasilentyoungwomansittingonachairwithherarmsfoldedandherlowerlipstuckout.Theoerminatiohatshemustsufferfromsomekiionaldisturbance,whosenaturewasofthesortthatcouldued.Themedical/legalreportremendedcareinaclosedpsychiatristitution.Anassistantheadofthesocialwelfareboardwroteanopinioninsupportoftheclusionsofthepsychiatricexperts.
Withregardtoherpersonalrecord,theopinioncludedthattherewasgraveriskofalddrugabuse,andthatsheckedself-awareness.Bythenhercasewasfilledwithtermssuchasintroverted,sociallyinhibited,gihy,ego-fixated,psychopathidasocialbehaviour,difficultyincooperating,andincapableofassimitinglearning.AnyonewhoreadhercasemightbetemptedtocludethatSanderwasseriouslyretarded.Anothermarkagainstherwasthatthesocialservicesstreetpatrolhadonseveraloasionsobservedher“withvariousmen”intheareaaroundMariatet.ShewasooppedandfriskedinTantolunden,againwithamucholderman.ItwasfearedthatSanderossiblyoperatingas,orrantheriskofbeing,aprostitute.
Wherictcourt—theinstitutionthatwoulddetermiure—mettodecideoer,theouteseemedafoneclusion.Shewasobviouslyaproblemchild,anditwasuhatthecourtwouldetoanydecisiohaheremendationsofboththepsychiatridthesocialinquiries.
Onthemthecourthearingwastotakepce,SanderwasbroughtfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildrenwhereshehadbeenfinedsiheiinGamStalikeaprisonerfromatrationcamp:shehadnohopeofsurvivingtheday.Thefirstpersonshesawinthecourtroomalmgren,andittookawhileforhertorealisethathewasnotthereintheroleofatrusteebutratherasherlegalrepresentative.
Tohersurprise,hewasfirmlyinherer,andhemadeapowerfuppeagainstinstitutionalisation.Shedidraywithsomuchasaraisedeyebrowthatshewassurprised,butshelisteentlytoeverywordthatalmgrenwasbrilliantduriwohoursinwhichhecross-examihephysi,aDr.JesperH.L?derman,whohadsignedhisheremendationthatSanderbelockedawayinaninstitution.Everydetailoftheopinionwasscrutinised,aorwasrequiredtoexpinthestificbasisforeachstatemeuallyitbecameclearthatsihepatienthadrefusedtopleteasi,thebasisforthedoctor’sclusionswasinfaothingmorethanguesswork.
Attheendofthehearing,PalmgrenintimatedthatpulsoryinstitutionalisationwasinallprobabilitynotonlytrarytoParliament’sdecisionsinsimirsituations,butinthisparticurcaseitmightinadditiohesubjectofpolitidmediareprisals.Soitwasineveryone’siofindanappropriatealternativesolution.Suguagewasunusualfotiationsinthistypeofsituation,andthemembersofthecourthadsquirmednervously.
Thesolutionwasalsoapromise.ThecourtcludedthatLisbethSanderwasindeedemotionallydisturbed,butthatherditiondidnotnecessarilywarrantinter.Oherhand,thesocialwelfaredirector’sremendationofguardianshipwastakenundersideration.Thechairmanofthecourtturned,withavenomoussmile,toHolgerPalmgren,whoupuntilthenhadbeerustee,andinquiredwhetherhemightbewillingtotakeontheguardianship.ThechairmanobviouslythoughtthatPalmgrenwouldbackawayandtrytopushtheresponsibilityontosomeoneelse.Orary,PalmgrendecredthathewouldbehappytotakeonthejobasFr?kenSander’sguardian—butononedition:“thatFr?kenSandermustbewillingtotrustmeameasherguardian.”
Heturofaceher.LisbethSanderwassomewhatbewilderedbytheexgethathadgonebadforthoverherheadallday.Untilnowno-onehadaskedforheropinion.ShelookedatHolgerPalmgrenforalongtimeandthennoddedonce.
Palmgreneculiarmixtureofjuristandsocialworker,oftheoldschool.Atfirsthehadbeenapoliticallyappointedmemberofthesocialwelfareboard,andhehadspentnearlyallhislifedealingwithproblemyouths.Arelutsenseofrespect,almostbonfriendship,hadintimeformedbetweenPalmgrenandhisward,whowasuionablythemostdifficulthehadeverhadtodealwith.
Theirretionshiphadstedelevenyears,fromherthirteenthbirthdayuntilthepreviousyear,whenafewweeksbeforeChristmasshehadgooseePalmgrenathomeafterhemissedoheirscheduledmonthlymeetings.
Whenhedidnotopenthedooreventhoughshecouldhearsoundsingfromhisapartment,shebrokeinbyclimbingupadraihebalyonthefourthfloor.Shefoundhimlyingonthefloorinthehall,sciousbutuospeakormove.ShecalledforanambundaiedhimtoS?derHospitalwithagrowingfeelingofpaniherstomach.Forthreedaysshehardlyleftthecorridoroutsidetheintensivecareunit.Likeafaithfulwatchdog,shekeptaneyeoneverydoctorandnursewhowentinoroutofthedoor.Shewanderedupanddownthecorridorlikealostsoul,fixinghereyesoneverydoctorwhoear.Finallyadoctorwhosenamesheneverdiscoveredtookherintoaroomtoexpinthegravityofthesituation.HerrPalmgrenwasincriticalditionfollowingaseverecerebralhaeme.Hewasnotexpectedtainsciousness.Hewasonlysixty-fouryearsold.Sheherweptnorgedherexpressiooodup,leftthehospital,anddidurn.
FiveweekstertheGuardianshipAgencysummonedSahefirstmeetingwithhernewguardian.Herinitialimpulsewastoighesummons,butPalmgrenhadimprintedinherscioushateveryahasitssequences.ShehadlearoanalysethesequendsoshehadetotheclusionthattheeasiestwayoutofthispresentdilemmawastosatisfytheGuardianshipAgencybybehavingasifshecaredaboutwhattheyhadtosay.
Thus,inDecember—takingabreakfromherresearikaelBlomkvist—shearrivedatBjurman’soffiSt.Erikspn,whereanelderlyresentingtheboardhadhandedoverSander’sextensivefiletoAdvokatBjurman.ThewomanhadkindlyaskedSanderhowthingsweregoing,andsheseemedsatisfiedwiththestifledsilenceshereceivedinreply.AfterabouthalfanhoursheleftSahecareofAdvokatBjurman.
SanderdecidedthatshedidnotlikeAdvokatBjurmaudiedhimfurtivelyashereadthroughhercase.Age:overfifty.Trimbody.TennisonTuesdaysandFridays.Blond.Thinninghair.Aslightcleftinhis.HugoBossaftershave.Bluesuit.Redtiewithagoldtiepinandostentatiouscufflinkswiththeinitialseel-rimmedgsses.Greyeyes.Tojudgebythemagazihesidetable,hisiswerehuntingandshooting.
DuringtheyearsshehadknownPalmgren,hehadalwaysofferedhercoffeeandchattedwithher.Notevenherworstescapesfromfosterhomesurtruanschoolhadeverruffledhisposure.TheonlytimePalmgrenhadbeenreallyupsetwaswhenshehadbeenchargedwithassaultandbatteryafterthatscumbaghadgropedherinGamStan.Doyouuandwhatyou’vedone?Youhaveharmedanotherhumanbeing,Lisbeth.Hehadsoundedlikeanoldteacher,andshehadpatientlyignoredeverywordofhisscolding.
Bjurmandidnothavetimeforsmalltalk.HehadimmediatelycludedthattherewasadiscrepaweenPalmgren’sobligations,atutionsofguardianship,athathehadapparentlyallowedtheSandergirltotakechargeofherownhouseholdandfinances.Bjurmanstartedinonasortofinterrogation:Howmuchdoyouearn?Iyofyourfinancialrecords.Whodoyouspendtimewith?Doyoupayyourrentontime?Doyoudrink?DidPalmgrenapproveofthsyouhaveonyourface?Areyoucarefubouthygiene?
Fuckyou.
PalmgrenhadbeehertrusteerightafterAllTheEvilhadhappened.Hehadinsistedoingswithheratleastonceamonth,sometimesmoreoften.AftershemovedbacktoLundagatan,theyracticallyneighbours.Helivedatan,acoupleofblocksaway,andtheywouldrunintoeachoforcoffeeatGiffy’sorsomeotherearby.Palmgrenhadriedtoimpose,butafewtimeshehadvisitedher,bringingsomelittlegiftforherbirthday.Shehadastandinginvitationtovisithimwheneversheliked,aprivilegethatsheseldomtookadvantageof.ButwhenshemovedtoS?der,shehadstartedspendingChristmasEvewithhimaftershewenttoseehermother.TheywouldeatChristmashamandpychess.Shehadnorealiinthegame,butaftershelearherules,sheneverlostamatch.Heer,andSanderhadseenitasherdutytotakepityonhimonthoselonelyholidays.
Shesideredherselfinhisdebt,andshealaidherdebts.
Italmgrenwhohadsublethermother’sapartmentonLundagatanforheruntilSanderneededherowolive.Theapartmentwasabout500squarefeet,shabbyandunrenovated,butatleastitwasaroofoverherhead.
NowPalmgrenwasgone,andaietoestablishedsocietyhadbeensevered.NilsBjurmanwasawhollydifferentsortofperson.NowayshewouldbespendingChristmasEveathishouse.HisfirstmovehadbeentoputinpewrulesonthemaofheraountatHandelsbanken.Palmgrenhadneverhadanyproblemsaboutbendingtheditionsofhisguardianshipsoastoallowhertotakecareofherownfinances.Shepaidherbillsandcouldusehersavingsasshesawfit.
PriortothemeetingwithBjurmantheweekbeforeChristmasshehadpreparedherself;ohere,shehadtriedtoexpinthathispredecessorhadtrustedherandhadneverbeengivenoasiontodootherwise.Palmgrenhadlethertakecareofherownaffairsandnotinterferedinherlife.
“That’soheproblems,”Bjurmansaid,tappinghercase.Hethenmadealongspeechabouttherulesandgoverregutionsonguardianship.
“Heletyouruhatit?Iwonderhowhegotawaywithit.”
Becausehewasacrazysocialdemocratwhohadworkedwithtroubledkidsallhislife.
“I’mnotachildanymore,”Sandersaid,asifthatwereexpnationenough.
“No,you’renotachild.ButI’vebeenappointedyuardian,andaslongasIhavethatrole,Iamlegallyandfinanciallyresponsibleforyou.”
Heopenedanewaountinhername,andsheposedtoreportittoMilton’spersonneloffiduseitfromnowon.Thegoodolddayswereover.InfutureBjurmanwouldpayherbills,andshewouldbegivenanallowanceeath.Hetoldherthatheexpectedhertoprovidereceiptsforallherexpenses.Shewouldreceive1,400kronoraweek—“forfood,clothing,filmtickets,andsuchlike.”
Sanderearnedmorethan160,000kronorayear.Shecoulddoublethatbywfull-timeaingalltheassigsArmanskyofferedher.Butshehadfewexpensesanddidnotneedmuey.Thecostofherapartmentwasabout2,000kronoramonth,andinspiteofhermodestine,shehad90,000kronorinhersavingsaount.Butshenolongerhadaesstoit.
“ThishastodowiththefactthatI’mresponsibleforyourmoney,”hesaid.“Youhavetoputmoneyasideforthefuture.Butdon’tworry;I’lltakecareofallthat.”
I’vetakenyselfsinceIwasten,youcreep!
“Youfunwellenoughinsocialtermsthatyoudoobeinstitutionalised,butthissocietyisresponsibleforyou.”
HequestionedhercloselyaboutwhatkindofworkassigsshewasgivenatMiltonSecurity.Shehadinstinctivelyliedaboutherduties.TheanswershegavehimwasadescriptionofherveryfirstweeksatMilton.Bjurmangottheimpressionthatshemadecoffeeandsortedthepost—suitableenoughtasksforsomeonewhowasalittleslow—andseemedsatisfied.
Shedidnotknowwhyshehadlied,butshewassureitwasawisedecision.
BlomkvisthadspentfivehourswithVanger,andittookmuchofthenightandallofTuesdaytotypeuphisnotesaogetherthegenealogyintoaprehensiblewhole.Thefamilyhistorythatemergedwasadramaticallydifferentversionfromtheoedastheofficialimageofthefamily.Everyfamilyhadafewskeletonsintheircupboards,buttheVangerfamilyhadairegallimaufryofthem.
BlomkvisthadhadtoremindhimselfseveraltimesthathisreassigwasnottowriteabiographyoftheVangerfamilybuttofindoutwhathadhappeoHarrietVaheVangerbiographywouldbenomorethanpyingtothegallery.Afterayearhewouldreceivehispreposteroussary—thetractdrawnupbyFrodehadbeensigned.Histruereward,hehoped,wouldbethermationaboutWer?mthatVangercimedtopossess.ButafterlisteningtoVanger,hebegahattheyeardidnothavetobeawasteoftime.AabouttheVangerfamilyhadsignifitvalue.Itwas,quitesimply,aterrificstory.
TheideathathemightlightuponHarrietVanger’skillernevercrossedhismind—assumingshehadbeenmurdered,thatis,anddidnotjustdieinsomefreakaident.BlomkvistagreedwithVahatthecesofasixteen-year-oldgirlgoingoffofherownaordaayinghiddenforthirty-sixyears,despitethehtofallthegoverbureaucracy,wereent.Oherhand,hedidnotexcludethepossibilitythatHarrietVangerhadrunaway,maybeheadingforSto,andthatsomethinghadbefallenhersubsequently—drugs,prostitution,anassault,orapureandsimple.
Vangerwasvinced,forhispart,thatHarriethadbeenmurderedandthatafamilymemberwasresponsible—possiblyincolborationwithsomeoneelse.HisargumentwasbasedothatHarriethaddisappearedduringthefusioninthehourswhentheisndwascutoffandalleyesweredirectedattheaident.
Bergerhadbeenrighttosaythathistakingtheassigwasbeyondallmonsehegoalwastosolveamurdermystery.ButBlomkvistwasbeginningtoseethatHarriet’sfatehadpyedatralroleinthefamily,andespeciallyforHenrikVanger.Nomatterwhetherhewasright,Vanger’sausationagainsthisretiveswasofgreatsignifithefamily’shistory.Theausationhadbeenairedopenlyformorethanthirtyyears,andithadcolouredthefamilygatheringsandgiveopoisonousanimositiesthathadtributedtodestabilisingthecorporation.AstudyofHarriet’sdisappearancewouldsequentlyfunasachapterallonitsown,aswelsprovidearedthreadthroughthefamilyhistory—andtherewasanabundanceofsourcematerial.Oartingpoint,whetherHarrietVangerwashisprimaryassigorwhetherhemadedowithwritingafamilyicle,wouldbetomapoutthegalleryofcharacters.ThatwasthegistofhisfirstlongversationthatdaywithVanger.
Thefamilysistedofaboutahundredindividuals,tingallthechildrenofcousinsandsedcousins.Thefamilywassoextehewasforcedtocreateadatabaseinhisi.HeusedtheNotePadprogramme,ohosefull-valueproductsthattwomenattheRoyalTeicalCollegehadcreatedanddistributedassharewareforapittaheInter.Fewprogrammeswereasusefulforaigativejournalist.Eachfamilymemberwasgivenhisorherowndotiabase.
Thefamilytreecouldbetracedbacktotheearlysixteeury,whenthenamewasVangeersad.AtoVahenamemayhaveinatedfromtheDutGeerstat;ifthatwasthecase,thelineagecouldbetracedasfarbackasthetwelfthtury.
Iimes,thefamilycamefromnorthernFrance,arrivinginSwedenwithKingJeanBaptisteBernadotteintheearlyhtury.AlexandreVangeersadwasasoldierandnotpersonallyacquaihtheking,buthehaddistinguishedhimselfasthecapableheadofagarrison.In1818hewasgiventheHedebyestateasarewardforhisservice.AlexandreVangeersadalsohadhisownfortune,whichheusedtopurchasesiderablesesofforestedndinNorrnd.Hisson,Adrian,wasborninFraathisfather’srequesthemovedtoHedebyinthatremoteareaofNorrnd,farfromthesalonsofParis,totakeovertheadministrationoftheestate.Hetookupfarmingandforestry,usihodsimportedfromEurope,andhefouhepulpandpapermilroundwhichHedestadwasbuilt.
Alexandre’sgrandsonwasnamedHenrik,andheshortenedhissuroVanger.HedevelopedtradewithRussiaaedasmallmertfleetofsersthatservedtheBaltidGermany,aswelsEngndwithitssteelindustryduringthemid-1800s.TheelderHenrikVangerdiversifiedthefamilyenterprisesandfoundedamodestminingbusiness,aswelsseveralofNorrnd’sfirstmetalindustries.Helefttwosons,BirgerandGottfried,andtheyweretheoneswhoidthebasisforthehigh-finanger.
“Doyouknowanythingabouttheoldiancews?”Vangerhadasked.“No.”
“I’mfusedaboutittotofamilytradition,BirgerandGottfriedfoughtlikecats—theywerelegendarypetitorsforpowerandinfluenceoverthefamilybusiness.Inmanyrespectsthepowerstrugglethreateheverysurvivalofthepany.Forthatreasontheirfatherdecided—shortlybeforehedied—tocreateasystemwherebyallmembersofthefamilywouldreceiveaportionoftheiance—ashare—inthebusiness.Itwasnodoubtwell-iioned,butitledtoasituationinwhisteadofbeingabletinskilledpeopleandpossiblepartnersfromtheoutside,wehadaboardofdirectorssistingonlyoffamilymembers.”
“Andthatappliestoday?”
“Precisely.Ifafamilymemberwishestosellhisshares,theyhavetostaywithinthefamily.Todaytheannualshareholders’meetingsistsof50pertfamilymembers.Martinholdsmorethan10pertoftheshares;Ihave5pertaftersellingsomeofmyshares,toMartinamongothers.MybrotherHaraldowns7pert,butmostofthepeoplewhoetotheshareholders’meetinghaveonlyoneorhalfapert.”
“Itsoundsmedievalinsomeways.”
“It’sludicrous.Itmeansthattoday,ifMartinwantstoimplementsomepolicy,hehastowastetimeonalobbyiiontoensuresupportfromatleast20pertto25pertoftheshareholders.It’sapatchworkquiltofalliances,fas,andintrigues.”
Vangerresumedthehistory:
“GottfriedVangerdiedchildlessin1901.Orrather,mayIbefivehefatheroffhters,butinthosedayswomendidn’treallyt.Theyownedshares,butitwasthemeninthefamilywhostitutedtheownershipi.Itwasn’tuntilwomenwontherighttovote,wellintothetwehtury,thattheywereevenallowedtoattendtheshareholders’meetings.”
“Veryliberal.”
“obesarcastic.Thoseweredifferenttimes.Atanyrate—Gottfried’sbrother,BirgerVanger,hadthreesons:Johan,Fredrik,andGideonVaheywereallborntowardstheendofthehtury.Weignideon;hesoldhissharesandemigratedtoAmerica.Thereisstilbranchofthefamilyoverthere.ButJohanandFredrikVangermadethepanythemodernVangerCorporation.”
VaookoutaphotographalbumandshowedBlomkvistpicturesfromthegalleryofcharactersashetalked.Thephotographsfromtheearly1900sshowedtwomenwithsturdysandpstered-downhairwhostaredintothecameralenswithoutahintofasmile.
“JohanVangerwasthegeniusofthefamily.Hetrainedasanengineer,andhedevelopedthemanufacturingindustrywithseveralnewiions,whichhepateeendironbecamethebasisofthefirm,butthebusinessalsoexpaootherareas,includiiles.JohanVangerdiedin1956andhadthreedaughters:Sofia,M?rit,andIngrid,whowerethefirstwomenautomaticallytowinadmittahepany’sshareholders’meetings.
“Theotherbrother,FredrikVanger,wasmyfather.HewasabusinessmanandindustryleaderwhotransformedJohan’siionsintoine.Myfatherliveduntil1964.Hewasactiveinpanymarightupuntilhisdeath,althoughhehadturnedoverdailyoperationstomeiies.
“Itwasexactlylikethepreggeion—butinreverse.Johanhadonlydaughters.”VangershowedBlomkvistpicturesofbig-bustedwomenwithwide-brimmedhatsandcarryingparasols.“AndFredrik—myfather—hadonlysons.Wewerefivebrothers:Richard,Harald,Greger,Gustav,andmyself.”
BlomkvisthaddrawnupafamilytreeonseveralsheetsofA4papertapedtogether.HeunderlihenamesofallthoseonHedebyIsndforthefamilymeetingin1966andthus,atleasttheoretically,whocouldhavehadsomethingtodowithHarrietVanger’sdisappearance.
Heleftoutchildreheageoftwelve—hehadtodrawthelinesomewhere.Aftersomep,healsoleftoutHenrikVanger.Ifthepatriarchhadhadanythingtodowiththedisappearanceofhisbrranddaughter,hisasoverthepastthirty-sixyearswouldfallintothepsychopathia.Vanger’smother,whoin1966wasalreadyeighty-one,couldreasonablyalsobeeliminated.Remainiwenty-threefamilymemberswhtoVanger,hadtobeincludedinthegroupof“suspects.”Sevenofthesewerenowdead,andseveralhadnowreachedarespectableoldage.
BlomkvistwasnotwillingtoshareVanger’svithatafamilymemberwasbehindHarriet’sdisappearanumberofothershadtobeaddedtothelistofsuspects.
DirchFrodebeganwferashiswyerinthespringof1962.Andasidefromthefamily,whoweretheservantswhenHarrietvanished?GunnarNilsson—alibiornot—wasnieenyearsold,andhisfather,Magnus,wasinalllikelihoodpresentonHedebyIsnd,asweretheartistNormanaorFalk.WasFalkmarried?The?sterg?rdenfarmerAronsson,aswelshissonJerkerAronsson,livedontheisnd,closeenoughtoHarrietVangerwhileshewasgrowingup—whatsortofretionshipdidtheyhave?WasAronssonstillmarried?Didotherpeopleliveatthattimeonthefarm?
AsBlomkvistwrotedownallthehelisthadgrowntofortypeople.Itwas3:30inthemahermometerread-6°F.HelongedforhisownbedonBellmansgatan.
HewasawokenbytheworkmanfromTelia.By11:00hewashookedupandnolongerfeltquiteasprofessionallyhandicapped.Oherhand,hisowntelephoneremaiubbornlysilent.Hewasstartingtofeelquitepig-headedandwouldnotcalltheoffice.
Heswitchedonhisemailprogrammeandlookedrapidlythroughthenearly350messagessenttohimoverthepastweek.Hesavedadozewerespamormailingliststhathesubscribedto.Thefirstemailwasfrom:IHOPEYOUSUCKCOTHESLAMMERYOUFUGMIEPIG.HefileditiELLIGENTCRITICISM”folder.
Hewroteto:“HiRicky.JusttotellyouthatI’vegotthewandbereachedwhenyoufiveme.Hedebyisarusticpce,wellworthavisit.M.”WhelikelunchtimeheputhisiinhisbagandwalkedtoSusanne’sBridgeCafé.Heparkedhimselfathisusualertable.Susannebroughthimcoffeeandsandwiches,castinganinquisitiveghisputer.Sheaskedhimwhathewaswon.ForthefirsttimeBlomkvistusedhiscoverstory.Theyexgedpleasantries.Susanneurgedhimtocheckwithherwhenhewasreadyfortherealrevetions.
“I’vebeenservingVangersforthirty-fiveyears,andIknowmostofthegossipaboutthatfamily,”shesaid,andsashayedofftothekit.Withchildren,grandchildren,a-grandchildren—whomhehadnotbotheredtoinclude—thebrothersFredrikandJohanVangerhadapproximatelyfiftylivingoffspringtoday.Thefamilyhadateolivetoaripeoldage.FredrikVangerlivedtobeseve,andhisbrotherJohay-two.OfFredrik’ssonswhowereyetalive,Haraldwasniy-twoandHenrikwaseighty-two.
TheonlyexceptionwasGustav,whodiedoflungdiseaseattheageofthirty-seven.VangerhadexpihatGustavhadalwaysbeensicklyandhadgonehisownway,neverreallyfittinginwiththerestofthefamily.Henevermarriedandhadnochildren.
Theotherswhohaddiedyounghadsuumbedtootherfactorsthanillness.RichardVangerwaskilledierWar,onlythirty-threeyearsold.GottfriedVanger,Harriet’sfather,haddrowheyearbeforeshedisappeared.AndHarrietherselfwasonlysixteen.Mikaelmadehestrangesymmetryinthatparticurbranchofthefamily—grandfather,father,anddaughterhadallbeenstruckbymisfortune.Richard’sonlyremainingdesdantwasMartinVangerwho,atfifty-four,wasstillunmarried.ButVangerhadexpihathisnephewwasaveritablehermitwithawomanwholivediad.
Blomkvistwofactorsinthefamilytree.ThefirstwasthatnoVangerhadeverdivorarried,eveniftheirspousehaddiedyoung.Hewonderedhowmonthatwas,intermsofstatistics.CeciliaVangerhadbeenseparatedfromherhusbandforyears,butapparently,theywerestillmarried.
TheotherpeculiaritywasthatwhereasFredrikVanger’sdesdants,includingHenrik,hadpyedleadingrolesinthebusinessandlivedprimarilyinornearHedestad,JohanVanger’sbranchofthefamily,whichprodulydaughters,hadmarriedanddispersedtoStoalm?,andG?teborabroad.AndtheyonlycametoHedestadforsummerholidaysorthemoreimportaings.ThesingleexceptionwasIngridVanger,whoseson,GunnarKarlman,livediad.HewastheeditoriheHedestadCourier.
Thinkingasaprivatedetectivemight,VahoughtthattheunderlyingmotiveforHarriet’smurdermightbefoundiructureofthepany—thefactthatearlyonhehadmadeitknownthatHarrietecialtohim;themotivemighthavebeentoharmVangerhimself,orperhapsHarriethaddiscoveredsomesensitivermationingthepanyandtherebybecameathreattosomeoheseweremerespecutioheless,inthismannerhehadidentifiedacirclesistingofthirteenindividualswhomhesideredtobeofpotentiali.
Blomkvist’sversationwithVahedaybeforehadbeenilluminatingoherpoint.FromthestarttheoldmanhadtalkedtoBlomkvistaboutsomanymembersofhisfamilyinaptuousanddenigratingmastruckhimasodd.Blomkvistwonderedwhetherthepatriarch’ssuspisabouthisfamilyhadedhisjudgementierofHarriet’sdisappearanowhewasstartingtorealisethatVangerhadmadeanamazinglysoberassessment.
Theimagethatwasemergingreveale**milythatwassociallyandfinanciallysuessful,butinallthemoreordinaryaspectswasquiteclearlydysfunal.
HenrikVanger’sfatherhadbeenacold,iivemanwhosiredhischildrenahiswifelookaftertheirupbringingandwelfare.Untilthechildrenreachedtheageofsixteentheybarelysawtheirfatherexceptatspecialfamilygatheringswhentheywereexpectedtobepresentbutalsoinvisible.Henrikcouldnotrememberhisfathereverexpressinganyformoflove,eveninthesmallestway.Orary,thesonwasoftentoldthatheetentandwasthetargetofdevastatingcriticism.Corporalpunishmentwasseldomused;itwasn’tnecessary.Theonlytimeshehadwonhisfather’srespectcameterihroughhisacplishmentswithintheVangerCorporation.
Theoldestbrother,Richard,hadrebelled.Afteranargument—thereasonforwhichwasneverdiscussedinthefamily—theboyhadmovedtoUppsatostudy.TherehadbeensowntheseedsofthetheNazicareerwhigerhadalreadymentioned,andwhichwouldeventuallyleadtotheFinnishtrenches.Whattheoldmanhadionedpreviouslywasthattwootherbrothershadhadsimircareers.
In1930HaraldandGregerhadfollowedinRichard’sfootstepstoUppsa.Thetwohadbeenclose,butVangerwasnotsuretowhatextenttheyhadspenttimewithRichard.ItwasquiteclearthatthebrothersalljoinedPerEngdahl’sfascistmovement,TheNewSweden.HaraldhadloyallyfollowedPerEngdahlovertheyears,firsttoSweden’sNationalUnioheSwedishOppositiongroup,andfinallyTheNewSwedishMovementafterthewar.HaraldtiobeamemberuntilEngdahldiedintheniies,andforcertainperiodshewasohekeytributorstothehibernatingSwedishfascistmovement.
HaraldVaudiedmedieinUppsaandndedalmostimmediatelyincirclesthatwereobsessedwithracehygieneandracebiology.ForatimeheworkedattheSwedishRaceBiologyInstitute,andasaphysihebecameapromicampaignerforthesterilisationofundesirableelementsinthepopution.
Quote,HenrikVaape2,02950:
Haraldwentevenfurther.In1937heco-authored—underapseudonym,thankGod—aentitledThePeople’sNewEurope.Ididn’tfindthisoutuntiltheseventies.Ihaveacopythatyouread.ItmustbeohemostdisgustingseverpublishedintheSwedishnguage.Haraldarguednotonlyforsterilisationbutalsoforeuthanasia—activelyputtingtodeathpeoplewhooffendedhisaesthetictastesanddidn’tfithisimageoftheperfectSwedishraotherwords,heealingforwholesalemurderihatwaswritteninimpeableacademicproseandtainedalltherequiredmedicarguments.Getridofthosewhoarehandicapped.Don’tallowtheSaamipeopletospread;theyhaveaMongolianinfluence.Peoplewhoarementallyillwarddeathasaformofliberation,wouldn’tthey?Loosewomen,vagrants,gypsies,andJews—youimagine.Inmybrother’sfantasies,AuschwitzcouldhavebeenlocatedinDarna.
AfterthewarGregerVangerbecameasedary-schoolteacherauallytheheadmasteroftheHedestadpreparatoryschool.VahoughtthathenolongerbelooanypartyafterthewarandhadgivenupNazism.Hediedin1974,anditwasn’tuntilhewentthroughhisbrother’scorrespohathelearhatiiesGregerhadjoihepoliticallyiualbuttotallycrackpotsectcalledtheNordiationalParty.Hehadremainedamemberuntilhisdeath.
Quote,HenrikVaape2,04167:
sequently,threeofmybrotherswerepoliticallyinsane.Howsickweretheyinotherrespects?
TheonlybrotherworthyofameasureofempathyinVanger’seyeswasthesicklyGustav,whodiedoflungdiseasein1955.Gustavhadneverbeeedinpolitidheseemedtobesomesortofmisanthropicartisticsoul,withabsolutelynoiinbusinessintheVangerCorporation.
BlomkvistaskedVanger:“NowyouandHaraldaretheonlyo.WhydidhemovebacktoHedeby?”
“Hemovedhomein1979.Heownsthathouse.”
“Itmustfeelstrangelivingsoclosetoabrotherthatyouhate.”
“Idon’thatemybrother.Ifanything,Imaypityhim.He’sapleteidiot,aheonewhohatesme.”
“Hehatesyou?”
“Precisely.Ithinkthat’swhyhecamebackhere.Sothathecouldspendhisstyearshaticlosequarters.”
“Whydoeshehateyou?”
“BecauseIgotmarried.”
“Ithinkyoingtohavetoexpinthat.”
Vangerhadlosttactwithhisolderbrothersearlyoheonlybrothertoshotitudeforbusiness—hewashisfather’ssthope.HehadnoiinpolitidsteeredclearofUppsa.InsteadhestudiedeiSto.AfterhetureenhespenteverybreakandsummerholidaywatoheofficeswithintheVangerCorporationwiththemaofospanies.Hebecamefamiliarwithallthebyrinthsofthefamilybusiness.
On10June,1941—inthemidstofanall-outwar—VangerwassenttoGermanyforasix-weekvisitattheVangerCorporationbusinessoffiHamburg.Hewasonlytwenty-oheVanger’sGerma,apaeranbythenameofHermannLobach,washischaperoneaor.
“Iwon’ttireyouwithallthedetails,butwhehere,HitlerandStaliillgoodfriendsandtherewasaernFront.EveryoillbelievedthatHitlerwasinvincible.Therewasafeelingof…bothoptimismanddesperation.Ithinkthosearetherightwords.Morethanhalfaturyter,it’sstilldifficulttoputwordstothemood.Domewrong—IwasnotaNazi,andinmyeyesHitlerseemedlikesomeabsurdcharacterinaa.Butitwouldhavebeenalmostimpossiblenottobeiedbytheoptimismaboutthefuture,whichwasrifeamongordinarypeopleinHamburg.Despitethefactthatthewarwasgettingcloser,andseveralbombingraidswerecarriedoutagainstHamburgduriimeIwasthere,thepeopleseemedtothinkitwasmostlyatemporaryannoyahatsoontherewouldbepeadHitlerwouldestablishhisNeuropa.PeoplewaobelievethatHitlerwasGod.That’swhatitsoundedlikeinthepropaganda.”
Vangeropenedoneofhismanyphotographalbums.
“ThisisLobach.Hedisappearedin1944,presumablylostinsomebombingraid.Weneverknewwhathisfatewas.DuringmyweeksinHamburgIbecameclosetohim.Iwasstayingwithhimandhisfamilyinaapartmentio-doneighbourhoodofHamburg.Wespenttimetogethereveryday.HewasnomoreaNazithanIwas,butforveniencehewasamemberoftheparty.HismembershipcardopeneddoorsandfacilitatedopportunitiesfortheVangerCorporation—andbusinessreciselywhatwedid.Webuiltfreightwagonsfortheirtrains—I’vealwayswonderedwhetheranyonsweredestinedforPond.Wesoldfabricfortheiruniformsandtubesfortheirradiosets—althoughofficiallywedidn’
DuriernoonIorMorellsetuphisheadquartersinadrawingroomthatHenrikVangerhadputathisdisposalonthegroundflooroftheVaeoffice.Hehaduakenanumberofmeasures.
InthepanyofIsabelVanger,hehadexaminedHarriet’sroomandtriedtoascertaiheranythingwasmissing:clothes,asuitcase,orthelike,whichwouldindicatethatHarriethadrunawayfromhome.Isabel,anoteimplied,hadnotbeenhelpfunddidobefamiliarwithherdaughter’swardrobe.Sheoftenworejeans,buttheyalllookthesame,don’tthey?Harriet’spursewasonherdesk.IttainedID,awalletholdingninekronorandfifty?re,ab,amirror,andahandkerchief.Aftertheiion,Harriet’sroomwaslocked.
Morellhadsummonedmorepeopletobeinterviewed,familymembersandemployees.Alltheinterviewsweremeticulouslyreported.
Wheitsinthefirstsearchpartybegaurningwithdisheartenis,theiordecidedthatamoresystematicsearchhadtobemade.Thateveningandnight,rertswerecalledin.Morelltacted,amongothers,thechairmaad’sOrienteeringClubandappealedforhelpinsummoningvolunteersforthesearchparty.Bymidnighthewastoldthatfifty-threemembers,mostlyfromthejuniordivision,wouldbeattheVaeat7:00them.HenrikVangercalledinpartofthemshift,numberingfiftymen,fromthepapermill.Healsedforfoodanddrinkforthemall.
BlomkvistcouldvividlyimagihesespyedoutattheVaeduringthosedays.Theaidentonthebridgehadcertainlytributedtothefusithefirsthours—bymakingitdifficulttinrerts,andalsobecausepeoplesomehowthoughtthatthesetwodramatitshappeningatthesamepdclosetothesametimemustinsomewayhavebeenected.Whearuckwashoistedaway,IorMorellwentdowntothebridgetobesurethatHarrietVangerhadnot,bysomeuurs,endedupuhewreck.ThatwastheonlyirrationathatMikaelcoulddetetheior’sduct,sihemissinggirlhaduionablybeeheisndaftertheaidenthadourred.
Duringthosefirstfusedtwenty-fourhours,theirhopesthatthesituationwouldetoaswiftandhappyresolutionsank.Iheyweregraduallyrepcedbytwotheories.Inspiteoftheobviousdifficultiesinleavingtheisndunnoticed,Morellrefusedtodistthepossibilitythatshehadrunaway.Hedecidedthatanall-pointsbulletinshouldbesentoutforHarrietVanger,andhegaveinstrusforthepatrolofficersiadtokeeptheireyesopenforthemissinggirl.Healsosentacolleagueinthecriminaldivisiontointerviewbusdriversandstaffattherailwaystation,tofindoutwhetheranyonemighthaveseenher.
Astheivereportscamein,itbecameincreasinglylikelythatHarrietVangerhadfallenvictimtosomesortofmisfortuhistheoryendedupdominatingtheiigativeworkofthefollowingdays.
Thebigsearchpartytwodaysafterherdisappearancearently,asfarasBlomkvistcouldtell,carriedouteffectively.Polidfirefighterseriehsimiroperationshadahesearch.HedebyIsnddidhavesomepartsthatwerealmostinaessible,butitwashelessasmalrea,andtheisndwassearchedwithafioothbinoneday.Apoliceboatandtwovoluterssonboatsdidwhattheycouldtosearchthewatersaroundtheisnd.
Onthefollowingdaythesearchwastihdecreasedmanpower.Patrolsweresentouttomakeasedsweepoftheparticurlyruggedterrain,aswelsanareaknownas“thefortress”—anow-abandonedbunkersystemthatwasbuiltduringtheSedWorldWar.Thatdaytheyalsosearchedcubbyholes,wells,vegetablecelrs,outhouses,andattithevilge.
Acertainfrustrationcouldbereadintheoffioteswhenthesearchwascalledoffohirddayafterthegirl’sdisappearance.Morellwas,ofcourse,awareofit,butatthatmomenthehadactuallyreachedasfarintheiigationashewouldeverget.Heuzzledandstruggledtoidentifythenaturaleporanypcewherethesearchoughttobepursued.HarrietVangerseemedtohavedissolvedintothinair,andHenrikVanger’syearsoftormenthadbegun.
CHAPTER9
Monday,January6–Wednesday,January8
BlomkvistkeptreadinguntilthesmallhoursanddidupuntilteonEpiphanyDay.Anavyblue,te-modelVolvoarkedoutsideVanger’shouse.Evenashereachedforthedoorhahedoorenedbyamanonhiswayout.Theyalmostcollided.Themaobeinahurry.
“Yes?Ihelpyou?”
“I’mheretoseeHenrikVanger,”Blomkvistsaid.
Theman’seyesbrightened.Hesmiledandstuckouthishand.“YoumustbeMikaelBlomkvist,theonewho’sgoingtohelpHenrikwiththefamilyicle,right?”
Theyshookhands.VangerhadapparentlybegunspreadingBlomkvist’scoverstory.Themanwasht—theresult,nodoubt,oftoomanyyearsofiatinginoffidferens—butBlomkvistnoticedatohelikehesimiritybetweenhisfadHarrietVanger’s.
“I’mMartinVahemansaid.“WeletoHedestad.”
“Thankyou.”
“IsawyouonTVawhileago.”
“EverybodyseemstohaveseeV.”
“Wer?mis…notverypopurinthishouse.”
“Henrikmentiohat.I’mwaitingtoheartherestofthestory.”
“Hetoldmeafewdaysagothathe’dhiredyou.”MartinVangerughed.“HesaiditrobablybecauseofWer?mthatyoutookthejobuphere.”
Blomkvisthesitatedbeforedegtotellthetruth.“Thatwasoneimportantreason.Buttobeho,IogetawayfromSto,aadcroppedupattherightmoment.AtleastIthinkso.I’tpretendthatthecourteverhappened.Andanyway,I’mgoingtohavetogotoprison.”
MartinVangernodded,suddenlyserious.“youappeal?”
“Itwon’tdoanygood.”
Vangerghiswatch.
“IhavetobeinStotonight,soImusthurryaway.I’llbebaafewdays.eoverandhavedinner.I’dreallyliketohearwhatactuallywentthattrial.Henrikisupstairs.Ghtin.”
VangerwassittingonasofainhisofficewherehehadtheHedestadCourier,DagensIndustri,SvenskaDagbdet,andbothnationaleveningpapersonthecoffeetable.
“IranintoMartinoutside.”
“Rushingofftosavetheempire,”Vangersaid.“Coffee?”
“Yes,please.”Blomkvistsatdown,wwhyVangerlookedsoamused.
“You’rementiohepaper.”
Vangershovedacrossoheeveningpapers,openatapagewiththeheadline“MediaShortCircuit.”ThearticlewaswrittenbyanistreviouslyworkedforMonopolyFinancialMagazine,makinganameforhimselfasonewhocheerfullyridiculedeveryonewhofeltpassionateaboutanyissueorwhostucktheirneckout.Feminists,antiracists,andenviroactivistscouldallreonreceivingtheirshare.Thewriterwasnotknownforespousingasingleviofhisown.Now,severalweeksafterthetrialintheWer?maffair,hewasbringinghisfiretobearonMikaelBlomkvist,whomhedescribedasapleteidiot.ErikaBergerortrayedasamediabimbo:
ArumouriscirgthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpseinspiteofthefactthattheeditorinchiefisafeministwhowearsmini-skirtsandpoutsherlipsonTV.Forseveralyearsthemagazinehassurvivedontheimagethathasbeensuessfullymarketedbytheeditors—youerswhouakeiigativejournalismandexposethesdrelsofthebusinessworld.Thisadvertisingtrickmayworkwithyounganarchistswhowanttohearjustsuchamessage,butitdoesn’twashirictcourt.AsKalleBlomkvistretlyfoundout.
Blomkvistswitchedonhismobileandcheckedtoseeifhehadanycallsfrer.Therewerenomessages.Vangerwaitedwithoutsayinganything.Blomkvistrealisedthattheoldmanwasallowinghimtobreakthesilence.
“He’samoron,”Blomkvistsaid.
Vangerughed,buthesaid:“Thatmaybe.Buthe’snottheonewhowassentehecourt.”
“That’strue.Andheneverwillbe.Heneversaysanythinginal;healwaysjustjumpsonthebandwagonandcaststhefinalstohemostdamagingtermshegetawaywith.”
“I’vehadmanyenemiesovertheyears.Ifthere’sohingI’velear’sneverengageinafightyou’resuretolose.Oherhand,anyonewhohasinsultedyougetawaywithit.Bideyourtimeandstrikebackwhenyou’reinapositionth—evenifyounolongerostrikeback.”
“Thankyouforyourwisdom,Henrik.NowI’dlikeyoutotellmeaboutyourfamily.”Hesetthetaperecorderbetweehetableandpressedtherecordbutton.
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“I’vereadthroughthefirstbinder,aboutthedisappearahesearches,buttherearesomanyVangersmentiohatIneedyourhelpidentifyingthemall.”
FornearlytenminutesSaoodiyhallwithhereyesfixedonthebrasspquethatsaid“AdvokatN.E.Bjurman”beforesherangthebell.Thelotheentrydoorclicked.
ItwasTuesday.Itwastheirseeeting,andshehadabadfeelingaboutit.
ShewasnotafraidofBjurman—Sanderwasrarelyafraidofanyoneoranything.Oherhand,shefeltunfortablewiththisnewguardian.Hispredecessor,AdvokatHolgerPalmgren,hadbeenofairelydifferentilk:courteousandkind.ButthreemonthsagoPalmgrenhadhadastroke,andNilsErikBjurmanhadiedherinaordahsomebureaucraticpegorder.
IwelveyearsthatSanderhadbeenundersodpsychiatricguardianship,twoofthoseyearsinachildren’sic,shehadneveroncegiventhesameahesimplequestion:“So,howareyoutoday?”
Wheurhirteen,thecourthaddecided,underwsgtheguardianshipofminors,thatsheshouldbeentrustedtothelockedwardatSt.Stefan’sPsychiatrilinicforChildreninUppsa.Thedecisionrimarilybasedothatshewasdeemedtobeemotionallydisturbedanddangerouslyviolenttowardshercssmatesandpossiblytowardsherself.
Alttemptsbyateacheroranyauthorityfiguretoinitiateaversationwiththegirboutherfeeliionallife,orthestateofherhealthweremet,totheirgreatfrustration,withasullensilendagreatdealofintearingatthefloor,ceiling,andwalls.Shewouldfoldherarmsandrefusetoparticipateinanypsychologicaltests.Herresistaoalttemptstomeasure,weigh,chart,analyse,oreducateherappliedalsotoherschoolwork—theauthoritiescouldhavehercarriedtoaandcouldhertothebench,buttheycouldnotstopherfromclosingherearsandrefusingtoliftapentowriteanything.Shepletedthenineyearsofpulsoryschoolingwithoutacertificate.
Thishadsequentlybeeassociatedwiththegreatdifficultyofevendiagnosinghermentaldeficies.Inshort,LisbethSanderwasanythingbuteasytohandle.
Bythetimeshewasthirteen,itwasalsodecidedthatatrusteeshouldbeassigakecareofherisandassetsuntilshecameofage.ThistrusteewasAdvokatPalmgrenwho,inspiteofaratherdifficultstart,hadsueededwherepsychiatristsanddoctorshadfailed.Graduallyhewonnotonlyacertainamountoftrustbutalsoamodestamountofwarmthfromthegirl.
Wheurnedfifteeorshadmoreorlessagreedthatshewasnot,afterall,dangerouslyviolent,nordidsherepresentanyimmediatedaoherself.Herfamilyhadbeencategorisedasdysfunal,andshehadiveswhocouldlookafterherwelfare,soitwasdecidedthatLisbethSandershouldbereleasedfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildreninUppsaandeasedbatosocietybywayofafosterfamily.
Thathadnotbeenaneasyjourney.Sheranawayfromthefirstfosterfamilyafteronlytwoweeks.Thesedandthirdfosterfamiliesfellbythewaysideinquicksuession.AtthatpointPalmgrenhadaseriousdiscussionwithher,expiningbluntlythatifshepersistedonthispathshewouldbeinstitutionalisedagain.Thisthreathadtheeffectthatsheaeptedfosterfamilynumberfour—anelderlycouplewholivedinMidsommarkransen.
Butitdidnotmean,however,thatshebehavedherself.Attheageofseventeen,Sanderwasarrestedbythepolifouroasions;twiceshewassointoxicatedthatsheendedupintheemergen,andoncesheinlyuheinfluenarcotioheseoasionsshewasfounddeaddrunk,withherclothesindisarray,inthebackseatofacarparkedatS?derM?rstrand.Shewaswithanequallydrunkandmucholderman.
Thestarrestourredthreeweeksbeforehereighteenthbirthday,whenshe,perfectlysober,kickedamalepasseheheadihegatesoftheGamStantunnelbanastation.Shewaschargedwithassaultandbattery.Sandercimedthatthemanhadgropedher,aestimonyportedbywitheprosecutordismissedthecase.Butherbackgroundwassuchthatthedistrictcourtorderedapsychiatricevaluation.Sincesherefused,aswasher,toansweraionsortoparticipateintheexaminations,thedoctorssultedbytheNationalBoardofHealthandWelfarehandeddoinionbasedon“observationsofthepatient.”Itwasunclearpreciselywhatcouldbeobservedwhenitwasamatterofasilentyoungwomansittingonachairwithherarmsfoldedandherlowerlipstuckout.Theoerminatiohatshemustsufferfromsomekiionaldisturbance,whosenaturewasofthesortthatcouldued.Themedical/legalreportremendedcareinaclosedpsychiatristitution.Anassistantheadofthesocialwelfareboardwroteanopinioninsupportoftheclusionsofthepsychiatricexperts.
Withregardtoherpersonalrecord,theopinioncludedthattherewasgraveriskofalddrugabuse,andthatsheckedself-awareness.Bythenhercasewasfilledwithtermssuchasintroverted,sociallyinhibited,gihy,ego-fixated,psychopathidasocialbehaviour,difficultyincooperating,andincapableofassimitinglearning.AnyonewhoreadhercasemightbetemptedtocludethatSanderwasseriouslyretarded.Anothermarkagainstherwasthatthesocialservicesstreetpatrolhadonseveraloasionsobservedher“withvariousmen”intheareaaroundMariatet.ShewasooppedandfriskedinTantolunden,againwithamucholderman.ItwasfearedthatSanderossiblyoperatingas,orrantheriskofbeing,aprostitute.
Wherictcourt—theinstitutionthatwoulddetermiure—mettodecideoer,theouteseemedafoneclusion.Shewasobviouslyaproblemchild,anditwasuhatthecourtwouldetoanydecisiohaheremendationsofboththepsychiatridthesocialinquiries.
Onthemthecourthearingwastotakepce,SanderwasbroughtfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildrenwhereshehadbeenfinedsiheiinGamStalikeaprisonerfromatrationcamp:shehadnohopeofsurvivingtheday.Thefirstpersonshesawinthecourtroomalmgren,andittookawhileforhertorealisethathewasnotthereintheroleofatrusteebutratherasherlegalrepresentative.
Tohersurprise,hewasfirmlyinherer,andhemadeapowerfuppeagainstinstitutionalisation.Shedidraywithsomuchasaraisedeyebrowthatshewassurprised,butshelisteentlytoeverywordthatalmgrenwasbrilliantduriwohoursinwhichhecross-examihephysi,aDr.JesperH.L?derman,whohadsignedhisheremendationthatSanderbelockedawayinaninstitution.Everydetailoftheopinionwasscrutinised,aorwasrequiredtoexpinthestificbasisforeachstatemeuallyitbecameclearthatsihepatienthadrefusedtopleteasi,thebasisforthedoctor’sclusionswasinfaothingmorethanguesswork.
Attheendofthehearing,PalmgrenintimatedthatpulsoryinstitutionalisationwasinallprobabilitynotonlytrarytoParliament’sdecisionsinsimirsituations,butinthisparticurcaseitmightinadditiohesubjectofpolitidmediareprisals.Soitwasineveryone’siofindanappropriatealternativesolution.Suguagewasunusualfotiationsinthistypeofsituation,andthemembersofthecourthadsquirmednervously.
Thesolutionwasalsoapromise.ThecourtcludedthatLisbethSanderwasindeedemotionallydisturbed,butthatherditiondidnotnecessarilywarrantinter.Oherhand,thesocialwelfaredirector’sremendationofguardianshipwastakenundersideration.Thechairmanofthecourtturned,withavenomoussmile,toHolgerPalmgren,whoupuntilthenhadbeerustee,andinquiredwhetherhemightbewillingtotakeontheguardianship.ThechairmanobviouslythoughtthatPalmgrenwouldbackawayandtrytopushtheresponsibilityontosomeoneelse.Orary,PalmgrendecredthathewouldbehappytotakeonthejobasFr?kenSander’sguardian—butononedition:“thatFr?kenSandermustbewillingtotrustmeameasherguardian.”
Heturofaceher.LisbethSanderwassomewhatbewilderedbytheexgethathadgonebadforthoverherheadallday.Untilnowno-onehadaskedforheropinion.ShelookedatHolgerPalmgrenforalongtimeandthennoddedonce.
Palmgreneculiarmixtureofjuristandsocialworker,oftheoldschool.Atfirsthehadbeenapoliticallyappointedmemberofthesocialwelfareboard,andhehadspentnearlyallhislifedealingwithproblemyouths.Arelutsenseofrespect,almostbonfriendship,hadintimeformedbetweenPalmgrenandhisward,whowasuionablythemostdifficulthehadeverhadtodealwith.
Theirretionshiphadstedelevenyears,fromherthirteenthbirthdayuntilthepreviousyear,whenafewweeksbeforeChristmasshehadgooseePalmgrenathomeafterhemissedoheirscheduledmonthlymeetings.
Whenhedidnotopenthedooreventhoughshecouldhearsoundsingfromhisapartment,shebrokeinbyclimbingupadraihebalyonthefourthfloor.Shefoundhimlyingonthefloorinthehall,sciousbutuospeakormove.ShecalledforanambundaiedhimtoS?derHospitalwithagrowingfeelingofpaniherstomach.Forthreedaysshehardlyleftthecorridoroutsidetheintensivecareunit.Likeafaithfulwatchdog,shekeptaneyeoneverydoctorandnursewhowentinoroutofthedoor.Shewanderedupanddownthecorridorlikealostsoul,fixinghereyesoneverydoctorwhoear.Finallyadoctorwhosenamesheneverdiscoveredtookherintoaroomtoexpinthegravityofthesituation.HerrPalmgrenwasincriticalditionfollowingaseverecerebralhaeme.Hewasnotexpectedtainsciousness.Hewasonlysixty-fouryearsold.Sheherweptnorgedherexpressiooodup,leftthehospital,anddidurn.
FiveweekstertheGuardianshipAgencysummonedSahefirstmeetingwithhernewguardian.Herinitialimpulsewastoighesummons,butPalmgrenhadimprintedinherscioushateveryahasitssequences.ShehadlearoanalysethesequendsoshehadetotheclusionthattheeasiestwayoutofthispresentdilemmawastosatisfytheGuardianshipAgencybybehavingasifshecaredaboutwhattheyhadtosay.
Thus,inDecember—takingabreakfromherresearikaelBlomkvist—shearrivedatBjurman’soffiSt.Erikspn,whereanelderlyresentingtheboardhadhandedoverSander’sextensivefiletoAdvokatBjurman.ThewomanhadkindlyaskedSanderhowthingsweregoing,andsheseemedsatisfiedwiththestifledsilenceshereceivedinreply.AfterabouthalfanhoursheleftSahecareofAdvokatBjurman.
SanderdecidedthatshedidnotlikeAdvokatBjurmaudiedhimfurtivelyashereadthroughhercase.Age:overfifty.Trimbody.TennisonTuesdaysandFridays.Blond.Thinninghair.Aslightcleftinhis.HugoBossaftershave.Bluesuit.Redtiewithagoldtiepinandostentatiouscufflinkswiththeinitialseel-rimmedgsses.Greyeyes.Tojudgebythemagazihesidetable,hisiswerehuntingandshooting.
DuringtheyearsshehadknownPalmgren,hehadalwaysofferedhercoffeeandchattedwithher.Notevenherworstescapesfromfosterhomesurtruanschoolhadeverruffledhisposure.TheonlytimePalmgrenhadbeenreallyupsetwaswhenshehadbeenchargedwithassaultandbatteryafterthatscumbaghadgropedherinGamStan.Doyouuandwhatyou’vedone?Youhaveharmedanotherhumanbeing,Lisbeth.Hehadsoundedlikeanoldteacher,andshehadpatientlyignoredeverywordofhisscolding.
Bjurmandidnothavetimeforsmalltalk.HehadimmediatelycludedthattherewasadiscrepaweenPalmgren’sobligations,atutionsofguardianship,athathehadapparentlyallowedtheSandergirltotakechargeofherownhouseholdandfinances.Bjurmanstartedinonasortofinterrogation:Howmuchdoyouearn?Iyofyourfinancialrecords.Whodoyouspendtimewith?Doyoupayyourrentontime?Doyoudrink?DidPalmgrenapproveofthsyouhaveonyourface?Areyoucarefubouthygiene?
Fuckyou.
PalmgrenhadbeehertrusteerightafterAllTheEvilhadhappened.Hehadinsistedoingswithheratleastonceamonth,sometimesmoreoften.AftershemovedbacktoLundagatan,theyracticallyneighbours.Helivedatan,acoupleofblocksaway,andtheywouldrunintoeachoforcoffeeatGiffy’sorsomeotherearby.Palmgrenhadriedtoimpose,butafewtimeshehadvisitedher,bringingsomelittlegiftforherbirthday.Shehadastandinginvitationtovisithimwheneversheliked,aprivilegethatsheseldomtookadvantageof.ButwhenshemovedtoS?der,shehadstartedspendingChristmasEvewithhimaftershewenttoseehermother.TheywouldeatChristmashamandpychess.Shehadnorealiinthegame,butaftershelearherules,sheneverlostamatch.Heer,andSanderhadseenitasherdutytotakepityonhimonthoselonelyholidays.
Shesideredherselfinhisdebt,andshealaidherdebts.
Italmgrenwhohadsublethermother’sapartmentonLundagatanforheruntilSanderneededherowolive.Theapartmentwasabout500squarefeet,shabbyandunrenovated,butatleastitwasaroofoverherhead.
NowPalmgrenwasgone,andaietoestablishedsocietyhadbeensevered.NilsBjurmanwasawhollydifferentsortofperson.NowayshewouldbespendingChristmasEveathishouse.HisfirstmovehadbeentoputinpewrulesonthemaofheraountatHandelsbanken.Palmgrenhadneverhadanyproblemsaboutbendingtheditionsofhisguardianshipsoastoallowhertotakecareofherownfinances.Shepaidherbillsandcouldusehersavingsasshesawfit.
PriortothemeetingwithBjurmantheweekbeforeChristmasshehadpreparedherself;ohere,shehadtriedtoexpinthathispredecessorhadtrustedherandhadneverbeengivenoasiontodootherwise.Palmgrenhadlethertakecareofherownaffairsandnotinterferedinherlife.
“That’soheproblems,”Bjurmansaid,tappinghercase.Hethenmadealongspeechabouttherulesandgoverregutionsonguardianship.
“Heletyouruhatit?Iwonderhowhegotawaywithit.”
Becausehewasacrazysocialdemocratwhohadworkedwithtroubledkidsallhislife.
“I’mnotachildanymore,”Sandersaid,asifthatwereexpnationenough.
“No,you’renotachild.ButI’vebeenappointedyuardian,andaslongasIhavethatrole,Iamlegallyandfinanciallyresponsibleforyou.”
Heopenedanewaountinhername,andsheposedtoreportittoMilton’spersonneloffiduseitfromnowon.Thegoodolddayswereover.InfutureBjurmanwouldpayherbills,andshewouldbegivenanallowanceeath.Hetoldherthatheexpectedhertoprovidereceiptsforallherexpenses.Shewouldreceive1,400kronoraweek—“forfood,clothing,filmtickets,andsuchlike.”
Sanderearnedmorethan160,000kronorayear.Shecoulddoublethatbywfull-timeaingalltheassigsArmanskyofferedher.Butshehadfewexpensesanddidnotneedmuey.Thecostofherapartmentwasabout2,000kronoramonth,andinspiteofhermodestine,shehad90,000kronorinhersavingsaount.Butshenolongerhadaesstoit.
“ThishastodowiththefactthatI’mresponsibleforyourmoney,”hesaid.“Youhavetoputmoneyasideforthefuture.Butdon’tworry;I’lltakecareofallthat.”
I’vetakenyselfsinceIwasten,youcreep!
“Youfunwellenoughinsocialtermsthatyoudoobeinstitutionalised,butthissocietyisresponsibleforyou.”
HequestionedhercloselyaboutwhatkindofworkassigsshewasgivenatMiltonSecurity.Shehadinstinctivelyliedaboutherduties.TheanswershegavehimwasadescriptionofherveryfirstweeksatMilton.Bjurmangottheimpressionthatshemadecoffeeandsortedthepost—suitableenoughtasksforsomeonewhowasalittleslow—andseemedsatisfied.
Shedidnotknowwhyshehadlied,butshewassureitwasawisedecision.
BlomkvisthadspentfivehourswithVanger,andittookmuchofthenightandallofTuesdaytotypeuphisnotesaogetherthegenealogyintoaprehensiblewhole.Thefamilyhistorythatemergedwasadramaticallydifferentversionfromtheoedastheofficialimageofthefamily.Everyfamilyhadafewskeletonsintheircupboards,buttheVangerfamilyhadairegallimaufryofthem.
BlomkvisthadhadtoremindhimselfseveraltimesthathisreassigwasnottowriteabiographyoftheVangerfamilybuttofindoutwhathadhappeoHarrietVaheVangerbiographywouldbenomorethanpyingtothegallery.Afterayearhewouldreceivehispreposteroussary—thetractdrawnupbyFrodehadbeensigned.Histruereward,hehoped,wouldbethermationaboutWer?mthatVangercimedtopossess.ButafterlisteningtoVanger,hebegahattheyeardidnothavetobeawasteoftime.AabouttheVangerfamilyhadsignifitvalue.Itwas,quitesimply,aterrificstory.
TheideathathemightlightuponHarrietVanger’skillernevercrossedhismind—assumingshehadbeenmurdered,thatis,anddidnotjustdieinsomefreakaident.BlomkvistagreedwithVahatthecesofasixteen-year-oldgirlgoingoffofherownaordaayinghiddenforthirty-sixyears,despitethehtofallthegoverbureaucracy,wereent.Oherhand,hedidnotexcludethepossibilitythatHarrietVangerhadrunaway,maybeheadingforSto,andthatsomethinghadbefallenhersubsequently—drugs,prostitution,anassault,orapureandsimple.
Vangerwasvinced,forhispart,thatHarriethadbeenmurderedandthatafamilymemberwasresponsible—possiblyincolborationwithsomeoneelse.HisargumentwasbasedothatHarriethaddisappearedduringthefusioninthehourswhentheisndwascutoffandalleyesweredirectedattheaident.
Bergerhadbeenrighttosaythathistakingtheassigwasbeyondallmonsehegoalwastosolveamurdermystery.ButBlomkvistwasbeginningtoseethatHarriet’sfatehadpyedatralroleinthefamily,andespeciallyforHenrikVanger.Nomatterwhetherhewasright,Vanger’sausationagainsthisretiveswasofgreatsignifithefamily’shistory.Theausationhadbeenairedopenlyformorethanthirtyyears,andithadcolouredthefamilygatheringsandgiveopoisonousanimositiesthathadtributedtodestabilisingthecorporation.AstudyofHarriet’sdisappearancewouldsequentlyfunasachapterallonitsown,aswelsprovidearedthreadthroughthefamilyhistory—andtherewasanabundanceofsourcematerial.Oartingpoint,whetherHarrietVangerwashisprimaryassigorwhetherhemadedowithwritingafamilyicle,wouldbetomapoutthegalleryofcharacters.ThatwasthegistofhisfirstlongversationthatdaywithVanger.
Thefamilysistedofaboutahundredindividuals,tingallthechildrenofcousinsandsedcousins.Thefamilywassoextehewasforcedtocreateadatabaseinhisi.HeusedtheNotePadprogramme,ohosefull-valueproductsthattwomenattheRoyalTeicalCollegehadcreatedanddistributedassharewareforapittaheInter.Fewprogrammeswereasusefulforaigativejournalist.Eachfamilymemberwasgivenhisorherowndotiabase.
Thefamilytreecouldbetracedbacktotheearlysixteeury,whenthenamewasVangeersad.AtoVahenamemayhaveinatedfromtheDutGeerstat;ifthatwasthecase,thelineagecouldbetracedasfarbackasthetwelfthtury.
Iimes,thefamilycamefromnorthernFrance,arrivinginSwedenwithKingJeanBaptisteBernadotteintheearlyhtury.AlexandreVangeersadwasasoldierandnotpersonallyacquaihtheking,buthehaddistinguishedhimselfasthecapableheadofagarrison.In1818hewasgiventheHedebyestateasarewardforhisservice.AlexandreVangeersadalsohadhisownfortune,whichheusedtopurchasesiderablesesofforestedndinNorrnd.Hisson,Adrian,wasborninFraathisfather’srequesthemovedtoHedebyinthatremoteareaofNorrnd,farfromthesalonsofParis,totakeovertheadministrationoftheestate.Hetookupfarmingandforestry,usihodsimportedfromEurope,andhefouhepulpandpapermilroundwhichHedestadwasbuilt.
Alexandre’sgrandsonwasnamedHenrik,andheshortenedhissuroVanger.HedevelopedtradewithRussiaaedasmallmertfleetofsersthatservedtheBaltidGermany,aswelsEngndwithitssteelindustryduringthemid-1800s.TheelderHenrikVangerdiversifiedthefamilyenterprisesandfoundedamodestminingbusiness,aswelsseveralofNorrnd’sfirstmetalindustries.Helefttwosons,BirgerandGottfried,andtheyweretheoneswhoidthebasisforthehigh-finanger.
“Doyouknowanythingabouttheoldiancews?”Vangerhadasked.“No.”
“I’mfusedaboutittotofamilytradition,BirgerandGottfriedfoughtlikecats—theywerelegendarypetitorsforpowerandinfluenceoverthefamilybusiness.Inmanyrespectsthepowerstrugglethreateheverysurvivalofthepany.Forthatreasontheirfatherdecided—shortlybeforehedied—tocreateasystemwherebyallmembersofthefamilywouldreceiveaportionoftheiance—ashare—inthebusiness.Itwasnodoubtwell-iioned,butitledtoasituationinwhisteadofbeingabletinskilledpeopleandpossiblepartnersfromtheoutside,wehadaboardofdirectorssistingonlyoffamilymembers.”
“Andthatappliestoday?”
“Precisely.Ifafamilymemberwishestosellhisshares,theyhavetostaywithinthefamily.Todaytheannualshareholders’meetingsistsof50pertfamilymembers.Martinholdsmorethan10pertoftheshares;Ihave5pertaftersellingsomeofmyshares,toMartinamongothers.MybrotherHaraldowns7pert,butmostofthepeoplewhoetotheshareholders’meetinghaveonlyoneorhalfapert.”
“Itsoundsmedievalinsomeways.”
“It’sludicrous.Itmeansthattoday,ifMartinwantstoimplementsomepolicy,hehastowastetimeonalobbyiiontoensuresupportfromatleast20pertto25pertoftheshareholders.It’sapatchworkquiltofalliances,fas,andintrigues.”
Vangerresumedthehistory:
“GottfriedVangerdiedchildlessin1901.Orrather,mayIbefivehefatheroffhters,butinthosedayswomendidn’treallyt.Theyownedshares,butitwasthemeninthefamilywhostitutedtheownershipi.Itwasn’tuntilwomenwontherighttovote,wellintothetwehtury,thattheywereevenallowedtoattendtheshareholders’meetings.”
“Veryliberal.”
“obesarcastic.Thoseweredifferenttimes.Atanyrate—Gottfried’sbrother,BirgerVanger,hadthreesons:Johan,Fredrik,andGideonVaheywereallborntowardstheendofthehtury.Weignideon;hesoldhissharesandemigratedtoAmerica.Thereisstilbranchofthefamilyoverthere.ButJohanandFredrikVangermadethepanythemodernVangerCorporation.”
VaookoutaphotographalbumandshowedBlomkvistpicturesfromthegalleryofcharactersashetalked.Thephotographsfromtheearly1900sshowedtwomenwithsturdysandpstered-downhairwhostaredintothecameralenswithoutahintofasmile.
“JohanVangerwasthegeniusofthefamily.Hetrainedasanengineer,andhedevelopedthemanufacturingindustrywithseveralnewiions,whichhepateeendironbecamethebasisofthefirm,butthebusinessalsoexpaootherareas,includiiles.JohanVangerdiedin1956andhadthreedaughters:Sofia,M?rit,andIngrid,whowerethefirstwomenautomaticallytowinadmittahepany’sshareholders’meetings.
“Theotherbrother,FredrikVanger,wasmyfather.HewasabusinessmanandindustryleaderwhotransformedJohan’siionsintoine.Myfatherliveduntil1964.Hewasactiveinpanymarightupuntilhisdeath,althoughhehadturnedoverdailyoperationstomeiies.
“Itwasexactlylikethepreggeion—butinreverse.Johanhadonlydaughters.”VangershowedBlomkvistpicturesofbig-bustedwomenwithwide-brimmedhatsandcarryingparasols.“AndFredrik—myfather—hadonlysons.Wewerefivebrothers:Richard,Harald,Greger,Gustav,andmyself.”
BlomkvisthaddrawnupafamilytreeonseveralsheetsofA4papertapedtogether.HeunderlihenamesofallthoseonHedebyIsndforthefamilymeetingin1966andthus,atleasttheoretically,whocouldhavehadsomethingtodowithHarrietVanger’sdisappearance.
Heleftoutchildreheageoftwelve—hehadtodrawthelinesomewhere.Aftersomep,healsoleftoutHenrikVanger.Ifthepatriarchhadhadanythingtodowiththedisappearanceofhisbrranddaughter,hisasoverthepastthirty-sixyearswouldfallintothepsychopathia.Vanger’smother,whoin1966wasalreadyeighty-one,couldreasonablyalsobeeliminated.Remainiwenty-threefamilymemberswhtoVanger,hadtobeincludedinthegroupof“suspects.”Sevenofthesewerenowdead,andseveralhadnowreachedarespectableoldage.
BlomkvistwasnotwillingtoshareVanger’svithatafamilymemberwasbehindHarriet’sdisappearanumberofothershadtobeaddedtothelistofsuspects.
DirchFrodebeganwferashiswyerinthespringof1962.Andasidefromthefamily,whoweretheservantswhenHarrietvanished?GunnarNilsson—alibiornot—wasnieenyearsold,andhisfather,Magnus,wasinalllikelihoodpresentonHedebyIsnd,asweretheartistNormanaorFalk.WasFalkmarried?The?sterg?rdenfarmerAronsson,aswelshissonJerkerAronsson,livedontheisnd,closeenoughtoHarrietVangerwhileshewasgrowingup—whatsortofretionshipdidtheyhave?WasAronssonstillmarried?Didotherpeopleliveatthattimeonthefarm?
AsBlomkvistwrotedownallthehelisthadgrowntofortypeople.Itwas3:30inthemahermometerread-6°F.HelongedforhisownbedonBellmansgatan.
HewasawokenbytheworkmanfromTelia.By11:00hewashookedupandnolongerfeltquiteasprofessionallyhandicapped.Oherhand,hisowntelephoneremaiubbornlysilent.Hewasstartingtofeelquitepig-headedandwouldnotcalltheoffice.
Heswitchedonhisemailprogrammeandlookedrapidlythroughthenearly350messagessenttohimoverthepastweek.Hesavedadozewerespamormailingliststhathesubscribedto.Thefirstemailwasfrom:IHOPEYOUSUCKCOTHESLAMMERYOUFUGMIEPIG.HefileditiELLIGENTCRITICISM”folder.
Hewroteto:“HiRicky.JusttotellyouthatI’vegotthewandbereachedwhenyoufiveme.Hedebyisarusticpce,wellworthavisit.M.”WhelikelunchtimeheputhisiinhisbagandwalkedtoSusanne’sBridgeCafé.Heparkedhimselfathisusualertable.Susannebroughthimcoffeeandsandwiches,castinganinquisitiveghisputer.Sheaskedhimwhathewaswon.ForthefirsttimeBlomkvistusedhiscoverstory.Theyexgedpleasantries.Susanneurgedhimtocheckwithherwhenhewasreadyfortherealrevetions.
“I’vebeenservingVangersforthirty-fiveyears,andIknowmostofthegossipaboutthatfamily,”shesaid,andsashayedofftothekit.Withchildren,grandchildren,a-grandchildren—whomhehadnotbotheredtoinclude—thebrothersFredrikandJohanVangerhadapproximatelyfiftylivingoffspringtoday.Thefamilyhadateolivetoaripeoldage.FredrikVangerlivedtobeseve,andhisbrotherJohay-two.OfFredrik’ssonswhowereyetalive,Haraldwasniy-twoandHenrikwaseighty-two.
TheonlyexceptionwasGustav,whodiedoflungdiseaseattheageofthirty-seven.VangerhadexpihatGustavhadalwaysbeensicklyandhadgonehisownway,neverreallyfittinginwiththerestofthefamily.Henevermarriedandhadnochildren.
Theotherswhohaddiedyounghadsuumbedtootherfactorsthanillness.RichardVangerwaskilledierWar,onlythirty-threeyearsold.GottfriedVanger,Harriet’sfather,haddrowheyearbeforeshedisappeared.AndHarrietherselfwasonlysixteen.Mikaelmadehestrangesymmetryinthatparticurbranchofthefamily—grandfather,father,anddaughterhadallbeenstruckbymisfortune.Richard’sonlyremainingdesdantwasMartinVangerwho,atfifty-four,wasstillunmarried.ButVangerhadexpihathisnephewwasaveritablehermitwithawomanwholivediad.
Blomkvistwofactorsinthefamilytree.ThefirstwasthatnoVangerhadeverdivorarried,eveniftheirspousehaddiedyoung.Hewonderedhowmonthatwas,intermsofstatistics.CeciliaVangerhadbeenseparatedfromherhusbandforyears,butapparently,theywerestillmarried.
TheotherpeculiaritywasthatwhereasFredrikVanger’sdesdants,includingHenrik,hadpyedleadingrolesinthebusinessandlivedprimarilyinornearHedestad,JohanVanger’sbranchofthefamily,whichprodulydaughters,hadmarriedanddispersedtoStoalm?,andG?teborabroad.AndtheyonlycametoHedestadforsummerholidaysorthemoreimportaings.ThesingleexceptionwasIngridVanger,whoseson,GunnarKarlman,livediad.HewastheeditoriheHedestadCourier.
Thinkingasaprivatedetectivemight,VahoughtthattheunderlyingmotiveforHarriet’smurdermightbefoundiructureofthepany—thefactthatearlyonhehadmadeitknownthatHarrietecialtohim;themotivemighthavebeentoharmVangerhimself,orperhapsHarriethaddiscoveredsomesensitivermationingthepanyandtherebybecameathreattosomeoheseweremerespecutioheless,inthismannerhehadidentifiedacirclesistingofthirteenindividualswhomhesideredtobeofpotentiali.
Blomkvist’sversationwithVahedaybeforehadbeenilluminatingoherpoint.FromthestarttheoldmanhadtalkedtoBlomkvistaboutsomanymembersofhisfamilyinaptuousanddenigratingmastruckhimasodd.Blomkvistwonderedwhetherthepatriarch’ssuspisabouthisfamilyhadedhisjudgementierofHarriet’sdisappearanowhewasstartingtorealisethatVangerhadmadeanamazinglysoberassessment.
Theimagethatwasemergingreveale**milythatwassociallyandfinanciallysuessful,butinallthemoreordinaryaspectswasquiteclearlydysfunal.
HenrikVanger’sfatherhadbeenacold,iivemanwhosiredhischildrenahiswifelookaftertheirupbringingandwelfare.Untilthechildrenreachedtheageofsixteentheybarelysawtheirfatherexceptatspecialfamilygatheringswhentheywereexpectedtobepresentbutalsoinvisible.Henrikcouldnotrememberhisfathereverexpressinganyformoflove,eveninthesmallestway.Orary,thesonwasoftentoldthatheetentandwasthetargetofdevastatingcriticism.Corporalpunishmentwasseldomused;itwasn’tnecessary.Theonlytimeshehadwonhisfather’srespectcameterihroughhisacplishmentswithintheVangerCorporation.
Theoldestbrother,Richard,hadrebelled.Afteranargument—thereasonforwhichwasneverdiscussedinthefamily—theboyhadmovedtoUppsatostudy.TherehadbeensowntheseedsofthetheNazicareerwhigerhadalreadymentioned,andwhichwouldeventuallyleadtotheFinnishtrenches.Whattheoldmanhadionedpreviouslywasthattwootherbrothershadhadsimircareers.
In1930HaraldandGregerhadfollowedinRichard’sfootstepstoUppsa.Thetwohadbeenclose,butVangerwasnotsuretowhatextenttheyhadspenttimewithRichard.ItwasquiteclearthatthebrothersalljoinedPerEngdahl’sfascistmovement,TheNewSweden.HaraldhadloyallyfollowedPerEngdahlovertheyears,firsttoSweden’sNationalUnioheSwedishOppositiongroup,andfinallyTheNewSwedishMovementafterthewar.HaraldtiobeamemberuntilEngdahldiedintheniies,andforcertainperiodshewasohekeytributorstothehibernatingSwedishfascistmovement.
HaraldVaudiedmedieinUppsaandndedalmostimmediatelyincirclesthatwereobsessedwithracehygieneandracebiology.ForatimeheworkedattheSwedishRaceBiologyInstitute,andasaphysihebecameapromicampaignerforthesterilisationofundesirableelementsinthepopution.
Quote,HenrikVaape2,02950:
Haraldwentevenfurther.In1937heco-authored—underapseudonym,thankGod—aentitledThePeople’sNewEurope.Ididn’tfindthisoutuntiltheseventies.Ihaveacopythatyouread.ItmustbeohemostdisgustingseverpublishedintheSwedishnguage.Haraldarguednotonlyforsterilisationbutalsoforeuthanasia—activelyputtingtodeathpeoplewhooffendedhisaesthetictastesanddidn’tfithisimageoftheperfectSwedishraotherwords,heealingforwholesalemurderihatwaswritteninimpeableacademicproseandtainedalltherequiredmedicarguments.Getridofthosewhoarehandicapped.Don’tallowtheSaamipeopletospread;theyhaveaMongolianinfluence.Peoplewhoarementallyillwarddeathasaformofliberation,wouldn’tthey?Loosewomen,vagrants,gypsies,andJews—youimagine.Inmybrother’sfantasies,AuschwitzcouldhavebeenlocatedinDarna.
AfterthewarGregerVangerbecameasedary-schoolteacherauallytheheadmasteroftheHedestadpreparatoryschool.VahoughtthathenolongerbelooanypartyafterthewarandhadgivenupNazism.Hediedin1974,anditwasn’tuntilhewentthroughhisbrother’scorrespohathelearhatiiesGregerhadjoihepoliticallyiualbuttotallycrackpotsectcalledtheNordiationalParty.Hehadremainedamemberuntilhisdeath.
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sequently,threeofmybrotherswerepoliticallyinsane.Howsickweretheyinotherrespects?
TheonlybrotherworthyofameasureofempathyinVanger’seyeswasthesicklyGustav,whodiedoflungdiseasein1955.Gustavhadneverbeeedinpolitidheseemedtobesomesortofmisanthropicartisticsoul,withabsolutelynoiinbusinessintheVangerCorporation.
BlomkvistaskedVanger:“NowyouandHaraldaretheonlyo.WhydidhemovebacktoHedeby?”
“Hemovedhomein1979.Heownsthathouse.”
“Itmustfeelstrangelivingsoclosetoabrotherthatyouhate.”
“Idon’thatemybrother.Ifanything,Imaypityhim.He’sapleteidiot,aheonewhohatesme.”
“Hehatesyou?”
“Precisely.Ithinkthat’swhyhecamebackhere.Sothathecouldspendhisstyearshaticlosequarters.”
“Whydoeshehateyou?”
“BecauseIgotmarried.”
“Ithinkyoingtohavetoexpinthat.”
Vangerhadlosttactwithhisolderbrothersearlyoheonlybrothertoshotitudeforbusiness—hewashisfather’ssthope.HehadnoiinpolitidsteeredclearofUppsa.InsteadhestudiedeiSto.AfterhetureenhespenteverybreakandsummerholidaywatoheofficeswithintheVangerCorporationwiththemaofospanies.Hebecamefamiliarwithallthebyrinthsofthefamilybusiness.
On10June,1941—inthemidstofanall-outwar—VangerwassenttoGermanyforasix-weekvisitattheVangerCorporationbusinessoffiHamburg.Hewasonlytwenty-oheVanger’sGerma,apaeranbythenameofHermannLobach,washischaperoneaor.
“Iwon’ttireyouwithallthedetails,butwhehere,HitlerandStaliillgoodfriendsandtherewasaernFront.EveryoillbelievedthatHitlerwasinvincible.Therewasafeelingof…bothoptimismanddesperation.Ithinkthosearetherightwords.Morethanhalfaturyter,it’sstilldifficulttoputwordstothemood.Domewrong—IwasnotaNazi,andinmyeyesHitlerseemedlikesomeabsurdcharacterinaa.Butitwouldhavebeenalmostimpossiblenottobeiedbytheoptimismaboutthefuture,whichwasrifeamongordinarypeopleinHamburg.Despitethefactthatthewarwasgettingcloser,andseveralbombingraidswerecarriedoutagainstHamburgduriimeIwasthere,thepeopleseemedtothinkitwasmostlyatemporaryannoyahatsoontherewouldbepeadHitlerwouldestablishhisNeuropa.PeoplewaobelievethatHitlerwasGod.That’swhatitsoundedlikeinthepropaganda.”
Vangeropenedoneofhismanyphotographalbums.
“ThisisLobach.Hedisappearedin1944,presumablylostinsomebombingraid.Weneverknewwhathisfatewas.DuringmyweeksinHamburgIbecameclosetohim.Iwasstayingwithhimandhisfamilyinaapartmentio-doneighbourhoodofHamburg.Wespenttimetogethereveryday.HewasnomoreaNazithanIwas,butforveniencehewasamemberoftheparty.HismembershipcardopeneddoorsandfacilitatedopportunitiesfortheVangerCorporation—andbusinessreciselywhatwedid.Webuiltfreightwagonsfortheirtrains—I’vealwayswonderedwhetheranyonsweredestinedforPond.Wesoldfabricfortheiruniformsandtubesfortheirradiosets—althoughofficiallywedidn’