“Aboutaweek,”shesaid,smiling.
“IsChristerinagreement?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
“WhyintheworldshouldIdiscussitwithyou?Ynedaspublisher,youlefttheeditorialstaffandtheboard,andyouwenttoliveinthewoods.”
“SoIdeservetobetreatedlikeanidiot.”
“Ohyes,”shesaid.“Decidedlyyoudo.”
“Youreallyhavebeenmadatme.”
“Mikael,I’veneverfeltsofurious,soabandoned,andsobetrayedaswhenyouleft.I’veneverbeenthisupsetwithyoubefore.”Shetookafirmgriponhishairandthenshovedhimfartherdowninthebed.
BythetimeBergerleftHedebyonSunday,BlomkvistwasstillsoahVahathedidnotwanttoriskrunningiherhimoranyothermemberofhisstead,onMondayhetookthebusiadaheafternoonwalkingiown,visitingthelibrary,anddrinkingcoffeeinabakery.IntheevenitotheematoseeTheLordoftheRings,whichhehadneverbeforehadtimetosee.Hethoughtthatorlikehumanbeings,weresimpleandunplicatedcreatures.
HeendedhisoutingatMald’siadandcaughtthestbustoHedeby.Hemadecoffee,tookoutabinder,andsatatthekittable.Hereaduntil4:00inthem.
TherewereanumberofquestiardingtheiigationthatseemedincreasinglyoddthefurtherBlomkvistwentthroughthedots.Theywerenotrevolutionarydiscoveriesthathemadeallonhisown;theywereproblemsthathadpreoupiedIorMorellfperiods,especiallyinhisfreetime.
Duriyearofherlife,Harriethadged.Insomewaysthisgecouldbeexpihegethateveryohroughinoneformoranotherdurieenageyears.Harrietwasgrowingup.Cssmates,teachers,andseveralmembersofthefamily,however,alltestifiedthatshehadturnedinonherselfandbeeunmunicative.
Thegirlwho,twoyearsearlier,wasalivelyteenagerhadbeguntodistanceherselffromeveryonearoundher.Inschoolshestillspenttimewithherfriends,butnowshebehavedinan“impersonal”manner,asoneofherfriendsdescribedit.ThiswordwasunusualenoughforMorelltohavemadeaandthenaskmorequestions.TheexpnatiowasthatHarriethadstoppedtalkingaboutherself,stoppedgossiping,andstoppedfidinginherfriends.
HarrietVangerhadbeenaChristian,inachild’sseheword—attendingSundayschool,sayingeveningprayers,andbeingfirmed.Iyearsheseemedtohavebeeyetmious.ShereadtheBiblearegurlytochurch.ButshehadnotturoHedebyIsnd’spastor,OttoFalk,whowasafriendoftheVangerfamily.Instead,duringthespringshehadsoughtoutaPealgregatioad.Yetherinvolvementiecostalchurchdidnotstlong.AfteronlytwomonthssheleftthegregationandinsteadbeganreadingsabouttheCatholicfaith.
Thereligiousinfatuationofateenager?Perhaps,butno-oneelseintheVangerfamilyhadeverbeennoticeablyreligious,anditwasdifficulttodisulsesmayhaveguidedher.OneexpnationforheriinGodcould,ofcourse,havebeenthatherfatherhaddrowhepreviousyear.MorellcametotheclusionthatsomethinghadhappenedinHarriet’slifethatwastroublingheroraffegher.Morell,likeVanger,haddevotedagreatdealoftimetotalkingtoHarriet’sfriends,tryingtofindsomeoneinwhomshemighthavefided.
SomemeasureofhopeinnedonAnitaVawoyearsolderthanHarrietandthedaughterofHarald.Shehadspentthesummerof1966onHedebyIsndandtheywerethoughttobeclosefriends.ButAnitahadnosolidrmationtooffer.Theyhadhungouttogetherthatsummer,swimming,takingwalks,talkingaboutmovies,popbands,ands.HarriethadsometimesgohAnitawheookdrivinglessons.Oheyhadgothappilydrunkonabottleofwiheystolefromthehouse.ForseveralweeksthetwoofthemhadalsostayedatGottfried’sontheverytipoftheisnd.
ThequestionsaboutHarriet’sprivatethoughtsandfeelingsremainedunanswered.ButBlomkvistdidmakeanoteofadiscrepanthereport:thermationaboutherunmunicativeframeofmindcamechieflyfromhercssmates,andtoacertaifromthefamily.AnitaVangerhadnotthoughtofherasbeingintrovertedatall.HemadeaodiscussthismatterwithVasomepoint.
Amorecretequestion,towhichMorellhaddevotedmuchmoreattention,risingpageinHarriet’sdate,abeautifulboundshehadbeengivenasaChristmaspresenttheyearbeforeshedisappeared.Thefirsthalfofthedatewasaday-by-daydarinwhichHarriethadlistedmeetings,thedatesofexamsatschool,herhomework,andsooealsohadargeseforadiary,butHarrietusedthediaryonlysporadically.ShebeganambitiouslyenoughinJanuarywithmanybriefentriesaboutpeopleshehadmetovertheChristmasholidaysandseveraboutfilmsshehadseen.Afterthatshewrotenothingpersonaluntiltheendoftheschoolyearwhensheapparently—dependingonhowtheentrieswereinterpreted—becameiedfromadistansomenever-namedboy.
Thepagesthatlistedtelephonenumbersweretheohatheldtherealmystery.ly,inalphabeticalorder,werethenamesandnumbersoffamilymembers,cssmates,certainteachers,severalmembersofthePealgregation,andothereasilyidentifiableindividualsinhercircleofacquaintances.Ontheverystpageoftheaddress,whichwasbnkandnotreallypartofthealphabeticalse,therewerefivenamesandtelephonehreefemalenamesandtwosetsofinitials:
Magda—32016
Sara—32109
R.J.—30112
R.L.—32027
Mari—32018
Thetelephonehatbeganwith32wereHedestadnumbersiies.Theonebeginningwith30wasaNorrbynnumber,notfarfromHedestad.TheproblemwasthatwhenMorelltactedeveryoneofHarriet’sfriendsandacquaintano-onehadanyideawhoseheywere.
Thefirstnumberbelongingto“Magda”initiallyseemedpromising.ItledtoahaberdasheryatParkgatan12.ThetelephonewasinthenameofoneMargotLundmark,whosemother’snamewasactuallyMagda;shesometimeshelpedoutiore.ButMagdawassixty-nineyearsoldandhadnoideawhoHarrietVangerwas.NorwasthereanyevideHarriethadevervisitedtheshhtanythingthere.Shewasn’tiedinsewing.
Theseumberfor“Sara”belooafamilybytheoresson,wholivedinV?ststan,ohersideofthetracks.ThefamilyincludedAndersandMonidtheirchildren,Jonasaer,whoatthetimewerepre-schooge.TherewasnoSarainthefamily,nordidtheyknowofHarrietVaherthanthatshehadbeeedinthemediaasmissing.TheonlyvagueebetweenHarrietaoressonfamilywasthatAnders,whowasaroofer,hadseveralweeksearlierputatiledroofontheschoolwhichHarrietattended.Sotheoreticallytherewasacethattheyhadmet,althoughitmightbesideredextremelyunlikely.
Theremainingthreenumbersledtosimirdeadends.Thenumber32027for“R.L.”hadactuallybeloooneRosmarieLarsson.Unfortunately,shehaddiedseveralyearsearlier.
IorMorelltratedagreatdealofhisattentithewinterof1966–67toexpinwhyHarriethadwrittendownthesenamesandnumbers.
Onepossibilitywasthatthetelephonenumberswerewritteninsomepersonalcode—soMorelltriedtoguesshowateenagegirlwouldthink.Sihirty-twoseriesobviouslypoioHedestad,hesetaboutrearrangingtheremainingthreedigits.her32601or32160ledtoaMagda.AsMorelltinuedhisnumerology,herealisedthatifhepyedaroundwithenoughofthenumbers,sooerhewouldfindsomelinktoHarriet.Forexample,ifheaddedooeachofthethreeremainingdigitsin32016,hegot32127—whichwastheoFrode’soffiHedestad.Butonelinklikethatmeantnothing.Besides,heneverdiscoveredacodethatmadesenseofallfiveofthenumbers.
Morellbroadenedhisinquiry.Couldthedigitsmean,forexample,umberptes,whithesixtiestaihetwo-lettertyregistrationcodeandfivedigits?Anotherdeadend.
Theiorthentratedonthenames.HeobtainedalistofeveryoneiadnamedMari,Magda,orSaraorwhohadtheinitialsR.L.orR.J.Hehadalistof307people.Amongthese,29actuallyhadsomeetoHarriet.Forinstance,aboyfromhercsswasnamedRondJacobsson—R.J.TheyscarcelykneweachotherandhadhadnotaceHarrietstartedpreparatoryschool.Andtherewasnolinktothetelephonenumber.
Themysteryofthenumbersieremainedunsolved.
HerfourthenterwithAdvokatBjurmanwasnotoheirscheduledmeetings.Shewasforaketactwithhim.
InthesedweekofFebruarySander’sptopfellvictimtoahatwassouncalledforthatshefeltadesiretokillsomeone.ShehadriddenherbiketoameetingatMiltonSecurityandparkeditbehindapilrinthegarage.Asshesetherrucksathegroundtoputonthebikelock,adarkredSaabbeganreversingout.Shehadherbackturheardthecragsoundfromherrucksack.Thedriverdidn’tnoticeathingand,unwitting,droveoffuptheexitramp.
TherucksatainedherwhiteApplei600with5-gigharddriveand420megsofRAM,manufacturedinJanuary2002andequippedwith4-inchs.Atthetimesheboughtit,itle’sstate-of-the-artptop.Sander’sputerswereupgradedwiththeverytestandsometimesmostexpensivefigurations—puterequipmentwastheoravagaryonherlistofexpenses.
Whensheopeherucksack,shecouldseethatthelidofherputerwascracked.Shepluggedinthepoterandtriedtobootuptheputer;notevehrattle.ShetookitovertoTimmy’sMacJesusShoponBr?nnkyrkagatan,hopingthatatleastsomethingontheharddrivecouldbesaved.Afterfiddlingwithitforashorttime,Timmyshookhishead.
“Sorry.Nohope,”hesaid.“You’llhaveteanieral.”
Thelossofherputerressingbutnotdisastrous.Sanderhadhadanexcelleionshipwithitduringtheyearshehadow.Shehadbackedupallherdots,andshehadanolderdesktopMacG3athome,aswelsafive-year-oldToshibaPCptopthatshecoulduse.Butshe,modernmae.
Unsurprisinglyshesethersightsoavaiblealternative:theneleP4/1.0GHzinanaluminiumcaseowerPC7451processorwithanAltiVecVelocityEngine,960MBRAManda60GBharddrive.IthadBlueToothandbuilt-indDVDburners.
Bestofall,ithadthefirst17-inchsiopworldwithNVIDIAgraphidaresolutionof1440x900pixels,whichshookthePCadvocatesandoutrankedeverythingelseonthemarket.
Intermsofhardware,itwastheRolls-Royceofportableputers,butwhatreallytriggeredSander’sohaveitwasthesimplefeaturethatthekeyboardwasequippedwithbacklighting,sothatshecouldseethelettersevenifititchdark.Sosimple.Whyhadno-ohoughtofthatbefore?
Itwasloveatfirstsight.
Itcost38,000kronor,plustax.
Thatwastheproblem.
ewhatmay,sheputinherorderatMacJesus.Sheboughtallherputeraessoriesthere,sotheygaveherareasonabledist.Shetalliedupherexpeheinsuranherruierwouldcoodpartoftheprice,butwiththewarrantyandthehigherpriceofhernewacquisition,shewasstill18,000kronorshort.Shehad10,000kronorhiddeninacoffeetinathomebutthatwasall.ShesehoughtstoHerrBjurman,butthehebulletandcalledherguardiantoexpinthatsheneededmoneyforanuedexpense.Bjurmaarysaidthathehadnotimetoseeherthatday.Sanderrepliedthatitwouldtakethemaysedstowriteoutachequefor10,000kronor.Shewastoldtobeathisofficeat7:30thatevening.
Blomkvistmighthavenoexperienceofevaluatingcriminaliigations,buthereedthatIorMorellhadbeeionallystious.WhenBlomkvisthadfihthepolivestigation,MorellstillkeptturningupasapyerinVanger’sowheyhadbeefriends,andBlomkvistwonderedwhetherMorellhadbeenasobsessedasthecaptainofindustrybecame.
Itwasunlikely,inhisview,thatMorellhadmissedanything.Thesolutiontothemysterywasnotgoingtobefoundinthepolicerecords.Everyimaginablequestionhadbeenasked,andallleadsfollowedup,eveseemedabsurdlyfar-fetched.Hehadnotreadeverywordofthereport,butthefurtherintotheiigatio,themoreobscurethesubsequentleadsandtipsbecame.Hewasnotgoingtofindanythingthathisprofessionalpredecessorandhisexperieeamhadmissed,andhewasundecidedroachheshouldadopttotheproblem.Eventuallyitcametohimthattheonlyreasonablypracticalrouteforhimtotakewastotrytofindoutthepsychologicalmotivesoftheindividualsinvolved.
ThefirstquestionhadtodowithHarrietherself.Whowasshe?
FromhiskitwindowBlomkvisthadnoticedalightgoonupstairsinCeciliaVanger’shouseatalittleafter5:00iernoon.Heknockedonherdoorat7:30,justasthenewsbroadcastwasstartingonTV.Sheopehedoordressedihrobe,herhairwetunderayellowtowel.Blomkvistapologisedatoncefordisturbingherandmadetoretreat,butshewavedhimintothelivingroom.Sheturhecoffeemakerandvanishedupstairsforafewminutes.Whenshecamebackdown,shehadputonjeansandacheelshirt.
“Iwasstartingtothinkyouwerenevergoingtocall.”
“Ishouldhaverungfirst,butIsawyhtwasonandcameoveronimpulse.”
“I’veseenthelightsonallnightatyourpdyou’reoftenoutwalkingaftermidnight.You’reanightowl?”
Blomkvistshrugged.“It’sturthatway.”Helookedatseveraltextsstackedontheedgeofthekittable.“Doyoustillteach?”
“No,asheadmistressIdon’thavetime.ButIusedtoteachhistion,andsocialstudies.AndIhaveafewyearsleft.”
“Left?”
Shesmiled.“I’mfifty-six.I’llberetiringsoon.”
“Youdon’tlookadayoverfifty,morelikeinyourforties.”
“Veryfttering.Howoldareyou?”
“Well,overforty,”Blomkvistsaidwithasmile.
“Andyouwerejusttwentytheotherday.Howfastitallgoes.Life,thatis.”
CeciliaVangerservedthecoffeeandaskedifhewashungry.Hesaidthathehadalreadyeaten,whichartlytrue.Hedidnotbotherwithcookingandateonlysandwiches.Buthewasnothungry.
“Thenwhydidyoueover?Isittimetoaskmethosequestions?”
“Tobeho…Ididn’teovertoaskquestions.IthinkIjustwaosayhello.”
Shesmiled.“You’resenteoprison,youmovetoHedeby,cmberthroughallthematerialofHenrik’sfavouritehobby,youdon’tsleepatnightandtakelongnighttimewalkswhenit’sfreezingcold…HaveIleftanythingout?”
“Mylifeisgoingtothedogs.”
“Whowasthatwomanvisitingyouovertheweekend?”
“Erika…She’stheeditorinchiefofMillennium.”
“Yirlfriend?”
“ly.She’smarried.I’mmoreafriendandoasionallover.”
CeciliaVangerhootedwithughter.
“What’ssofunny?”
“Thewayyousaidthat.Oasionallover.Iliketheexpression.”
BlomkvisttookalikingtoCeciliaVanger.
“Icoulduseanoasionallovermyself,”shesaid.
Shekickedoffherslippersandproppedoonhisknee.Blomkvistautomaticallyputhishandonherfootandstrokedtheankle.Hehesitatedforased—hecouldsensehewasgettingintouedwaters.Buttentativelyhestartedmassagingthesoleofherfootwithhisthumb.
“I’mmarriedtoo,”shesaid.
“Iknow.No-osdivortheVanger.”
“Ihaven’tseenmyhusbandiingonfortwentyyears.”
“pened?”
“That’snoneofyourbusiness.Ihaven’thadsexin…hmmm,itmustbethreeyearsnow.”
“Thatsurprisesme.”
“Why?It’samatterofsupplyanddemand.Ihavenoiinaboyfriendoramarriedmanorsomeonelivingwithme.Idobestonmyown.WhoshouldIhavesexwith?Oheteachersatschool?Idon’tthinkso.Ohestudents?Adeliciousstoryfossipingolddies.AndtheykeepaclosewatpeoplecalledVanger.AndhereonHedebyIsndthereareoivesandpeoplealreadymarried.”
Sheleanedforwardandkissedhimontheneck.
“DoIshockyou?”
“No.ButIdon’tknowwhetherthisisagoodidea.Iworkforyouruncle.”
“AndI’mthestonewho’sgoingtotell.Buttobeho,Henrikprobablywouldn’thaveanythingagainstit.”
Shesatastridehimandkissedhimoh.Herhairwasstillwetandfragrantwithshampoo.Hefumbledwiththebuttonsonherfnnelshirtandpulleditdownaroundhershoulders.Shehadnobra.Shepressedagainsthimwhenhekissedherbreasts.
Bjurmancameroundthedesktoshowherthestatementofherbankaount—whichsheknewdowntothest?re,althoughitwasnoloherdisposal.Hestoodbehindher.Suddenlyhewasmassagingthebackofhernedheletonehandslidefromherleftshoulderacrossherbreasts.Heputhishandoverherrightbreastathere.Whenshedidoobject,hesqueezedherbreast.Sanderdidnotmove.Shecouldfeelhisbreathonherneckasshestudiedtheletteropeneronhisdesk;shecouldreachitwithherfreehand.
Butshedidnothing.IftherewasonelessonHolgerPalmgrenhadtaughtherovertheyears,itwasthatimpulsiveasledtotrouble,andtroublecouldhaveunpleasantsequences.Sheneverdidanythingwithoutfirstweighingthesequences.
Theinitialsexuassault—whilegaltermswouldbedefinedassexualmolestationandtheexploitationofanindividualinapositionofdependendcouldintheetBjurmanuptotwoyearsinprison—stedonlyafewseds.Butitwasenoughtoirrevocablycrossaboundary.ForSaythbyanenemyforindicationthatasidefromtheircarefullydefinedlegalretionship,shewasatthemercyofhisdiscretionanddefenceless.Whentheireyesmetafewsedster,hislipswereslightlypartedandshecouldreadthelustonhisface.Sander’sowrayedionsatall.
Bjurmanmovedbacktohissideofthedeskandsatonhisfortableleatherchair.
“I’thandoutmooyouwheneveryoulike,”hesaid.“Whydoyouneedsuexpeer?Thereareplentyofcheapermodelsthatyouuseforpyingputergames.”
“Iwanttohavetrolofmyownmoneylikebefore.”
Bjurmangaveherapityinglook.
“We’llhavetoseehowthingsgo.Firstyouolearntobemoresociableaalongwithpeople.”
Bjurman’ssmilemighthavebeenmoresubduedifhecouldhavereadherthoughtsbehindtheexpressionlesseyes.
“IthinkyouandIaregoingtobegoodfriends,”hesaid.“Wehavetobeabletotrusteachother.”
Whenshedidnotreplyhesaid:“Yrownwomannow,Lisbeth.”
Shenodded.
“ehere,”hesaidandheldouthishand.
Sanderfixedhergazeoeropenerforseveralsedsbeforeshestoodupaovertohim.sequences.Hetookherhandandpressedittohiscrotch.Shecouldfeelhisgenitalsthroughthedarkgabardirousers.
“Ifyou’reome,I’llbeoyou.”
Heputhisotherhandaroundhernedpulledherdowntoherkhherfafrontofhiscrotch.
“You’vedohisbefore,haven’tyou?”hesaidasheloweredhiszip.Hesmelledasifhehadjustwashedhimselfwithsoapandwater.
Saurnedherfaceawayandtriedtogetup,butheheldherinatightgrip.Intermsofphysicalstrength,shewasnomat;sheweighed90poundstohis210.Heheldherheadwithbothhandsandturnedherfacesotheireyesmet.
“Ifyou’reome,I’llbeoyou,”herepeated.“Ifyoumaketrouble,Iputyouawayinaninstitutionfortherestofyourlife.Wouldyoulikethat?”
Shesaidnothing.
“Wouldyoulikethat?”hesaidagain.
Sheshookherhead.
Hewaiteduntilsheloweredhereyes,inwhatheregardedassubmission.Thenhepulledhercloser.Sanderopenedherlipsandtookhiminhermouth.Hekepthisgriponhernedpulledherfiercelytowardshim.Shefeltlikegaggingthewholetenmiooktobumpandgrind;whenfinallyhecame,hewasholdiightshecouldhardlybreathe.
Heshowedherthebathroominhisoffice.Sanderwasshakingalloverasshewipedherfadtriedtoruboffthespotsonhersweater.Shechewedsomeofhistoothpastetogetridofthetaste.Whebacktohisoffice,hewassittingimpassivelybehindhisdesk,studyingsomepapers.
“Sitdown,Lisbeth,”hetoldherwithoutlookingup.Shesatdown.Finallyhelookedatherandsmiled.
“Yrown-upnow,aren’tyou,Lisbeth?”
Shenodded.
“Thenyoualsoobeabletopygrown-upgames,”hesaid.Heusedatoneofvoiceasifhewerespeakingtoachild.Shedidnotreply.Asmallfroearedonhisbrow.
“Idon’tthinkitwouldbeagoodideaforyoutotelnyoneaboutames.Thinkaboutit—whowouldbelieveyou?Therearedotsstatingthatyou’renonposmentis.Itwouldbeyourwainstmine.Whoseworddoyouthinkwouldcarrymoreweight?”
Hesighedwhenstillshedidnotspeak.Hewasahewayshejustsatthereinsilence,lookingathim—buthetrolledhimself.
“We’regoingtobegoodfriends,youandI,”hesaid.“Ithinkyouweresmarttoeaoday.Youalwaysetome.”
“Ineed10,000kronorformyputer,”shesaid,precisely,asifsheweretinuingtheversationtheywerehavingbeforetheinterruption.
Bjurmanraisedhiseyebrows.Hard-ch.Shereallyisfugretarded.Hehandedherthechequehehadwrittenwhenshewasihroom.Thisisbetterthanawhore.Shegetspaidwithherownmoney.Hegaveheranarrogantsmile.Saookthechequea.
CHAPTER12
Wednesday,February19
IfSanderhadbeenanordinarycitizen,shewouldmostlikelyhavecalledthepolidreportedtherapeassoonassheleftAdvokatBjurman’soffice.Thebruisesonherneck,aswelstheDNAsignatureofhissemenstainingherbodyandclothing,wouldhavenailedhim.Evenifthewyerhadcimedthatshewaodoitorsheseducedmeoranyotherexcusethatrapistsroutinelyused,hewouldhavebeenguiltyofsomanybreachesoftheguardianshipregutionsthathewouldinstantlyhavebeenstrippedofhistroloverher.AreportwouldhavepresumablyresultedinSanderbeinggivenaproperwyer,someonewell-versedinassaultsonwomen,whiturnmighthaveledtoadiscussionoftheveryheartoftheproblem—meaningthereasonshehadbeendecredlegallyi.
Since1989,theterm“legallyi”hasnolongerbeenappliedtoadults.
Therearetwolevelsofsocialrote—trusteeshipandguardianship.
Atrusteestepsintooffervoluntaryhelpforindividualswho,forvariousreasons,haveproblemsmanagingtheirdailylives,payingtheirbills,ortakingpropercareoftheirhygiehepersonwhoisappointedasatrusteeisofteiveorclosefriend.Ifthereisno-oneclosetothepersoniion,thewelfareauthoritiesappointatrustee.Trusteeshipisamildfuardianship,inwhichthet—thepersondecredi—stillhastroloverhisorherassetsanddecisionsaremadeinsultationwiththetrustee.
Guardianshipisastricterformoftrol,inwhichthetisrelievedoftheauthoritytohandlehisorherowomakedecisiardingvariousmatters.Theexactwstatesthattheguardianshalltakeoverallofthet’slegalpowers.InSwedenapproximately4,000peopleareunderguardianship.Themostmonreasuardianshipismentalillnessormentalillnessinjunwithheavyabuseofalcohs.Asmallergroupincludesthosesufferingfromdementia.Manyoftheindividualsunderguardianshipareretivelyyoung—thirty-fiveorless.OhemwasLisbethSander.
Takingaerson’strolofherownlife—meaningherbankaount—isohegreatestinfrisademocraimpose,especiallywhenitappliestoyoungpeople.Itisaninfrieveniftheimaybeperceivedasbenignandsociallyvalid.Questionsofguardianshiparethereforepotentiallysensitivepoliticalissues,aectedbyrigorutionsandtrolledbytheGuardianshipAgency.Thisagencyesuhetyadministrativeboardandistrolled,inturn,bytheParliamentaryOmbudsman.
ForthemostparttheGuardianshipAgencycarriesoutitsactivitiesunderdifficultditions.Butsideringthesensitiveissueshaheauthorities,remarkablyfewpintsorsdalsareeverreportedinthemedia.
Oasionallytherearereportsthatchargeshavebeenbroughtagainstsometrusteeuardianwhohasmisappropriatedfundsorsoldhist’sco-opapartmentandstuffedtheproceedsintohisownpockets.Thatthosecasesareretivelyraremaybetheresultoftwothings:theauthoritiesarecarryingouttheirjobsinasatisfaanner,orthetshavenoopportunitytopinandinacrediblewaymakethemselvesheardbythemediaorbytheauthorities.
TheGuardianshipAgencyisboundtoduannualreviewtoseewhetheranycauseexistsforrevokingaguardianship.Sinderpersistedinherrefusaltosubmittopsychiatricexamination—shewouldnotevenexgeapolite“go”withherteachers—theauthoritieshadneverfoundanyreasontoaltertheirdecision.sequently,asituationofstatusquohadresulted,andsoyearafteryearshewasretainedunderguardianship.
Thewofthewstates,however,thattheditionsofaguardianship“shallbeadaptedtoeadividualcase.”PalmgrenhadinterpretedthistomeanthatSandercouldtakechargeofherownmoneyandherownlife.Hehadmeticulouslyfulfilledtherequirementsoftheauthoritiesandsubmittedamonthlyreportaswelsanannualreview.InallotherrespectshehadtreatedSanderlikeanyothernormalbeing,andhehadnotinterferedwithherchoiceoflifestyleorfriends.Hedidnotthinkitwaseitherhisbusinessorthatofsocietytodecidewhethertheyoungdyshouldhavearinginherattooonherhisratherstubbornattitudevis-à-visthedistrictcourtwasohereasonswhytheyhadgotalongsowell.
AslongasPalmgrenwasherguardian,Sanderhadnotpaidmuchattentiontalstatus.
Sanderwasnotlikeanynormalperson.Shehadarudimentaryknowledgeofthew—itwasasubjectshehadneverhadoasiontoexplore—andherfaithinthepolicewasgenerallyexiguous.Forherthepolicewereahostileforcewhoovertheyearshadputherunderarrestorhumiliatedher.ThestdealingshehadhadwiththepolicewasinMayofthepreviousyearwhenshewaswalkingpastG?tgatanonherwaytoMiltonSecurity.Shesuddenlyfoundherselffagavisor-cdriotpoliceofficer.Withouttheslightestprovocationonherpart,hehadstruckherontheshoulderswithhisbaton.Herspontaneousreawastounchafierceterattack,usingaCoca-Cobottlethatshehadinherhand.Theofficerturnedonhisheendranoffbeforeshecouldinjurehim.Onlyterdidshefindoutthat“RecimtheStreets”washoldingademonstrationfartherdowntheroad.
Visitingtheofficesofthosevisor-cdbrutestofilearepainstNilsBjurmanforsexuassaultdidnotevencrosshermind.Andbesides—whatwasshesupposedtoreport?Bjurmanhadtouchedherbreasts.Anyofficerwouldtakeonelookatherandcludethatwithherminiatureboobs,thatwashighlyunlikely.Andifithadactuallyhappened,sheshouldbeproudthatsomeonehadevenbothered.Aaboutsughisdick—itwas,ashehadwarnedher,herwainsthis,andgenerallyinherexperiehewordsofotherpeopleweighedmoreheavilythahepolicewerenotanoption.
SheleftBjurman’soffidwenthome,tookashower,atetwosandwicheswithcheeseandpickles,aontheworn-outsofainthelivingroomtothink.
Anordinarypersonmighthavefeltthatherckofreahadshiftedthebmetoher—itmighthavebeenannthatshewassoabnormalthatevenrapecouldevokeeemotionalresponse.
Hercircleofacquaintanceswasne,nordidittainanymembersoftheshelteredmiddlecssfromthesuburbs.Bythetimeshewaseighteen,Sanderdidnotknowasinglegirlwhoatsomepointhadnotbeenforcedtoperformsomesortofsexuactagainstherwill.Mostoftheseassaultsinvolvedslightlyolderboyfriendswho,usiainamountofforce,madesurethattheyhadtheirway.AsfarasSanderkheseishadledtandangryoutbursts,butoapolicereport.
Inherworld,thiswasthenaturalorderofthings.Asagirlshewaslegalprey,especiallyifshewasdressedinawornbckleatherjacketandhadpiercedeyebrows,tattoos,andzerosocialstatus.
Thereointwhimperingaboutit.
Oherhand,therewasionofAdvokatBjurmangoingunpunished.Sanderaninjustidbynatureshewasanythingbutfiving.
Butherlegalstatuswasdifficult.Foraslongasshecouldremember,shewasregardedasingandunjustifiablyviolent.Thefirstreportsinhercasecamefromthefilesoftheschoolnursefromelementaryschool.Sanderhadbeehomebecauseshehitacssmateandshovedhimagainstacoatpeganddrewblood.ShestillrememberedhervictimwithannoyanhtboybythenameofDavidGustavssonwhousedtoteaseherandthrowthingsather;hewouldgrowuptobeanarchbully.Inthosedaysshedidnotknowwhattheword“harassme,butwhenshecametoschooltheday,theboyhadthreatenedrevenge.Soshehaddeckedhimwitharightjabfortifiedwithagolfball—whichledtomorebloodshedaryinhercase.
Therulesforsocialiioninschoolhadalwaysbaffledher.Shemindedherownbusinessanddidnotinterferewithwhatanyonearoundherdid.Yettherewasalwayssomeonewhoabsolutelywouldnotleaveherinpeace.
Inmiddleschoolshehadseveraltimesbeehomeaftergettingintoviolentfightswithcssmates.Muchstrongerboysinhercsssoonlearhatitcouldbequiteunpleasanttofightwiththatskinnygirl.Uheirlsinthecss,sheneverbackeddown,andshewouldnotforasedhesitatetouseherfistsoranyonathandtoprotectherself.Shewentaroundwiththeattitudethatshewouldratherbebeatehantakeanyshit.
Andshealwaysgotrevenge.
Sanderoncefoundherselfinafightwithamuchbiggerandstrongerboy.Shewasnomatphysically.Atfirstheamusedhimselfshovihegroundseveraltimes,thenhesppedherwheriedtofightback.Butnothingdidanygood;nomatterhowmuchstrongerhewas,thestupidgirlkeptattaghim,andafterawhileevenhiscssmatesbegantorealisethatthingshadgooofar.Shewassoobviouslydefeainfultowatch.Finallytheboypunchedherintheface;itsplitopenherlipandmadeherseestars.Theyleftheronthegroundbehindthegyhemofthethirddayshewaitedforhertormentorwithabaseballbat,andshewhackedhimovertheearwithit.Forthatprankshewassenttoseetheheadteacher,whodecidedtoreporthertothepoliceforassault,whichresultedinaspecialwelfareiigation.
Hercssmatesthoughtshewascrazyaedheraly.Shealsoarousedverylittlesympathyamoeachers.Shehadneverbeenparticurlytalkative,andshebecameknownasthepupilwhoneverraisedherhandandoftendidnotanswerwhenateacheraskedheradirectquestion.No-onewassurewhetherthiswasbecauseshedidnotknowtheansweroriftherewassomeotherreason,whichwasreflectedinhergrades.Nodoubtthatshehadproblems,butno-oedtotakeresponsibilityforthedifficultgirl,eventhoughshewasfrequentlydiscussedatvariousteachers’meetings.Thatwaswhysheendedupiuatioheteachersignoredherandallowedhertositinsullensilence.
Sheleftmiddlesovedtoanother,withouthavingasinglefriendtosaygoodbyeto.Anunlovedgirlwithoddbehaviour.
Then,asshewasohresholdofherteenageyears,AllTheEvilhappened,whichshedidnotwanttothinkabout.Thestoutburstsetthepatternandpromptedareviewofthecaseentriesfromelementaryschool.Afterthatshewassideredtobelegally…well,crazy.Afreak.Sanderhadneverneededanydotstoknowthatshewasdifferent.ButitwasnotsomethingthatbotheredherforaslongasherguardianwasHolgerPalmgren;iftheneedarose,shecouldhimaroutlefinger.
WiththeappearanilsBjurman,thedecrationofihreateobeeatroublesomeburdeninherlife.Nomatterwhosheturo,pitfallswouldopenup;andwhatwouldhappenifshelostthebattle?Wouldshebeinstitutionalised?Lockedup?Therewasreallynooption.
Laterthatnight,whenCeciliaVangerandBlomkvistwerelyingpeacefullywiththeirlegsiwinedandCecilia’sbreastsrestingagainsthisside,shelookedupathim.
“Thankyou.It’sbeenalongtime.Andyou’renotbad.”
Hesmiled.Thatsortofftterywasalwayschildishlysatisfying.
“Itwasued,butIhadfun.”
“I’dbehappytodoitagain,”Ceciliasaid.“Ifyoufeellikeit.”
Helookedather.
“Youdohatyou’dliketohavealover,doyou?”
“Anoasionallover,”Ceciliasaid.“ButI’dlikeyoutogohomebeforeyoufalsleep.Idon’twanttotomorrandfindyouherebeforeImaodomyexercisesandfixmyfaditwouldbegoodifyoudidhewholevilgewhatwe’vebeenupto.”
“Wouldn’tthinkofit,”Blomkvistsaid.
“MostofallIdon’twantIsabeltoknow.She’ssuchabitch.”
“Andyourclosestneighbour…I’vemether.”
“Yes,butluckilyshe’tseemyfrontdoorfromherhouse.Mikael,pleasebediscreet.”
“I’llbediscreet.”
“Thankyou.Doyoudrink?”
“Sometimes.”
“I’vegotacravingforsomethingfruitywithgininit.Wantsome?”
“Sure.”
Sheedasheetaroundherselfadownstairs.Blomkvistwasstandingnaked,lookingathershelveswheurhacarafeoficedwaterandtwogssesofginandlime.Theydrankatoast.
“Whydidyoueoverhere?”sheasked.
“Nospecialreason.Ijust…”
“Youweresittingathome,readingthroughHenrik’siigation.Andthenyoucameoverhere.Apersoobesuperintelligenttoknowwhatyou’rebroodingabout.”
“Haveyoureadtheiigation?”
“Partsofit.I’velivedmyentireadultlifewithit.You’tspendtimewithHenrikwithoutbeingaffectedbythemysteryofHarriet.”
“It’sactuallyafasatingcase.WhatIbelieveisknowniradeasalocked-roommystery,onanisnd.Andnothingintheiigatioofollownormallogic.Everyquestionremainsunanswered,everyclueleadstoadeadend.”
“It’sthekindofthingpeoplegetobsessedabout.”
“Youwereontheisndthatday.”
“Yes.Iwashere,andIwithewholemotion.IwaslivinginStoatthetime,studying.IwishIhadstayedathomethatweekend.”
“Whatwasshereallylike?Peopleseemtohavepletelydifferentviewsofher.”
“Isthisofftherecordor…?”
“It’sofftherecord.”
“Ihaven’ttheleastideawhatwasgoingoninsideHarriet’shead.You’rethinkingofherstyear,ofcourse.Onedayshewasareligiouscrackpot.Thedaysheputonmake-uplikeawhoreaoschoolweariightestsweatershepossessed.Obviouslyshewasseriouslyunhappy.But,asIsaid,Iwasn’thereandjustpickedupthegossip.”
“Whattriggeredtheproblems?”
“GottfriedandIsabel,obviously.Theirmarriagewastotallyhaywire.Theyeitherpartiedortheyfought.Nothingphysical—Gottfriedwasn’tthetypetohitanyone,andhewasalmostafraidofIsabel.Shehadahorrendoustemper.Sometimeintheearlysixtieshemovedmoreorlesspermalytohis,whereIsabelfoot.Therewereperiodswhenhewouldturnupinthevilge,lookinglikeavagrant.Andthenhe’dsoberupanddresslyagainandtrytotendtohisjob.”
“Wasn’tthereanyonewhowaohelpHarriet?”
“Henrik,ofcourse.Intheendshemovedintohishouse.Butdohathereoupiedpyingtheroleofthebigindustrialist.Hewasusuallyofftravellingsomewhereanddidn’thavealotoftimetospendwithHarrietandMartin.ImissedalotofthisbecauseIwasinUppsaandtheninSto—aellyou,Ididn’thaveaneasychildhoodmyselfwithHaraldasmyfather.InhindsightI’verealisedthattheproblemwasthatHarrietneverfidedinanyone.Shetriedhardtokeepupappearandpretendthattheywereonebighappyfamily.”
“Denial.”
“Yes.Butshegedwheherdrowned.ShecouldnolongerpretendthateverythingwasOK.Upuntilthenshewas…Idon’tknowhowtoexpiremelygiftedandprecocious,butonthewholearatherordinaryteenager.Duriyearshewasstillbrilliaingtopmarksineveryexamandsoon,butitseemedasifshedidn’thaveanysoul.”
“Howdidherfatherdrown?”
“Iprosaicossible.Hefelloutofarowingbhtbelowhis.Hehadhistrousersopenaremelyhighalcoholtentinhisblood,soyoujustimaginehoened.Martinwastheonewhofoundhim.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.”
“It’sfunny.Martinhasturtobeareallyfineperson.Ifyouhadaskedmethirty-fiveyearsago,Iwouldhavesaidthathewastheohefamilywhoneededpsychiatriare.”
“Whyso?”
“Harrietwasn’ttheonlyonewhosufferedilleffectsfromthesituation.FormanyyearsMartinwassoquietandintrovertedthathewaseffectivelyantisocial.Bothchildrenhadaroughtimeofit.Imean,wealldid.Ihadmyownproblemswithmyfather—Iassumeyourealisethathe’sstarkravingmad.Mysister,Anita,hadthesameproblem,asdidAlexander,mycousin.ItwastoughbeingyoungintheVangerfamily.”
“peoyoursister?”
“ShelivesinLondothereintheseveoworkinaSwedishtravegendshestayed.Shemarriedsomeone,neverevenintroducedhimtothefamily,andanontheyseparated.Todayshe’saseniormanagerofBritishAirways.Sheaalongfiwearenotmutadonlyseeeachothereveryotheryearorso.SheoHedestad.”
“Whynot?”
“Aniher.Isn’tthatexpnationenough?”
“Butyoustayed.”
“Idid.AlongwithBirger,mybrother.”
“Thepoliti.”
“Areyoumakingfunofme?BirgerisolderthanAnitaandme.We’veneverbeenveryclose.Inhisowneyeshe’safantasticallyimportantpolitiwithafutureinParliamentandmaybeministerialrank,iftheservativesshouldwin.Inpointoffacthe’samoderatelytalentedlocalcillorieerofSweden,whichwillprobablybeboththehighpointandthewholeextentofhiscareer.”
“OhingthatticklesmeabouttheVangerfamilyisthatyouallhavesuchlowopinionsofeachother.”
“That’snotreallytrue.I’mveryfondofMartinandHenrik.AndIalwaysgotonwellwithmysister,forallthatweseldomseeeachother.IdetestIsabeland’tabideAlexander.AndIneverspeaktomyfather.Sothat’saboutfifty-fiftyinthefamily.Birgeris…well,moreofapompousfatheadthanabadperson.ButIseewhatyoumean.Lookatitthisway:ifyou’reamemberoftheVangerfamily,youlearnearlyontospeakyourmind.Wedosaywhatwethink.”
“Ohyes,I’venoticedthatyouallgetstraighttothepoint.”Blomkviststretchedouthishandtotouchherbreast.“Iwasn’therefifteenminutesbeforeyouattackedme.”
“Tobeho,I’vebeenwhowyouwouldbeinbedeversinceIfirstsawyou.Anditfeltrighttotryitout.”
ForthefirsttimeinherlifeSanderfeltastrooasksomeoneforadvice.Theproblemwasthataskingforadvicemeantthatshewouldhavetofideinsomeone,whiturnwouldmeanrevealinghersecrets.Whoshouldshetell?Shewassimplynoodatestablishingtactwithotherpeople.
Aftergoingthroughheraddressinhermind,shehad,strictlyspeaking,tenpeoplewhomightbesideredhercircleofacquaintances.
ShecouldtalktoPgue,whowasmoreorlessasteadypresenherlife.Buthewasdefinitelynotafriend,ahestpersohwhowouldbeabletohelpsolveherproblem.Notanoption.
Sander’ssexlifewasn’tquiteasmodestasshehadledAdvokatBjurmantobelieve.Oherhand,sexhadalwaysourredonherditionsandatherinitiative.Shehadhadoverfiftypartnerssiheageoffifteen.Thattraoapproximatelyfivepartnersperyear,whichwasOKforasinglegirlwhohadetardsexasanenjoyablepastime.Butshehadhadmostofthesecasualpartnersduringatwo-yearperiod.Thosewerethetumultuousyearsieenswhensheshouldhaveeofage.
TherewasatimewhenSanderhadstoodatacrossroadsanddidnotreallyhavetroloverherownlife—wheurecouldhavetakentheformofanotherseriesofcaseentriesabs,alcohol,andcustodyinvariousinstitutions.AftersheturwentyandstartedwatMiltonSecurity,shehadcalmeddoreciablyand—shethought—hadgotagriponherlife.
Shenolongerfelttheopleaseanyonewhoboughtherthreebeersinapub,andshedidnotexperieheslightestdegreeofself-fulfilmentbygoinghomewithsomedrunkwhosenameshecouldnotremember.Duriyearshehadhadonlyursexpartner—hardlypromiscuous,ashercaseentriesdurieenshaddesignatedher.
Forher,sexhadmostoftehoneofaloosegroupoffriends;shewasnotreallyamember,butshetedbecauseshekneworéherteteePalmgren’sinsistence,shewastryingtogettheschoolcertificateshehadfailedtopleteatKomvux.Cilhadplum-redhairstreakedwithbck,bckleathertrousers,aringinhernose,andasmanyrivetsonherbeltasSaheyhadgredsuspiciouslyateachotherduringthefirstcss.
ForsomereasonSanderdidnotuand,theyhadstartedhangingouttogether.Sanderwasnottheeasiestpersontobefriendswith,andespeciallynthoseyears,butCilignoredhersilendtookheralongtothebar.ThroughCil,shehadbeeamemberof“EvilFingers,”whichhadstartedasasuburbanbandsistingoffourteenagegirlsinEnskedewhowereintohardrock.Teer,theywereagroupoffriendswhometatKvaruesdaynightstotalktrashaboutboysanddiscussfeminism,thepentagram,musidpoliticswhiletheydrankrgequantitiesofbeer.Theyalsoliveduptotheirname.
Sanderfoundherselfonthefrihegroupandrarelytributedtothetalk,butshetedforwhoshewas.Shecouldeandgoasshepleasedandwasallowedtositinsilenceoverherbeerallevening.ShewasalsoiobirthdaypartiesandChristmasgl?ggcelebrations,thoughsheusuallydidn’tgo.
Duringthefiveyearsshehungoutwith“EvilFingers,”thegirlsbegantoge.Theirhaircolourbecamelessextreme,ahingcamemoreoftenfromtheH&MboutiquesratherthanfromfunkyMyrorna.Theystudiedorworked,ahegirlsbecameamother.Sanderfeltasifsheweretheonlyonewhohadnotgedabit,whichcouldalsobeinterpretedasthatshewassimplymarkingtimeandgoingnowhere.
Buttheystillhadfun.Iftherewasonepcewhereshefeltanysroupsolidarity,itwasinthepanyofthe“EvilFingers”and,byextension,withtheguyswhowerefriendswiththegirls.
“EvilFingers”wouldlisten.Theywouldalsostandupforher.ButtheyhadnocluethatSanderhadadistrictcourtorderdeghernonposmentis.Shedidn’twaobeeyeihewrongway,too.Notanoption.
Apartfromthat,shedidnothaveasingleex-cssmateinheraddress.Shehadnoworkorsupprouporpoliticaltactsofanykind.Sowhocouldsheturntoandtelboutherproblems?
Theremightbeoneperson.ShedeliberatedforalongtimeaboutwhethersheshouldfideinDraganArmansky.Hehadtoldherthatifsheneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldatetoetohim.Andshewassurethathemeantit.
Armanskyhadgropedheroimetoo,butithadbeenafriendlygroping,noilliions,andnotademonstrationofpower.Buttoaskhimforhelpwentagainstthegrain.Hewasherboss,anditwouldputherinhisdebt.SaoyedwiththeideaofhowherlifewouldtakeshapeifArmanskywereherguardianinsteadofBjurman.Shesmiled.Theideawasnotunpleasant,butArmanskymighttaketheassigsoseriouslythathewouldsmotherherwithattention.Thatwas…well,possiblyanoption.
Eventhoughsheareofwhatawomen’scrisistrewasfor,itneverourredtohertoturntooneherself.Crisistresexisted,inhereyes,forvictims,andshehadneverregardedherselfasavictim.sequently,heronlyremainingoptionwastodowhatshehadalwaysdoakemattersinherownhandsandsolveherproblemsonherown.Thatwasdefinitelyanoption.
AnditdidnotbodewellforHerrAdvokatNilsBjurman.
CHAPTER13
Thursday,February20–Friday,March7
DuriweekofFebruarySaedasherow,withBjurman,N.,born1950,asahigh-priorityspecialproject.Sheworkedalmostsixteenhourseverydaydoingamorethhpersonaliigationthanshehadeverdonebefore.Shemadeuseofallthearchivesandpublientsshecouldyherhandson.Sheiigatedhiscircleofretivesandfriends.Shelookedathisfinandmappedouteverydetailofhisupbringingandcareer.
Theresultswerediscing.
Hewasawyer,memberoftheBarAssociation,andauthorofarespectablylong-wiexceptionallytediousdissertationonfinancedvokatBjurmanhadneverbeensured.OnonlyoneoasionwashereportedtotheBarAssociation—hewasausednearlytenyearsagoofbeingthemiddlemaninahe-tablepropertydeal,buthehadbeeoprovehisinnoce.Hisfinanceswereingoodorder;Bjurmanwaswell-to-do,withatleast10millionkronoris.Hepaidmoretaxesthanheowed,wasamemberofGreenpeadAmyIional,andhedonatedmoheHeartandLungAssociation.Hehadrarelyappearedinthemassmedia,althoughonseveraloasionshehadsignedhisopublicappeal
“IsChristerinagreement?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
“WhyintheworldshouldIdiscussitwithyou?Ynedaspublisher,youlefttheeditorialstaffandtheboard,andyouwenttoliveinthewoods.”
“SoIdeservetobetreatedlikeanidiot.”
“Ohyes,”shesaid.“Decidedlyyoudo.”
“Youreallyhavebeenmadatme.”
“Mikael,I’veneverfeltsofurious,soabandoned,andsobetrayedaswhenyouleft.I’veneverbeenthisupsetwithyoubefore.”Shetookafirmgriponhishairandthenshovedhimfartherdowninthebed.
BythetimeBergerleftHedebyonSunday,BlomkvistwasstillsoahVahathedidnotwanttoriskrunningiherhimoranyothermemberofhisstead,onMondayhetookthebusiadaheafternoonwalkingiown,visitingthelibrary,anddrinkingcoffeeinabakery.IntheevenitotheematoseeTheLordoftheRings,whichhehadneverbeforehadtimetosee.Hethoughtthatorlikehumanbeings,weresimpleandunplicatedcreatures.
HeendedhisoutingatMald’siadandcaughtthestbustoHedeby.Hemadecoffee,tookoutabinder,andsatatthekittable.Hereaduntil4:00inthem.
TherewereanumberofquestiardingtheiigationthatseemedincreasinglyoddthefurtherBlomkvistwentthroughthedots.Theywerenotrevolutionarydiscoveriesthathemadeallonhisown;theywereproblemsthathadpreoupiedIorMorellfperiods,especiallyinhisfreetime.
Duriyearofherlife,Harriethadged.Insomewaysthisgecouldbeexpihegethateveryohroughinoneformoranotherdurieenageyears.Harrietwasgrowingup.Cssmates,teachers,andseveralmembersofthefamily,however,alltestifiedthatshehadturnedinonherselfandbeeunmunicative.
Thegirlwho,twoyearsearlier,wasalivelyteenagerhadbeguntodistanceherselffromeveryonearoundher.Inschoolshestillspenttimewithherfriends,butnowshebehavedinan“impersonal”manner,asoneofherfriendsdescribedit.ThiswordwasunusualenoughforMorelltohavemadeaandthenaskmorequestions.TheexpnatiowasthatHarriethadstoppedtalkingaboutherself,stoppedgossiping,andstoppedfidinginherfriends.
HarrietVangerhadbeenaChristian,inachild’sseheword—attendingSundayschool,sayingeveningprayers,andbeingfirmed.Iyearsheseemedtohavebeeyetmious.ShereadtheBiblearegurlytochurch.ButshehadnotturoHedebyIsnd’spastor,OttoFalk,whowasafriendoftheVangerfamily.Instead,duringthespringshehadsoughtoutaPealgregatioad.Yetherinvolvementiecostalchurchdidnotstlong.AfteronlytwomonthssheleftthegregationandinsteadbeganreadingsabouttheCatholicfaith.
Thereligiousinfatuationofateenager?Perhaps,butno-oneelseintheVangerfamilyhadeverbeennoticeablyreligious,anditwasdifficulttodisulsesmayhaveguidedher.OneexpnationforheriinGodcould,ofcourse,havebeenthatherfatherhaddrowhepreviousyear.MorellcametotheclusionthatsomethinghadhappenedinHarriet’slifethatwastroublingheroraffegher.Morell,likeVanger,haddevotedagreatdealoftimetotalkingtoHarriet’sfriends,tryingtofindsomeoneinwhomshemighthavefided.
SomemeasureofhopeinnedonAnitaVawoyearsolderthanHarrietandthedaughterofHarald.Shehadspentthesummerof1966onHedebyIsndandtheywerethoughttobeclosefriends.ButAnitahadnosolidrmationtooffer.Theyhadhungouttogetherthatsummer,swimming,takingwalks,talkingaboutmovies,popbands,ands.HarriethadsometimesgohAnitawheookdrivinglessons.Oheyhadgothappilydrunkonabottleofwiheystolefromthehouse.ForseveralweeksthetwoofthemhadalsostayedatGottfried’sontheverytipoftheisnd.
ThequestionsaboutHarriet’sprivatethoughtsandfeelingsremainedunanswered.ButBlomkvistdidmakeanoteofadiscrepanthereport:thermationaboutherunmunicativeframeofmindcamechieflyfromhercssmates,andtoacertaifromthefamily.AnitaVangerhadnotthoughtofherasbeingintrovertedatall.HemadeaodiscussthismatterwithVasomepoint.
Amorecretequestion,towhichMorellhaddevotedmuchmoreattention,risingpageinHarriet’sdate,abeautifulboundshehadbeengivenasaChristmaspresenttheyearbeforeshedisappeared.Thefirsthalfofthedatewasaday-by-daydarinwhichHarriethadlistedmeetings,thedatesofexamsatschool,herhomework,andsooealsohadargeseforadiary,butHarrietusedthediaryonlysporadically.ShebeganambitiouslyenoughinJanuarywithmanybriefentriesaboutpeopleshehadmetovertheChristmasholidaysandseveraboutfilmsshehadseen.Afterthatshewrotenothingpersonaluntiltheendoftheschoolyearwhensheapparently—dependingonhowtheentrieswereinterpreted—becameiedfromadistansomenever-namedboy.
Thepagesthatlistedtelephonenumbersweretheohatheldtherealmystery.ly,inalphabeticalorder,werethenamesandnumbersoffamilymembers,cssmates,certainteachers,severalmembersofthePealgregation,andothereasilyidentifiableindividualsinhercircleofacquaintances.Ontheverystpageoftheaddress,whichwasbnkandnotreallypartofthealphabeticalse,therewerefivenamesandtelephonehreefemalenamesandtwosetsofinitials:
Magda—32016
Sara—32109
R.J.—30112
R.L.—32027
Mari—32018
Thetelephonehatbeganwith32wereHedestadnumbersiies.Theonebeginningwith30wasaNorrbynnumber,notfarfromHedestad.TheproblemwasthatwhenMorelltactedeveryoneofHarriet’sfriendsandacquaintano-onehadanyideawhoseheywere.
Thefirstnumberbelongingto“Magda”initiallyseemedpromising.ItledtoahaberdasheryatParkgatan12.ThetelephonewasinthenameofoneMargotLundmark,whosemother’snamewasactuallyMagda;shesometimeshelpedoutiore.ButMagdawassixty-nineyearsoldandhadnoideawhoHarrietVangerwas.NorwasthereanyevideHarriethadevervisitedtheshhtanythingthere.Shewasn’tiedinsewing.
Theseumberfor“Sara”belooafamilybytheoresson,wholivedinV?ststan,ohersideofthetracks.ThefamilyincludedAndersandMonidtheirchildren,Jonasaer,whoatthetimewerepre-schooge.TherewasnoSarainthefamily,nordidtheyknowofHarrietVaherthanthatshehadbeeedinthemediaasmissing.TheonlyvagueebetweenHarrietaoressonfamilywasthatAnders,whowasaroofer,hadseveralweeksearlierputatiledroofontheschoolwhichHarrietattended.Sotheoreticallytherewasacethattheyhadmet,althoughitmightbesideredextremelyunlikely.
Theremainingthreenumbersledtosimirdeadends.Thenumber32027for“R.L.”hadactuallybeloooneRosmarieLarsson.Unfortunately,shehaddiedseveralyearsearlier.
IorMorelltratedagreatdealofhisattentithewinterof1966–67toexpinwhyHarriethadwrittendownthesenamesandnumbers.
Onepossibilitywasthatthetelephonenumberswerewritteninsomepersonalcode—soMorelltriedtoguesshowateenagegirlwouldthink.Sihirty-twoseriesobviouslypoioHedestad,hesetaboutrearrangingtheremainingthreedigits.her32601or32160ledtoaMagda.AsMorelltinuedhisnumerology,herealisedthatifhepyedaroundwithenoughofthenumbers,sooerhewouldfindsomelinktoHarriet.Forexample,ifheaddedooeachofthethreeremainingdigitsin32016,hegot32127—whichwastheoFrode’soffiHedestad.Butonelinklikethatmeantnothing.Besides,heneverdiscoveredacodethatmadesenseofallfiveofthenumbers.
Morellbroadenedhisinquiry.Couldthedigitsmean,forexample,umberptes,whithesixtiestaihetwo-lettertyregistrationcodeandfivedigits?Anotherdeadend.
Theiorthentratedonthenames.HeobtainedalistofeveryoneiadnamedMari,Magda,orSaraorwhohadtheinitialsR.L.orR.J.Hehadalistof307people.Amongthese,29actuallyhadsomeetoHarriet.Forinstance,aboyfromhercsswasnamedRondJacobsson—R.J.TheyscarcelykneweachotherandhadhadnotaceHarrietstartedpreparatoryschool.Andtherewasnolinktothetelephonenumber.
Themysteryofthenumbersieremainedunsolved.
HerfourthenterwithAdvokatBjurmanwasnotoheirscheduledmeetings.Shewasforaketactwithhim.
InthesedweekofFebruarySander’sptopfellvictimtoahatwassouncalledforthatshefeltadesiretokillsomeone.ShehadriddenherbiketoameetingatMiltonSecurityandparkeditbehindapilrinthegarage.Asshesetherrucksathegroundtoputonthebikelock,adarkredSaabbeganreversingout.Shehadherbackturheardthecragsoundfromherrucksack.Thedriverdidn’tnoticeathingand,unwitting,droveoffuptheexitramp.
TherucksatainedherwhiteApplei600with5-gigharddriveand420megsofRAM,manufacturedinJanuary2002andequippedwith4-inchs.Atthetimesheboughtit,itle’sstate-of-the-artptop.Sander’sputerswereupgradedwiththeverytestandsometimesmostexpensivefigurations—puterequipmentwastheoravagaryonherlistofexpenses.
Whensheopeherucksack,shecouldseethatthelidofherputerwascracked.Shepluggedinthepoterandtriedtobootuptheputer;notevehrattle.ShetookitovertoTimmy’sMacJesusShoponBr?nnkyrkagatan,hopingthatatleastsomethingontheharddrivecouldbesaved.Afterfiddlingwithitforashorttime,Timmyshookhishead.
“Sorry.Nohope,”hesaid.“You’llhaveteanieral.”
Thelossofherputerressingbutnotdisastrous.Sanderhadhadanexcelleionshipwithitduringtheyearshehadow.Shehadbackedupallherdots,andshehadanolderdesktopMacG3athome,aswelsafive-year-oldToshibaPCptopthatshecoulduse.Butshe,modernmae.
Unsurprisinglyshesethersightsoavaiblealternative:theneleP4/1.0GHzinanaluminiumcaseowerPC7451processorwithanAltiVecVelocityEngine,960MBRAManda60GBharddrive.IthadBlueToothandbuilt-indDVDburners.
Bestofall,ithadthefirst17-inchsiopworldwithNVIDIAgraphidaresolutionof1440x900pixels,whichshookthePCadvocatesandoutrankedeverythingelseonthemarket.
Intermsofhardware,itwastheRolls-Royceofportableputers,butwhatreallytriggeredSander’sohaveitwasthesimplefeaturethatthekeyboardwasequippedwithbacklighting,sothatshecouldseethelettersevenifititchdark.Sosimple.Whyhadno-ohoughtofthatbefore?
Itwasloveatfirstsight.
Itcost38,000kronor,plustax.
Thatwastheproblem.
ewhatmay,sheputinherorderatMacJesus.Sheboughtallherputeraessoriesthere,sotheygaveherareasonabledist.Shetalliedupherexpeheinsuranherruierwouldcoodpartoftheprice,butwiththewarrantyandthehigherpriceofhernewacquisition,shewasstill18,000kronorshort.Shehad10,000kronorhiddeninacoffeetinathomebutthatwasall.ShesehoughtstoHerrBjurman,butthehebulletandcalledherguardiantoexpinthatsheneededmoneyforanuedexpense.Bjurmaarysaidthathehadnotimetoseeherthatday.Sanderrepliedthatitwouldtakethemaysedstowriteoutachequefor10,000kronor.Shewastoldtobeathisofficeat7:30thatevening.
Blomkvistmighthavenoexperienceofevaluatingcriminaliigations,buthereedthatIorMorellhadbeeionallystious.WhenBlomkvisthadfihthepolivestigation,MorellstillkeptturningupasapyerinVanger’sowheyhadbeefriends,andBlomkvistwonderedwhetherMorellhadbeenasobsessedasthecaptainofindustrybecame.
Itwasunlikely,inhisview,thatMorellhadmissedanything.Thesolutiontothemysterywasnotgoingtobefoundinthepolicerecords.Everyimaginablequestionhadbeenasked,andallleadsfollowedup,eveseemedabsurdlyfar-fetched.Hehadnotreadeverywordofthereport,butthefurtherintotheiigatio,themoreobscurethesubsequentleadsandtipsbecame.Hewasnotgoingtofindanythingthathisprofessionalpredecessorandhisexperieeamhadmissed,andhewasundecidedroachheshouldadopttotheproblem.Eventuallyitcametohimthattheonlyreasonablypracticalrouteforhimtotakewastotrytofindoutthepsychologicalmotivesoftheindividualsinvolved.
ThefirstquestionhadtodowithHarrietherself.Whowasshe?
FromhiskitwindowBlomkvisthadnoticedalightgoonupstairsinCeciliaVanger’shouseatalittleafter5:00iernoon.Heknockedonherdoorat7:30,justasthenewsbroadcastwasstartingonTV.Sheopehedoordressedihrobe,herhairwetunderayellowtowel.Blomkvistapologisedatoncefordisturbingherandmadetoretreat,butshewavedhimintothelivingroom.Sheturhecoffeemakerandvanishedupstairsforafewminutes.Whenshecamebackdown,shehadputonjeansandacheelshirt.
“Iwasstartingtothinkyouwerenevergoingtocall.”
“Ishouldhaverungfirst,butIsawyhtwasonandcameoveronimpulse.”
“I’veseenthelightsonallnightatyourpdyou’reoftenoutwalkingaftermidnight.You’reanightowl?”
Blomkvistshrugged.“It’sturthatway.”Helookedatseveraltextsstackedontheedgeofthekittable.“Doyoustillteach?”
“No,asheadmistressIdon’thavetime.ButIusedtoteachhistion,andsocialstudies.AndIhaveafewyearsleft.”
“Left?”
Shesmiled.“I’mfifty-six.I’llberetiringsoon.”
“Youdon’tlookadayoverfifty,morelikeinyourforties.”
“Veryfttering.Howoldareyou?”
“Well,overforty,”Blomkvistsaidwithasmile.
“Andyouwerejusttwentytheotherday.Howfastitallgoes.Life,thatis.”
CeciliaVangerservedthecoffeeandaskedifhewashungry.Hesaidthathehadalreadyeaten,whichartlytrue.Hedidnotbotherwithcookingandateonlysandwiches.Buthewasnothungry.
“Thenwhydidyoueover?Isittimetoaskmethosequestions?”
“Tobeho…Ididn’teovertoaskquestions.IthinkIjustwaosayhello.”
Shesmiled.“You’resenteoprison,youmovetoHedeby,cmberthroughallthematerialofHenrik’sfavouritehobby,youdon’tsleepatnightandtakelongnighttimewalkswhenit’sfreezingcold…HaveIleftanythingout?”
“Mylifeisgoingtothedogs.”
“Whowasthatwomanvisitingyouovertheweekend?”
“Erika…She’stheeditorinchiefofMillennium.”
“Yirlfriend?”
“ly.She’smarried.I’mmoreafriendandoasionallover.”
CeciliaVangerhootedwithughter.
“What’ssofunny?”
“Thewayyousaidthat.Oasionallover.Iliketheexpression.”
BlomkvisttookalikingtoCeciliaVanger.
“Icoulduseanoasionallovermyself,”shesaid.
Shekickedoffherslippersandproppedoonhisknee.Blomkvistautomaticallyputhishandonherfootandstrokedtheankle.Hehesitatedforased—hecouldsensehewasgettingintouedwaters.Buttentativelyhestartedmassagingthesoleofherfootwithhisthumb.
“I’mmarriedtoo,”shesaid.
“Iknow.No-osdivortheVanger.”
“Ihaven’tseenmyhusbandiingonfortwentyyears.”
“pened?”
“That’snoneofyourbusiness.Ihaven’thadsexin…hmmm,itmustbethreeyearsnow.”
“Thatsurprisesme.”
“Why?It’samatterofsupplyanddemand.Ihavenoiinaboyfriendoramarriedmanorsomeonelivingwithme.Idobestonmyown.WhoshouldIhavesexwith?Oheteachersatschool?Idon’tthinkso.Ohestudents?Adeliciousstoryfossipingolddies.AndtheykeepaclosewatpeoplecalledVanger.AndhereonHedebyIsndthereareoivesandpeoplealreadymarried.”
Sheleanedforwardandkissedhimontheneck.
“DoIshockyou?”
“No.ButIdon’tknowwhetherthisisagoodidea.Iworkforyouruncle.”
“AndI’mthestonewho’sgoingtotell.Buttobeho,Henrikprobablywouldn’thaveanythingagainstit.”
Shesatastridehimandkissedhimoh.Herhairwasstillwetandfragrantwithshampoo.Hefumbledwiththebuttonsonherfnnelshirtandpulleditdownaroundhershoulders.Shehadnobra.Shepressedagainsthimwhenhekissedherbreasts.
Bjurmancameroundthedesktoshowherthestatementofherbankaount—whichsheknewdowntothest?re,althoughitwasnoloherdisposal.Hestoodbehindher.Suddenlyhewasmassagingthebackofhernedheletonehandslidefromherleftshoulderacrossherbreasts.Heputhishandoverherrightbreastathere.Whenshedidoobject,hesqueezedherbreast.Sanderdidnotmove.Shecouldfeelhisbreathonherneckasshestudiedtheletteropeneronhisdesk;shecouldreachitwithherfreehand.
Butshedidnothing.IftherewasonelessonHolgerPalmgrenhadtaughtherovertheyears,itwasthatimpulsiveasledtotrouble,andtroublecouldhaveunpleasantsequences.Sheneverdidanythingwithoutfirstweighingthesequences.
Theinitialsexuassault—whilegaltermswouldbedefinedassexualmolestationandtheexploitationofanindividualinapositionofdependendcouldintheetBjurmanuptotwoyearsinprison—stedonlyafewseds.Butitwasenoughtoirrevocablycrossaboundary.ForSaythbyanenemyforindicationthatasidefromtheircarefullydefinedlegalretionship,shewasatthemercyofhisdiscretionanddefenceless.Whentheireyesmetafewsedster,hislipswereslightlypartedandshecouldreadthelustonhisface.Sander’sowrayedionsatall.
Bjurmanmovedbacktohissideofthedeskandsatonhisfortableleatherchair.
“I’thandoutmooyouwheneveryoulike,”hesaid.“Whydoyouneedsuexpeer?Thereareplentyofcheapermodelsthatyouuseforpyingputergames.”
“Iwanttohavetrolofmyownmoneylikebefore.”
Bjurmangaveherapityinglook.
“We’llhavetoseehowthingsgo.Firstyouolearntobemoresociableaalongwithpeople.”
Bjurman’ssmilemighthavebeenmoresubduedifhecouldhavereadherthoughtsbehindtheexpressionlesseyes.
“IthinkyouandIaregoingtobegoodfriends,”hesaid.“Wehavetobeabletotrusteachother.”
Whenshedidnotreplyhesaid:“Yrownwomannow,Lisbeth.”
Shenodded.
“ehere,”hesaidandheldouthishand.
Sanderfixedhergazeoeropenerforseveralsedsbeforeshestoodupaovertohim.sequences.Hetookherhandandpressedittohiscrotch.Shecouldfeelhisgenitalsthroughthedarkgabardirousers.
“Ifyou’reome,I’llbeoyou.”
Heputhisotherhandaroundhernedpulledherdowntoherkhherfafrontofhiscrotch.
“You’vedohisbefore,haven’tyou?”hesaidasheloweredhiszip.Hesmelledasifhehadjustwashedhimselfwithsoapandwater.
Saurnedherfaceawayandtriedtogetup,butheheldherinatightgrip.Intermsofphysicalstrength,shewasnomat;sheweighed90poundstohis210.Heheldherheadwithbothhandsandturnedherfacesotheireyesmet.
“Ifyou’reome,I’llbeoyou,”herepeated.“Ifyoumaketrouble,Iputyouawayinaninstitutionfortherestofyourlife.Wouldyoulikethat?”
Shesaidnothing.
“Wouldyoulikethat?”hesaidagain.
Sheshookherhead.
Hewaiteduntilsheloweredhereyes,inwhatheregardedassubmission.Thenhepulledhercloser.Sanderopenedherlipsandtookhiminhermouth.Hekepthisgriponhernedpulledherfiercelytowardshim.Shefeltlikegaggingthewholetenmiooktobumpandgrind;whenfinallyhecame,hewasholdiightshecouldhardlybreathe.
Heshowedherthebathroominhisoffice.Sanderwasshakingalloverasshewipedherfadtriedtoruboffthespotsonhersweater.Shechewedsomeofhistoothpastetogetridofthetaste.Whebacktohisoffice,hewassittingimpassivelybehindhisdesk,studyingsomepapers.
“Sitdown,Lisbeth,”hetoldherwithoutlookingup.Shesatdown.Finallyhelookedatherandsmiled.
“Yrown-upnow,aren’tyou,Lisbeth?”
Shenodded.
“Thenyoualsoobeabletopygrown-upgames,”hesaid.Heusedatoneofvoiceasifhewerespeakingtoachild.Shedidnotreply.Asmallfroearedonhisbrow.
“Idon’tthinkitwouldbeagoodideaforyoutotelnyoneaboutames.Thinkaboutit—whowouldbelieveyou?Therearedotsstatingthatyou’renonposmentis.Itwouldbeyourwainstmine.Whoseworddoyouthinkwouldcarrymoreweight?”
Hesighedwhenstillshedidnotspeak.Hewasahewayshejustsatthereinsilence,lookingathim—buthetrolledhimself.
“We’regoingtobegoodfriends,youandI,”hesaid.“Ithinkyouweresmarttoeaoday.Youalwaysetome.”
“Ineed10,000kronorformyputer,”shesaid,precisely,asifsheweretinuingtheversationtheywerehavingbeforetheinterruption.
Bjurmanraisedhiseyebrows.Hard-ch.Shereallyisfugretarded.Hehandedherthechequehehadwrittenwhenshewasihroom.Thisisbetterthanawhore.Shegetspaidwithherownmoney.Hegaveheranarrogantsmile.Saookthechequea.
CHAPTER12
Wednesday,February19
IfSanderhadbeenanordinarycitizen,shewouldmostlikelyhavecalledthepolidreportedtherapeassoonassheleftAdvokatBjurman’soffice.Thebruisesonherneck,aswelstheDNAsignatureofhissemenstainingherbodyandclothing,wouldhavenailedhim.Evenifthewyerhadcimedthatshewaodoitorsheseducedmeoranyotherexcusethatrapistsroutinelyused,hewouldhavebeenguiltyofsomanybreachesoftheguardianshipregutionsthathewouldinstantlyhavebeenstrippedofhistroloverher.AreportwouldhavepresumablyresultedinSanderbeinggivenaproperwyer,someonewell-versedinassaultsonwomen,whiturnmighthaveledtoadiscussionoftheveryheartoftheproblem—meaningthereasonshehadbeendecredlegallyi.
Since1989,theterm“legallyi”hasnolongerbeenappliedtoadults.
Therearetwolevelsofsocialrote—trusteeshipandguardianship.
Atrusteestepsintooffervoluntaryhelpforindividualswho,forvariousreasons,haveproblemsmanagingtheirdailylives,payingtheirbills,ortakingpropercareoftheirhygiehepersonwhoisappointedasatrusteeisofteiveorclosefriend.Ifthereisno-oneclosetothepersoniion,thewelfareauthoritiesappointatrustee.Trusteeshipisamildfuardianship,inwhichthet—thepersondecredi—stillhastroloverhisorherassetsanddecisionsaremadeinsultationwiththetrustee.
Guardianshipisastricterformoftrol,inwhichthetisrelievedoftheauthoritytohandlehisorherowomakedecisiardingvariousmatters.Theexactwstatesthattheguardianshalltakeoverallofthet’slegalpowers.InSwedenapproximately4,000peopleareunderguardianship.Themostmonreasuardianshipismentalillnessormentalillnessinjunwithheavyabuseofalcohs.Asmallergroupincludesthosesufferingfromdementia.Manyoftheindividualsunderguardianshipareretivelyyoung—thirty-fiveorless.OhemwasLisbethSander.
Takingaerson’strolofherownlife—meaningherbankaount—isohegreatestinfrisademocraimpose,especiallywhenitappliestoyoungpeople.Itisaninfrieveniftheimaybeperceivedasbenignandsociallyvalid.Questionsofguardianshiparethereforepotentiallysensitivepoliticalissues,aectedbyrigorutionsandtrolledbytheGuardianshipAgency.Thisagencyesuhetyadministrativeboardandistrolled,inturn,bytheParliamentaryOmbudsman.
ForthemostparttheGuardianshipAgencycarriesoutitsactivitiesunderdifficultditions.Butsideringthesensitiveissueshaheauthorities,remarkablyfewpintsorsdalsareeverreportedinthemedia.
Oasionallytherearereportsthatchargeshavebeenbroughtagainstsometrusteeuardianwhohasmisappropriatedfundsorsoldhist’sco-opapartmentandstuffedtheproceedsintohisownpockets.Thatthosecasesareretivelyraremaybetheresultoftwothings:theauthoritiesarecarryingouttheirjobsinasatisfaanner,orthetshavenoopportunitytopinandinacrediblewaymakethemselvesheardbythemediaorbytheauthorities.
TheGuardianshipAgencyisboundtoduannualreviewtoseewhetheranycauseexistsforrevokingaguardianship.Sinderpersistedinherrefusaltosubmittopsychiatricexamination—shewouldnotevenexgeapolite“go”withherteachers—theauthoritieshadneverfoundanyreasontoaltertheirdecision.sequently,asituationofstatusquohadresulted,andsoyearafteryearshewasretainedunderguardianship.
Thewofthewstates,however,thattheditionsofaguardianship“shallbeadaptedtoeadividualcase.”PalmgrenhadinterpretedthistomeanthatSandercouldtakechargeofherownmoneyandherownlife.Hehadmeticulouslyfulfilledtherequirementsoftheauthoritiesandsubmittedamonthlyreportaswelsanannualreview.InallotherrespectshehadtreatedSanderlikeanyothernormalbeing,andhehadnotinterferedwithherchoiceoflifestyleorfriends.Hedidnotthinkitwaseitherhisbusinessorthatofsocietytodecidewhethertheyoungdyshouldhavearinginherattooonherhisratherstubbornattitudevis-à-visthedistrictcourtwasohereasonswhytheyhadgotalongsowell.
AslongasPalmgrenwasherguardian,Sanderhadnotpaidmuchattentiontalstatus.
Sanderwasnotlikeanynormalperson.Shehadarudimentaryknowledgeofthew—itwasasubjectshehadneverhadoasiontoexplore—andherfaithinthepolicewasgenerallyexiguous.Forherthepolicewereahostileforcewhoovertheyearshadputherunderarrestorhumiliatedher.ThestdealingshehadhadwiththepolicewasinMayofthepreviousyearwhenshewaswalkingpastG?tgatanonherwaytoMiltonSecurity.Shesuddenlyfoundherselffagavisor-cdriotpoliceofficer.Withouttheslightestprovocationonherpart,hehadstruckherontheshoulderswithhisbaton.Herspontaneousreawastounchafierceterattack,usingaCoca-Cobottlethatshehadinherhand.Theofficerturnedonhisheendranoffbeforeshecouldinjurehim.Onlyterdidshefindoutthat“RecimtheStreets”washoldingademonstrationfartherdowntheroad.
Visitingtheofficesofthosevisor-cdbrutestofilearepainstNilsBjurmanforsexuassaultdidnotevencrosshermind.Andbesides—whatwasshesupposedtoreport?Bjurmanhadtouchedherbreasts.Anyofficerwouldtakeonelookatherandcludethatwithherminiatureboobs,thatwashighlyunlikely.Andifithadactuallyhappened,sheshouldbeproudthatsomeonehadevenbothered.Aaboutsughisdick—itwas,ashehadwarnedher,herwainsthis,andgenerallyinherexperiehewordsofotherpeopleweighedmoreheavilythahepolicewerenotanoption.
SheleftBjurman’soffidwenthome,tookashower,atetwosandwicheswithcheeseandpickles,aontheworn-outsofainthelivingroomtothink.
Anordinarypersonmighthavefeltthatherckofreahadshiftedthebmetoher—itmighthavebeenannthatshewassoabnormalthatevenrapecouldevokeeemotionalresponse.
Hercircleofacquaintanceswasne,nordidittainanymembersoftheshelteredmiddlecssfromthesuburbs.Bythetimeshewaseighteen,Sanderdidnotknowasinglegirlwhoatsomepointhadnotbeenforcedtoperformsomesortofsexuactagainstherwill.Mostoftheseassaultsinvolvedslightlyolderboyfriendswho,usiainamountofforce,madesurethattheyhadtheirway.AsfarasSanderkheseishadledtandangryoutbursts,butoapolicereport.
Inherworld,thiswasthenaturalorderofthings.Asagirlshewaslegalprey,especiallyifshewasdressedinawornbckleatherjacketandhadpiercedeyebrows,tattoos,andzerosocialstatus.
Thereointwhimperingaboutit.
Oherhand,therewasionofAdvokatBjurmangoingunpunished.Sanderaninjustidbynatureshewasanythingbutfiving.
Butherlegalstatuswasdifficult.Foraslongasshecouldremember,shewasregardedasingandunjustifiablyviolent.Thefirstreportsinhercasecamefromthefilesoftheschoolnursefromelementaryschool.Sanderhadbeehomebecauseshehitacssmateandshovedhimagainstacoatpeganddrewblood.ShestillrememberedhervictimwithannoyanhtboybythenameofDavidGustavssonwhousedtoteaseherandthrowthingsather;hewouldgrowuptobeanarchbully.Inthosedaysshedidnotknowwhattheword“harassme,butwhenshecametoschooltheday,theboyhadthreatenedrevenge.Soshehaddeckedhimwitharightjabfortifiedwithagolfball—whichledtomorebloodshedaryinhercase.
Therulesforsocialiioninschoolhadalwaysbaffledher.Shemindedherownbusinessanddidnotinterferewithwhatanyonearoundherdid.Yettherewasalwayssomeonewhoabsolutelywouldnotleaveherinpeace.
Inmiddleschoolshehadseveraltimesbeehomeaftergettingintoviolentfightswithcssmates.Muchstrongerboysinhercsssoonlearhatitcouldbequiteunpleasanttofightwiththatskinnygirl.Uheirlsinthecss,sheneverbackeddown,andshewouldnotforasedhesitatetouseherfistsoranyonathandtoprotectherself.Shewentaroundwiththeattitudethatshewouldratherbebeatehantakeanyshit.
Andshealwaysgotrevenge.
Sanderoncefoundherselfinafightwithamuchbiggerandstrongerboy.Shewasnomatphysically.Atfirstheamusedhimselfshovihegroundseveraltimes,thenhesppedherwheriedtofightback.Butnothingdidanygood;nomatterhowmuchstrongerhewas,thestupidgirlkeptattaghim,andafterawhileevenhiscssmatesbegantorealisethatthingshadgooofar.Shewassoobviouslydefeainfultowatch.Finallytheboypunchedherintheface;itsplitopenherlipandmadeherseestars.Theyleftheronthegroundbehindthegyhemofthethirddayshewaitedforhertormentorwithabaseballbat,andshewhackedhimovertheearwithit.Forthatprankshewassenttoseetheheadteacher,whodecidedtoreporthertothepoliceforassault,whichresultedinaspecialwelfareiigation.
Hercssmatesthoughtshewascrazyaedheraly.Shealsoarousedverylittlesympathyamoeachers.Shehadneverbeenparticurlytalkative,andshebecameknownasthepupilwhoneverraisedherhandandoftendidnotanswerwhenateacheraskedheradirectquestion.No-onewassurewhetherthiswasbecauseshedidnotknowtheansweroriftherewassomeotherreason,whichwasreflectedinhergrades.Nodoubtthatshehadproblems,butno-oedtotakeresponsibilityforthedifficultgirl,eventhoughshewasfrequentlydiscussedatvariousteachers’meetings.Thatwaswhysheendedupiuatioheteachersignoredherandallowedhertositinsullensilence.
Sheleftmiddlesovedtoanother,withouthavingasinglefriendtosaygoodbyeto.Anunlovedgirlwithoddbehaviour.
Then,asshewasohresholdofherteenageyears,AllTheEvilhappened,whichshedidnotwanttothinkabout.Thestoutburstsetthepatternandpromptedareviewofthecaseentriesfromelementaryschool.Afterthatshewassideredtobelegally…well,crazy.Afreak.Sanderhadneverneededanydotstoknowthatshewasdifferent.ButitwasnotsomethingthatbotheredherforaslongasherguardianwasHolgerPalmgren;iftheneedarose,shecouldhimaroutlefinger.
WiththeappearanilsBjurman,thedecrationofihreateobeeatroublesomeburdeninherlife.Nomatterwhosheturo,pitfallswouldopenup;andwhatwouldhappenifshelostthebattle?Wouldshebeinstitutionalised?Lockedup?Therewasreallynooption.
Laterthatnight,whenCeciliaVangerandBlomkvistwerelyingpeacefullywiththeirlegsiwinedandCecilia’sbreastsrestingagainsthisside,shelookedupathim.
“Thankyou.It’sbeenalongtime.Andyou’renotbad.”
Hesmiled.Thatsortofftterywasalwayschildishlysatisfying.
“Itwasued,butIhadfun.”
“I’dbehappytodoitagain,”Ceciliasaid.“Ifyoufeellikeit.”
Helookedather.
“Youdohatyou’dliketohavealover,doyou?”
“Anoasionallover,”Ceciliasaid.“ButI’dlikeyoutogohomebeforeyoufalsleep.Idon’twanttotomorrandfindyouherebeforeImaodomyexercisesandfixmyfaditwouldbegoodifyoudidhewholevilgewhatwe’vebeenupto.”
“Wouldn’tthinkofit,”Blomkvistsaid.
“MostofallIdon’twantIsabeltoknow.She’ssuchabitch.”
“Andyourclosestneighbour…I’vemether.”
“Yes,butluckilyshe’tseemyfrontdoorfromherhouse.Mikael,pleasebediscreet.”
“I’llbediscreet.”
“Thankyou.Doyoudrink?”
“Sometimes.”
“I’vegotacravingforsomethingfruitywithgininit.Wantsome?”
“Sure.”
Sheedasheetaroundherselfadownstairs.Blomkvistwasstandingnaked,lookingathershelveswheurhacarafeoficedwaterandtwogssesofginandlime.Theydrankatoast.
“Whydidyoueoverhere?”sheasked.
“Nospecialreason.Ijust…”
“Youweresittingathome,readingthroughHenrik’siigation.Andthenyoucameoverhere.Apersoobesuperintelligenttoknowwhatyou’rebroodingabout.”
“Haveyoureadtheiigation?”
“Partsofit.I’velivedmyentireadultlifewithit.You’tspendtimewithHenrikwithoutbeingaffectedbythemysteryofHarriet.”
“It’sactuallyafasatingcase.WhatIbelieveisknowniradeasalocked-roommystery,onanisnd.Andnothingintheiigatioofollownormallogic.Everyquestionremainsunanswered,everyclueleadstoadeadend.”
“It’sthekindofthingpeoplegetobsessedabout.”
“Youwereontheisndthatday.”
“Yes.Iwashere,andIwithewholemotion.IwaslivinginStoatthetime,studying.IwishIhadstayedathomethatweekend.”
“Whatwasshereallylike?Peopleseemtohavepletelydifferentviewsofher.”
“Isthisofftherecordor…?”
“It’sofftherecord.”
“Ihaven’ttheleastideawhatwasgoingoninsideHarriet’shead.You’rethinkingofherstyear,ofcourse.Onedayshewasareligiouscrackpot.Thedaysheputonmake-uplikeawhoreaoschoolweariightestsweatershepossessed.Obviouslyshewasseriouslyunhappy.But,asIsaid,Iwasn’thereandjustpickedupthegossip.”
“Whattriggeredtheproblems?”
“GottfriedandIsabel,obviously.Theirmarriagewastotallyhaywire.Theyeitherpartiedortheyfought.Nothingphysical—Gottfriedwasn’tthetypetohitanyone,andhewasalmostafraidofIsabel.Shehadahorrendoustemper.Sometimeintheearlysixtieshemovedmoreorlesspermalytohis,whereIsabelfoot.Therewereperiodswhenhewouldturnupinthevilge,lookinglikeavagrant.Andthenhe’dsoberupanddresslyagainandtrytotendtohisjob.”
“Wasn’tthereanyonewhowaohelpHarriet?”
“Henrik,ofcourse.Intheendshemovedintohishouse.Butdohathereoupiedpyingtheroleofthebigindustrialist.Hewasusuallyofftravellingsomewhereanddidn’thavealotoftimetospendwithHarrietandMartin.ImissedalotofthisbecauseIwasinUppsaandtheninSto—aellyou,Ididn’thaveaneasychildhoodmyselfwithHaraldasmyfather.InhindsightI’verealisedthattheproblemwasthatHarrietneverfidedinanyone.Shetriedhardtokeepupappearandpretendthattheywereonebighappyfamily.”
“Denial.”
“Yes.Butshegedwheherdrowned.ShecouldnolongerpretendthateverythingwasOK.Upuntilthenshewas…Idon’tknowhowtoexpiremelygiftedandprecocious,butonthewholearatherordinaryteenager.Duriyearshewasstillbrilliaingtopmarksineveryexamandsoon,butitseemedasifshedidn’thaveanysoul.”
“Howdidherfatherdrown?”
“Iprosaicossible.Hefelloutofarowingbhtbelowhis.Hehadhistrousersopenaremelyhighalcoholtentinhisblood,soyoujustimaginehoened.Martinwastheonewhofoundhim.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.”
“It’sfunny.Martinhasturtobeareallyfineperson.Ifyouhadaskedmethirty-fiveyearsago,Iwouldhavesaidthathewastheohefamilywhoneededpsychiatriare.”
“Whyso?”
“Harrietwasn’ttheonlyonewhosufferedilleffectsfromthesituation.FormanyyearsMartinwassoquietandintrovertedthathewaseffectivelyantisocial.Bothchildrenhadaroughtimeofit.Imean,wealldid.Ihadmyownproblemswithmyfather—Iassumeyourealisethathe’sstarkravingmad.Mysister,Anita,hadthesameproblem,asdidAlexander,mycousin.ItwastoughbeingyoungintheVangerfamily.”
“peoyoursister?”
“ShelivesinLondothereintheseveoworkinaSwedishtravegendshestayed.Shemarriedsomeone,neverevenintroducedhimtothefamily,andanontheyseparated.Todayshe’saseniormanagerofBritishAirways.Sheaalongfiwearenotmutadonlyseeeachothereveryotheryearorso.SheoHedestad.”
“Whynot?”
“Aniher.Isn’tthatexpnationenough?”
“Butyoustayed.”
“Idid.AlongwithBirger,mybrother.”
“Thepoliti.”
“Areyoumakingfunofme?BirgerisolderthanAnitaandme.We’veneverbeenveryclose.Inhisowneyeshe’safantasticallyimportantpolitiwithafutureinParliamentandmaybeministerialrank,iftheservativesshouldwin.Inpointoffacthe’samoderatelytalentedlocalcillorieerofSweden,whichwillprobablybeboththehighpointandthewholeextentofhiscareer.”
“OhingthatticklesmeabouttheVangerfamilyisthatyouallhavesuchlowopinionsofeachother.”
“That’snotreallytrue.I’mveryfondofMartinandHenrik.AndIalwaysgotonwellwithmysister,forallthatweseldomseeeachother.IdetestIsabeland’tabideAlexander.AndIneverspeaktomyfather.Sothat’saboutfifty-fiftyinthefamily.Birgeris…well,moreofapompousfatheadthanabadperson.ButIseewhatyoumean.Lookatitthisway:ifyou’reamemberoftheVangerfamily,youlearnearlyontospeakyourmind.Wedosaywhatwethink.”
“Ohyes,I’venoticedthatyouallgetstraighttothepoint.”Blomkviststretchedouthishandtotouchherbreast.“Iwasn’therefifteenminutesbeforeyouattackedme.”
“Tobeho,I’vebeenwhowyouwouldbeinbedeversinceIfirstsawyou.Anditfeltrighttotryitout.”
ForthefirsttimeinherlifeSanderfeltastrooasksomeoneforadvice.Theproblemwasthataskingforadvicemeantthatshewouldhavetofideinsomeone,whiturnwouldmeanrevealinghersecrets.Whoshouldshetell?Shewassimplynoodatestablishingtactwithotherpeople.
Aftergoingthroughheraddressinhermind,shehad,strictlyspeaking,tenpeoplewhomightbesideredhercircleofacquaintances.
ShecouldtalktoPgue,whowasmoreorlessasteadypresenherlife.Buthewasdefinitelynotafriend,ahestpersohwhowouldbeabletohelpsolveherproblem.Notanoption.
Sander’ssexlifewasn’tquiteasmodestasshehadledAdvokatBjurmantobelieve.Oherhand,sexhadalwaysourredonherditionsandatherinitiative.Shehadhadoverfiftypartnerssiheageoffifteen.Thattraoapproximatelyfivepartnersperyear,whichwasOKforasinglegirlwhohadetardsexasanenjoyablepastime.Butshehadhadmostofthesecasualpartnersduringatwo-yearperiod.Thosewerethetumultuousyearsieenswhensheshouldhaveeofage.
TherewasatimewhenSanderhadstoodatacrossroadsanddidnotreallyhavetroloverherownlife—wheurecouldhavetakentheformofanotherseriesofcaseentriesabs,alcohol,andcustodyinvariousinstitutions.AftersheturwentyandstartedwatMiltonSecurity,shehadcalmeddoreciablyand—shethought—hadgotagriponherlife.
Shenolongerfelttheopleaseanyonewhoboughtherthreebeersinapub,andshedidnotexperieheslightestdegreeofself-fulfilmentbygoinghomewithsomedrunkwhosenameshecouldnotremember.Duriyearshehadhadonlyursexpartner—hardlypromiscuous,ashercaseentriesdurieenshaddesignatedher.
Forher,sexhadmostoftehoneofaloosegroupoffriends;shewasnotreallyamember,butshetedbecauseshekneworéherteteePalmgren’sinsistence,shewastryingtogettheschoolcertificateshehadfailedtopleteatKomvux.Cilhadplum-redhairstreakedwithbck,bckleathertrousers,aringinhernose,andasmanyrivetsonherbeltasSaheyhadgredsuspiciouslyateachotherduringthefirstcss.
ForsomereasonSanderdidnotuand,theyhadstartedhangingouttogether.Sanderwasnottheeasiestpersontobefriendswith,andespeciallynthoseyears,butCilignoredhersilendtookheralongtothebar.ThroughCil,shehadbeeamemberof“EvilFingers,”whichhadstartedasasuburbanbandsistingoffourteenagegirlsinEnskedewhowereintohardrock.Teer,theywereagroupoffriendswhometatKvaruesdaynightstotalktrashaboutboysanddiscussfeminism,thepentagram,musidpoliticswhiletheydrankrgequantitiesofbeer.Theyalsoliveduptotheirname.
Sanderfoundherselfonthefrihegroupandrarelytributedtothetalk,butshetedforwhoshewas.Shecouldeandgoasshepleasedandwasallowedtositinsilenceoverherbeerallevening.ShewasalsoiobirthdaypartiesandChristmasgl?ggcelebrations,thoughsheusuallydidn’tgo.
Duringthefiveyearsshehungoutwith“EvilFingers,”thegirlsbegantoge.Theirhaircolourbecamelessextreme,ahingcamemoreoftenfromtheH&MboutiquesratherthanfromfunkyMyrorna.Theystudiedorworked,ahegirlsbecameamother.Sanderfeltasifsheweretheonlyonewhohadnotgedabit,whichcouldalsobeinterpretedasthatshewassimplymarkingtimeandgoingnowhere.
Buttheystillhadfun.Iftherewasonepcewhereshefeltanysroupsolidarity,itwasinthepanyofthe“EvilFingers”and,byextension,withtheguyswhowerefriendswiththegirls.
“EvilFingers”wouldlisten.Theywouldalsostandupforher.ButtheyhadnocluethatSanderhadadistrictcourtorderdeghernonposmentis.Shedidn’twaobeeyeihewrongway,too.Notanoption.
Apartfromthat,shedidnothaveasingleex-cssmateinheraddress.Shehadnoworkorsupprouporpoliticaltactsofanykind.Sowhocouldsheturntoandtelboutherproblems?
Theremightbeoneperson.ShedeliberatedforalongtimeaboutwhethersheshouldfideinDraganArmansky.Hehadtoldherthatifsheneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldatetoetohim.Andshewassurethathemeantit.
Armanskyhadgropedheroimetoo,butithadbeenafriendlygroping,noilliions,andnotademonstrationofpower.Buttoaskhimforhelpwentagainstthegrain.Hewasherboss,anditwouldputherinhisdebt.SaoyedwiththeideaofhowherlifewouldtakeshapeifArmanskywereherguardianinsteadofBjurman.Shesmiled.Theideawasnotunpleasant,butArmanskymighttaketheassigsoseriouslythathewouldsmotherherwithattention.Thatwas…well,possiblyanoption.
Eventhoughsheareofwhatawomen’scrisistrewasfor,itneverourredtohertoturntooneherself.Crisistresexisted,inhereyes,forvictims,andshehadneverregardedherselfasavictim.sequently,heronlyremainingoptionwastodowhatshehadalwaysdoakemattersinherownhandsandsolveherproblemsonherown.Thatwasdefinitelyanoption.
AnditdidnotbodewellforHerrAdvokatNilsBjurman.
CHAPTER13
Thursday,February20–Friday,March7
DuriweekofFebruarySaedasherow,withBjurman,N.,born1950,asahigh-priorityspecialproject.Sheworkedalmostsixteenhourseverydaydoingamorethhpersonaliigationthanshehadeverdonebefore.Shemadeuseofallthearchivesandpublientsshecouldyherhandson.Sheiigatedhiscircleofretivesandfriends.Shelookedathisfinandmappedouteverydetailofhisupbringingandcareer.
Theresultswerediscing.
Hewasawyer,memberoftheBarAssociation,andauthorofarespectablylong-wiexceptionallytediousdissertationonfinancedvokatBjurmanhadneverbeensured.OnonlyoneoasionwashereportedtotheBarAssociation—hewasausednearlytenyearsagoofbeingthemiddlemaninahe-tablepropertydeal,buthehadbeeoprovehisinnoce.Hisfinanceswereingoodorder;Bjurmanwaswell-to-do,withatleast10millionkronoris.Hepaidmoretaxesthanheowed,wasamemberofGreenpeadAmyIional,andhedonatedmoheHeartandLungAssociation.Hehadrarelyappearedinthemassmedia,althoughonseveraloasionshehadsignedhisopublicappeal