hathasn’tbeenusedbeforethatmightillustratethatday—ofHarrietandherfriends.”
Bllookeddubious,buttheexpnationwasreasonableandshewasnotgoingtoquestionhisstivenhisrole.
Aphotographerataneertakesbetweentwoandtenrollsoffilmaday.Fevents,itbedoublethat.Eachrolltainsthirty-sixives;soit’snotunusualforaloeertoaumuteoverthreehundred-plusimageseachday,ofwhilyaveryfeublished.Awell-aniseddepartmentcutsuptherollsoffilmaheivesinsix-framesleeves.Arolltakesupaboutonepageiivebinder.Abinderholdsabout110rolls.Inayear,abouttwenty-fivebindersarefilledup.Overtheyearsahugenumberofbindersisaumuted,whierallyymercialvalueandoverflowtheshelvesiographicdepartment.Oherhand,everyphotographerandpicturesdepartmentisvihatthepicturestainahistorientationofincalcublevalue,sotheyhrowanythingaway.
TheHedestadCourierwasfoundedin1922,auresdepartmenthadexistedsince1937.TheCourier’satticstoreroomtainedabout1,200binders,arranged,asBlsaid,bydate.TheivesfromSeptember1966werekepturcheapcardboardstebinders.
“Howdowegoaboutthis?”Blomkvistsaid.“Ireallyositatalighttableandbeabletomakecopiesofanythingthatmightbeofi.”
“Wedon’thaveadarkroomanymore.Everythingissedin.Doyouknoorkaiveser?”
“Yes,I’veworkedwithimagesandhaveanAgfaneg.serofmyown.IworkinPhotoShop.”
“Thenyouusethesameequipmentwedo.”
Bltookhimonaquicktourofthesmalloffice,gavehimachairatalighttable,andswitchedonaputerandser.SheshowedhimwherethecoffeemaewasieeheyagreedthatBlomkvistcouldworkbyhimself,butthathehadtocallherwheedtoleavetheofficesothatshecouldeinahearmsystem.Thehimwithacheerful“Havefun.”
TheCourierhadhadtwophotographersbackthen.TheonewhohadbeenondutythatdaywasKurtNylund,whomBlomkvistactuallyknehenhemovedtoStoandbecameafamousphotographerwbothfreendasanemployeeofSpixSwedeninMarieberg.BlomkvisthadcrossedpathswithKurtNylundseveraltimesintheniies,whenMillenniumhadusedimagesfromSpix.Herememberedhimasanangurmanwiththinninghair.OnthedayoftheparadeNylundhadusedadaylightfilm,nottoofast,onewhiynewsphotographersused.
BlomkvisttookouttheivesofthephotographsbytheyoungNylundandputthemonthelighttable.Withamagnifyinggsshestudiedthemframebyframe.Readiivesisanartform,requiringexperience,whikvistcked.Todetermiherthephotographtainedrmationofvaluehewasgoingtohavetoseachimageandexamioers.Thatwouldtakehours.Sofirsthedidaquitegeneralsurveyofthephotographshemightbeiedin.
Hebeganbyrunningthroughalltheohathadbeeheaident.Vanger’scollelete.Thepersoniedthecolle—possiblyNylundhimself—hadleftoutaboutthirtyphotographsthatwereeitherblurredorofsuchpoorqualitythattheywerenotsideredpublishable.
BlomkvistswitchedofftheCourier’sputerandpluggedtheAgfaserintohisowni.Hespenttwohourssingioftheimages.
Onecaughthiseyeatonetimebetween3:10and3:15p.m.,justatthetimewhenHarrietvanished,someonehadopehewindowinherroom.Vangerhadtriedinvaintofindoutwhoitwas.Blomkvisthadaphotographonhissthatmusthavebeeexactlythemomentthewindoeherewereafigurean**ce,albeitoutoffocus.Hedecidedthatadetailedanalysiscouldwaituntilhehadfirstsedalltheimages.
ThenheexamiheimagesoftheChildren’sDaycelebrations.Nylundhadputinsixrolls,aroundtwohundredshots.Therewasanereamofchildrenwithballoons,grown-ups,streetlifewithhotdogvendors,theparadeitself,anartistonastage,andanaresentationofsomesort.
Blomkvistdecidedtostheentirecolle.Sixhoursterhehadaportfolioofniyimages,buthewasgoingtohavetoeback.
At9:00hecalledBl,thankedher,andtookthebushometoHedebyIsnd.
Hewasbackat9:00onSundaym.TheofficeswerestillemptywhenBllethimin.HehadnotrealisedthatitwastheWhitsuntideholidayweekend,andthattherewouldnotbeaneeruntilTuesday.Hespeiredaysingimages.At6:00intheeveningtherewerestillfortyshotsleftofChildren’sDay.Blomkvisthadiedtheivesanddecidedthatclose-upsofcutechildren’sfacesorpicturesofapainterappearingonstageweresimplynotgermaohisobjective.Whathehadsedinwasthestreetlifeandcrowds.
Blomkvistspesuntideholidaygoiheerial.Hemadetwodiscoveries.Thefirstfilledhimwithdismay.Theseadehispulsebeatfaster.
ThefirstwasthefaHarrietVanger’swiographerhadstoodonthechurchhilndsightedtowardsthebridge.Thebuildingswereinthebackground.Mikaelcroppedtheimagetoincludethewindowalone,andthenheexperimehadjustirastandincreasingthesharpnessuntilheachievedwhathethoughtwasthebestqualityhecouldget.
Theresultwasagrainypicturewithaminimalgreyscalethatshowedacurtain,partofanarm,andadiffusehalf-moon-shapedfacealittlewayiheroom.
ThefacewasnotHarrietVanger’s,whohadraven-bckhair,butapersonwithlighterhaircolour.
Itossibletodisclearfacialfeatures,buthewascertainitwasawoman;thelighterpartofthefatinueddowntoshoulderlevendindicatedawoman’sflowinghair,andshewaswearinglight-colouredclothes.
Hecalcutedherheightiiontothewindoomanaboutfivefootseven.
Heclickedontoesfrombehindtheaidentandonepersonfittedthedescriptiowenty-year-oldCeciliaVanger.
NylundhadtakeeenshotsfromthewindowofSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.Harrietwasieenofthem.
SheandhercssmateshadarrivedatJ?rnv?gsgatanatthesametimeNylundhadbeguntakinghispictures.Blomkvistreedthatthephotographswereshotoveraperiodoffiveminutes.Inthefirstpictures,Harrietandherfriendswereingdowreetintotheframe.Inphotographs2–7theywerestandingstilndwatgtheparade.Thentheyhadmovedaboutsixyardsdowreet.Ipicture,whichmayhavebeeersometimehadpassed,thegirlshadgone.
BlomkvisteditedaseriesofpicturesinwhichhecroppedthetophalfofHarrietandprocessedthemtoachievethebesttrast.Heputthepicturesinaseparatefolder,opeheGraphioerprogramme,andstartedtheslideshowfun.Theeffectwasajerkysilentfilminwhicheachimagewasshownfortwoseds.
Harrietarrives,imageinprofile.Harrietstopsandlooksdownatthestreet.Harrietturnsherfacetowardsthestreet.Harrietopenshermouthtosaysomethingtoherfriend.Harrietughs.Harriettouchesherearwithherlefthand.Harrietsmiles.Harrietsuddenlylookssurprised,herfaceat0°aheleftofthecamera.Harriet’seyeswidenandshehasstoppedsmiling.Harriet’smouthbeesathinline.Harrietfocuseshergaze.Inherfaberead…what?Sorrow,shock,fury?Harrietlowershereyes.Harrietisgone.
Blomkvistpyedthesequenceoverandover.
Itfirmedwithsomeforcethetheoryhehadformuted.Somethinghappenedsgatan.
Sheseessomething—someoheothersideofthestreet.Shereactswithshock.ShetactsVangerforaprivateversationwhieverhappens.Shevahoutatrace.
Somethinghappened,butthephotographsdidnotexpinwhat.
At2:00onTuesdaymBlomkvisthadcoffeeandsandwichesatthekitbench.Hewassimultaneouslydowedandexhirated.Againstallexpectatiournedupnewevideheonlyproblemwasthatalthoughitshedlightontheofeventsitbroughthimnotoaclosertosolviery.
HethoughtlongandhardaboutwhatroleCeciliaVangermighthavepyedinthedrama.Vangerhadrelentlesslychartedtheactivitiesofallpersonsinvolvedthatday,andCeciliahadbeennoexception.ShewaslivinginUppsa,butshearrivediwodaysbeforethatfatefulSaturday.ShestayedwithIsabelVanger.ShehadsaidthatshemightpossiblyhaveseenHarrietearlythatm,butthatshehadnotspokentoher.Shehaddriveniadonsomeerrand.ShehadnotseenHarrietthere,andshecamebacktoHedebyIsndaround1:00,aboutthetimeNylundwastakinghispicturessgatan.Shegedandatabout2:00helpedtosetthetableforthebahatevening.
Asanalibi—ifthatiswhatitwas—itwasratherfeeble.Thetimesroximate,especiallythematterofwhenshehadgotbacktoHedebyIsnd,butVangerhadnotfoundanythingtoindicatethatshewaslying.CeciliaVangerwasohosepeopleinthefamilythatVangerlikedbest.Andshehadbeenhislover.Howcouldhebeobjective?Hecertainlycouldnotimagineherasamurderer.
NowahithertounknownphotographwastellinghimthatshehadliedwhenshesaidthatshehadneverbeeninHarriet’sroomthatday.Blomkvistwrestledwiththepossiblesignificeofthat.
Andifyouliedaboutthat,whatelsedidyoulieabout?
HewentthroughinhismindwhatheknewaboutCecilia.Anintrovertedpersonobviouslyaffectedbyherpast.Livedalone,hadnosexlife,haddifficultygettingclosetopeople.Keptherdistandwheloosetherewasraint.Shechoseastrangerforalover.Hadsaidthatsheebecauseshewasuolivewiththeideathathewouldgofromherlifeasuedlyashehadappeared.Blomkvistsupposedthatthereasonshehaddaredtostartanaffairwithhimreciselythathewasonlythereforawhile.Shedidnothavetobeafraidhewouldgeherlifeinanylong-termway.
Hesighedandpushedtheamateurpsychologyaside.
Hemadetheseddiscoveryduringthenight.ThekeytothemysterywaswhatitwasthatHarriethadseead.Hewouldneverfindthatoutunlesshecouldiimemaeandstandbehindher,lookingoverhershoulder.
Andthenhehadathought.Hesppedhisforeheadandopenedhisi.Heclickedontotheuncroppedimagesintheseriessgatanand…there!
BehindHarrietandaboutayardthtwereayoungcouple,themaninastripedsweaterandthewomaninapalejacket.Shewasholdingacamera.WhenBlomkvisteheimageitlookedtobeaKodakInstamaticwithfsh—acheapholidaycameraforpeoplewhoknownothingaboutphotography.
Thewomanwasholdingthecameraatlevel.Thensheraiseditandtookapictureofthes,justasHarriet’sexpressionged.
Blomkvistparedthecamera’spositionwithHarriet’slineofvision.ThewomanhadtakenapictureofexactlywhatHarrietwaslookingat.
Hisheartwasbeatinghard.Heleanedbadpluckedhiscigarettesoutofhisbreastpocket.Someoakenapicture.Howwouldheidentifyandfindthewoman?Couldhegetholdofhersnapshot?Hadtherolleverbeendeveloped,andifsodidtheprintsstillexist?
HeopehefolderwithNylund’sphotographsfromthecrowd.Forthecoupleofhoursheenrgedeaeandscrutionesquareinchatatime.Hedidhecoupleagainuntiltheverystpictures.Nylundhadphotographedanotherwithballoonsinhishandposinginfrontofhiscameraandughiily.Thephotographsweretakeninacarparkbytheentrahesportsfieldwherethecelebrationwasbeingheld.Itmusthavebeenafter2:00iernhtafterthatNylundhadreceivedthearmaboutthecrashonthebridgeandbroughthisportraitsofChildren’sDaytoarapidclose.
Thewomanwasalmosthidden,butthemaniripedsweaterwasclearlyvisible,inprofile.Hehadkeysinhishandandwasbendingtoopenacardoor.Thefocuswasontheinthefround,andthecarwasabitfuzzy.Theeartlyhiddenbuthecouldseethatitstartedwith“AC3.”
esiiesbeganwithacodeindigthety,andasachildBlomkvisthadmemorisedthetycodes.“AC”wasforV?sterbotten.
Thetedsomethingelse.Onthebadowwasastiesort.Hezoomedin,butthetextdissolvedinablur.Hecroppedoutthestickerandadjustedthetrastandsharpness.Ittookhimawhile.Hestillcouldhewords,butheattemptedtofigureoutwhattheletterswere,basedonthefuzzyshapes.Maerslookedsurprisinglysimir.An“O”couldbemistakenfora“D,”a“B”foran“E,”andsoon.Afterwenandpaperandexcludiaiers,hewasleftwithanunreadabletext,inoneline.
RJ?NIKRIFARIK
Hestaredattheimageuntilhiseyesbegantowater.Thehetext.“NORSJ?SNICKERIFABRIK,”followedbyfiguresinasmallersizethatwereutterlyimpossibletoread,probablyatelephonenumber.
CHAPTER17
Wednesday,June11–Saturday,June14
Blomkvistgothelpwiththethirdjigsawpieanuedquarter.
Afterwontheimagespracticallyallnighthesleptheavilyuntilwellintotheafternoon.Heawokewithaheadache,tookashower,andwalkedtoSusanne’sforbreakfast.HeoughttohavegooseeVangerawhathehaddiscovered.Instead,whenhecameback,hewenttoCecilia’shouseandkhedoor.HeoaskherwhyshehadliedtohimaboutbeinginHarriet’sroom.No-onecametothedoor.
Hewasjustleavingwhenheheard:“Yourwhoreisn’thome.”
Gollumhademergedfromhiscave.Hewasoall,almostsixfootsix,butnowsostoopedwithagethathiseyeswerelevelwithBlomkvist’s.Hisfadneckweresplotchedwithdarkliverspots.Hewasinhispyjamasandabrowndressinggown,leaningonae.HelookedlikeatralCastingnastyoldman.
“Whatdidyousay?”
“Isaidthatyourwhoreisn’thome.”
BlomkviststeppedsoclosethathewasalmostohHaraldVanger.
“You’retalkingaboutyourowndaughter,youfugpig.”
“I’mnottheonewhoessneakingoverhereinthenight,”Haraldsaidwithatoothlesssmile.Hesmelledfoul.Blomkvistsidesteppedhimadowntheroadwithoutlookingback.HefoundVangerinhisoffice.
“I’vejusthadthepleasureofmeetingyourbrother,”Mikaelsaid.
“Harald?Well,well,so,he’sve.Hedoesthatacoupleoftimesayear.”
“IwasknogonCecilia’sdoorwhenthisvoicebehindmesaid,quote,Yourwhoreisn’thome,unquote.”
“ThatsoundslikeHarald,”Vangersaidcalmly.
“Hecalledhisowndaughterawhore,fod’ssake.”
“He’sbeendoingthatforyears.That’swhytheydon’ttalkmuch.”
“Whydoeshecallherthat?”
“Cecilialosthervirginitywhewenty-ohappenedhereiadafterasummerromaheyearafterHarrietdisappeared.”
“And?”
“ThemanshefellihwascalledPeterSamuelsson.HewasafinanciassistantattheVangerCorporation.Abrightboy.TodayheworksforABB.ThekindofmanIwouldhavebeenproudtohaveasmyson-in-wifsheweremydaughter.Haraldmeasuredhisskullorcheckedhisfamilytreeorsomethinganddiscoveredthathewasone-quarterJewish.”
“GoodLord.”
“He’scalledherawhoreeversince.”
“HekhatCeciliaandIhave…”
“EverybodyinthevilgeprobablyknowsthatwiththepossibleexceptionofIsabel,becauseno-oneinhisrightmindwouldtellheranything,andthankheavensshe’snioughtogotobedat8:0ht.Haraldoherhandhaspresumablybeenfollowiepyoutake.”
Blomkvistsatdown,lookingfoolish.
“Youmeanthateveryoneknows…”
“Ofcourse.”
“Andyoudon’tmind?”
“MydearMikael,it’sreallynoneofmybusiness.”
“WhereisCecilia?”
“Theschooltermisover.ShewenttoLondononSaturdaytovisithersister,andafterthatshe’shavingaholidayin…hmmm,IthinkitwasFlorida.She’llbebaaboutamonth.”
Blomkvistfeltevenmorefoolish.
“We’vesortofputourretionshiponholdforawhile.”
“SoIuand,butit’sstillnoneofmybusiness.How’syourwalong?”
BlomkvistpouredhimselfacupofcoffeefromVahermos.
“IthinkI’vefoundsomeerial.”
HetookhisioutofhisshoulderbagandscrolledthroughtheseriesofimagesshowinghowHarriethadreactedsgatan.HeexpinedhowhehadfouherspectatorswiththecameraandtheircarwiththeNorsj?CarpentryShopsign.WhenhewasfinishedVangerwaoseeallthepicturesagain.Whenhelookedupfromtheputerhisfacewasgrey.BlomkvistwassuddenlyarmedandputahandonVanger’sshoulder.Vangerwavedhimawayandsatinsilenceforawhile.
“You’vedoIthoughtossible.You’veturnedupsomethielynew.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Iamgoingtolookforthatsnapshot,ifitstillexists.”
Hedidionthefathewindow.
HaraldVangerhadgonebacktohiscavebythetimeBlomkvistcameout.Wheurheerhefoundsomeoedifferentsittingontheporchofhiscottage,readinganeer.ForafraofasedhethoughtitwasCecilia,butthedark-hairedgirlontheporchwashisdaughter.
“Hi,Pappa,”PernilAbrahamssonsaid.
Hegavehisdaughteralonghug.
“Whereintheworlddidyfrom?”
“Fromhome,ofcourse.I’monmywaytoSkellefte?.Istaythenight?”
“Ofcourseyou,buthowdidyougethere?”
“Mammaknewwhereyouwere.AndIaskedatthecaféiftheyknewwhereyouwerestaying.Thewomantoldmeexactlyhowtogethere.Areyougdtoseeme?”
“CertainlyIam.ein.YoushouldhavegivenmesomewarningsoIcouldbuysomegoodfoodorsomething.”
“Istoppedonimpulse.Iwaoweleyouhomefromprison,butyounevercalled.”
“I’msorry.”
“That’sOK.Mammatoldmehowyou’realwaysgettinglostinyourownthoughts.”
“Isthatwhatshesaysaboutme?”
“Moreorless.Butitdoesn’tmatter.Istillloveyou.”
“Iloveyoutoo,butyouknow…”
“Iknow.I’mprettygrown-upbynow.”
Hemadeteaandputoutpastries.
Whathisdaughterhadsaidwastrue.Shewasmostassuredlynolongeralittlegirl;shewasalmostseventeen,practicallyagrownwomaolearntostoptreatingherlikeachild.
“So,howwasit?”
“Hohat?”
“Prison.”
Heughed.“WouldyoubelievemeifIsaidthatitwaslikehavingapaidholidaywithallthetimeyouwantedforthinkingandwriting?”
“Iwould.Idon’tsupposethere’smuchdiffererisonandacloister,andpeoplehavealwaysgoocloistersforself-refle.”
“Well,thereyougo.Ihopeithasn’tbeenaproblemforyou,yourfatherbeingagaolbird.”
“Notatall.I’mproudofyou,andInevermissacetaboutthefactthatyouwenttoprisonforwhatyoubelievein.”
“Believein?”
“IsawErikaBergeronTV.”
“Pernil,I’mnoti.I’msorrythatIhaven’ttalkedtoyouaboutpened,butIwasn’tunfairlysenteheadetheirdecisionbasedonwhattheyweretoldduririal.”
“Butyouoldyoursideofthestory.”
“No,becauseitturthatIdidn’thaveproof.”
“OK.Thenanswermeoion:isWer?masdrelorisn’the?”
“He’sohebckestsdrelsI’veeverdealtwith.”
“That’sgoodenoughforme.I’vegotapresentforyou.”
Shetookapackageout.HeopeandfoundaCD,TheBestofEurythmics.Shekwasoneofhisfavouriteoldbands.Heputitinhisi,andtheylisteo“SweetDreams”together.
“WhyareyougoingtoSkellefte??”
“BibleschootasummercampwithagregationcalledtheLightofLife,”Pernilsaid,asifitwerethemostobviouschoitheworld.
Blomkvistfeltacoldfirerundownthebackofhisneck.HerealisedhowalikehisdaughterandHarrietVangerwere.PernilwassixteelytheageHarrietwaswhenshedisappeared.Bothhadabsentfathers.Bothwereattractedtiousfanaticismesects—HarriettothePealsandPerniltoanoffshootofsomethingthatwasjustaboutascrackpotastheWordofLife.
Hedidnotknowhowheshouldhandlehisdaughter’serestinreligion.Hewasafraidofencroaghttodecideforherself.Atthesametime,theLightofLifewasmostdefinitelyasectofthetypethathewouldatetombastinMillennium.Hewouldtakethefirstopportunitytodiscussthismatterwithhermother.
Pernilsleptinhisbedwhileheedhimselfisonthebenthekit.Hewokewithacrihisnedagmuscles.Pernilwaseagertogetgoing,sohemadebreakfastawithhertothestation.Theyhadalittletime,sotheyboughtcoffeeatthemini-martandsatdownonabenchattheendoftheptform,chattingaboutallsortsofthings.Untilshesaid:“Youdon’tliketheideathatI’mgoingtoSkellefte?,doyou?”
Hewasnon-plussed.
“It’snotdangerous.Butyou’renotaChristian,areyou?”
“Well,I’mnotagoodChristian,atanyrate.”
“Youdon’tbelieveinGod?”
“No,Idon’tbelieveinGod,butIrespectthefactthatyoudo.Everyoohavesomethingtobelievein.”
Wherainarrived,theygaveeachotheralonghuguntilPernilhadtogetonboard.Withooep,sheturned.
“Pappa,I’mnotgoingtoproselytise.Itdoesn’tmattertomewhatyoubelieve,andI’llwaysloveyou.ButIthinkyoushouldtinueyourBiblestudies.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Isawthequotesyouhadonthewall,”shesaid.“Butwhysogloomyaic?Kisses.Seeyouter.”
Shewavedandwasgooodoform,baffled,watgthetrainpulway.Notuntilitvanishedaroundthebenddidthemeaningsinkin.
Mikaelhurriedoutofthestation.Itwouldbealmostanhourbeforethebusleft.HewastoomuedgetowaitthatloothetaxistandandfoundHusseinwiththeNorr.
Tenmierhewasinhisoffice.Hehadtapedthenoteabovehisdesk.
Magda—32016
Sara—32109
R.J.—30112
R.L.—32027
Mari—32018
Helookedaroundtheroom.Thenherealisedwherehe’dbeabletofindaBible.Hetookthehhim,searchedforthekeys,whichhehadleftinabowlonthewindowsill,andjoggedthewholewaytoGottfried’s.HishandswerepracticallyshakingashetookHarriet’sBibledownfromitsshelf.
Shehadnotwrittendowntelephonehefiguresindicatedthechapterandverseiicus,thethirdofthePentateuch.
Leviticus,20:16
“Ifaroachesaahit,youshallkillthewomanandthebeast;theyshallbeputtodeath,theirbloodisuponthem.”
Leviticus,21:9
“Andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbypyingtheharlot,profaher;sheshallbeburhfire.”
Leviticus,1:12
“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireupoar.”
Leviticus,20:27
“Amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestohstoheirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
Leviticus,20:18
“Ifamahawomanhavinghersiess,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuhefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
Hewentoutandsatontheporch.EachversehadbeenunderlinedinHarriet’sBible.Helitacigaretteandlistehesingingofbirdsnearby.
Hehadthenumbers.Buthedidn’thavethenames.Magda,Sara,Mari,R.J.,andR.L.
AllofasuddenanabyssopenedasMikael’sbrainmadeanintuitiveleap.HerememberedthefirevictimiadthatIorMorellhadtoldhimabout.TheRebeckacase,whichourredieforties.Thegirledandthenkilledbyhavingherheadpoulderingcoals.“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireupoar.”Rebecka.R.J.Whatwasherstname?
WhatinGod’snamehadHarrietgottenherselfmixedupin?
Vangerhadbeentakenill.HewasinbedwhenBlomkvistknockedonhisdoor.ButAnnaagreedtolethimin,sayinghecouldvisittheoldmanforafewminutes.
“Asummercold,”Henrikexpined,sniffling.“Whatdidyouwant?”
“Ihaveaquestion.”
“Yes?”
“DidyoueverhearofamurderthattookpHedestadsometimeiies?AgirlcalledRebecka—herheadutonafire.”
“RebeckaJacobsson,”Henriksaidwithoutased’shesitation.“That’sanameI’ll,althoughIhaven’thearditmentionedinyears.”
“Butyouknowaboutthemurder?”
“IndeedIdo.RebeckaJacobssonwastwenty-threeortwenty-fourwhenshedied.Thatmusthavebeenin…Itwasin1949.Therewasatremendoushueandcry,Ihadasmallpartinitmyself.”
“Youdid?”
“Ohyes.Rebeckawasonourclericalstaff,apirtractive.Butwhyareyouasking?”
“I’mnotsure,Henrik,butImaybeontosomething.I’mgoingtohavetothinkthisthrough.”
“Areyousuggestingthatthere’saebetweenHarrietandRebecka?Therewere…almostseventeenyearsseparatiwo.”
“LetmedomythinkingandI’llebadseeyoutomorrowifyou’refeelier.”
BlomkvistdidnotseeVahefollowingday.Justbefore1:00a.m.hewasstiltthekittable,readingHarriet’sBible,whehesoundofacarmakingitswayathighspeedacrossthebridge.Helookedoutthewindowandsawthefshingbluelightsofanambunce.
Filledwithforeboding,heranoutside.TheambunceparkedbyVanger’shouse.Onthegroundfloorallthelightswereon.HedasheduptheporchstepsintwoboundsandfoundashakenAnnainthehall.
“It’shisheart,”shesaid.“Hewokemealittlewhileago,piningofpainsinhischest.Thenhecolpsed.”
Blomkvistputhisarmsaroundthehousekeeper,andhewasstilltherewhenthemedicscameoutwithanunsciousVangeronastretcher.MartinVanger,lookingdecidedlystressed,walkedbehind.HehadbeeninbedwhenAnnacalled.Hisbarefeetwerestuapairofslippers,andhehadn’tzippedhisfly.HegaveMikaebriefgreetingauroAnna.
“I’llgowithhimtothehospital.CallBirgerandseeifyoureachCeciliainLondoninthem,”hesaid.“AndtellDirch.”
“IgotoFrode’shouse,”Blomkvistsaid.Annanoddedgratefully.
IttookseveralminutesbeforeasleepyFrodeansweredBlomkvist’sringathisdoor.
“Ihavebadnews,Dirch.Henrikhasbeehehospital.Itseemstobeaheartattack.Martinwaotellyou.”
“GoodLord,”Frodesaid.Heghiswatch.“It’sFridaythethirteenth,”hesaid.
Notuntilthem,afterhe’dhadabrieftalkwithDirchFrodeonhismobileandbeenassuredthatVangerwasstillive,didhecallBergerwiththehatMillennium’snewpartnerhadbeehehospitalwithaheartattaevitably,thenewswasreceivedwithgloomanday.
LateintheeveningFrodecametoseehimandgivehimthedetailsaboutHenrikVanger’sdition.
“He’salive,buthe’snotdoingwell.Hehadaseriousheartattadhe’salsosufferingfromaion.”
“Haveyouseenhim?”
“No.He’sinintensivecare.MartinandBirgeraresittingwithhim.”
“Whatarehisces?”
Frodewavedahandbadforth.
“Hesurvivedtheattadthat’sagoodsign.Henrikisinexcellentdition,buthe’sold.We’lljusthavetowait.”
Theysatinsilence,deepinthought.Blomkvistmadecoffee.Frodelookedwretchedlyunhappy.
“Ioaskyouaboutwhat’sgoingtohappennow,”Blomkvistsaid.
Frodelookedup.
“Theditionsofyouremploymentdon’tge.They’restiputedinatractthatrunsuntiltheendofthisyear,whetherHenriklivesordies.Youdon’thavetoworry.”
“No,that’snotwhatImeant.I’mwwhoIreporttoinhisabsence.”
Frodesighed.
“Mikael,youknowaswelsIdothatthiswholestoryaboutHarrietisjustapastimeforHenrik.”
“Don’tsaythat,Dirch.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“I’vefoundnewevidence,”Blomkvistsaid.“ItoldHenrikaboutsomeofityesterday.I’mverymuchafraidthatitmayhavehelpedtonhisheartattack.”
Frodelookedathimwithastrangeexpression.
“You’rejoking,youmustbe…”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“OverthepastfewdaysI’vefoundsignifitmateriaboutHarriet’sdisappearance.WhatI’mworriedaboutisthatweneverdiscussedwhoIshouldreporttoifHenrikisnolongerhere.”
“Youreporttome.”
“OK.Ihavetogoonwiththis.Iputyouiurerightnow?”
Blomkvistdescribedwhathehadfoundasciselyaspossible,andheshowedFrodetheseriesofpicturesfrsgatan.Thenheexpinedhowhisowndaughterhadunlockedthemysteryofthehedate.Finally,heproposedthee,ashehadferthedaybefore,withthemurderofRebeckaJacobssonin1949,R.J.
TheonlythitohimselfwasCeciliaVanger’sfaHarriet’swindow.Hehadtotalktoherbeforeheputherinapositionwhereshemightbesuspeething.
Frode’sbrowwascreasedwith.
“YoureallythinkthatthemurderofRebeckahassomethingtodowithHarriet’sdisappearance?”
“Itseemsunlikely,Iagree,butthefactremainsthatHarrietwrotetheinitialsR.J.ieotherefereheOldTestamentwaboutburnts.RebeckaJacobssonwasburodeath.OneewiththeVangerfamilyisinescapable—sheworkedforthecorporation.”
“ButwhatistheewithHarriet?”
“Idon’tk.ButIwanttofindout.IwilltellyoueverythingIwouldhavetoldHenrik.Youhavetomakethedecisionsforhim.”
“Perhapsweoughttormthepolice.”
“No.AtleastnotwithoutHenrik’sblessing.ThestatuteoflimitationshaslongsinoutinthecaseofRebecka,andthepolivestigationwasclosed.They’renotgoingtoreopenaigationfifty-fouryearster.”
“Allright.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
Blomkvistpacedaparou.
“First,Iwanttofollowupthephotographlead.IfwecouldseewhatitwasthatHarrietsaw…itmightbethekey.IneedacartogotoNorsj?andfollowthatlead,whereverittakesme.Andalso,IwanttoresearcheachoftheLeviticusverses.Wehaveoneetoonemurder.Wehavefourverses,possiblyfourotherclues.Todothis…Ineedsomehelp.”
“Whatkindofhelp?”
“Ireallyneedaresearchassistantwiththepatieogholdneerarchivestofind‘Magda’and‘Sara’ahernames.IfI’mrightinthinkingthatRebeckawasn’ttheonlyvictim.”
“Youmeanyouwanttoletsomeoneelseinon…”
“There’salotofworkthathastobedoneandinahurry.IfIoliceoffivolvedinanactiveiigation,Icoulddivideupthehoursandresourdgetpeopletodigforme.Ineedaprofessionalwhoknowsarchiveworkandwhobetrusted.”
“Iuand….ActuallyIbelieveIknoertresearcher,”saidFrode,andbeforehecouldstophimself,headded,“Shewastheonewhodidthebackgroundiigationonyou.”
“Whodidwhat?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Iwasthinkingoutloud,”Frodesaid.“It’snothing.”I’mgettingold,hethought.
“Youhadsomeonedoaigationonme?”
“It’snothingdramatic,Mikael.Wewaohireyou,adidachewhatsortofpersonyouwere.”
“Sothat’swhyHenrikalwaysseemstoklywherehehasme.Howthhwasthisiigation?”
“Itwasquitethh.”
“DiditlookintoMillennium’sproblems?”
Frodeshrugged.“Ithadabearing.”
Blomkvistlitacigarette.Itwashisfifthoftheday.
“Awritte?”
“Mikael,it’snothingtogetworkedupabout.”
“Iwanttoreadthereport,”hesaid.
“Oheon,there’snothingoutoftheordinaryaboutthis.Wewaocheckuponyoubeforewehiredyou.”
“Iwanttoreadthereport,”Mikaelrepeated.
“Icouldn’tauthorisethat.”
“Really?Thenhere’swhatIsaytoyou:eitherIhavethatreportinmyhandswithinthehour,orIquit.I’lltaketheeveningtrainbacktoSto.Whereisthereport?”
Thetwomeneyedeachotherforseveralseds.ThenFrodesighedandlookedaway.
“Inmyoffice,athome.”
Frodehadputupaterriblefuss.Itwasnotuntil6:00thateveningthatBlomkvisthadLisbethSander’sreportinhishand.Itwasalmosteightypageslong,plusdozensofphotocopiedarticles,certificates,andotherrecordsofthedetailsofhislifeandcareer.
Itwasastrangeexperieoreadabouthimselfinwhatartbiographyandpartintellige.Hewasincreasinglyastohowdetailedthereportwas.Sanderhaddugupfactsthathethoughthadbeenlongburiediofhistory.ShehadduguphisyouthfulretionshipwithawomanwhohadbeenafmingSyndicalistandwhowasnooliti.Whointheworldhadshetalkedto?ShehadfoundhisrodBootstrap,whichsurelyno-oodaywouldremember.Shehadscrutinisedhisfinancesdowntothest?re.Howthehellhadshedo?
Asajournalist,Blomkvisthadspentmanyyearshuntingdownrmationaboutpeople,andhecouldjudgethequalityoftheworkfromapurelyprofessionalstandpoint.TherewasnodoubtthatthisSanderwasonehellofaigator.Hedoubtedthatevenhecouldhaveproducedaparablereportonanyindividualpletelyunknowntohim.
ItalsodawnedonhimthattherehadneverbeenanyreasonforhimandBergertokeeptheirdistanVanger’spresence;healreadykheirlong-standiionship.ThereportcameupwithadisturbinglypreciseappraisalofMillennium’sfinancialposition;VangerknewjusthowshakythingswerewhenhefirsttactedBerger.Whatsameying?
TheWer?maffairwasmerelysummarised,butwhoeverwrotethereporthadobviouslybeeorincourtduringpartofthetrial.ThereportquestionedBlomkvist’srefusaltomentduririal.Smartwoman.
Theseikaelstraightenedup,hardlyabletobelievehiseyes.Sanderhadwrittenabriefpassagegivingherassessmentofwhatwouldhappehetrial.ShehadreproducedvirtuallywordforwordthepressreleasethatheandBergerhadsubmittedafterheresignedaspublisherofMillennium.
ButSanderhadusedhisinalw.Hegncedagainatthecoverofthereport.ItwasdatedthreedaysbeforeBlomkvistwassentehatossible.Thepressreleaseexistedtheninonlyohewholeworld.InBlomkvist’sputer.Inhisi,notonhisputerattheoffice.Thetextwasneverpri.NotevenBergerhadacopy,althoughtheyhadtalkedaboutthesubject.
BlomkvistputdownSander’sreport.Heputonhisjacketaoutintothenight,whichwasverybrightoneweekbeforeMidsummer.Hewalkedalongtheshoreofthesound,pastCeciliaVanger’spropertyandtheluxuriousmotorboatbelowMartinVanger’svil.Hewalkedslowly,pashewent.FinallyhesatonarodlookedatthefshingbuoylightsiadBay.Therewasonlyoneclusion.
“You’vebeeninmyputer,Fr?kenSander,”hesaidaloud.“You’reafughacker.”
CHAPTER18
Wednesday,June18
Sanderawokewithastartfromadreamlessslumber.Shefeltfaintlysick.ShedidnothavetoturnherheadtoknowthatMimmihadleftalreadyforwork,butherststilllihestuffyairofthebedroohadturnedupnotlongbeforeclosingtimeandehomewithherandintobed.
Sander—unlikeMimmi—hadhoughtofherselfasalesbian.Shehadneverbroodedoverwhethershewasstraight,gay,orevenbisexual.Shedidnotgiveadamnaboutbels,didhatitwasanyoneelse’sbusinesswhomshespenthernightswith.Ifshehadtochoose,shepreferredguys—andtheywereinthelead,statisticallyspeaking.Theonlyproblemwasfindingaguywhowasnotajerkandonewhowasalsogoodinbed;Mimmiwasasweetpromise,aurnedSanderon.TheyhadmetientatthePrideFestivayearago,andMimmiwastheonlypersonthatSanderhadintroducedtotheEvilFingers.Butitwasstilljustacasuaffairforbothofthem.ItwasnicelyingclosetoMimmi’swarm,softbody,andSanderdidnotmindwakingupwithherandtheirhavingbreakfasttogether.
Herclocksaiditwas9:30,andshewaswwhatcouldhavewokenherwhenthedoorbellrangagaiupinsurprise.No-onehadeverrungherdoorbeltthishour.Veryfewpeherdoorbeltall.Sheedasheetaroundherandwalkedunsteadilytothehalltoopenthedoor.ShestaredstraightintotheeyesofMikaelBlomkvist,feltpanicracethroughherbody,andtookastepback.
“Go,Fr?kenSander,”hegreetedhercheerfully.“Itwasatenight,Isee.Iein?”
Withoutwaitingforananswer,hewalkedin,closingthedoorbehindhim.Heregardedwithcuriositythepileofclothesonthehallfloorandtherampartofbagsfilledwithneers;thenhepeeredthroughthebedroomdoorwhileSander’sworldstartedspinninginthewrongdire.How?What?Who?Blomkvistlookedatherbewildermentwithamusement.
“Iassumedthatyouwouldnothavehadbreakfastyet,shtsomefilledbagelswithme.Igotohroastbeef,ohturkeyandDijonmustard,andoarianwithavocado,notknowingyourpreference.”Hemarchediandstartedrinsinghercoffeemaker.“Wheredoyoukeepcoffee?”hesaid.Saoodinthehalsiffrozenuntilsheheardthewaterrunningoutofthetap.Shetookthreequickstrides.
“Stop!Stopatonce!”Sherealisedthatshewasshoutingandloweredhervoice.“Damnitall,you’tebarginginhereasifyouowhepce.Wedon’tevenknoweachother.”
Blomkvistpaused,holdingajugandturolookather.
“Wrong!Youkerthanalmostanyoneelsedoes.Isn’tthatso?”
Heturnedhisbaherandpouredthewaterintothemae.Theartedopeninghercupboardsinsearchofcoffee.“Speakingofwhich,Iknowhowyoudoit.Iknowyoursecrets.”
Sandershuthereyes,wishingthatthefloorwouldstoppitgunderherfeet.Shewasinastateofmentalparalysis.Shewashuhissituationwasunreal,andherbrainwasrefusingtofun.Neverhadshemetoneofhersubjectsfacetoface.HeknowswhereIlive!Hewasstandingi.Thisossible.Itwaseous.HeknowswhoIam!
Shefeltthesheetslipping,andshepulledittighteraroundher.Hesaidsomething,butatfirstshedidn’tuandhim.“Wehavetotalk,”hesaidagain.“ButIthinkyou’dbettertakeashowerfirst.”
Shetriedtospeaksensibly.“Youlistentome—ifyou’rethinkingofmakingtrouble,I’mnottheoneyoushouldbetalkingto.Iwasjustdoingajob.Youshouldtalktomyboss.”
Hehelduphishands.Auniversalsignofpeace,orIhavenoon.
“I’vealreadytalkedtoArmansky.Bytheway,hewantsyhim—youdidn’tanswerhiscallstnight.”
Shedidnotsehreat,butshestillsteppedbackapacewhenhecamecloser,tookherarmandescortedhertothebathroomdoor.Shedislikedhavinganyoouchherwithoutherleave.
“Idon’twanttomaketrouble,”hesaid.“ButI’mquiteanxioustotalktoyou.Afteryou’reawake,thatis.Thecoffeewillbereadybythetimeyouputohes.First,ashower.Vamoose!”
Passivelysheobeyed.LisbethSanderisneverpassive,shethought.
Sheleanedagainstthebathroomdoorandstruggledtocollectherthoughts.Shewasmoreshakenthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible.Graduallysherealisedthatashowerwasnotonlygoodadvicebutayafterthetumultofthenight.Whenshewasdone,sheslippedintoherbedroomandputonjeans,andaT-shirtwiththesloganARMAGEDDONWASYESTERDAY—TODAYWEHAVEASERIOUSPROBLEM.
Afterpausingforased,shesearchedthroughherleatherjacketthatwasslungoverachair.Shetookthetaseroutofthepocket,checkedtoseethatitwasloaded,andstuckitinthebackpocketofherjeans.Thesmellofcoffeereadingthroughtheapartment.Shetookadeepbreathabacktothekit.
“Doyouneverup?”hesaid.
Hehadfilledthesinkwithdirtydishesandashtrays;hehadputtheoldmilkcartonsintoarubbishsadclearedthetableoffiveweeksofneers;hehadwashedthetableandputoutmugsand—hewasn’tjokingafterall—bagels.OK,let’sseewherethisisheading.Shesatdownoppositehim.
“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion.Roastbeef,turkey,etarian?”
“Roastbeef.”
“ThenI’lltaketheturkey.”
Theyateinsilence,scrutinisingeachother.Whenshefinishedherbagel,shealsoatehalfofthevegetarianone.Shepickedupacrumpledpackofcigarettesfromthewindowsilnddugo.
Hebrokethesilence.“Imaynotbeasgoodasyouatiigations,butatleastI’vefoundoutthatyou’renotavegetarianor—asHerrFrodethought—anorexic.I’llincludethatrmationi.”
Saaredathim,buthelookedsoamusedthatshegavehimacrookedsmile.Thesituationwasbeyondallrhymeorreason.Shesippedhercoffee.Hehadkindeyes.Shedecidedthatwhateverelsehemightbe,hedidobeamaliciousperson.AndtherewasnothinginthePIshehaddohatwouldindicatehewasaviciousbastardwhoabusedhisgirlfriendsoranythinglikethat.Sheremindedherselfthatshewastheonewhokneweverything.Knowledgeispower.
“Whatareyougrinningat?”shesaid.
“I’msorry.Ihadnotinfaedtomakemyentrahisway.Ididoarmyou.Butyoushouldhaveseenyourfacewhenyouopehedoor.Itriceless.”
Sileohersurprise,Sanderfoundhisunirusioable—well,atleastnotunpleasant.
“You’llhavetothinkofitasmyrevengeforyourpokingaroundinmypersonallife,”hesaid.“Areyhtened?”
“Nottheleastbit,”Sandersaid.
“Good.I’momaketroubleforyou.”
“IfyoueventrytohurtmeI’llhavetodoyouaninjury.You’llbesorry.”
Blomkviststudiedher.Shewasbarelyfourfootelevenanddidnotlookasthoughshecouldputupmuchresistanceifhewereanassaintwhohadforcedhiswayintoherapartment.Buthereyeswereexpressionlessandcalm.
“Well,thatwon’tbenecessary,”hesaidatst.“Iootalktoyou.Ifyouwaoleave,allyouhavetodoissayso.It’sfunnybut…oh,nothing…”
“What?”
“Thismaysoundcrazy,butfourdaysagoIdidn’tevenknowyouexisted.ThenIreadyouranalysisofme.”Hesearchedthroughhisshoulderbagandbroughtoutthereport.“Itwasertainingreading.”
Helookedoutofthekitwindowforawhile.“CouldIbumacigarette?”Sheslidthepackacrossthetable.
“Yousaidbeforethatwedon’tknoweachother,andIsaidthatyes,wedo.”Hepoihereport.“I’tpetewithyou.I’veonlydonearapidroutiogetyouraddressanddateofbirth,stufflikethat.Butyoucertainlyknowagreatdeaboutme.Muchofwhichisprivate,dammit,thingsthatonlymyclosestfriendsknow.AndnowhereIam,sittinginyourkitaingbagelswithyou.Wehaveknowneachotherhalfanhour,butIhavethefeelingthatwe’vebeenfriendsforyears.Doesthatmakeseoyou?”
Shenodded.
“Youhavebeautifuleyes,”hesaid.
“Youhaveniceeyesyourself,”shesaid.
Longsilence.
“Whyareyouhere?”shesaid.
KalleBlomkvist—sherememberedhisniameandsuppressedtheimpulsetosayitoutloud—suddenlylookedserious.Healsolookedverytired.Theself-fidehehadshownwhenhefirstwalkedintoherapartmentwasnowgoheingwasover,oratleasthadbeenputaside.Shefelthimstudyingherclosely.
Sanderfeltthatherposurewasbarelyskin-deepandthatshereallywasn’tietrolofherhistotallyunlooked-forvisithadshakenherinawaythatshehadneverexperienewithherwork.Herbreadandbutteryingonpeople.InfactshehadhoughtofwhatshedidforArmanskyasarealjob;shethoughtofitmoreasaplicatedpastime,asortofhobby.
Thetruthwasthatsheenjoyeddiggingintothelivesofotherpeopleandexposingthesecretstheyweretryingtohide.Shehadbeendoingit,inoneformoranother,foraslongasshecouldremember.Andshewasstilldoingittoday,notonlywhenArmanskygaveheranassig,butsometimesforthesheerfunofit.Itgaveherakick.Itwaslikeaplicatedputergame,exceptthatitdealtwithreallivepeople.Andnowoneofherhobbieswassittingrightherei,feedingherbagels.Itwastotallyabsurd.
“Ihaveafasatingproblem,”Blomkvistsaid.“Tellmethis,whenyouweredoingyourreseareforHerrFrode,didyouhaveanyideawhatitwasgoingtobeusedfor?”
“No.”
“ThepurposewastofindoutallthatrmationaboutmebecauseFrode,orratherhisemployer,waogivemeafreencejob.”
“Isee.”
Hegaveherafaintsmile.
“OhesedaysyouandIshouldhaveadiscussionabouttheethicsofsnoopingintootherpeople’slives.ButrightnowIhaveadifferentproblem.ThejobIwasoffered,andwhiexplicablyIagreedtodo,iswithoutdoubtthemostarreassigI’veeveruaken.BeforeIsaymoreIobeabletotrustyou,Lisbeth.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Armanskytellsmeyou’re100pertreliable.ButIstillwanttoaskyouthequestion.Itellyoufidentialthingswithoutyourtellioanyoneelse,byanymeans,ever?”
“Waitaminute.You’vetalkedtan?Ishetheonewhosentyouhere?”I’mgoingtokillyou,youfugstupidArmenian.
“ly.You’renottheonlyonewhofindoutsomeone’saddress;Ididthatallonmyown.Ilookedyouupiiistry.TherearethreeLisbethSanders,ahertwoweren’tagoodmatch.ButIhadalongtalkwithArmanskyyesterday.HetoothoughtthatIwaomaketroubleoveryourferretingaroundinmyprivatelife.IntheendIvin
Bllookeddubious,buttheexpnationwasreasonableandshewasnotgoingtoquestionhisstivenhisrole.
Aphotographerataneertakesbetweentwoandtenrollsoffilmaday.Fevents,itbedoublethat.Eachrolltainsthirty-sixives;soit’snotunusualforaloeertoaumuteoverthreehundred-plusimageseachday,ofwhilyaveryfeublished.Awell-aniseddepartmentcutsuptherollsoffilmaheivesinsix-framesleeves.Arolltakesupaboutonepageiivebinder.Abinderholdsabout110rolls.Inayear,abouttwenty-fivebindersarefilledup.Overtheyearsahugenumberofbindersisaumuted,whierallyymercialvalueandoverflowtheshelvesiographicdepartment.Oherhand,everyphotographerandpicturesdepartmentisvihatthepicturestainahistorientationofincalcublevalue,sotheyhrowanythingaway.
TheHedestadCourierwasfoundedin1922,auresdepartmenthadexistedsince1937.TheCourier’satticstoreroomtainedabout1,200binders,arranged,asBlsaid,bydate.TheivesfromSeptember1966werekepturcheapcardboardstebinders.
“Howdowegoaboutthis?”Blomkvistsaid.“Ireallyositatalighttableandbeabletomakecopiesofanythingthatmightbeofi.”
“Wedon’thaveadarkroomanymore.Everythingissedin.Doyouknoorkaiveser?”
“Yes,I’veworkedwithimagesandhaveanAgfaneg.serofmyown.IworkinPhotoShop.”
“Thenyouusethesameequipmentwedo.”
Bltookhimonaquicktourofthesmalloffice,gavehimachairatalighttable,andswitchedonaputerandser.SheshowedhimwherethecoffeemaewasieeheyagreedthatBlomkvistcouldworkbyhimself,butthathehadtocallherwheedtoleavetheofficesothatshecouldeinahearmsystem.Thehimwithacheerful“Havefun.”
TheCourierhadhadtwophotographersbackthen.TheonewhohadbeenondutythatdaywasKurtNylund,whomBlomkvistactuallyknehenhemovedtoStoandbecameafamousphotographerwbothfreendasanemployeeofSpixSwedeninMarieberg.BlomkvisthadcrossedpathswithKurtNylundseveraltimesintheniies,whenMillenniumhadusedimagesfromSpix.Herememberedhimasanangurmanwiththinninghair.OnthedayoftheparadeNylundhadusedadaylightfilm,nottoofast,onewhiynewsphotographersused.
BlomkvisttookouttheivesofthephotographsbytheyoungNylundandputthemonthelighttable.Withamagnifyinggsshestudiedthemframebyframe.Readiivesisanartform,requiringexperience,whikvistcked.Todetermiherthephotographtainedrmationofvaluehewasgoingtohavetoseachimageandexamioers.Thatwouldtakehours.Sofirsthedidaquitegeneralsurveyofthephotographshemightbeiedin.
Hebeganbyrunningthroughalltheohathadbeeheaident.Vanger’scollelete.Thepersoniedthecolle—possiblyNylundhimself—hadleftoutaboutthirtyphotographsthatwereeitherblurredorofsuchpoorqualitythattheywerenotsideredpublishable.
BlomkvistswitchedofftheCourier’sputerandpluggedtheAgfaserintohisowni.Hespenttwohourssingioftheimages.
Onecaughthiseyeatonetimebetween3:10and3:15p.m.,justatthetimewhenHarrietvanished,someonehadopehewindowinherroom.Vangerhadtriedinvaintofindoutwhoitwas.Blomkvisthadaphotographonhissthatmusthavebeeexactlythemomentthewindoeherewereafigurean**ce,albeitoutoffocus.Hedecidedthatadetailedanalysiscouldwaituntilhehadfirstsedalltheimages.
ThenheexamiheimagesoftheChildren’sDaycelebrations.Nylundhadputinsixrolls,aroundtwohundredshots.Therewasanereamofchildrenwithballoons,grown-ups,streetlifewithhotdogvendors,theparadeitself,anartistonastage,andanaresentationofsomesort.
Blomkvistdecidedtostheentirecolle.Sixhoursterhehadaportfolioofniyimages,buthewasgoingtohavetoeback.
At9:00hecalledBl,thankedher,andtookthebushometoHedebyIsnd.
Hewasbackat9:00onSundaym.TheofficeswerestillemptywhenBllethimin.HehadnotrealisedthatitwastheWhitsuntideholidayweekend,andthattherewouldnotbeaneeruntilTuesday.Hespeiredaysingimages.At6:00intheeveningtherewerestillfortyshotsleftofChildren’sDay.Blomkvisthadiedtheivesanddecidedthatclose-upsofcutechildren’sfacesorpicturesofapainterappearingonstageweresimplynotgermaohisobjective.Whathehadsedinwasthestreetlifeandcrowds.
Blomkvistspesuntideholidaygoiheerial.Hemadetwodiscoveries.Thefirstfilledhimwithdismay.Theseadehispulsebeatfaster.
ThefirstwasthefaHarrietVanger’swiographerhadstoodonthechurchhilndsightedtowardsthebridge.Thebuildingswereinthebackground.Mikaelcroppedtheimagetoincludethewindowalone,andthenheexperimehadjustirastandincreasingthesharpnessuntilheachievedwhathethoughtwasthebestqualityhecouldget.
Theresultwasagrainypicturewithaminimalgreyscalethatshowedacurtain,partofanarm,andadiffusehalf-moon-shapedfacealittlewayiheroom.
ThefacewasnotHarrietVanger’s,whohadraven-bckhair,butapersonwithlighterhaircolour.
Itossibletodisclearfacialfeatures,buthewascertainitwasawoman;thelighterpartofthefatinueddowntoshoulderlevendindicatedawoman’sflowinghair,andshewaswearinglight-colouredclothes.
Hecalcutedherheightiiontothewindoomanaboutfivefootseven.
Heclickedontoesfrombehindtheaidentandonepersonfittedthedescriptiowenty-year-oldCeciliaVanger.
NylundhadtakeeenshotsfromthewindowofSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.Harrietwasieenofthem.
SheandhercssmateshadarrivedatJ?rnv?gsgatanatthesametimeNylundhadbeguntakinghispictures.Blomkvistreedthatthephotographswereshotoveraperiodoffiveminutes.Inthefirstpictures,Harrietandherfriendswereingdowreetintotheframe.Inphotographs2–7theywerestandingstilndwatgtheparade.Thentheyhadmovedaboutsixyardsdowreet.Ipicture,whichmayhavebeeersometimehadpassed,thegirlshadgone.
BlomkvisteditedaseriesofpicturesinwhichhecroppedthetophalfofHarrietandprocessedthemtoachievethebesttrast.Heputthepicturesinaseparatefolder,opeheGraphioerprogramme,andstartedtheslideshowfun.Theeffectwasajerkysilentfilminwhicheachimagewasshownfortwoseds.
Harrietarrives,imageinprofile.Harrietstopsandlooksdownatthestreet.Harrietturnsherfacetowardsthestreet.Harrietopenshermouthtosaysomethingtoherfriend.Harrietughs.Harriettouchesherearwithherlefthand.Harrietsmiles.Harrietsuddenlylookssurprised,herfaceat0°aheleftofthecamera.Harriet’seyeswidenandshehasstoppedsmiling.Harriet’smouthbeesathinline.Harrietfocuseshergaze.Inherfaberead…what?Sorrow,shock,fury?Harrietlowershereyes.Harrietisgone.
Blomkvistpyedthesequenceoverandover.
Itfirmedwithsomeforcethetheoryhehadformuted.Somethinghappenedsgatan.
Sheseessomething—someoheothersideofthestreet.Shereactswithshock.ShetactsVangerforaprivateversationwhieverhappens.Shevahoutatrace.
Somethinghappened,butthephotographsdidnotexpinwhat.
At2:00onTuesdaymBlomkvisthadcoffeeandsandwichesatthekitbench.Hewassimultaneouslydowedandexhirated.Againstallexpectatiournedupnewevideheonlyproblemwasthatalthoughitshedlightontheofeventsitbroughthimnotoaclosertosolviery.
HethoughtlongandhardaboutwhatroleCeciliaVangermighthavepyedinthedrama.Vangerhadrelentlesslychartedtheactivitiesofallpersonsinvolvedthatday,andCeciliahadbeennoexception.ShewaslivinginUppsa,butshearrivediwodaysbeforethatfatefulSaturday.ShestayedwithIsabelVanger.ShehadsaidthatshemightpossiblyhaveseenHarrietearlythatm,butthatshehadnotspokentoher.Shehaddriveniadonsomeerrand.ShehadnotseenHarrietthere,andshecamebacktoHedebyIsndaround1:00,aboutthetimeNylundwastakinghispicturessgatan.Shegedandatabout2:00helpedtosetthetableforthebahatevening.
Asanalibi—ifthatiswhatitwas—itwasratherfeeble.Thetimesroximate,especiallythematterofwhenshehadgotbacktoHedebyIsnd,butVangerhadnotfoundanythingtoindicatethatshewaslying.CeciliaVangerwasohosepeopleinthefamilythatVangerlikedbest.Andshehadbeenhislover.Howcouldhebeobjective?Hecertainlycouldnotimagineherasamurderer.
NowahithertounknownphotographwastellinghimthatshehadliedwhenshesaidthatshehadneverbeeninHarriet’sroomthatday.Blomkvistwrestledwiththepossiblesignificeofthat.
Andifyouliedaboutthat,whatelsedidyoulieabout?
HewentthroughinhismindwhatheknewaboutCecilia.Anintrovertedpersonobviouslyaffectedbyherpast.Livedalone,hadnosexlife,haddifficultygettingclosetopeople.Keptherdistandwheloosetherewasraint.Shechoseastrangerforalover.Hadsaidthatsheebecauseshewasuolivewiththeideathathewouldgofromherlifeasuedlyashehadappeared.Blomkvistsupposedthatthereasonshehaddaredtostartanaffairwithhimreciselythathewasonlythereforawhile.Shedidnothavetobeafraidhewouldgeherlifeinanylong-termway.
Hesighedandpushedtheamateurpsychologyaside.
Hemadetheseddiscoveryduringthenight.ThekeytothemysterywaswhatitwasthatHarriethadseead.Hewouldneverfindthatoutunlesshecouldiimemaeandstandbehindher,lookingoverhershoulder.
Andthenhehadathought.Hesppedhisforeheadandopenedhisi.Heclickedontotheuncroppedimagesintheseriessgatanand…there!
BehindHarrietandaboutayardthtwereayoungcouple,themaninastripedsweaterandthewomaninapalejacket.Shewasholdingacamera.WhenBlomkvisteheimageitlookedtobeaKodakInstamaticwithfsh—acheapholidaycameraforpeoplewhoknownothingaboutphotography.
Thewomanwasholdingthecameraatlevel.Thensheraiseditandtookapictureofthes,justasHarriet’sexpressionged.
Blomkvistparedthecamera’spositionwithHarriet’slineofvision.ThewomanhadtakenapictureofexactlywhatHarrietwaslookingat.
Hisheartwasbeatinghard.Heleanedbadpluckedhiscigarettesoutofhisbreastpocket.Someoakenapicture.Howwouldheidentifyandfindthewoman?Couldhegetholdofhersnapshot?Hadtherolleverbeendeveloped,andifsodidtheprintsstillexist?
HeopehefolderwithNylund’sphotographsfromthecrowd.Forthecoupleofhoursheenrgedeaeandscrutionesquareinchatatime.Hedidhecoupleagainuntiltheverystpictures.Nylundhadphotographedanotherwithballoonsinhishandposinginfrontofhiscameraandughiily.Thephotographsweretakeninacarparkbytheentrahesportsfieldwherethecelebrationwasbeingheld.Itmusthavebeenafter2:00iernhtafterthatNylundhadreceivedthearmaboutthecrashonthebridgeandbroughthisportraitsofChildren’sDaytoarapidclose.
Thewomanwasalmosthidden,butthemaniripedsweaterwasclearlyvisible,inprofile.Hehadkeysinhishandandwasbendingtoopenacardoor.Thefocuswasontheinthefround,andthecarwasabitfuzzy.Theeartlyhiddenbuthecouldseethatitstartedwith“AC3.”
esiiesbeganwithacodeindigthety,andasachildBlomkvisthadmemorisedthetycodes.“AC”wasforV?sterbotten.
Thetedsomethingelse.Onthebadowwasastiesort.Hezoomedin,butthetextdissolvedinablur.Hecroppedoutthestickerandadjustedthetrastandsharpness.Ittookhimawhile.Hestillcouldhewords,butheattemptedtofigureoutwhattheletterswere,basedonthefuzzyshapes.Maerslookedsurprisinglysimir.An“O”couldbemistakenfora“D,”a“B”foran“E,”andsoon.Afterwenandpaperandexcludiaiers,hewasleftwithanunreadabletext,inoneline.
RJ?NIKRIFARIK
Hestaredattheimageuntilhiseyesbegantowater.Thehetext.“NORSJ?SNICKERIFABRIK,”followedbyfiguresinasmallersizethatwereutterlyimpossibletoread,probablyatelephonenumber.
CHAPTER17
Wednesday,June11–Saturday,June14
Blomkvistgothelpwiththethirdjigsawpieanuedquarter.
Afterwontheimagespracticallyallnighthesleptheavilyuntilwellintotheafternoon.Heawokewithaheadache,tookashower,andwalkedtoSusanne’sforbreakfast.HeoughttohavegooseeVangerawhathehaddiscovered.Instead,whenhecameback,hewenttoCecilia’shouseandkhedoor.HeoaskherwhyshehadliedtohimaboutbeinginHarriet’sroom.No-onecametothedoor.
Hewasjustleavingwhenheheard:“Yourwhoreisn’thome.”
Gollumhademergedfromhiscave.Hewasoall,almostsixfootsix,butnowsostoopedwithagethathiseyeswerelevelwithBlomkvist’s.Hisfadneckweresplotchedwithdarkliverspots.Hewasinhispyjamasandabrowndressinggown,leaningonae.HelookedlikeatralCastingnastyoldman.
“Whatdidyousay?”
“Isaidthatyourwhoreisn’thome.”
BlomkviststeppedsoclosethathewasalmostohHaraldVanger.
“You’retalkingaboutyourowndaughter,youfugpig.”
“I’mnottheonewhoessneakingoverhereinthenight,”Haraldsaidwithatoothlesssmile.Hesmelledfoul.Blomkvistsidesteppedhimadowntheroadwithoutlookingback.HefoundVangerinhisoffice.
“I’vejusthadthepleasureofmeetingyourbrother,”Mikaelsaid.
“Harald?Well,well,so,he’sve.Hedoesthatacoupleoftimesayear.”
“IwasknogonCecilia’sdoorwhenthisvoicebehindmesaid,quote,Yourwhoreisn’thome,unquote.”
“ThatsoundslikeHarald,”Vangersaidcalmly.
“Hecalledhisowndaughterawhore,fod’ssake.”
“He’sbeendoingthatforyears.That’swhytheydon’ttalkmuch.”
“Whydoeshecallherthat?”
“Cecilialosthervirginitywhewenty-ohappenedhereiadafterasummerromaheyearafterHarrietdisappeared.”
“And?”
“ThemanshefellihwascalledPeterSamuelsson.HewasafinanciassistantattheVangerCorporation.Abrightboy.TodayheworksforABB.ThekindofmanIwouldhavebeenproudtohaveasmyson-in-wifsheweremydaughter.Haraldmeasuredhisskullorcheckedhisfamilytreeorsomethinganddiscoveredthathewasone-quarterJewish.”
“GoodLord.”
“He’scalledherawhoreeversince.”
“HekhatCeciliaandIhave…”
“EverybodyinthevilgeprobablyknowsthatwiththepossibleexceptionofIsabel,becauseno-oneinhisrightmindwouldtellheranything,andthankheavensshe’snioughtogotobedat8:0ht.Haraldoherhandhaspresumablybeenfollowiepyoutake.”
Blomkvistsatdown,lookingfoolish.
“Youmeanthateveryoneknows…”
“Ofcourse.”
“Andyoudon’tmind?”
“MydearMikael,it’sreallynoneofmybusiness.”
“WhereisCecilia?”
“Theschooltermisover.ShewenttoLondononSaturdaytovisithersister,andafterthatshe’shavingaholidayin…hmmm,IthinkitwasFlorida.She’llbebaaboutamonth.”
Blomkvistfeltevenmorefoolish.
“We’vesortofputourretionshiponholdforawhile.”
“SoIuand,butit’sstillnoneofmybusiness.How’syourwalong?”
BlomkvistpouredhimselfacupofcoffeefromVahermos.
“IthinkI’vefoundsomeerial.”
HetookhisioutofhisshoulderbagandscrolledthroughtheseriesofimagesshowinghowHarriethadreactedsgatan.HeexpinedhowhehadfouherspectatorswiththecameraandtheircarwiththeNorsj?CarpentryShopsign.WhenhewasfinishedVangerwaoseeallthepicturesagain.Whenhelookedupfromtheputerhisfacewasgrey.BlomkvistwassuddenlyarmedandputahandonVanger’sshoulder.Vangerwavedhimawayandsatinsilenceforawhile.
“You’vedoIthoughtossible.You’veturnedupsomethielynew.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Iamgoingtolookforthatsnapshot,ifitstillexists.”
Hedidionthefathewindow.
HaraldVangerhadgonebacktohiscavebythetimeBlomkvistcameout.Wheurheerhefoundsomeoedifferentsittingontheporchofhiscottage,readinganeer.ForafraofasedhethoughtitwasCecilia,butthedark-hairedgirlontheporchwashisdaughter.
“Hi,Pappa,”PernilAbrahamssonsaid.
Hegavehisdaughteralonghug.
“Whereintheworlddidyfrom?”
“Fromhome,ofcourse.I’monmywaytoSkellefte?.Istaythenight?”
“Ofcourseyou,buthowdidyougethere?”
“Mammaknewwhereyouwere.AndIaskedatthecaféiftheyknewwhereyouwerestaying.Thewomantoldmeexactlyhowtogethere.Areyougdtoseeme?”
“CertainlyIam.ein.YoushouldhavegivenmesomewarningsoIcouldbuysomegoodfoodorsomething.”
“Istoppedonimpulse.Iwaoweleyouhomefromprison,butyounevercalled.”
“I’msorry.”
“That’sOK.Mammatoldmehowyou’realwaysgettinglostinyourownthoughts.”
“Isthatwhatshesaysaboutme?”
“Moreorless.Butitdoesn’tmatter.Istillloveyou.”
“Iloveyoutoo,butyouknow…”
“Iknow.I’mprettygrown-upbynow.”
Hemadeteaandputoutpastries.
Whathisdaughterhadsaidwastrue.Shewasmostassuredlynolongeralittlegirl;shewasalmostseventeen,practicallyagrownwomaolearntostoptreatingherlikeachild.
“So,howwasit?”
“Hohat?”
“Prison.”
Heughed.“WouldyoubelievemeifIsaidthatitwaslikehavingapaidholidaywithallthetimeyouwantedforthinkingandwriting?”
“Iwould.Idon’tsupposethere’smuchdiffererisonandacloister,andpeoplehavealwaysgoocloistersforself-refle.”
“Well,thereyougo.Ihopeithasn’tbeenaproblemforyou,yourfatherbeingagaolbird.”
“Notatall.I’mproudofyou,andInevermissacetaboutthefactthatyouwenttoprisonforwhatyoubelievein.”
“Believein?”
“IsawErikaBergeronTV.”
“Pernil,I’mnoti.I’msorrythatIhaven’ttalkedtoyouaboutpened,butIwasn’tunfairlysenteheadetheirdecisionbasedonwhattheyweretoldduririal.”
“Butyouoldyoursideofthestory.”
“No,becauseitturthatIdidn’thaveproof.”
“OK.Thenanswermeoion:isWer?masdrelorisn’the?”
“He’sohebckestsdrelsI’veeverdealtwith.”
“That’sgoodenoughforme.I’vegotapresentforyou.”
Shetookapackageout.HeopeandfoundaCD,TheBestofEurythmics.Shekwasoneofhisfavouriteoldbands.Heputitinhisi,andtheylisteo“SweetDreams”together.
“WhyareyougoingtoSkellefte??”
“BibleschootasummercampwithagregationcalledtheLightofLife,”Pernilsaid,asifitwerethemostobviouschoitheworld.
Blomkvistfeltacoldfirerundownthebackofhisneck.HerealisedhowalikehisdaughterandHarrietVangerwere.PernilwassixteelytheageHarrietwaswhenshedisappeared.Bothhadabsentfathers.Bothwereattractedtiousfanaticismesects—HarriettothePealsandPerniltoanoffshootofsomethingthatwasjustaboutascrackpotastheWordofLife.
Hedidnotknowhowheshouldhandlehisdaughter’serestinreligion.Hewasafraidofencroaghttodecideforherself.Atthesametime,theLightofLifewasmostdefinitelyasectofthetypethathewouldatetombastinMillennium.Hewouldtakethefirstopportunitytodiscussthismatterwithhermother.
Pernilsleptinhisbedwhileheedhimselfisonthebenthekit.Hewokewithacrihisnedagmuscles.Pernilwaseagertogetgoing,sohemadebreakfastawithhertothestation.Theyhadalittletime,sotheyboughtcoffeeatthemini-martandsatdownonabenchattheendoftheptform,chattingaboutallsortsofthings.Untilshesaid:“Youdon’tliketheideathatI’mgoingtoSkellefte?,doyou?”
Hewasnon-plussed.
“It’snotdangerous.Butyou’renotaChristian,areyou?”
“Well,I’mnotagoodChristian,atanyrate.”
“Youdon’tbelieveinGod?”
“No,Idon’tbelieveinGod,butIrespectthefactthatyoudo.Everyoohavesomethingtobelievein.”
Wherainarrived,theygaveeachotheralonghuguntilPernilhadtogetonboard.Withooep,sheturned.
“Pappa,I’mnotgoingtoproselytise.Itdoesn’tmattertomewhatyoubelieve,andI’llwaysloveyou.ButIthinkyoushouldtinueyourBiblestudies.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Isawthequotesyouhadonthewall,”shesaid.“Butwhysogloomyaic?Kisses.Seeyouter.”
Shewavedandwasgooodoform,baffled,watgthetrainpulway.Notuntilitvanishedaroundthebenddidthemeaningsinkin.
Mikaelhurriedoutofthestation.Itwouldbealmostanhourbeforethebusleft.HewastoomuedgetowaitthatloothetaxistandandfoundHusseinwiththeNorr.
Tenmierhewasinhisoffice.Hehadtapedthenoteabovehisdesk.
Magda—32016
Sara—32109
R.J.—30112
R.L.—32027
Mari—32018
Helookedaroundtheroom.Thenherealisedwherehe’dbeabletofindaBible.Hetookthehhim,searchedforthekeys,whichhehadleftinabowlonthewindowsill,andjoggedthewholewaytoGottfried’s.HishandswerepracticallyshakingashetookHarriet’sBibledownfromitsshelf.
Shehadnotwrittendowntelephonehefiguresindicatedthechapterandverseiicus,thethirdofthePentateuch.
Leviticus,20:16
“Ifaroachesaahit,youshallkillthewomanandthebeast;theyshallbeputtodeath,theirbloodisuponthem.”
Leviticus,21:9
“Andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbypyingtheharlot,profaher;sheshallbeburhfire.”
Leviticus,1:12
“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireupoar.”
Leviticus,20:27
“Amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestohstoheirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
Leviticus,20:18
“Ifamahawomanhavinghersiess,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuhefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
Hewentoutandsatontheporch.EachversehadbeenunderlinedinHarriet’sBible.Helitacigaretteandlistehesingingofbirdsnearby.
Hehadthenumbers.Buthedidn’thavethenames.Magda,Sara,Mari,R.J.,andR.L.
AllofasuddenanabyssopenedasMikael’sbrainmadeanintuitiveleap.HerememberedthefirevictimiadthatIorMorellhadtoldhimabout.TheRebeckacase,whichourredieforties.Thegirledandthenkilledbyhavingherheadpoulderingcoals.“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireupoar.”Rebecka.R.J.Whatwasherstname?
WhatinGod’snamehadHarrietgottenherselfmixedupin?
Vangerhadbeentakenill.HewasinbedwhenBlomkvistknockedonhisdoor.ButAnnaagreedtolethimin,sayinghecouldvisittheoldmanforafewminutes.
“Asummercold,”Henrikexpined,sniffling.“Whatdidyouwant?”
“Ihaveaquestion.”
“Yes?”
“DidyoueverhearofamurderthattookpHedestadsometimeiies?AgirlcalledRebecka—herheadutonafire.”
“RebeckaJacobsson,”Henriksaidwithoutased’shesitation.“That’sanameI’ll,althoughIhaven’thearditmentionedinyears.”
“Butyouknowaboutthemurder?”
“IndeedIdo.RebeckaJacobssonwastwenty-threeortwenty-fourwhenshedied.Thatmusthavebeenin…Itwasin1949.Therewasatremendoushueandcry,Ihadasmallpartinitmyself.”
“Youdid?”
“Ohyes.Rebeckawasonourclericalstaff,apirtractive.Butwhyareyouasking?”
“I’mnotsure,Henrik,butImaybeontosomething.I’mgoingtohavetothinkthisthrough.”
“Areyousuggestingthatthere’saebetweenHarrietandRebecka?Therewere…almostseventeenyearsseparatiwo.”
“LetmedomythinkingandI’llebadseeyoutomorrowifyou’refeelier.”
BlomkvistdidnotseeVahefollowingday.Justbefore1:00a.m.hewasstiltthekittable,readingHarriet’sBible,whehesoundofacarmakingitswayathighspeedacrossthebridge.Helookedoutthewindowandsawthefshingbluelightsofanambunce.
Filledwithforeboding,heranoutside.TheambunceparkedbyVanger’shouse.Onthegroundfloorallthelightswereon.HedasheduptheporchstepsintwoboundsandfoundashakenAnnainthehall.
“It’shisheart,”shesaid.“Hewokemealittlewhileago,piningofpainsinhischest.Thenhecolpsed.”
Blomkvistputhisarmsaroundthehousekeeper,andhewasstilltherewhenthemedicscameoutwithanunsciousVangeronastretcher.MartinVanger,lookingdecidedlystressed,walkedbehind.HehadbeeninbedwhenAnnacalled.Hisbarefeetwerestuapairofslippers,andhehadn’tzippedhisfly.HegaveMikaebriefgreetingauroAnna.
“I’llgowithhimtothehospital.CallBirgerandseeifyoureachCeciliainLondoninthem,”hesaid.“AndtellDirch.”
“IgotoFrode’shouse,”Blomkvistsaid.Annanoddedgratefully.
IttookseveralminutesbeforeasleepyFrodeansweredBlomkvist’sringathisdoor.
“Ihavebadnews,Dirch.Henrikhasbeehehospital.Itseemstobeaheartattack.Martinwaotellyou.”
“GoodLord,”Frodesaid.Heghiswatch.“It’sFridaythethirteenth,”hesaid.
Notuntilthem,afterhe’dhadabrieftalkwithDirchFrodeonhismobileandbeenassuredthatVangerwasstillive,didhecallBergerwiththehatMillennium’snewpartnerhadbeehehospitalwithaheartattaevitably,thenewswasreceivedwithgloomanday.
LateintheeveningFrodecametoseehimandgivehimthedetailsaboutHenrikVanger’sdition.
“He’salive,buthe’snotdoingwell.Hehadaseriousheartattadhe’salsosufferingfromaion.”
“Haveyouseenhim?”
“No.He’sinintensivecare.MartinandBirgeraresittingwithhim.”
“Whatarehisces?”
Frodewavedahandbadforth.
“Hesurvivedtheattadthat’sagoodsign.Henrikisinexcellentdition,buthe’sold.We’lljusthavetowait.”
Theysatinsilence,deepinthought.Blomkvistmadecoffee.Frodelookedwretchedlyunhappy.
“Ioaskyouaboutwhat’sgoingtohappennow,”Blomkvistsaid.
Frodelookedup.
“Theditionsofyouremploymentdon’tge.They’restiputedinatractthatrunsuntiltheendofthisyear,whetherHenriklivesordies.Youdon’thavetoworry.”
“No,that’snotwhatImeant.I’mwwhoIreporttoinhisabsence.”
Frodesighed.
“Mikael,youknowaswelsIdothatthiswholestoryaboutHarrietisjustapastimeforHenrik.”
“Don’tsaythat,Dirch.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“I’vefoundnewevidence,”Blomkvistsaid.“ItoldHenrikaboutsomeofityesterday.I’mverymuchafraidthatitmayhavehelpedtonhisheartattack.”
Frodelookedathimwithastrangeexpression.
“You’rejoking,youmustbe…”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“OverthepastfewdaysI’vefoundsignifitmateriaboutHarriet’sdisappearance.WhatI’mworriedaboutisthatweneverdiscussedwhoIshouldreporttoifHenrikisnolongerhere.”
“Youreporttome.”
“OK.Ihavetogoonwiththis.Iputyouiurerightnow?”
Blomkvistdescribedwhathehadfoundasciselyaspossible,andheshowedFrodetheseriesofpicturesfrsgatan.Thenheexpinedhowhisowndaughterhadunlockedthemysteryofthehedate.Finally,heproposedthee,ashehadferthedaybefore,withthemurderofRebeckaJacobssonin1949,R.J.
TheonlythitohimselfwasCeciliaVanger’sfaHarriet’swindow.Hehadtotalktoherbeforeheputherinapositionwhereshemightbesuspeething.
Frode’sbrowwascreasedwith.
“YoureallythinkthatthemurderofRebeckahassomethingtodowithHarriet’sdisappearance?”
“Itseemsunlikely,Iagree,butthefactremainsthatHarrietwrotetheinitialsR.J.ieotherefereheOldTestamentwaboutburnts.RebeckaJacobssonwasburodeath.OneewiththeVangerfamilyisinescapable—sheworkedforthecorporation.”
“ButwhatistheewithHarriet?”
“Idon’tk.ButIwanttofindout.IwilltellyoueverythingIwouldhavetoldHenrik.Youhavetomakethedecisionsforhim.”
“Perhapsweoughttormthepolice.”
“No.AtleastnotwithoutHenrik’sblessing.ThestatuteoflimitationshaslongsinoutinthecaseofRebecka,andthepolivestigationwasclosed.They’renotgoingtoreopenaigationfifty-fouryearster.”
“Allright.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
Blomkvistpacedaparou.
“First,Iwanttofollowupthephotographlead.IfwecouldseewhatitwasthatHarrietsaw…itmightbethekey.IneedacartogotoNorsj?andfollowthatlead,whereverittakesme.Andalso,IwanttoresearcheachoftheLeviticusverses.Wehaveoneetoonemurder.Wehavefourverses,possiblyfourotherclues.Todothis…Ineedsomehelp.”
“Whatkindofhelp?”
“Ireallyneedaresearchassistantwiththepatieogholdneerarchivestofind‘Magda’and‘Sara’ahernames.IfI’mrightinthinkingthatRebeckawasn’ttheonlyvictim.”
“Youmeanyouwanttoletsomeoneelseinon…”
“There’salotofworkthathastobedoneandinahurry.IfIoliceoffivolvedinanactiveiigation,Icoulddivideupthehoursandresourdgetpeopletodigforme.Ineedaprofessionalwhoknowsarchiveworkandwhobetrusted.”
“Iuand….ActuallyIbelieveIknoertresearcher,”saidFrode,andbeforehecouldstophimself,headded,“Shewastheonewhodidthebackgroundiigationonyou.”
“Whodidwhat?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Iwasthinkingoutloud,”Frodesaid.“It’snothing.”I’mgettingold,hethought.
“Youhadsomeonedoaigationonme?”
“It’snothingdramatic,Mikael.Wewaohireyou,adidachewhatsortofpersonyouwere.”
“Sothat’swhyHenrikalwaysseemstoklywherehehasme.Howthhwasthisiigation?”
“Itwasquitethh.”
“DiditlookintoMillennium’sproblems?”
Frodeshrugged.“Ithadabearing.”
Blomkvistlitacigarette.Itwashisfifthoftheday.
“Awritte?”
“Mikael,it’snothingtogetworkedupabout.”
“Iwanttoreadthereport,”hesaid.
“Oheon,there’snothingoutoftheordinaryaboutthis.Wewaocheckuponyoubeforewehiredyou.”
“Iwanttoreadthereport,”Mikaelrepeated.
“Icouldn’tauthorisethat.”
“Really?Thenhere’swhatIsaytoyou:eitherIhavethatreportinmyhandswithinthehour,orIquit.I’lltaketheeveningtrainbacktoSto.Whereisthereport?”
Thetwomeneyedeachotherforseveralseds.ThenFrodesighedandlookedaway.
“Inmyoffice,athome.”
Frodehadputupaterriblefuss.Itwasnotuntil6:00thateveningthatBlomkvisthadLisbethSander’sreportinhishand.Itwasalmosteightypageslong,plusdozensofphotocopiedarticles,certificates,andotherrecordsofthedetailsofhislifeandcareer.
Itwasastrangeexperieoreadabouthimselfinwhatartbiographyandpartintellige.Hewasincreasinglyastohowdetailedthereportwas.Sanderhaddugupfactsthathethoughthadbeenlongburiediofhistory.ShehadduguphisyouthfulretionshipwithawomanwhohadbeenafmingSyndicalistandwhowasnooliti.Whointheworldhadshetalkedto?ShehadfoundhisrodBootstrap,whichsurelyno-oodaywouldremember.Shehadscrutinisedhisfinancesdowntothest?re.Howthehellhadshedo?
Asajournalist,Blomkvisthadspentmanyyearshuntingdownrmationaboutpeople,andhecouldjudgethequalityoftheworkfromapurelyprofessionalstandpoint.TherewasnodoubtthatthisSanderwasonehellofaigator.Hedoubtedthatevenhecouldhaveproducedaparablereportonanyindividualpletelyunknowntohim.
ItalsodawnedonhimthattherehadneverbeenanyreasonforhimandBergertokeeptheirdistanVanger’spresence;healreadykheirlong-standiionship.ThereportcameupwithadisturbinglypreciseappraisalofMillennium’sfinancialposition;VangerknewjusthowshakythingswerewhenhefirsttactedBerger.Whatsameying?
TheWer?maffairwasmerelysummarised,butwhoeverwrotethereporthadobviouslybeeorincourtduringpartofthetrial.ThereportquestionedBlomkvist’srefusaltomentduririal.Smartwoman.
Theseikaelstraightenedup,hardlyabletobelievehiseyes.Sanderhadwrittenabriefpassagegivingherassessmentofwhatwouldhappehetrial.ShehadreproducedvirtuallywordforwordthepressreleasethatheandBergerhadsubmittedafterheresignedaspublisherofMillennium.
ButSanderhadusedhisinalw.Hegncedagainatthecoverofthereport.ItwasdatedthreedaysbeforeBlomkvistwassentehatossible.Thepressreleaseexistedtheninonlyohewholeworld.InBlomkvist’sputer.Inhisi,notonhisputerattheoffice.Thetextwasneverpri.NotevenBergerhadacopy,althoughtheyhadtalkedaboutthesubject.
BlomkvistputdownSander’sreport.Heputonhisjacketaoutintothenight,whichwasverybrightoneweekbeforeMidsummer.Hewalkedalongtheshoreofthesound,pastCeciliaVanger’spropertyandtheluxuriousmotorboatbelowMartinVanger’svil.Hewalkedslowly,pashewent.FinallyhesatonarodlookedatthefshingbuoylightsiadBay.Therewasonlyoneclusion.
“You’vebeeninmyputer,Fr?kenSander,”hesaidaloud.“You’reafughacker.”
CHAPTER18
Wednesday,June18
Sanderawokewithastartfromadreamlessslumber.Shefeltfaintlysick.ShedidnothavetoturnherheadtoknowthatMimmihadleftalreadyforwork,butherststilllihestuffyairofthebedroohadturnedupnotlongbeforeclosingtimeandehomewithherandintobed.
Sander—unlikeMimmi—hadhoughtofherselfasalesbian.Shehadneverbroodedoverwhethershewasstraight,gay,orevenbisexual.Shedidnotgiveadamnaboutbels,didhatitwasanyoneelse’sbusinesswhomshespenthernightswith.Ifshehadtochoose,shepreferredguys—andtheywereinthelead,statisticallyspeaking.Theonlyproblemwasfindingaguywhowasnotajerkandonewhowasalsogoodinbed;Mimmiwasasweetpromise,aurnedSanderon.TheyhadmetientatthePrideFestivayearago,andMimmiwastheonlypersonthatSanderhadintroducedtotheEvilFingers.Butitwasstilljustacasuaffairforbothofthem.ItwasnicelyingclosetoMimmi’swarm,softbody,andSanderdidnotmindwakingupwithherandtheirhavingbreakfasttogether.
Herclocksaiditwas9:30,andshewaswwhatcouldhavewokenherwhenthedoorbellrangagaiupinsurprise.No-onehadeverrungherdoorbeltthishour.Veryfewpeherdoorbeltall.Sheedasheetaroundherandwalkedunsteadilytothehalltoopenthedoor.ShestaredstraightintotheeyesofMikaelBlomkvist,feltpanicracethroughherbody,andtookastepback.
“Go,Fr?kenSander,”hegreetedhercheerfully.“Itwasatenight,Isee.Iein?”
Withoutwaitingforananswer,hewalkedin,closingthedoorbehindhim.Heregardedwithcuriositythepileofclothesonthehallfloorandtherampartofbagsfilledwithneers;thenhepeeredthroughthebedroomdoorwhileSander’sworldstartedspinninginthewrongdire.How?What?Who?Blomkvistlookedatherbewildermentwithamusement.
“Iassumedthatyouwouldnothavehadbreakfastyet,shtsomefilledbagelswithme.Igotohroastbeef,ohturkeyandDijonmustard,andoarianwithavocado,notknowingyourpreference.”Hemarchediandstartedrinsinghercoffeemaker.“Wheredoyoukeepcoffee?”hesaid.Saoodinthehalsiffrozenuntilsheheardthewaterrunningoutofthetap.Shetookthreequickstrides.
“Stop!Stopatonce!”Sherealisedthatshewasshoutingandloweredhervoice.“Damnitall,you’tebarginginhereasifyouowhepce.Wedon’tevenknoweachother.”
Blomkvistpaused,holdingajugandturolookather.
“Wrong!Youkerthanalmostanyoneelsedoes.Isn’tthatso?”
Heturnedhisbaherandpouredthewaterintothemae.Theartedopeninghercupboardsinsearchofcoffee.“Speakingofwhich,Iknowhowyoudoit.Iknowyoursecrets.”
Sandershuthereyes,wishingthatthefloorwouldstoppitgunderherfeet.Shewasinastateofmentalparalysis.Shewashuhissituationwasunreal,andherbrainwasrefusingtofun.Neverhadshemetoneofhersubjectsfacetoface.HeknowswhereIlive!Hewasstandingi.Thisossible.Itwaseous.HeknowswhoIam!
Shefeltthesheetslipping,andshepulledittighteraroundher.Hesaidsomething,butatfirstshedidn’tuandhim.“Wehavetotalk,”hesaidagain.“ButIthinkyou’dbettertakeashowerfirst.”
Shetriedtospeaksensibly.“Youlistentome—ifyou’rethinkingofmakingtrouble,I’mnottheoneyoushouldbetalkingto.Iwasjustdoingajob.Youshouldtalktomyboss.”
Hehelduphishands.Auniversalsignofpeace,orIhavenoon.
“I’vealreadytalkedtoArmansky.Bytheway,hewantsyhim—youdidn’tanswerhiscallstnight.”
Shedidnotsehreat,butshestillsteppedbackapacewhenhecamecloser,tookherarmandescortedhertothebathroomdoor.Shedislikedhavinganyoouchherwithoutherleave.
“Idon’twanttomaketrouble,”hesaid.“ButI’mquiteanxioustotalktoyou.Afteryou’reawake,thatis.Thecoffeewillbereadybythetimeyouputohes.First,ashower.Vamoose!”
Passivelysheobeyed.LisbethSanderisneverpassive,shethought.
Sheleanedagainstthebathroomdoorandstruggledtocollectherthoughts.Shewasmoreshakenthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible.Graduallysherealisedthatashowerwasnotonlygoodadvicebutayafterthetumultofthenight.Whenshewasdone,sheslippedintoherbedroomandputonjeans,andaT-shirtwiththesloganARMAGEDDONWASYESTERDAY—TODAYWEHAVEASERIOUSPROBLEM.
Afterpausingforased,shesearchedthroughherleatherjacketthatwasslungoverachair.Shetookthetaseroutofthepocket,checkedtoseethatitwasloaded,andstuckitinthebackpocketofherjeans.Thesmellofcoffeereadingthroughtheapartment.Shetookadeepbreathabacktothekit.
“Doyouneverup?”hesaid.
Hehadfilledthesinkwithdirtydishesandashtrays;hehadputtheoldmilkcartonsintoarubbishsadclearedthetableoffiveweeksofneers;hehadwashedthetableandputoutmugsand—hewasn’tjokingafterall—bagels.OK,let’sseewherethisisheading.Shesatdownoppositehim.
“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion.Roastbeef,turkey,etarian?”
“Roastbeef.”
“ThenI’lltaketheturkey.”
Theyateinsilence,scrutinisingeachother.Whenshefinishedherbagel,shealsoatehalfofthevegetarianone.Shepickedupacrumpledpackofcigarettesfromthewindowsilnddugo.
Hebrokethesilence.“Imaynotbeasgoodasyouatiigations,butatleastI’vefoundoutthatyou’renotavegetarianor—asHerrFrodethought—anorexic.I’llincludethatrmationi.”
Saaredathim,buthelookedsoamusedthatshegavehimacrookedsmile.Thesituationwasbeyondallrhymeorreason.Shesippedhercoffee.Hehadkindeyes.Shedecidedthatwhateverelsehemightbe,hedidobeamaliciousperson.AndtherewasnothinginthePIshehaddohatwouldindicatehewasaviciousbastardwhoabusedhisgirlfriendsoranythinglikethat.Sheremindedherselfthatshewastheonewhokneweverything.Knowledgeispower.
“Whatareyougrinningat?”shesaid.
“I’msorry.Ihadnotinfaedtomakemyentrahisway.Ididoarmyou.Butyoushouldhaveseenyourfacewhenyouopehedoor.Itriceless.”
Sileohersurprise,Sanderfoundhisunirusioable—well,atleastnotunpleasant.
“You’llhavetothinkofitasmyrevengeforyourpokingaroundinmypersonallife,”hesaid.“Areyhtened?”
“Nottheleastbit,”Sandersaid.
“Good.I’momaketroubleforyou.”
“IfyoueventrytohurtmeI’llhavetodoyouaninjury.You’llbesorry.”
Blomkviststudiedher.Shewasbarelyfourfootelevenanddidnotlookasthoughshecouldputupmuchresistanceifhewereanassaintwhohadforcedhiswayintoherapartment.Buthereyeswereexpressionlessandcalm.
“Well,thatwon’tbenecessary,”hesaidatst.“Iootalktoyou.Ifyouwaoleave,allyouhavetodoissayso.It’sfunnybut…oh,nothing…”
“What?”
“Thismaysoundcrazy,butfourdaysagoIdidn’tevenknowyouexisted.ThenIreadyouranalysisofme.”Hesearchedthroughhisshoulderbagandbroughtoutthereport.“Itwasertainingreading.”
Helookedoutofthekitwindowforawhile.“CouldIbumacigarette?”Sheslidthepackacrossthetable.
“Yousaidbeforethatwedon’tknoweachother,andIsaidthatyes,wedo.”Hepoihereport.“I’tpetewithyou.I’veonlydonearapidroutiogetyouraddressanddateofbirth,stufflikethat.Butyoucertainlyknowagreatdeaboutme.Muchofwhichisprivate,dammit,thingsthatonlymyclosestfriendsknow.AndnowhereIam,sittinginyourkitaingbagelswithyou.Wehaveknowneachotherhalfanhour,butIhavethefeelingthatwe’vebeenfriendsforyears.Doesthatmakeseoyou?”
Shenodded.
“Youhavebeautifuleyes,”hesaid.
“Youhaveniceeyesyourself,”shesaid.
Longsilence.
“Whyareyouhere?”shesaid.
KalleBlomkvist—sherememberedhisniameandsuppressedtheimpulsetosayitoutloud—suddenlylookedserious.Healsolookedverytired.Theself-fidehehadshownwhenhefirstwalkedintoherapartmentwasnowgoheingwasover,oratleasthadbeenputaside.Shefelthimstudyingherclosely.
Sanderfeltthatherposurewasbarelyskin-deepandthatshereallywasn’tietrolofherhistotallyunlooked-forvisithadshakenherinawaythatshehadneverexperienewithherwork.Herbreadandbutteryingonpeople.InfactshehadhoughtofwhatshedidforArmanskyasarealjob;shethoughtofitmoreasaplicatedpastime,asortofhobby.
Thetruthwasthatsheenjoyeddiggingintothelivesofotherpeopleandexposingthesecretstheyweretryingtohide.Shehadbeendoingit,inoneformoranother,foraslongasshecouldremember.Andshewasstilldoingittoday,notonlywhenArmanskygaveheranassig,butsometimesforthesheerfunofit.Itgaveherakick.Itwaslikeaplicatedputergame,exceptthatitdealtwithreallivepeople.Andnowoneofherhobbieswassittingrightherei,feedingherbagels.Itwastotallyabsurd.
“Ihaveafasatingproblem,”Blomkvistsaid.“Tellmethis,whenyouweredoingyourreseareforHerrFrode,didyouhaveanyideawhatitwasgoingtobeusedfor?”
“No.”
“ThepurposewastofindoutallthatrmationaboutmebecauseFrode,orratherhisemployer,waogivemeafreencejob.”
“Isee.”
Hegaveherafaintsmile.
“OhesedaysyouandIshouldhaveadiscussionabouttheethicsofsnoopingintootherpeople’slives.ButrightnowIhaveadifferentproblem.ThejobIwasoffered,andwhiexplicablyIagreedtodo,iswithoutdoubtthemostarreassigI’veeveruaken.BeforeIsaymoreIobeabletotrustyou,Lisbeth.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Armanskytellsmeyou’re100pertreliable.ButIstillwanttoaskyouthequestion.Itellyoufidentialthingswithoutyourtellioanyoneelse,byanymeans,ever?”
“Waitaminute.You’vetalkedtan?Ishetheonewhosentyouhere?”I’mgoingtokillyou,youfugstupidArmenian.
“ly.You’renottheonlyonewhofindoutsomeone’saddress;Ididthatallonmyown.Ilookedyouupiiistry.TherearethreeLisbethSanders,ahertwoweren’tagoodmatch.ButIhadalongtalkwithArmanskyyesterday.HetoothoughtthatIwaomaketroubleoveryourferretingaroundinmyprivatelife.IntheendIvin