tknowwhattheywereusingthegoodsfor.AndLobaewhowtondatract;hewaseainingandgood-natured.Theperfeazi.GraduallyIbegahathewasalsoamanwhowasdesperatelytryingtohideasecret.
“IntheearlyhoursofJune22in1941,Lobaockedonthedoorofmybedroom.Myroomwasohiswife’sbedroom,andhesigobequiet,getdressed,ahhibachhadbeenupallnight.Hehadtheradioon,andIrealisedthatsomethingserioushadhappened.OperationBarbarossahadbegun.GermanyhadiheSovietUniononMidsummerEve.”Vangergesturedinresignation.“Lobachtookouttwogssesandpenerousaquavitforeachofus.Hewasobviouslyshaken.WhenIaskedhimwhatitallmeant,herepliedwithfhtthatitmeanttheendfermanyandNazism.Ionlyhalfbelievedhim—Hitlerseemeduable,afterall—butLobadIdrankatoasttothefallofGermany.Theurnedhisattentiontopracticalmatters.”
Blomkvistosignalthathewasstillfollowiory.
“First,hehadnopossibilityoftagmyfatherforinstrus,butonhisowninitiativehehaddecidedtocutshortmyvisittoGermanyandsendmehome.Sed,heaskedmetodosomethingforhim.”
Vangerpoioayellowedportraitofadark-hairedwoman,inthree-quarterview.
“Lobachhadbeenmarriedforfortyyears,butin1919hemetawildlybeautifulwomanhalfhisage,andhefellhopelesslyihher.Sheoor,simpleseamstress.Lobachcourtedher,andlikesomanyotherwealthymen,hecouldaffordtoinstallherinanapartmentavedistanhisoffice.Shebecamehismistress.In1921shehadadaughter,whowaschristeh.”
“Richolderman,pooryoungwoman,andalovechild—that’thavecausedmuchofasdaliies,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Absolutelyright.Ifithadn’tbeenforohing.ThewomanwasJewish,andsequentlyLobachwasthefatherofaJewinthemidstofNaziGermany.Hewaswhattheycalleda‘traitortohisrace.’”
“Ah…Thatdoesgethesituation.pened?”
“Edith’smotherhadbeenpickedupin1939.Shedisappeared,andwelyguesswhatherfatewas.Itwasknown,ofcourse,thatshehadadaughterwhowasincludedonanytransportlist,andwhowasnowbeingsoughtbythedepartmentoftheGestapowhosejobitwastotrackdownfugitiveJews.Inthesummerof1941,theweekthatIarrivedinHamburg,Edith’smotherwassomehowlioLobadhewassummonedforaninterview.Heaowledgedtheretionshipandhispaternity,buthestatedthathehadnoideawherehisdaughtermightbe,andhehadnothadanytactwithherintenyears.”
“Sowherewasthedaughter?”
“IhadseenhereverydayintheLobachs’home.Asweetandquiettwenty-year-oldgirlwhoedmyroomandhelpedservedinner.By1937thepersecutionoftheJewshadbeengoingonforseveralyears,ah’smotherhadbeggedLobachforhelp.Andhedidhelp—Lobachlovedhisillegitimatechildjustasmuchashislegitimatechildren.Hehidheriunlikelypcehecouldthinkhtinfrontofeveryone’snose.Hehadarrangedforterfeitdots,aakenherinastheirhousekeeper.”
“Didhiswifeknowwhoshewas?”
“No,itseemedshehadhadworkedforfouryears,butnowLobachfelttheightening.ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheGestapowouldeknogonthedoor.Theogethisdaughterandintroducedhertomeassuch.Shewasveryshyanddidn’tevendarelookmeintheeye.Shemusthavebeenuphalfthenightwaitingtobecalled.Lobachbeggedmetosaveherlife.”
“How?”
“Hehadarrahewholething.Iposedtobestayingahreeweeksaakethenighttraintohagenandtinuebyferryacrossthesound—aretivelysafetrip,eveninwartime.ButtwodaysafterourversatihterowheVangerCorporationwastoleaveHamburgheadedforSweden.LobatedtosehthefreighterioleaveGermanywithoutdey.Thegeinmytravelpnshadtobeapprovedbythesecurityservice;itwasaformality,butnotaproblem.ButLobatedmeonboardthatfreighter.”
“TogetherwithEdith,Ipresume.”
“Edithwassmuggledonboard,hiddeninsideohreehundredcratestainingmaery.MyjobrotectherifsheshouldbediscoveredwhilewewerestillinGermaorialwaters,andtopreveainoftheshipfromdoinganythingstupid.OtherwiseIposedtowaituntilwewereagooddistanGermanybeforeIletherout.”
“Itsoundsterrifying.”
“Itsoundedsimpletome,butitturoanightmarejourhecaptainwascalledranath,andhewasfarfrompleasedtobemaderesponsibleforhisemployer’ssnottylittleheir.WeleftHamburgaround9:00intheeveninginteJune.Wewerejustmakingourwayoutoftheinnerharbourwhentheair-raidsireoff.ABritishbombingraid—theheaviestIhadthenexperienced,andtheharbourwas,ofcourse,themaintarget.Butsomehowwegh,andafteranenginebreakdownandamiserablystormynightinmine-filledwaterswearrivedthefollowingafternoonatKarlskrona.You’reprobablygoingtoaskmepehegirl.”
“IthinkIknow.”
“Myfatherwasuandablyfurious.Ihadputeverythingatriskwithmyidiotiture.AndthegirlcouldhavebeeedfromSwedenatanytime.ButIwasalreadyjustashopelesslyihherasLobachhadbeenwithhermother.Iproposedtavemyfatheranultimatum—eitherheaeptedourmarriageorhe’dhavetolookforatedcalfforthefamilybusiness.Hegavein.”
“Butshedied?”
“Yes,fartooyoung,in1958.ShehadagenitalheartdefeditturthatIcouldn’thavechildren.Andthat’swhymybrotherhatesme.”
“Becauseyoumarriedher.”
“Because—tousehisownwords—ImarriedafilthyJewishwhore.”
“Buthe’sinsane.”
“Icouldn’thaveputitbettermyself.”
CHAPTER10
Thursday,January9-Friday,January31
AtotheHedestadCourier,Blomkvist’sfirstmonthoutinthetrywasthecoldestinrecordedmemory,oratleastsihewartimewinterof1942.AfteronlyaweekinHedebyhehadlearnedalboutlongunderwear,woollysocks,anddoubleundershirts.
Hehadseveralmiserabledaysinthemiddleofthemonthwheemperaturedroppedto-35°F.Hehadexperiehinglikeit,notevenduringtheyearhespentinKirunainLapnddoinghismilitaryservice.
Onemtheipesfroze.Nilssowobigpstiontainersofwaterforcookingandwashing,butthecoldaralysing.Iceflowersformedontheihewindows,andnomatterhowmuchwoodheputiove,hewasstillcold.Hespentalongtimeeachdaysplittingwoodintheshedothehouse.
Attimeshewasonthebrinkoftearsandtoyedwithtakingthefirsttrainheadingsouth.Insteadhewouldputononemoresweaterandinabashesatatthekittable,drinkingcoffeeandreadingoldpolicereports.
Thehergedaemperaturerosesteadilytoabalmy14°F.
MikaelwasbeginningtogettoknowpeopleinHedeby.MartinVangerkepthispromiseandinvitedhimforamealofmoosesteak.Hisdyfriendjoihemfordinner.Evawasawarm,sociable,aertainingwoman.Blomkvistfouraordinarilyattractive.Shewasadentistandlivediad,butshespenttheweekendsatMartin’shome.Blomkvistgraduallylearhattheyhadknowneachotherformanyyearsbutthattheyhadnotstartedgoingouttogetheruntiltheyweremiddle-aged.Evidentlytheysawnoreasontomarry.
“She’sactuallymydentist,”saidMartinwithaugh.
“Andmarryingintothiscrazyfamilyisn’treallymything,”Evasaid,pattingMartiionatelyontheknee.
MartinVanger’svilwasfurnishedinbck,white,ande.TherewereexpensivedesignerpiecesthatwouldhavedelightedtheoisseurChristerMalm.Thekitwasequippedtoaprofessionalchef’sstandard.Inthelivingroomtherewasahigh-endstereoressivecolleofjazzrecordsfromTommyDorseytoJohnColtrane.MartinVangerhadmoney,andhishomewasbothluxuriousandfunal.Itwasalsoimpersonal.Theartworkonthewallsrodusandposters,ofthesortfoundiheshelves,atleastiofthehousethatBlomkvistsaw,housedaSwedishencyclopediaandsomecoffeetablesthatpeoplemighthavegivenhimasChristmaspresents,forwantofabetteridea.Allinall,hecoulddisonlytwopersosofMartinVanger’slife:musidcooking.His3,000orsoLPsspokefortheoheothercouldbededucedfromthefaartin’sstomachbulgingoverhisbelt.
Themanhimselfwasamixtureofsimplicity,shrewdness,andamiability.IttookanalyticalskilltocludethatthecorporateCEOwasamanwithproblems.Astheylisteo“NightinTunisia,”theversationwasdevotedtotheVangerCorporation,andMartinmadeofthefactthatthepanywasfightingforsurvival.Hewascertainlyawarethathisguestwasafinancialreporterwhomhehardlyknew,yethediscussedtheinternalproblemsofhispanysoopenlythatitseemedreckless.PerhapsheassumedthatBlomkvistwasohefamilysincehewaswfreat-uncle;andliketheformerartintooktheviewthatthefamilymembersonlyhadthemselvestobmeforthesituationinwhichthepanyfounditself.Oherhand,heseemedalmostamusedbyhisfamily’sinciblefolly.Evapassednojudgementofherown.Theyhadobviouslybeehesamegroundbefore.
MartiedthestorythatBlomkvisthadbeeowriteafamilyicle,andheinquiredhoasgoing.Blomkvistsaidwithasmilethathewashavitroublerememberingthenamesofalltheretives.Heaskedifhemightebacktodoaninterviewinduecourse.Twicehesideredturningtheversationtotheoldman’sobsessionwithHarriet’sdisappearance.Vangermusthavepesteredherbrotherwithhistheories,andMartinmustrealisethatifBlomkvistwasgoingtowriteabouttheVangers,hecouldnotighefactthatonefamilymemberhadvanishedindramatiircumstances.ButMartinshowednosignofwantingtodiscussthesubject.
Theeveningended,afterseveralroundsofvodka,at2:00inthem.Blomkvistwasfairlydrunkasheskiddedthethreehundredyardstotheguesthouse.Ithadbeenapleasantevening.
OernoBlomkvist’ssedweekiherewasaknothedoor.Heputasidethebinderfromthepolicereportthathehadjustopehesixthintheseries—andclosedthedoortohisofficebeforeheopehefrontdoortoablondewomanwelledupagainstthecold.
“Hi.IjustthoughtI’deandsayhello.I’mCeciliaVanger.”
Theyshookhandsaoutthecoffeecups.Cecilia,daughterofHaraldVanger,appearedtobeanopenandengagingwoman.BlomkvistrememberedthatVangerhadspokenofherappreciatively;hehadalsosaidthatshewasnotonspeakingtermswithherfather,her-dhbour.Theychattedforawhilebeforeshebroughtupthereasonforhervisit.
“Iuandthatyou’rewritingaaboutthefamily,”shesaid.“I’mnotsurethatIcarefortheidea.Iwaoseewhatsortofpersonyouare.”
“Well,HenrikVangerhiredme.It’shisstory,sotospeak.”
“AndoodHenrikislyralinhisattitudetowardsthefamily.”
Blomkviststudiedher,ushewasgettingat.“You’reopposedtohavingawrittenabouttheVangerfamily?”
“Ididn’tsaythat.Anditdoesn’treallymatterwhatIthink.Butbynowyoumusthaverealisedthatithasn’talwaysbeenpinsailingtobepartofthisfamily.”
BlomkvisthadnoideawhatVangerhadsaidorhowmuchCeciliaknewabouthisassig.Hethrewouthishands.
“I’mtractedbyyouruowriteafamilyicle.Hehassomeverycolourfulviewsaboutmembersofthefamily,butI’llbestigstrictlytowhatbedoted.”
CeciliaVangersmiledbutwithoutwarmth.“WhatIwanttoknowis:willIhavetogointoexileratewhe?”
“Idon’texpectso,”Blomkvistsaid.“Peoplewillbeabletotellthesheepfromthegoats.”
“Likemyfather,forinstance?”
“YourfatherthefamousNazi?”Blomkvistsaid.
CeciliaVangerrolledhereyes.“Myfatheriscrazy.Ionlyseehimafewtimesayear.”
“Whydon’tyouwanttoseehim?”
“Waitaminute—beforeyoustartinaskingalotofquestions…AreyoupnningtoquoteanythingIsay?OrIcarryonanormalversationwithyou?”
“MyjobistowriteastartingwithAlexandreVangeersad’sarrivalinSwedenwithBernadotteandgoinguptothepresent.It’stocoverthebusinessempireovermanydecades,butitwillsodiscusswhytheempireisindifficultyanditwilltoutheanimositythatexistswithinthefamily.Insuchasurveyit’simpossibletoavoidhavingsomedirtylinenfloattothesurface.ButthatdoeshatI’mgoingtosetouttopresentamaliciousportraitofanyone.Forexample,I’vemetMartinVanger;heseemstomeaverysympatheticperson,andthat’showI’mgoingtodescribehim.”
CeciliaVangerdidnotreply.
“WhatIknowaboutyouisthatyou’reateacher…”
“It’sactuallyworsethanthat—I’mtheheadmistressofHedestadpreparatoryschool.”
“I’msorry.Iknowthatyouruncleisfondofyou,thatyou’remarriedbutseparated…andthat’saboutallsofar.Sodopleasegoaheadandtalktomewithoutfearofbeingquoted.I’msureI’lleknogonyourdoorsomedaysoowillbeanofficialinterview,andyouchoosewhetheryouwanttoanswermyquestionsornot.”
“SoItalktoyouthenornow…offtherecord,astheysay?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Andthisisofftherecord?”
“Ofcourse.Thisisasocialvisitafterall.”
“OK.ThenIaskyousomething?”
“Please.”
“HowmuchofthisisgoingtodealwithHarriet?”
Blomkvistbithislipandthensaidascasuallyashecould:“Tobeho,Ihavemightfilchapter.Itwasadramatitthathascastashadowoveryouruheveryleast.”
“Butyou’reolookintoherdisappearance?”
“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”
“Well,thefactthatNilssonluggedfourmassiveboxesoverhere.ThatcouldbeHenrik’sprivateiigatioheyears.IlookedinHarriet’soldroom,whereHenrikkeepsit,anditwasgone.”
CeciliaVangerwasnofool.
“You’llhavetotakethematterupwithHenrik,notwithme,”Blomkvistsaid.“Butitwon’tsurpriseyoutoknowthatHenrikhastalkedalotaboutthegirl’sdisappearandIthoughtitwouldbeiingtoreadthroughwhathadbeencollected.”
Ceciliagavehimanotherofherjoylesssmiles.“Iwondersometimeswho’scrazier,myfatherormyuncle.ImusthavelisteohimonHarriet’sdisappearahousandtimes.”
“Whatdoyouthinkhappeoher?”
“Isthisaninterviewquestion?”
“No,”hesaidwithaugh.“I’mjustcurious.”
“WhatI’mcuriousaboutiswhetheryou’reanutcasetoo.Whetheryou’veswallowedHenrik’sviorwhetherinfactyou’retheonewho’segginghimon.”
“YouthinkthatHenrik’sanutcase?”
“Domewrong.He’sohewarmestandmostthoughtfulpeopleIknow.I’mveryfondofhim.Butonthisparticurtopic,he’sobsessive.”
“ButHarrietreallydiddisappear.”
“I’mjustsodamnsickofthewholestory.It’spoisonedourlivesfordecades,anditdoesn’tstopdoingso.”Shegotupabruptlyandputonherfurcoat.“Ihavetogo.Youseemlikeapleasantsort.Martinthinkssotoo,buthisjudgementisn’talwaysreliable.You’reweletoeforcoffeeatmyhousewheneveryoulike.I’malmostalwayshomeintheevening.”
“Thankyou,”Blomkvistsaid.“Youdidn’tahequestionthatwasn’taninterviewquestion.”
Shepausedatthedoorandrepliedwithoutlookingathim.
“Ihavehinkitwasahathassuchasimpleexpnationthatitwilstonishusifweeverfindout.”
Sheturosmileathim—forthefirsttimewithwarmth.Thenshewasgone.
IfithadbeenanagreeablefirstmeetingwithCeciliaVahesamecouldnotbesaidofhisfirstenterwithIsabel.Harriet’smotherwasexactlyasHenrikVangerhadwarned:sheprovedtobeawomanwhoremindedhimvaguelyofLaurenBacall.Shewasthin,dressedinabckPersianmbcoatwithmatgcap,andshewasleaningonabewhenBlomkvistranintoheronemonhiswaytoSusanne’s.Shelookedlikeanageingvampire—stillstrikinglybeautifulbutasvenomousasasnake.IsabelVangerarentlyonherwayhomeaftertakingawalk.Shecalledtohimfromthecrossroad.
“Hellothere,youngman.ehere.”
Themandingtonewashardtomistake.Blomkvistlookedaroundandcludedthathewastheonesummoned.Hedidasinstructed.
“IamIsabelVahewomansaid.
“Hello.MynameisMikaelBlomkvist.”Hestuckouthishand,whichsheignored.
“Areyouthatpersonwho’sbeensnoopingaroundinourfamilyaffairs?”
“Well,ifyoumeanamIthepersonthatHenrikVangerhasputundertracttohelphimwithhisabouttheVangerfamily,thenyes.”
“That’snoneofyourbusiness.”
“Which?ThefactthatHenrikVangerofferedmeatractorthefactthatIaepted?”
“YouknowperfectlywellwhatImean.Idon’tcareforpeoplepokingaroundinmylife.”
“Iwon’tpokearoundinyourlife.Therestyou’llhavetodiscusswithHenrik.”
IsabelraisedhereandpressedthehandleagainstMikael’schest.Shedidnotusemuchforce,buthetookastepbasurprise.
“Justyoukeepawayfromme,”shesaid,andturnedonherheendwalkedunsteadilytowardsherhouse.Blomkvistwentonstandingwherehewas,lookinglikeamanwhohasjustmetarealliveic-character.WhenhelookeduphesawVahewindowofhisoffihishandhewasholdingacup,whichheraisedinanironicsalute.
TheonlytravellingthatBlomkvistdidduringthatfirstmonthwasadrivetoabayonLakeSiljan.HeborrowedFrode’sMercedesanddrovethroughasnowyndscapetospeernoonwithDetectiveSuperinteMorell.BlomkvisthadtriedtoformanimpressionofMorellbasedonthewayhecameacrossinthepolicereport.Whathefoundwasawiryoldmanwhomovedsoftlyandspokeevenmoreslowly.
Blomkvistbroughtwithhimahteions,mainlyideasthathadcroppedupwhilehewasreadingthepolicereport.Morelnsweredeachquestionputtohiminasasterlyway.FinallyBlomkvistputawayhisnotesandexpihatthequestionsweresimplyanexcuseforameeting.Whathereallywantedwastohaveachatwithhimandaskonecrucialquestion:wasthereanysihingintheiigationthathadnotbeenincludedite?Anyhunches,even,thattheihtbewillingtosharewithhim?
BecauseMorell,likeVanger,hadspentthirty-sixyearspthemystery,Blomkvisthadexpectedacertaiance—hewasthenewmanwhohadeinandstartedtrampingaroundihicketwhereMorellhadgoray.Buttherewasnotahintofhostility.Morellmethodicallyfilledhispipeandlititbeforehereplied.
“Wellyes,obviouslyIhadmyownideas.Butthey’resovagueaingthatIhardlyputthemintowords.”
“Whatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“IthinkHarrietwasmurdered.HenrikandIagreeonthat.It’stheonlyreasonableexpnation.Butweneverdiscoveredwhatthemotivemighthavebeen.Ithinkshewasmurderedforaveryspecificreason—itwasn’tsomeaadnessorarapeoranythinglikethat.Ifwehadknowive,we’dhaveknownwhokilledher.”Morellstoppedtothinkforamoment.“Themurdermayhavebeenmittedspontaneously.BythatImeanthatsomeoneseizedanopportunitywhenitpreseselfintheingandgoinginthewakeoftheaident.Themurdererhidthebodyasometertimeremoveditwhilewewereseargforher.”
“We’retalkingaboutsomeonewhohasnervesofice.”
“There’soail…HarrietwenttoHenrik’sroomwantingtospeaktohim.Inhindsight,itseemstomeastraobehave—sheknewhehadhishandsfullwithalltheretiveswhowerehangingaround.IthinkHarrietaliverepresentedagravethreattosomeohatshewasgoingtotellHenriksomething,andthatthemurdererknewshewasaboutto…well,spillthebeans.”
“AndHenrikwasbusywithseveralfamilymembers?”
“Therewerefourpeopleintheroom,besidesHenrik.Hisbrer,acousinnamedMagnusSj?gren,andtwoofHarald’schildren,BirgerandCecilia.Butthatdoesn’ttellusanythi’ssupposethatHarriethaddiscoveredthatsomeonehadembezzledmoneyfromthepany—hypothetically,ofcourse.Shemayhaveknownaboutitformonths,andatsomepointshemayevenhavediscusseditwiththepersoniion.Shemayhavetriedtobckmailhim,orshemayhavefeltsorryforhimauneasyaboutexposinghim.Shemayhavedecidedallofasuddenandtoldthemurdererso,andheindesperationkilledher.”
“You’vesaid‘he’and‘him.’”
“Thesaysthatmostkillersaremen.Butit’salsotruethatintheVangerfamilyareseveralwomenwhoarerealfirebrands.”
“I’vemetIsabel.”
“She’soheaVangerbeextremelycaustic.HaveyoumetSaraSj?gren?”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“She’sthedaughterofSofiaVanger,oneofHenrik’scousins.Inhercasewe’retalkingaboutatrulyunpleasantandinsideratedy.ButshewaslivinginMalm?,andasfarasIcouldascertain,shehadnomotiveforkillingthegirl.”
“Soshe’soffthelist.”
“Theproblemisthatnomatterhoistedandturhings,wenevercameupwithamotive.That’stheimportantthing.”
“Youputavastamountofworkintothiscase.Wasthereanyleadyouremembernothavingfollowedup?”
Morellchuckled.“No.I’vedevotedanendlessamountoftimetothiscase,andI’tthinkofanythingthatIdidn’tfollowuptothebitter,fruitlessend.EvenafterIromotedandmovedawayfromHedestad.”
“Movedaway?”
“Yes,I’mnotfromHedestadinally.Iservedtherefrom1963until1968.AfterthatIromotedtosuperinteandmovedtotheG?vlepolicedepartmentfortherestofmycareer.ButeveninG?vleIwentondiggingintothecase.”
“Idon’tsupposethatHenrikwouldeverletup.”
“That’strue,butthat’snotthereason.ThepuzzleaboutHarrietstillfasatesmetothisday.Imean…it’slikethis:everypoliceofficerhashisownunsolvedmystery.IrememberfrommydaysiadhowoldercolleagueswouldtalkieenaboutthecaseofRebecka.Therewasoneoffiparticur,amaorstensson—he’sbeendeadforyears—whoyearafteryearkeptreturningtothatcase.Inhisfreetimeandwhenhewasonholiday.Whehereeriodofcalmamongthelocalhooliganshewouldtakeoutthosefoldersandstudythem.”
“Wasthatalsoacaseaboutamissinggirl?”
Morelllookedsurprised.ThenhesmiledwhenherealisedthatBlomkvistwaslookingforsomesortofe.
“No,that’snotwhyImentio.I’mtalkingaboutthesoulofapoli.TheRebeckacasewassomethingthathappenedbeforeHarrietVangerwasevenborn,auteoflimitationshaslongsinout.Sometimeiiesawomanwasassaultediad,raped,andmurdered.That’snotaltogetherunmon.Everyofficer,atsomepointinhiscareer,hastoiigatethatkindofcrime,butwhatI’mtalkingaboutarethosecasesthatstaywithyouaunderyourskinduringtheiigation.Thisgirlwaskilledibrutalway.Thekillertiedherupandstuckherheadintothesmoulderingembersofafirepelyguesshowlongittookforthepirltodie,orwhattormehaveendured.”
“ChristAlmighty.”
“Exactly.Itwassosadistic.PoorTorstenssonwasthefirstdetectiveontheseaftershewasfound.Andthemurderremainedunsolved,eventhoughexpertswerecalledinfromSto.Hecouldgoofthatcase.”
“Iderstandthat.”
“MyRebeckacasewasHarriet.Inthisinstancewedon’tevenknowhowshedied.We’tevenprovethatamurderwasmitted.ButIhaveneverbeeoletitgo.”Hepausedtothinkforamoment.“Beingahomicidedetectivebethelojobintheworld.Thefriendsofthevictimareupsetandindespair,butsooer—afterweeksormonths—theygobacktotheireverydaylives.Fortheclosestfamilyittakeslonger,butforthemostpart,tosomedegree,theytoogetovertheirgrievinganddespair.Lifehastogoon;itdoesgoon.Buttheunsolvedmurderskeepgnawingawayandihere’sonlyonepersowhothinksnightanddayaboutthevictim:it’stheofficerwho’sleftwiththeiigation.”
ThreeotherpeopleintheVangerfamilylivedonHedebyIsnd.AlexanderVanger,soner,bornin1946,livedinarenovatedwoodenhouse.VaoldBlomkvistthatAlexanderresentlyiIndies,wherehegavehimselfovertohisfavouritepastimes:sailingandwhilingawaythetime,notdoingascrapofwork.Alexanderhadbeeyandhehadbeenthereonthatday.
Alexandersharedthehousewithhismerda,eightyyearsoldandwidowerVanger.Blomkvisthadneverseenher;shewasmostlybedridden.
ThethirdfamilymemberwasHaraldVanger.DuringhisfirstmonthBlomkvisthadnotmanagedevenaglimpseofhim.Harald’shouse,theoneclosesttoBlomkvist’s,lookedgloomyandominouswithitsbckoutcurtainsdrawnacrossallthewindows.Blomkvistsometimesthoughthesaleiainsashepassed,andoncewhenhewasabouttogotobedte,henoticedaglimmeroflightingfromaroomupstairs.Thereiains.Formorethayminuteshestoodinthedarkathisownkitwindowandwatchedthelightbefotfedupand,shiveriobed.Inthemthecurtainswerebapce.
Haraldseemedtobeaninvisiblebutever-presentspiritwhoaffectedlifeinthevilgebyhisabsenBlomkvist’simagination,HaraldincreasinglytookontheformofanevilGollumwhospiedonhissurroundingsfrombehiainsaedhimselftono-one-knew-whatmattersinhisbarricadedcavern.
Haraldwasvisitedonceadaybythehome-helpservitheothersideofthebridge.Shewouldbringbagsofgroceries,trudgingthroughthesnowdriftsuptohisdoor.NilssonshookhisheadwhenBlomkvistaskedaboutHarald.Hehadofferedtodotheshovelling,hesaid,butHaralddidnotwantanyoosetfootonhisproperty.Onlyonce,duringthefirstwierHaraldhadreturoHedebyIsnd,didNilssondrivethetractoruptheretoclearthesnowfromthecourtyard,justashedidforalltheotherdriveways.Haraldhadeoutofhishouseatastartlingpace,yellingaiguntilNilssoaway.
Unfortunately,NilssonwasuoclearBlomkvist’syardbecausethegatewastoonarrowforthetractor.Asnowshovendmanualbourwerestilltheonlywaytodoit.
InthemiddleofJanuaryBlomkvistaskedhiswyertofindoutwhenhewasgoingtobeexpectedtoservehisthreemonthsinprison.Hewasanxioustotakecareofthematterasquicklyaspossible.Gettingintoprisonturtobeeasierthanhehadexpected.Afteraveryfewweeksofdiscussion,itwasdecreedthatBlomkvistpresenthimselfonMarch17attheRull?kerPrisonoutside?stersund,aminimum-securityprison.Thewyeradvisedhimthatthesentencewouldverylikelybeshortened.
“Fine,”Blomkvistsaid,withoutmuthusiasm.
Hesatatthekittableaedthecat,whonowarrivedeveryfewdaystospendthenightwithBlomkvist.FromtheNilssonshehadlearhatthecat’sjorven.Itdidnotbelongtoanyoneinparticur,itjustmadetheroundsofallthehouses.
Blomkvistmethisemployeralmosteveryafternoon.Sometimestheywouldhaveabriefversation;sometimestheywouldsittogetherforhours.
TheversationoftensistedofBlomkvistputtingupatheorythatVangerwouldthenshootdown.Blomkvisttriedtomaintaiaindistanhisassig,butthereweremomentswhenhefoundhimselfhopelesslyfasatedbytheenigmaofthegirl’sdisappearance.
BlomkvisthadassuredBergerthathewouldalsoformuteastrategyfortakingupthebattlewithWer?m,butafteramonthiadhehadopehefileswhichhadbroughthimtothedothedistrictcourt.Orary,hehaddeliberatelypushedthematterasidebecauseeverytimehethoughtaboutWer?mandhisownsituation,hewouldsinkintodepressionandlistlessness.Hewonderedwhetherhewasgoingcrazyliketheoldman.Hisprofessioationhadimploded,andhismeansofrecwastohidehimselfawayinatinytowninthedeeptry,chasingghosts.
VangercouldtellthatBlomkvistwasonsomedaysabitoffbaheendofJanuary,theoldmanmadeadecisionthatsurprisedevenhimself.HepickedupthetelephoneandcalledSto.TheversatiowentyminutesargelywithMikaelBlomkvist.
Ithadtakenalmostthatwholemonthfer’sfurytosubside.At9:30intheevening,ohestdaysinJanuary,shecalledhim.
“Areyoureallyintendingtostayupthere?”shebegan.ThecallwassuchasurprisethatBlomkvistcouldnotatfirstreply.Thenhesmiledandedthebighteraroundhim.
“Hi,Ricky.Youshouldtryityourself.”
“WhywouldI?Whatissaboutlivinginthebackofbeyond?”
“Ijustbrushedmyteethwithicewater.Itmakesmyfillingshurt.”
“Youhaveonlyyourselftobme.Butit’scoldashelldowotoo.”
“Let’sheartheworst.”
“We’velosttwo-thirdsuradvertisers.No-osthtoutandsayit,but…”
“Iknow.Makealistoftheohatjumpship.Somedaywe’lldoagoodstoryonthem.”
“Micke…I’verunthenumbers,andifwedon’tropeinsomenewadvertisers,we’llbebustbytheautumn.It’sassimpleasthat.”
“Thingswillturnaround.”
Sheughedwearilyoherendoftheline.
“That’snotsomethingyousay,lingupthereinLapnderhell.”
“Erika,I’m…”
“Iknow.Aman’sgottadowhataman’sgottado,andallthatcrap.Youdon’thavetosayanything.I’msorryIwassuchabitddidn’tansweryourmessages.westartagain?DoIdareeuptheretoseeyou?”
“Wheneveryoulike.”
“DoIalongariflewithwolf-shot?”
“Notatall.We’llhaveouros,dogteamsandallthegear.Whenareyouing?”
“Fridayevening,OK?”
Apartfromthenarrowshovelledpathtothedoor,therewasaboutthreefeetofsnowctheproperty.Blomkvistgavetheshovelong,criticallookandtheovertoNilsson’shousetoaskwhetherBergercouldparkherBMWthere.Thatroblem;theyhadroominthedoublegarage,andtheyevenhadeers.
Bergerdrovethroughtheafternoonandarrivedaround6:00.Theystaredateachotherwarilyforseveralsedsandthenhuggedeachotherformuger.
TherewasnotmuchtoseeinthedarknessexceptfortheilluminatedchurdbothKonsumandSusanne’sBridgeCaféwereclosingup.Sotheyhurriedhome.BlomkvistcookeddinnerwhileBergerpokedaroundinhishouse,makingremarksabouttheissuesofRekasifromthefiftiesthatwerestillthere,aingengrossedinhisfilesintheoffice.
Theyhadmbcutletswithpotatoesincreamsauddrankredwine.Blomkvisttriedtotakeupthethreadoftheirearlierversation,butBergerwasinnomoodtodiscussMillenniurtheywenttoseeifthebedwasbigenoughtoholdbothofthem.
HerthirdmeetingwithAdvokatNilsBjurmanwasrescheduled,andfinallysetfor5:00onthatsameFridayafternoon.Atthepreviousmeetings,Sanderwasgreetedbyamiddle-agedwomanwhosmelledofmuskandworkedashissecretary.Thistimeshehadleftfortheday,andBjurmansmelledfaintlyofdrink.HewavedSaoavisitor’schairandleafeddistractedlythroughthedotsonhisdeskuntilheseemedsuddenlytobeeawareofherpresence.
Itturtobeaerrogation.ThistimeheaskedSanderabouthersexlife—whichshehadnoiionofdiscussingwithanyone.
Afterthemeetingshekhatshehadhabadly.Atfirstsherefusedtoanswerhisquestions.Hisinterpretationofthiswasthatshewasshy,retarded,orhadsomethingtohide,andhepressedherforanswers.Sanderrealisedthathewasnotgoingtogiveup,soshestartedgivinghimbrief,colourlessanswersofthesortsheassumedwouldfitwithherpsychologicalprofile.Shementioned“Magnus”—whtoherdescription,wasanerdyputerprogrammerherowreatedherlikeagentlemanshould,tookhertotheema,andsometimessharedherbed.“Magnus”wasfi;shemadehimupasshewentalong,butBjurmantookheraountasapretextformeticulouslymappingouthersexlife.Howoftendoyouhavesex?Oasionally.Whotakestheinitiative—youorhim?Ido.Doyouuses?Ofcourse—sheknewaboutHIV.What’syourfavouriteposition?Hmm,usuallyonmyback.Doyouenjoyoralsex?Er,waitased…Haveyoueverhadanalsex?
“No,it’snotparticurlyobefuckedinthearse—butwhatthehellbusinessisitofyours?”
Thatwastheonlytimeshelosthertemper.Shehadkepthereyesonthefloorsotheywouldrayherexasperation.Whenshelookedathimagain,hewasgrinningatherfromacrossthedesk.Shelefthisofficewithafeelingofdisgust.Palmgrenwouldneverhavedreamedofaskingsuchquestions.Oherhand,hehadalwaysbeenthereifshehadwaodiscussanything.Notthatshedid.
BjurmanwasonhiswaytobeingaMajorProblem.
CHAPTER11
Saturday,February1–Tuesday,February18
DuringthebriefhoursofdaylightonSaturday,BlomkvistandBergertookaastthesmall-boatharbouralongtheroadto?sterg?rden.HehadbeenlivingonHedebyIsndforamonth,buthehadakenawalkinnd;thefreezingtemperaturesandregursnowstormshaddeterredhiwasasifBergerhadbroughtwithherahint.Theroadwaslihsnow,ploughedthreefeethigh.Assoonastheyleftthesummer-areatheywerewalkingindensefirforest.BlomkvistwassurprisedbyhowmuchhigherandmoreinaessibleS?derberget,thehilcrossfromthes,wasthanitappearedfromthevilge.HethoughtabouthowmanytimesHarrietVangermusthavepyedhereasachild,butthenhepushedallthoughtsofheroutofhismind.Afteraboutamilethewoodseafencewherethe?sterg?rdenfarmndbegan.Theycouldseeawhitewoodenstructureandredfarmbuildingsarrangedinasquare.Theyturoheadbackthesameway.
Astheypassedthedrivewaytotheestatehouse,Vangerkheupstairswindowauredfirmlyforthemtoeup.BlomkvistandBergerlookedateachother.
“Wouldyouliketomeetacorporatelegend?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Doeshebite?”
“NotonSaturdays.”
Vangerreceivedthematthedoortohisoffice.
“YoumustbeFr?kenBerger,Ireiseyou.”hesaid.“Mikaeldidn’tsayawordaboutytoHedeby.”
Oneer’soutstandingtalentswasherabilitytoinstantlygetonfriendlytermswiththemostunlikelyindividuals.Blomkvisthadseeurnonthecharmforfive-year-oldboys,whowithintenminuteswerefullypreparedtoabandontheirmothers.Menhtyseemednottobeaion.AftertwominutesBergerandHenrikVangerwereignBlomkvistastheychatteredon.Itwasasiftheyhadknowneachothersincechildhood—well,sinceErika’schildhood,atanyrate.
BergerstartedoffquiteboldlybyscoldingVangerfherpublisherawayintothesticks.Theoldmanrepliedthatasfarashecouldtell—fromassortedpressreports—shehadinfactfiredhim.Andhadshenotdohennowmightbehightimetogetridofexcessbalstiorialoffices.Andinthatcase,Vangersaid,aperiodofrusticlifewoulddoyoungBlomkvistsomegood.
ForfivemiheydiscussedBlomkvist’sshsiirritatingterms.Blomkvistleanedbadpreteobeinsulted,buthefrownedwhenBergermadesomecrypticremarksthatmightalludetohisfailingsasajournalistbutmightalsohaveappliedtosexualprowess.Vailtedhisheadbadroaredwithughter.
Blomkvistwasastonished.HehadneverseenVangersonaturandrexed.HecouldsuddehatVanger,fiftyyearsyounger—oreventhirtyyears—musthavebeenquiteacharming,attractivedies’man.Hehadneverremarried.Theremusthavebeenwomenwhocrossedhispath,yetfornearlyhalfaturyhehadremainedabachelor.
BlomkvisttookasipofcoffeeandprickeduphisearsagainwhenherealisedthattheversationhadsuddenlyturnedseriousandhadtodowithMillennium.
“Mikaelhastoldmethatyou’rehavingproblemsatthemagazine.”BergergBlomkvist.“No,hehasn’tdiscussedyourinternaloperations,butapersonwouldhavetobedeafandblindnottoseethatyazine,justliketheVangerCorporation,isindifficulties.”
“I’mfidentthatairthesituation,”Bergersaid.
“Idoubtit,”Vangersaid.
“Whyisthat?”
“Let’ssee—howmanyemployeesdoyouhave?Six?Amonthlymagazihaprintrunof21,000,manufacturingcosts,saries,distribution,offices…Youneedrevenuesofabout10million.Ithinkweknoertageofthatamounthastoefromadvertisingrevenue.”
“So?”
“SofriendWer?misavengefundnarrow-mindedbastardwhoisn’tgoingtofethisrettretempsinahurry.Howmanyadvertisershaveyoulostisixmonths?”
BergerregardedVahawaryexpression.Blomkvistcaughthimselfholdinghisbreath.OnthoseoasionswheheoldmanhadtouchedoureofMillennium,ithadalwaysedannoyingremarksorthemagazine’ssituatioiontoBlomkvist’sabilitytofinishhisworkiad.ButVangerwasnowaddressingErikaalone,onebosstoannalspassedbetweehatBlomkvistcouldnotinterpret,whichmighthavehadtodowiththefactthathewasbasicallyapo-cssboyfromNorrndandsheer-cssgirlwithadistinguished,iionalfamilytree.
“CouldIhavealittlemorecoffee?”Bergerasked.Vangerpouredheracupatonce.“OK,you’vedoneyourhomework.We’rebleeding.”
“Howlong?”
“We’vegotsixmonthstoturnourselvesaroumonths,max.Wedon’thaveenoughcapitaltokeepourselvesafloatlohanthat.”
Theoldman’sexpressionwasinscrutableashestaredoutofthewindow.Thechurchwasstillstandingthere.
“DidyouknowthatIwasoheneerbusiness?”hesaid,oncemoreaddressih.
BlomkvistandBergerbothshooktheirheads.Vangerughedagain,ruefully.
“WeownedsixdailyneersinNorrnd.Thatwasbathefiftiesandsixties.Itwasmyfather’sidea—hethoughtitmightbepoliticallyadvaohaveaseofthemediabehindus.We’reactuallystilloheownersoftheHedestadCourier.Birgeristhechairmanoftheboardfroupofowners.Harald’sson,”headded,forBlomkvist’sbe.
“Andalsoalocalpoliti,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Martinisontheboardtoo.HekeepsBirgerinline.”
“Whydidyouletgooftheneersyouowned?”Blomkvistasked.
“Corporaterestructuringiies.Publishingneerswasinsomewaysmoreahobbythana.Whenweightenthebudget,itwasohefirstassetsthatwesold.ButIknowwhatittakestorunapubliayIaskyouapersonalquestion?”
ThiswasdirectedatErika.
“Ihaven’taskedMikaeboutthis,andifyoudon’twanttoanswer,youdon’thaveto.I’dliketoknowhowyouendedupinthisquagmire.Didyouhaveastoryordidn’tyou?”
NowitwasBlomkvist’sturntolookinscrutable.Bergerhesitatedonlyasedbeforeshesaid:“Wehadastory.Butitwasaverydifferentstory.”
Vangernodded,asifheuoodpreciselywhatBergerwassaying.Blomkvistdidnot.
“Idon’twanttodiscussthematter.”Blomkvistcutthediscussionshort.“Ididthereseardwrotethearticle.Ihadallthesoureeded.Butthenitallwenttohell.”
“Youhadsourcesforeverystthingyouwrote?”
“Idid.”
Vanger’svoicewassuddenlysharp.“Iwon’tpretendtouandhowthehellyoucouldwalkintosuchaminefield.I’trecalsimirstoryexceptperhapstheLundahffairinExpresseniies,ifyouyoungstershaveeverheardofit.Wasyoursourcealsoamythomaniac?”Heshookhisheadandturerandsaidquietly,“I’vebeenaneublisheri,andIbeoneagain.Whatwouldyousaytotakingonanotherpartner?”
Thequestioncamelikeaboltoutoftheblue,butBergerdidheleastbitsurprised.
“Tellmemore,”shesaid.
Vangersaid:“Howlongareyoustayingiad?”
“I’mgoinghometomorrow.”
“Wouldyousider—youandMikael,ofcourse—humanoldmanbyjoiningmefordionight?Would7:00suit?”
“Thatwouldsuitusfine.We’dloveit.Butyou’renotansweringthequestionIasked.WhywouldyouwanttobeapartnerinMillennium?”
“I’mnotavoidingthequestion.Ijustthoughtwecoulddiscussitoverdinner.IhavetotalkwithmywyerbeforeIputtogetheracreteoffer.ButinallsimplicityIsaythatIhavemooi.Ifthemagazinesurvivesandstartsmakingaprofitagain,thenI’lleoutahead.Ifnot—well,I’vehadsignifitlybiggerlossesinmyday.”
BlomkvistwasabouttoopenhismouthwhenBergerputherhandonhisknee.
“MikaendIhavefoughthardsothatwecouldbepletelyindepe.”
“Nonsense.No-oneispletelyindepe.ButI’mnotouttotakeoverthemagazine,andIdon’tgiveadamnaboutthetents.ThatbastardStenbeckgotallsortsofpointsforpublishingModernTimes,sowhy’tIbackMillennium?Whichhappenstobeanexcellentmagaziheway.”
“DoesthishaveanythingtodowithWer?m?”Blomkvistsaid.
Vangersmiled.“Mikael,I’meightyyearsplus.TherearethingsIregretnotdoingandpeopleIregretnotfightingmore.But,aproposthistopic—”Hetureragain.“Thistypeofimentwouldhaveatleastonedition.”
“Let’shearit,”Bergersaid.
“MikaelBlomkvistmustresumehispositionaspublisher.”
“No,”Blomkvistsnapped.
“Butyes,”Vangersaid,equallycurt.“Wer?mwillhaveastrokeifwesendoutapressreleasesayingthattheVangerCorporationisbagMillennium,andatthesametimeyou’rereturningaspublisher.That’sabsolutelytheclearestsignalwecouldsend—everyonewilluandthatit’snotatakeoverandthattheeditorialpolicieswon’tge.Andthatalonewillgivetheadvertiserswhoarethinkingofpullingoutreasontoresider.Wer?misn’tomnipotent.Hehaseoo,andtherearepaniesoyouthatwillsidertakingspace.”
“Whatthehellwasthatalbout?”BlomkvistsaidassoonasBergerpulledthefrontdoorshut.
“Ithinkit’swhatyoucaldvanceprobesforabusinessdeal,”shesaid.“Youdidn’ttellmethatHenrikVangerissuchasweetie.”
Blomkvistpntedhimselfinfrontofher.“Ricky,youklywhatthisversationwasgoingtobeabout.”
“Hey,toyboy.It’sonly3:00,andIwanttobeproperlyeainedbeforedinner.”
Blomkvistwasenraged.ButhehadnevermaobeeErikaBergerforverylong.
Sheworeabckdress,awaist-lengthjacket,andpumps,whichshejusthappeohavebroughtalongitlesuitcase.SheinsistedthatBlomkvistwearajacketandtie.Heputonhisbcktrreyshirt,darktie,andgreysportscoat.WhentheyknockedpunctuallyonthedoorofVanger’shome,itturthatDirchFrodeandMartinVangerwerealsoamongtheguests.Everyonewaswearingajacketandtieexceptfer.
“Theadvantageofbeinghtyisthatno-onecriticisewhatyouwear,”hedecred.Heworeabowtieandabrowncardigan.
Bergerwasinhighspiritsthroughoutthedinner.
Itwasnotuntiltheymovedtothedrawingroomwiththefirepdacouredthatthediscussiontookonaserioustoheytalkedforalmosttwohoursbeforetheyhadtheoutlineforadealoable.
FrodewouldsetupapanytobewhollyownedbyHenrikVaheboardwouldsistofHenrikandMartinVangerandFrode.Overafour-yearperiod,thispanywouldiasumofmohatwouldcapbetweenineandexpensesforMillennium.ThemoneywouldefromVanger’spersos.Iurn,Vangerwouldhaveaspicuouspositiononthemagazine’sboard.Theagreementwouldbevalidforfouryears,butitcouldbeterminatedbyMillenniumaftertwoyears.Butthistypeofprematureterminationwouldbecostly,singercouldonlybeboughtoutbyrepaymentofthesumhehadied.
IofVanger’sdeath,MartinVangerwouldrepcehimontheMillenniumboardfortheremaiheperiwhichtheagreementwasvalid.IfMartinwishedtotinuehisinvolvementbeyondthisperiod,heakethatdeselfwheimecame.HeseemedamusedbytheprospectofgettihWer?m,andBlomkvistwainwhattheinwasoftheanimositybetweenthosetwo.
Martinrefilledtheirgsses.VangermadeapointofleaningtowardsBlomkvist,andinalowvoicetoldhimthatthisnewarrahadnoeffectwhatsoeverontheagreementthatexistedbetweenthem.Blomkvistcouldresumehisdutiesaspublisherfull-timeattheendoftheyear.
Itwasalsodecidedthatthereanisation,iohavethegreatestimpathemedia,shouldbepresehesamedaythatBlomkvistbeganhisprisoenmid-March.biningastronglyiveeventwithareanisationwas,inPRterms,suchaclumsyerrorthatitcouldnotbutastonishBlomkvist’sdetractorsandgarimumattentionforHenrikVanger’snewrole.Buteveryonealsosawthelogiit—itwasawayofindigthattheyellowpguefgflutteringoverMillennium’seditorialofficeswasabouttobehauleddown;themagazinehadbackersillingtoberuthless.TheVangerCorporationmightbeinacrisis,butitwasstilpromiindustrialfirmwhichcouldgoontheoffeheneedarose.
ThewholeversationwasadiscussioweenBerger,ononeside,andHenrikandMartinVaheother.No-oneaskedBlomkvistwhathethought.
LatethatnightBlomkvistywithhisheadrestingonErika’sbreasts,lookingintohereyes.
“HowlonghaveyouandHenrikVangerbeendiscussingthisarra?”
“IntheearlyhoursofJune22in1941,Lobaockedonthedoorofmybedroom.Myroomwasohiswife’sbedroom,andhesigobequiet,getdressed,ahhibachhadbeenupallnight.Hehadtheradioon,andIrealisedthatsomethingserioushadhappened.OperationBarbarossahadbegun.GermanyhadiheSovietUniononMidsummerEve.”Vangergesturedinresignation.“Lobachtookouttwogssesandpenerousaquavitforeachofus.Hewasobviouslyshaken.WhenIaskedhimwhatitallmeant,herepliedwithfhtthatitmeanttheendfermanyandNazism.Ionlyhalfbelievedhim—Hitlerseemeduable,afterall—butLobadIdrankatoasttothefallofGermany.Theurnedhisattentiontopracticalmatters.”
Blomkvistosignalthathewasstillfollowiory.
“First,hehadnopossibilityoftagmyfatherforinstrus,butonhisowninitiativehehaddecidedtocutshortmyvisittoGermanyandsendmehome.Sed,heaskedmetodosomethingforhim.”
Vangerpoioayellowedportraitofadark-hairedwoman,inthree-quarterview.
“Lobachhadbeenmarriedforfortyyears,butin1919hemetawildlybeautifulwomanhalfhisage,andhefellhopelesslyihher.Sheoor,simpleseamstress.Lobachcourtedher,andlikesomanyotherwealthymen,hecouldaffordtoinstallherinanapartmentavedistanhisoffice.Shebecamehismistress.In1921shehadadaughter,whowaschristeh.”
“Richolderman,pooryoungwoman,andalovechild—that’thavecausedmuchofasdaliies,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Absolutelyright.Ifithadn’tbeenforohing.ThewomanwasJewish,andsequentlyLobachwasthefatherofaJewinthemidstofNaziGermany.Hewaswhattheycalleda‘traitortohisrace.’”
“Ah…Thatdoesgethesituation.pened?”
“Edith’smotherhadbeenpickedupin1939.Shedisappeared,andwelyguesswhatherfatewas.Itwasknown,ofcourse,thatshehadadaughterwhowasincludedonanytransportlist,andwhowasnowbeingsoughtbythedepartmentoftheGestapowhosejobitwastotrackdownfugitiveJews.Inthesummerof1941,theweekthatIarrivedinHamburg,Edith’smotherwassomehowlioLobadhewassummonedforaninterview.Heaowledgedtheretionshipandhispaternity,buthestatedthathehadnoideawherehisdaughtermightbe,andhehadnothadanytactwithherintenyears.”
“Sowherewasthedaughter?”
“IhadseenhereverydayintheLobachs’home.Asweetandquiettwenty-year-oldgirlwhoedmyroomandhelpedservedinner.By1937thepersecutionoftheJewshadbeengoingonforseveralyears,ah’smotherhadbeggedLobachforhelp.Andhedidhelp—Lobachlovedhisillegitimatechildjustasmuchashislegitimatechildren.Hehidheriunlikelypcehecouldthinkhtinfrontofeveryone’snose.Hehadarrangedforterfeitdots,aakenherinastheirhousekeeper.”
“Didhiswifeknowwhoshewas?”
“No,itseemedshehadhadworkedforfouryears,butnowLobachfelttheightening.ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheGestapowouldeknogonthedoor.Theogethisdaughterandintroducedhertomeassuch.Shewasveryshyanddidn’tevendarelookmeintheeye.Shemusthavebeenuphalfthenightwaitingtobecalled.Lobachbeggedmetosaveherlife.”
“How?”
“Hehadarrahewholething.Iposedtobestayingahreeweeksaakethenighttraintohagenandtinuebyferryacrossthesound—aretivelysafetrip,eveninwartime.ButtwodaysafterourversatihterowheVangerCorporationwastoleaveHamburgheadedforSweden.LobatedtosehthefreighterioleaveGermanywithoutdey.Thegeinmytravelpnshadtobeapprovedbythesecurityservice;itwasaformality,butnotaproblem.ButLobatedmeonboardthatfreighter.”
“TogetherwithEdith,Ipresume.”
“Edithwassmuggledonboard,hiddeninsideohreehundredcratestainingmaery.MyjobrotectherifsheshouldbediscoveredwhilewewerestillinGermaorialwaters,andtopreveainoftheshipfromdoinganythingstupid.OtherwiseIposedtowaituntilwewereagooddistanGermanybeforeIletherout.”
“Itsoundsterrifying.”
“Itsoundedsimpletome,butitturoanightmarejourhecaptainwascalledranath,andhewasfarfrompleasedtobemaderesponsibleforhisemployer’ssnottylittleheir.WeleftHamburgaround9:00intheeveninginteJune.Wewerejustmakingourwayoutoftheinnerharbourwhentheair-raidsireoff.ABritishbombingraid—theheaviestIhadthenexperienced,andtheharbourwas,ofcourse,themaintarget.Butsomehowwegh,andafteranenginebreakdownandamiserablystormynightinmine-filledwaterswearrivedthefollowingafternoonatKarlskrona.You’reprobablygoingtoaskmepehegirl.”
“IthinkIknow.”
“Myfatherwasuandablyfurious.Ihadputeverythingatriskwithmyidiotiture.AndthegirlcouldhavebeeedfromSwedenatanytime.ButIwasalreadyjustashopelesslyihherasLobachhadbeenwithhermother.Iproposedtavemyfatheranultimatum—eitherheaeptedourmarriageorhe’dhavetolookforatedcalfforthefamilybusiness.Hegavein.”
“Butshedied?”
“Yes,fartooyoung,in1958.ShehadagenitalheartdefeditturthatIcouldn’thavechildren.Andthat’swhymybrotherhatesme.”
“Becauseyoumarriedher.”
“Because—tousehisownwords—ImarriedafilthyJewishwhore.”
“Buthe’sinsane.”
“Icouldn’thaveputitbettermyself.”
CHAPTER10
Thursday,January9-Friday,January31
AtotheHedestadCourier,Blomkvist’sfirstmonthoutinthetrywasthecoldestinrecordedmemory,oratleastsihewartimewinterof1942.AfteronlyaweekinHedebyhehadlearnedalboutlongunderwear,woollysocks,anddoubleundershirts.
Hehadseveralmiserabledaysinthemiddleofthemonthwheemperaturedroppedto-35°F.Hehadexperiehinglikeit,notevenduringtheyearhespentinKirunainLapnddoinghismilitaryservice.
Onemtheipesfroze.Nilssowobigpstiontainersofwaterforcookingandwashing,butthecoldaralysing.Iceflowersformedontheihewindows,andnomatterhowmuchwoodheputiove,hewasstillcold.Hespentalongtimeeachdaysplittingwoodintheshedothehouse.
Attimeshewasonthebrinkoftearsandtoyedwithtakingthefirsttrainheadingsouth.Insteadhewouldputononemoresweaterandinabashesatatthekittable,drinkingcoffeeandreadingoldpolicereports.
Thehergedaemperaturerosesteadilytoabalmy14°F.
MikaelwasbeginningtogettoknowpeopleinHedeby.MartinVangerkepthispromiseandinvitedhimforamealofmoosesteak.Hisdyfriendjoihemfordinner.Evawasawarm,sociable,aertainingwoman.Blomkvistfouraordinarilyattractive.Shewasadentistandlivediad,butshespenttheweekendsatMartin’shome.Blomkvistgraduallylearhattheyhadknowneachotherformanyyearsbutthattheyhadnotstartedgoingouttogetheruntiltheyweremiddle-aged.Evidentlytheysawnoreasontomarry.
“She’sactuallymydentist,”saidMartinwithaugh.
“Andmarryingintothiscrazyfamilyisn’treallymything,”Evasaid,pattingMartiionatelyontheknee.
MartinVanger’svilwasfurnishedinbck,white,ande.TherewereexpensivedesignerpiecesthatwouldhavedelightedtheoisseurChristerMalm.Thekitwasequippedtoaprofessionalchef’sstandard.Inthelivingroomtherewasahigh-endstereoressivecolleofjazzrecordsfromTommyDorseytoJohnColtrane.MartinVangerhadmoney,andhishomewasbothluxuriousandfunal.Itwasalsoimpersonal.Theartworkonthewallsrodusandposters,ofthesortfoundiheshelves,atleastiofthehousethatBlomkvistsaw,housedaSwedishencyclopediaandsomecoffeetablesthatpeoplemighthavegivenhimasChristmaspresents,forwantofabetteridea.Allinall,hecoulddisonlytwopersosofMartinVanger’slife:musidcooking.His3,000orsoLPsspokefortheoheothercouldbededucedfromthefaartin’sstomachbulgingoverhisbelt.
Themanhimselfwasamixtureofsimplicity,shrewdness,andamiability.IttookanalyticalskilltocludethatthecorporateCEOwasamanwithproblems.Astheylisteo“NightinTunisia,”theversationwasdevotedtotheVangerCorporation,andMartinmadeofthefactthatthepanywasfightingforsurvival.Hewascertainlyawarethathisguestwasafinancialreporterwhomhehardlyknew,yethediscussedtheinternalproblemsofhispanysoopenlythatitseemedreckless.PerhapsheassumedthatBlomkvistwasohefamilysincehewaswfreat-uncle;andliketheformerartintooktheviewthatthefamilymembersonlyhadthemselvestobmeforthesituationinwhichthepanyfounditself.Oherhand,heseemedalmostamusedbyhisfamily’sinciblefolly.Evapassednojudgementofherown.Theyhadobviouslybeehesamegroundbefore.
MartiedthestorythatBlomkvisthadbeeowriteafamilyicle,andheinquiredhoasgoing.Blomkvistsaidwithasmilethathewashavitroublerememberingthenamesofalltheretives.Heaskedifhemightebacktodoaninterviewinduecourse.Twicehesideredturningtheversationtotheoldman’sobsessionwithHarriet’sdisappearance.Vangermusthavepesteredherbrotherwithhistheories,andMartinmustrealisethatifBlomkvistwasgoingtowriteabouttheVangers,hecouldnotighefactthatonefamilymemberhadvanishedindramatiircumstances.ButMartinshowednosignofwantingtodiscussthesubject.
Theeveningended,afterseveralroundsofvodka,at2:00inthem.Blomkvistwasfairlydrunkasheskiddedthethreehundredyardstotheguesthouse.Ithadbeenapleasantevening.
OernoBlomkvist’ssedweekiherewasaknothedoor.Heputasidethebinderfromthepolicereportthathehadjustopehesixthintheseries—andclosedthedoortohisofficebeforeheopehefrontdoortoablondewomanwelledupagainstthecold.
“Hi.IjustthoughtI’deandsayhello.I’mCeciliaVanger.”
Theyshookhandsaoutthecoffeecups.Cecilia,daughterofHaraldVanger,appearedtobeanopenandengagingwoman.BlomkvistrememberedthatVangerhadspokenofherappreciatively;hehadalsosaidthatshewasnotonspeakingtermswithherfather,her-dhbour.Theychattedforawhilebeforeshebroughtupthereasonforhervisit.
“Iuandthatyou’rewritingaaboutthefamily,”shesaid.“I’mnotsurethatIcarefortheidea.Iwaoseewhatsortofpersonyouare.”
“Well,HenrikVangerhiredme.It’shisstory,sotospeak.”
“AndoodHenrikislyralinhisattitudetowardsthefamily.”
Blomkviststudiedher,ushewasgettingat.“You’reopposedtohavingawrittenabouttheVangerfamily?”
“Ididn’tsaythat.Anditdoesn’treallymatterwhatIthink.Butbynowyoumusthaverealisedthatithasn’talwaysbeenpinsailingtobepartofthisfamily.”
BlomkvisthadnoideawhatVangerhadsaidorhowmuchCeciliaknewabouthisassig.Hethrewouthishands.
“I’mtractedbyyouruowriteafamilyicle.Hehassomeverycolourfulviewsaboutmembersofthefamily,butI’llbestigstrictlytowhatbedoted.”
CeciliaVangersmiledbutwithoutwarmth.“WhatIwanttoknowis:willIhavetogointoexileratewhe?”
“Idon’texpectso,”Blomkvistsaid.“Peoplewillbeabletotellthesheepfromthegoats.”
“Likemyfather,forinstance?”
“YourfatherthefamousNazi?”Blomkvistsaid.
CeciliaVangerrolledhereyes.“Myfatheriscrazy.Ionlyseehimafewtimesayear.”
“Whydon’tyouwanttoseehim?”
“Waitaminute—beforeyoustartinaskingalotofquestions…AreyoupnningtoquoteanythingIsay?OrIcarryonanormalversationwithyou?”
“MyjobistowriteastartingwithAlexandreVangeersad’sarrivalinSwedenwithBernadotteandgoinguptothepresent.It’stocoverthebusinessempireovermanydecades,butitwillsodiscusswhytheempireisindifficultyanditwilltoutheanimositythatexistswithinthefamily.Insuchasurveyit’simpossibletoavoidhavingsomedirtylinenfloattothesurface.ButthatdoeshatI’mgoingtosetouttopresentamaliciousportraitofanyone.Forexample,I’vemetMartinVanger;heseemstomeaverysympatheticperson,andthat’showI’mgoingtodescribehim.”
CeciliaVangerdidnotreply.
“WhatIknowaboutyouisthatyou’reateacher…”
“It’sactuallyworsethanthat—I’mtheheadmistressofHedestadpreparatoryschool.”
“I’msorry.Iknowthatyouruncleisfondofyou,thatyou’remarriedbutseparated…andthat’saboutallsofar.Sodopleasegoaheadandtalktomewithoutfearofbeingquoted.I’msureI’lleknogonyourdoorsomedaysoowillbeanofficialinterview,andyouchoosewhetheryouwanttoanswermyquestionsornot.”
“SoItalktoyouthenornow…offtherecord,astheysay?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Andthisisofftherecord?”
“Ofcourse.Thisisasocialvisitafterall.”
“OK.ThenIaskyousomething?”
“Please.”
“HowmuchofthisisgoingtodealwithHarriet?”
Blomkvistbithislipandthensaidascasuallyashecould:“Tobeho,Ihavemightfilchapter.Itwasadramatitthathascastashadowoveryouruheveryleast.”
“Butyou’reolookintoherdisappearance?”
“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”
“Well,thefactthatNilssonluggedfourmassiveboxesoverhere.ThatcouldbeHenrik’sprivateiigatioheyears.IlookedinHarriet’soldroom,whereHenrikkeepsit,anditwasgone.”
CeciliaVangerwasnofool.
“You’llhavetotakethematterupwithHenrik,notwithme,”Blomkvistsaid.“Butitwon’tsurpriseyoutoknowthatHenrikhastalkedalotaboutthegirl’sdisappearandIthoughtitwouldbeiingtoreadthroughwhathadbeencollected.”
Ceciliagavehimanotherofherjoylesssmiles.“Iwondersometimeswho’scrazier,myfatherormyuncle.ImusthavelisteohimonHarriet’sdisappearahousandtimes.”
“Whatdoyouthinkhappeoher?”
“Isthisaninterviewquestion?”
“No,”hesaidwithaugh.“I’mjustcurious.”
“WhatI’mcuriousaboutiswhetheryou’reanutcasetoo.Whetheryou’veswallowedHenrik’sviorwhetherinfactyou’retheonewho’segginghimon.”
“YouthinkthatHenrik’sanutcase?”
“Domewrong.He’sohewarmestandmostthoughtfulpeopleIknow.I’mveryfondofhim.Butonthisparticurtopic,he’sobsessive.”
“ButHarrietreallydiddisappear.”
“I’mjustsodamnsickofthewholestory.It’spoisonedourlivesfordecades,anditdoesn’tstopdoingso.”Shegotupabruptlyandputonherfurcoat.“Ihavetogo.Youseemlikeapleasantsort.Martinthinkssotoo,buthisjudgementisn’talwaysreliable.You’reweletoeforcoffeeatmyhousewheneveryoulike.I’malmostalwayshomeintheevening.”
“Thankyou,”Blomkvistsaid.“Youdidn’tahequestionthatwasn’taninterviewquestion.”
Shepausedatthedoorandrepliedwithoutlookingathim.
“Ihavehinkitwasahathassuchasimpleexpnationthatitwilstonishusifweeverfindout.”
Sheturosmileathim—forthefirsttimewithwarmth.Thenshewasgone.
IfithadbeenanagreeablefirstmeetingwithCeciliaVahesamecouldnotbesaidofhisfirstenterwithIsabel.Harriet’smotherwasexactlyasHenrikVangerhadwarned:sheprovedtobeawomanwhoremindedhimvaguelyofLaurenBacall.Shewasthin,dressedinabckPersianmbcoatwithmatgcap,andshewasleaningonabewhenBlomkvistranintoheronemonhiswaytoSusanne’s.Shelookedlikeanageingvampire—stillstrikinglybeautifulbutasvenomousasasnake.IsabelVangerarentlyonherwayhomeaftertakingawalk.Shecalledtohimfromthecrossroad.
“Hellothere,youngman.ehere.”
Themandingtonewashardtomistake.Blomkvistlookedaroundandcludedthathewastheonesummoned.Hedidasinstructed.
“IamIsabelVahewomansaid.
“Hello.MynameisMikaelBlomkvist.”Hestuckouthishand,whichsheignored.
“Areyouthatpersonwho’sbeensnoopingaroundinourfamilyaffairs?”
“Well,ifyoumeanamIthepersonthatHenrikVangerhasputundertracttohelphimwithhisabouttheVangerfamily,thenyes.”
“That’snoneofyourbusiness.”
“Which?ThefactthatHenrikVangerofferedmeatractorthefactthatIaepted?”
“YouknowperfectlywellwhatImean.Idon’tcareforpeoplepokingaroundinmylife.”
“Iwon’tpokearoundinyourlife.Therestyou’llhavetodiscusswithHenrik.”
IsabelraisedhereandpressedthehandleagainstMikael’schest.Shedidnotusemuchforce,buthetookastepbasurprise.
“Justyoukeepawayfromme,”shesaid,andturnedonherheendwalkedunsteadilytowardsherhouse.Blomkvistwentonstandingwherehewas,lookinglikeamanwhohasjustmetarealliveic-character.WhenhelookeduphesawVahewindowofhisoffihishandhewasholdingacup,whichheraisedinanironicsalute.
TheonlytravellingthatBlomkvistdidduringthatfirstmonthwasadrivetoabayonLakeSiljan.HeborrowedFrode’sMercedesanddrovethroughasnowyndscapetospeernoonwithDetectiveSuperinteMorell.BlomkvisthadtriedtoformanimpressionofMorellbasedonthewayhecameacrossinthepolicereport.Whathefoundwasawiryoldmanwhomovedsoftlyandspokeevenmoreslowly.
Blomkvistbroughtwithhimahteions,mainlyideasthathadcroppedupwhilehewasreadingthepolicereport.Morelnsweredeachquestionputtohiminasasterlyway.FinallyBlomkvistputawayhisnotesandexpihatthequestionsweresimplyanexcuseforameeting.Whathereallywantedwastohaveachatwithhimandaskonecrucialquestion:wasthereanysihingintheiigationthathadnotbeenincludedite?Anyhunches,even,thattheihtbewillingtosharewithhim?
BecauseMorell,likeVanger,hadspentthirty-sixyearspthemystery,Blomkvisthadexpectedacertaiance—hewasthenewmanwhohadeinandstartedtrampingaroundihicketwhereMorellhadgoray.Buttherewasnotahintofhostility.Morellmethodicallyfilledhispipeandlititbeforehereplied.
“Wellyes,obviouslyIhadmyownideas.Butthey’resovagueaingthatIhardlyputthemintowords.”
“Whatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“IthinkHarrietwasmurdered.HenrikandIagreeonthat.It’stheonlyreasonableexpnation.Butweneverdiscoveredwhatthemotivemighthavebeen.Ithinkshewasmurderedforaveryspecificreason—itwasn’tsomeaadnessorarapeoranythinglikethat.Ifwehadknowive,we’dhaveknownwhokilledher.”Morellstoppedtothinkforamoment.“Themurdermayhavebeenmittedspontaneously.BythatImeanthatsomeoneseizedanopportunitywhenitpreseselfintheingandgoinginthewakeoftheaident.Themurdererhidthebodyasometertimeremoveditwhilewewereseargforher.”
“We’retalkingaboutsomeonewhohasnervesofice.”
“There’soail…HarrietwenttoHenrik’sroomwantingtospeaktohim.Inhindsight,itseemstomeastraobehave—sheknewhehadhishandsfullwithalltheretiveswhowerehangingaround.IthinkHarrietaliverepresentedagravethreattosomeohatshewasgoingtotellHenriksomething,andthatthemurdererknewshewasaboutto…well,spillthebeans.”
“AndHenrikwasbusywithseveralfamilymembers?”
“Therewerefourpeopleintheroom,besidesHenrik.Hisbrer,acousinnamedMagnusSj?gren,andtwoofHarald’schildren,BirgerandCecilia.Butthatdoesn’ttellusanythi’ssupposethatHarriethaddiscoveredthatsomeonehadembezzledmoneyfromthepany—hypothetically,ofcourse.Shemayhaveknownaboutitformonths,andatsomepointshemayevenhavediscusseditwiththepersoniion.Shemayhavetriedtobckmailhim,orshemayhavefeltsorryforhimauneasyaboutexposinghim.Shemayhavedecidedallofasuddenandtoldthemurdererso,andheindesperationkilledher.”
“You’vesaid‘he’and‘him.’”
“Thesaysthatmostkillersaremen.Butit’salsotruethatintheVangerfamilyareseveralwomenwhoarerealfirebrands.”
“I’vemetIsabel.”
“She’soheaVangerbeextremelycaustic.HaveyoumetSaraSj?gren?”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“She’sthedaughterofSofiaVanger,oneofHenrik’scousins.Inhercasewe’retalkingaboutatrulyunpleasantandinsideratedy.ButshewaslivinginMalm?,andasfarasIcouldascertain,shehadnomotiveforkillingthegirl.”
“Soshe’soffthelist.”
“Theproblemisthatnomatterhoistedandturhings,wenevercameupwithamotive.That’stheimportantthing.”
“Youputavastamountofworkintothiscase.Wasthereanyleadyouremembernothavingfollowedup?”
Morellchuckled.“No.I’vedevotedanendlessamountoftimetothiscase,andI’tthinkofanythingthatIdidn’tfollowuptothebitter,fruitlessend.EvenafterIromotedandmovedawayfromHedestad.”
“Movedaway?”
“Yes,I’mnotfromHedestadinally.Iservedtherefrom1963until1968.AfterthatIromotedtosuperinteandmovedtotheG?vlepolicedepartmentfortherestofmycareer.ButeveninG?vleIwentondiggingintothecase.”
“Idon’tsupposethatHenrikwouldeverletup.”
“That’strue,butthat’snotthereason.ThepuzzleaboutHarrietstillfasatesmetothisday.Imean…it’slikethis:everypoliceofficerhashisownunsolvedmystery.IrememberfrommydaysiadhowoldercolleagueswouldtalkieenaboutthecaseofRebecka.Therewasoneoffiparticur,amaorstensson—he’sbeendeadforyears—whoyearafteryearkeptreturningtothatcase.Inhisfreetimeandwhenhewasonholiday.Whehereeriodofcalmamongthelocalhooliganshewouldtakeoutthosefoldersandstudythem.”
“Wasthatalsoacaseaboutamissinggirl?”
Morelllookedsurprised.ThenhesmiledwhenherealisedthatBlomkvistwaslookingforsomesortofe.
“No,that’snotwhyImentio.I’mtalkingaboutthesoulofapoli.TheRebeckacasewassomethingthathappenedbeforeHarrietVangerwasevenborn,auteoflimitationshaslongsinout.Sometimeiiesawomanwasassaultediad,raped,andmurdered.That’snotaltogetherunmon.Everyofficer,atsomepointinhiscareer,hastoiigatethatkindofcrime,butwhatI’mtalkingaboutarethosecasesthatstaywithyouaunderyourskinduringtheiigation.Thisgirlwaskilledibrutalway.Thekillertiedherupandstuckherheadintothesmoulderingembersofafirepelyguesshowlongittookforthepirltodie,orwhattormehaveendured.”
“ChristAlmighty.”
“Exactly.Itwassosadistic.PoorTorstenssonwasthefirstdetectiveontheseaftershewasfound.Andthemurderremainedunsolved,eventhoughexpertswerecalledinfromSto.Hecouldgoofthatcase.”
“Iderstandthat.”
“MyRebeckacasewasHarriet.Inthisinstancewedon’tevenknowhowshedied.We’tevenprovethatamurderwasmitted.ButIhaveneverbeeoletitgo.”Hepausedtothinkforamoment.“Beingahomicidedetectivebethelojobintheworld.Thefriendsofthevictimareupsetandindespair,butsooer—afterweeksormonths—theygobacktotheireverydaylives.Fortheclosestfamilyittakeslonger,butforthemostpart,tosomedegree,theytoogetovertheirgrievinganddespair.Lifehastogoon;itdoesgoon.Buttheunsolvedmurderskeepgnawingawayandihere’sonlyonepersowhothinksnightanddayaboutthevictim:it’stheofficerwho’sleftwiththeiigation.”
ThreeotherpeopleintheVangerfamilylivedonHedebyIsnd.AlexanderVanger,soner,bornin1946,livedinarenovatedwoodenhouse.VaoldBlomkvistthatAlexanderresentlyiIndies,wherehegavehimselfovertohisfavouritepastimes:sailingandwhilingawaythetime,notdoingascrapofwork.Alexanderhadbeeyandhehadbeenthereonthatday.
Alexandersharedthehousewithhismerda,eightyyearsoldandwidowerVanger.Blomkvisthadneverseenher;shewasmostlybedridden.
ThethirdfamilymemberwasHaraldVanger.DuringhisfirstmonthBlomkvisthadnotmanagedevenaglimpseofhim.Harald’shouse,theoneclosesttoBlomkvist’s,lookedgloomyandominouswithitsbckoutcurtainsdrawnacrossallthewindows.Blomkvistsometimesthoughthesaleiainsashepassed,andoncewhenhewasabouttogotobedte,henoticedaglimmeroflightingfromaroomupstairs.Thereiains.Formorethayminuteshestoodinthedarkathisownkitwindowandwatchedthelightbefotfedupand,shiveriobed.Inthemthecurtainswerebapce.
Haraldseemedtobeaninvisiblebutever-presentspiritwhoaffectedlifeinthevilgebyhisabsenBlomkvist’simagination,HaraldincreasinglytookontheformofanevilGollumwhospiedonhissurroundingsfrombehiainsaedhimselftono-one-knew-whatmattersinhisbarricadedcavern.
Haraldwasvisitedonceadaybythehome-helpservitheothersideofthebridge.Shewouldbringbagsofgroceries,trudgingthroughthesnowdriftsuptohisdoor.NilssonshookhisheadwhenBlomkvistaskedaboutHarald.Hehadofferedtodotheshovelling,hesaid,butHaralddidnotwantanyoosetfootonhisproperty.Onlyonce,duringthefirstwierHaraldhadreturoHedebyIsnd,didNilssondrivethetractoruptheretoclearthesnowfromthecourtyard,justashedidforalltheotherdriveways.Haraldhadeoutofhishouseatastartlingpace,yellingaiguntilNilssoaway.
Unfortunately,NilssonwasuoclearBlomkvist’syardbecausethegatewastoonarrowforthetractor.Asnowshovendmanualbourwerestilltheonlywaytodoit.
InthemiddleofJanuaryBlomkvistaskedhiswyertofindoutwhenhewasgoingtobeexpectedtoservehisthreemonthsinprison.Hewasanxioustotakecareofthematterasquicklyaspossible.Gettingintoprisonturtobeeasierthanhehadexpected.Afteraveryfewweeksofdiscussion,itwasdecreedthatBlomkvistpresenthimselfonMarch17attheRull?kerPrisonoutside?stersund,aminimum-securityprison.Thewyeradvisedhimthatthesentencewouldverylikelybeshortened.
“Fine,”Blomkvistsaid,withoutmuthusiasm.
Hesatatthekittableaedthecat,whonowarrivedeveryfewdaystospendthenightwithBlomkvist.FromtheNilssonshehadlearhatthecat’sjorven.Itdidnotbelongtoanyoneinparticur,itjustmadetheroundsofallthehouses.
Blomkvistmethisemployeralmosteveryafternoon.Sometimestheywouldhaveabriefversation;sometimestheywouldsittogetherforhours.
TheversationoftensistedofBlomkvistputtingupatheorythatVangerwouldthenshootdown.Blomkvisttriedtomaintaiaindistanhisassig,butthereweremomentswhenhefoundhimselfhopelesslyfasatedbytheenigmaofthegirl’sdisappearance.
BlomkvisthadassuredBergerthathewouldalsoformuteastrategyfortakingupthebattlewithWer?m,butafteramonthiadhehadopehefileswhichhadbroughthimtothedothedistrictcourt.Orary,hehaddeliberatelypushedthematterasidebecauseeverytimehethoughtaboutWer?mandhisownsituation,hewouldsinkintodepressionandlistlessness.Hewonderedwhetherhewasgoingcrazyliketheoldman.Hisprofessioationhadimploded,andhismeansofrecwastohidehimselfawayinatinytowninthedeeptry,chasingghosts.
VangercouldtellthatBlomkvistwasonsomedaysabitoffbaheendofJanuary,theoldmanmadeadecisionthatsurprisedevenhimself.HepickedupthetelephoneandcalledSto.TheversatiowentyminutesargelywithMikaelBlomkvist.
Ithadtakenalmostthatwholemonthfer’sfurytosubside.At9:30intheevening,ohestdaysinJanuary,shecalledhim.
“Areyoureallyintendingtostayupthere?”shebegan.ThecallwassuchasurprisethatBlomkvistcouldnotatfirstreply.Thenhesmiledandedthebighteraroundhim.
“Hi,Ricky.Youshouldtryityourself.”
“WhywouldI?Whatissaboutlivinginthebackofbeyond?”
“Ijustbrushedmyteethwithicewater.Itmakesmyfillingshurt.”
“Youhaveonlyyourselftobme.Butit’scoldashelldowotoo.”
“Let’sheartheworst.”
“We’velosttwo-thirdsuradvertisers.No-osthtoutandsayit,but…”
“Iknow.Makealistoftheohatjumpship.Somedaywe’lldoagoodstoryonthem.”
“Micke…I’verunthenumbers,andifwedon’tropeinsomenewadvertisers,we’llbebustbytheautumn.It’sassimpleasthat.”
“Thingswillturnaround.”
Sheughedwearilyoherendoftheline.
“That’snotsomethingyousay,lingupthereinLapnderhell.”
“Erika,I’m…”
“Iknow.Aman’sgottadowhataman’sgottado,andallthatcrap.Youdon’thavetosayanything.I’msorryIwassuchabitddidn’tansweryourmessages.westartagain?DoIdareeuptheretoseeyou?”
“Wheneveryoulike.”
“DoIalongariflewithwolf-shot?”
“Notatall.We’llhaveouros,dogteamsandallthegear.Whenareyouing?”
“Fridayevening,OK?”
Apartfromthenarrowshovelledpathtothedoor,therewasaboutthreefeetofsnowctheproperty.Blomkvistgavetheshovelong,criticallookandtheovertoNilsson’shousetoaskwhetherBergercouldparkherBMWthere.Thatroblem;theyhadroominthedoublegarage,andtheyevenhadeers.
Bergerdrovethroughtheafternoonandarrivedaround6:00.Theystaredateachotherwarilyforseveralsedsandthenhuggedeachotherformuger.
TherewasnotmuchtoseeinthedarknessexceptfortheilluminatedchurdbothKonsumandSusanne’sBridgeCaféwereclosingup.Sotheyhurriedhome.BlomkvistcookeddinnerwhileBergerpokedaroundinhishouse,makingremarksabouttheissuesofRekasifromthefiftiesthatwerestillthere,aingengrossedinhisfilesintheoffice.
Theyhadmbcutletswithpotatoesincreamsauddrankredwine.Blomkvisttriedtotakeupthethreadoftheirearlierversation,butBergerwasinnomoodtodiscussMillenniurtheywenttoseeifthebedwasbigenoughtoholdbothofthem.
HerthirdmeetingwithAdvokatNilsBjurmanwasrescheduled,andfinallysetfor5:00onthatsameFridayafternoon.Atthepreviousmeetings,Sanderwasgreetedbyamiddle-agedwomanwhosmelledofmuskandworkedashissecretary.Thistimeshehadleftfortheday,andBjurmansmelledfaintlyofdrink.HewavedSaoavisitor’schairandleafeddistractedlythroughthedotsonhisdeskuntilheseemedsuddenlytobeeawareofherpresence.
Itturtobeaerrogation.ThistimeheaskedSanderabouthersexlife—whichshehadnoiionofdiscussingwithanyone.
Afterthemeetingshekhatshehadhabadly.Atfirstsherefusedtoanswerhisquestions.Hisinterpretationofthiswasthatshewasshy,retarded,orhadsomethingtohide,andhepressedherforanswers.Sanderrealisedthathewasnotgoingtogiveup,soshestartedgivinghimbrief,colourlessanswersofthesortsheassumedwouldfitwithherpsychologicalprofile.Shementioned“Magnus”—whtoherdescription,wasanerdyputerprogrammerherowreatedherlikeagentlemanshould,tookhertotheema,andsometimessharedherbed.“Magnus”wasfi;shemadehimupasshewentalong,butBjurmantookheraountasapretextformeticulouslymappingouthersexlife.Howoftendoyouhavesex?Oasionally.Whotakestheinitiative—youorhim?Ido.Doyouuses?Ofcourse—sheknewaboutHIV.What’syourfavouriteposition?Hmm,usuallyonmyback.Doyouenjoyoralsex?Er,waitased…Haveyoueverhadanalsex?
“No,it’snotparticurlyobefuckedinthearse—butwhatthehellbusinessisitofyours?”
Thatwastheonlytimeshelosthertemper.Shehadkepthereyesonthefloorsotheywouldrayherexasperation.Whenshelookedathimagain,hewasgrinningatherfromacrossthedesk.Shelefthisofficewithafeelingofdisgust.Palmgrenwouldneverhavedreamedofaskingsuchquestions.Oherhand,hehadalwaysbeenthereifshehadwaodiscussanything.Notthatshedid.
BjurmanwasonhiswaytobeingaMajorProblem.
CHAPTER11
Saturday,February1–Tuesday,February18
DuringthebriefhoursofdaylightonSaturday,BlomkvistandBergertookaastthesmall-boatharbouralongtheroadto?sterg?rden.HehadbeenlivingonHedebyIsndforamonth,buthehadakenawalkinnd;thefreezingtemperaturesandregursnowstormshaddeterredhiwasasifBergerhadbroughtwithherahint.Theroadwaslihsnow,ploughedthreefeethigh.Assoonastheyleftthesummer-areatheywerewalkingindensefirforest.BlomkvistwassurprisedbyhowmuchhigherandmoreinaessibleS?derberget,thehilcrossfromthes,wasthanitappearedfromthevilge.HethoughtabouthowmanytimesHarrietVangermusthavepyedhereasachild,butthenhepushedallthoughtsofheroutofhismind.Afteraboutamilethewoodseafencewherethe?sterg?rdenfarmndbegan.Theycouldseeawhitewoodenstructureandredfarmbuildingsarrangedinasquare.Theyturoheadbackthesameway.
Astheypassedthedrivewaytotheestatehouse,Vangerkheupstairswindowauredfirmlyforthemtoeup.BlomkvistandBergerlookedateachother.
“Wouldyouliketomeetacorporatelegend?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Doeshebite?”
“NotonSaturdays.”
Vangerreceivedthematthedoortohisoffice.
“YoumustbeFr?kenBerger,Ireiseyou.”hesaid.“Mikaeldidn’tsayawordaboutytoHedeby.”
Oneer’soutstandingtalentswasherabilitytoinstantlygetonfriendlytermswiththemostunlikelyindividuals.Blomkvisthadseeurnonthecharmforfive-year-oldboys,whowithintenminuteswerefullypreparedtoabandontheirmothers.Menhtyseemednottobeaion.AftertwominutesBergerandHenrikVangerwereignBlomkvistastheychatteredon.Itwasasiftheyhadknowneachothersincechildhood—well,sinceErika’schildhood,atanyrate.
BergerstartedoffquiteboldlybyscoldingVangerfherpublisherawayintothesticks.Theoldmanrepliedthatasfarashecouldtell—fromassortedpressreports—shehadinfactfiredhim.Andhadshenotdohennowmightbehightimetogetridofexcessbalstiorialoffices.Andinthatcase,Vangersaid,aperiodofrusticlifewoulddoyoungBlomkvistsomegood.
ForfivemiheydiscussedBlomkvist’sshsiirritatingterms.Blomkvistleanedbadpreteobeinsulted,buthefrownedwhenBergermadesomecrypticremarksthatmightalludetohisfailingsasajournalistbutmightalsohaveappliedtosexualprowess.Vailtedhisheadbadroaredwithughter.
Blomkvistwasastonished.HehadneverseenVangersonaturandrexed.HecouldsuddehatVanger,fiftyyearsyounger—oreventhirtyyears—musthavebeenquiteacharming,attractivedies’man.Hehadneverremarried.Theremusthavebeenwomenwhocrossedhispath,yetfornearlyhalfaturyhehadremainedabachelor.
BlomkvisttookasipofcoffeeandprickeduphisearsagainwhenherealisedthattheversationhadsuddenlyturnedseriousandhadtodowithMillennium.
“Mikaelhastoldmethatyou’rehavingproblemsatthemagazine.”BergergBlomkvist.“No,hehasn’tdiscussedyourinternaloperations,butapersonwouldhavetobedeafandblindnottoseethatyazine,justliketheVangerCorporation,isindifficulties.”
“I’mfidentthatairthesituation,”Bergersaid.
“Idoubtit,”Vangersaid.
“Whyisthat?”
“Let’ssee—howmanyemployeesdoyouhave?Six?Amonthlymagazihaprintrunof21,000,manufacturingcosts,saries,distribution,offices…Youneedrevenuesofabout10million.Ithinkweknoertageofthatamounthastoefromadvertisingrevenue.”
“So?”
“SofriendWer?misavengefundnarrow-mindedbastardwhoisn’tgoingtofethisrettretempsinahurry.Howmanyadvertisershaveyoulostisixmonths?”
BergerregardedVahawaryexpression.Blomkvistcaughthimselfholdinghisbreath.OnthoseoasionswheheoldmanhadtouchedoureofMillennium,ithadalwaysedannoyingremarksorthemagazine’ssituatioiontoBlomkvist’sabilitytofinishhisworkiad.ButVangerwasnowaddressingErikaalone,onebosstoannalspassedbetweehatBlomkvistcouldnotinterpret,whichmighthavehadtodowiththefactthathewasbasicallyapo-cssboyfromNorrndandsheer-cssgirlwithadistinguished,iionalfamilytree.
“CouldIhavealittlemorecoffee?”Bergerasked.Vangerpouredheracupatonce.“OK,you’vedoneyourhomework.We’rebleeding.”
“Howlong?”
“We’vegotsixmonthstoturnourselvesaroumonths,max.Wedon’thaveenoughcapitaltokeepourselvesafloatlohanthat.”
Theoldman’sexpressionwasinscrutableashestaredoutofthewindow.Thechurchwasstillstandingthere.
“DidyouknowthatIwasoheneerbusiness?”hesaid,oncemoreaddressih.
BlomkvistandBergerbothshooktheirheads.Vangerughedagain,ruefully.
“WeownedsixdailyneersinNorrnd.Thatwasbathefiftiesandsixties.Itwasmyfather’sidea—hethoughtitmightbepoliticallyadvaohaveaseofthemediabehindus.We’reactuallystilloheownersoftheHedestadCourier.Birgeristhechairmanoftheboardfroupofowners.Harald’sson,”headded,forBlomkvist’sbe.
“Andalsoalocalpoliti,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Martinisontheboardtoo.HekeepsBirgerinline.”
“Whydidyouletgooftheneersyouowned?”Blomkvistasked.
“Corporaterestructuringiies.Publishingneerswasinsomewaysmoreahobbythana.Whenweightenthebudget,itwasohefirstassetsthatwesold.ButIknowwhatittakestorunapubliayIaskyouapersonalquestion?”
ThiswasdirectedatErika.
“Ihaven’taskedMikaeboutthis,andifyoudon’twanttoanswer,youdon’thaveto.I’dliketoknowhowyouendedupinthisquagmire.Didyouhaveastoryordidn’tyou?”
NowitwasBlomkvist’sturntolookinscrutable.Bergerhesitatedonlyasedbeforeshesaid:“Wehadastory.Butitwasaverydifferentstory.”
Vangernodded,asifheuoodpreciselywhatBergerwassaying.Blomkvistdidnot.
“Idon’twanttodiscussthematter.”Blomkvistcutthediscussionshort.“Ididthereseardwrotethearticle.Ihadallthesoureeded.Butthenitallwenttohell.”
“Youhadsourcesforeverystthingyouwrote?”
“Idid.”
Vanger’svoicewassuddenlysharp.“Iwon’tpretendtouandhowthehellyoucouldwalkintosuchaminefield.I’trecalsimirstoryexceptperhapstheLundahffairinExpresseniies,ifyouyoungstershaveeverheardofit.Wasyoursourcealsoamythomaniac?”Heshookhisheadandturerandsaidquietly,“I’vebeenaneublisheri,andIbeoneagain.Whatwouldyousaytotakingonanotherpartner?”
Thequestioncamelikeaboltoutoftheblue,butBergerdidheleastbitsurprised.
“Tellmemore,”shesaid.
Vangersaid:“Howlongareyoustayingiad?”
“I’mgoinghometomorrow.”
“Wouldyousider—youandMikael,ofcourse—humanoldmanbyjoiningmefordionight?Would7:00suit?”
“Thatwouldsuitusfine.We’dloveit.Butyou’renotansweringthequestionIasked.WhywouldyouwanttobeapartnerinMillennium?”
“I’mnotavoidingthequestion.Ijustthoughtwecoulddiscussitoverdinner.IhavetotalkwithmywyerbeforeIputtogetheracreteoffer.ButinallsimplicityIsaythatIhavemooi.Ifthemagazinesurvivesandstartsmakingaprofitagain,thenI’lleoutahead.Ifnot—well,I’vehadsignifitlybiggerlossesinmyday.”
BlomkvistwasabouttoopenhismouthwhenBergerputherhandonhisknee.
“MikaendIhavefoughthardsothatwecouldbepletelyindepe.”
“Nonsense.No-oneispletelyindepe.ButI’mnotouttotakeoverthemagazine,andIdon’tgiveadamnaboutthetents.ThatbastardStenbeckgotallsortsofpointsforpublishingModernTimes,sowhy’tIbackMillennium?Whichhappenstobeanexcellentmagaziheway.”
“DoesthishaveanythingtodowithWer?m?”Blomkvistsaid.
Vangersmiled.“Mikael,I’meightyyearsplus.TherearethingsIregretnotdoingandpeopleIregretnotfightingmore.But,aproposthistopic—”Hetureragain.“Thistypeofimentwouldhaveatleastonedition.”
“Let’shearit,”Bergersaid.
“MikaelBlomkvistmustresumehispositionaspublisher.”
“No,”Blomkvistsnapped.
“Butyes,”Vangersaid,equallycurt.“Wer?mwillhaveastrokeifwesendoutapressreleasesayingthattheVangerCorporationisbagMillennium,andatthesametimeyou’rereturningaspublisher.That’sabsolutelytheclearestsignalwecouldsend—everyonewilluandthatit’snotatakeoverandthattheeditorialpolicieswon’tge.Andthatalonewillgivetheadvertiserswhoarethinkingofpullingoutreasontoresider.Wer?misn’tomnipotent.Hehaseoo,andtherearepaniesoyouthatwillsidertakingspace.”
“Whatthehellwasthatalbout?”BlomkvistsaidassoonasBergerpulledthefrontdoorshut.
“Ithinkit’swhatyoucaldvanceprobesforabusinessdeal,”shesaid.“Youdidn’ttellmethatHenrikVangerissuchasweetie.”
Blomkvistpntedhimselfinfrontofher.“Ricky,youklywhatthisversationwasgoingtobeabout.”
“Hey,toyboy.It’sonly3:00,andIwanttobeproperlyeainedbeforedinner.”
Blomkvistwasenraged.ButhehadnevermaobeeErikaBergerforverylong.
Sheworeabckdress,awaist-lengthjacket,andpumps,whichshejusthappeohavebroughtalongitlesuitcase.SheinsistedthatBlomkvistwearajacketandtie.Heputonhisbcktrreyshirt,darktie,andgreysportscoat.WhentheyknockedpunctuallyonthedoorofVanger’shome,itturthatDirchFrodeandMartinVangerwerealsoamongtheguests.Everyonewaswearingajacketandtieexceptfer.
“Theadvantageofbeinghtyisthatno-onecriticisewhatyouwear,”hedecred.Heworeabowtieandabrowncardigan.
Bergerwasinhighspiritsthroughoutthedinner.
Itwasnotuntiltheymovedtothedrawingroomwiththefirepdacouredthatthediscussiontookonaserioustoheytalkedforalmosttwohoursbeforetheyhadtheoutlineforadealoable.
FrodewouldsetupapanytobewhollyownedbyHenrikVaheboardwouldsistofHenrikandMartinVangerandFrode.Overafour-yearperiod,thispanywouldiasumofmohatwouldcapbetweenineandexpensesforMillennium.ThemoneywouldefromVanger’spersos.Iurn,Vangerwouldhaveaspicuouspositiononthemagazine’sboard.Theagreementwouldbevalidforfouryears,butitcouldbeterminatedbyMillenniumaftertwoyears.Butthistypeofprematureterminationwouldbecostly,singercouldonlybeboughtoutbyrepaymentofthesumhehadied.
IofVanger’sdeath,MartinVangerwouldrepcehimontheMillenniumboardfortheremaiheperiwhichtheagreementwasvalid.IfMartinwishedtotinuehisinvolvementbeyondthisperiod,heakethatdeselfwheimecame.HeseemedamusedbytheprospectofgettihWer?m,andBlomkvistwainwhattheinwasoftheanimositybetweenthosetwo.
Martinrefilledtheirgsses.VangermadeapointofleaningtowardsBlomkvist,andinalowvoicetoldhimthatthisnewarrahadnoeffectwhatsoeverontheagreementthatexistedbetweenthem.Blomkvistcouldresumehisdutiesaspublisherfull-timeattheendoftheyear.
Itwasalsodecidedthatthereanisation,iohavethegreatestimpathemedia,shouldbepresehesamedaythatBlomkvistbeganhisprisoenmid-March.biningastronglyiveeventwithareanisationwas,inPRterms,suchaclumsyerrorthatitcouldnotbutastonishBlomkvist’sdetractorsandgarimumattentionforHenrikVanger’snewrole.Buteveryonealsosawthelogiit—itwasawayofindigthattheyellowpguefgflutteringoverMillennium’seditorialofficeswasabouttobehauleddown;themagazinehadbackersillingtoberuthless.TheVangerCorporationmightbeinacrisis,butitwasstilpromiindustrialfirmwhichcouldgoontheoffeheneedarose.
ThewholeversationwasadiscussioweenBerger,ononeside,andHenrikandMartinVaheother.No-oneaskedBlomkvistwhathethought.
LatethatnightBlomkvistywithhisheadrestingonErika’sbreasts,lookingintohereyes.
“HowlonghaveyouandHenrikVangerbeendiscussingthisarra?”