cedhimthatIhadalegitimatepurpose.”
“Whichiswhat?”
“AsItoldyou,Frode’semployerhiredmetodoajob.I’vereachedapointwhereIneedaskilledresearcher.Frodetoldmeaboutyouandsaidthatyouwereprettygood.Hehadoidentifyyou,itjustslippedout.IexpioArmanskywhatIwanted.HeOK’dthewholethingandtriedtocallyou.AndhereIam.Callhimifyouwant.”
IttookSanderamiofindhermobileamohesthatMimmihadpulledoffher.Blomkvistwatchedherembarrassedsearchwithiashepatrolledtheapartment.Allherfurnitureseemedtobestrays.Shehadastate-of-the-artPoweronanapologyforadeskinthelivingroom.ShehadaCDpyeronashelf.HerCDcolleitifultotaloftenCDsbygroupshehadneverheardof,andthemusisonthecoverslookedlikevampiresfromouterspace.Musicrobablyni.
SandersawthatArmanskyhadcalledhersevehenightbeforeandtwicethism.ShepunchedinhisnumberwhileBlomkvistleanedagainstthedoorframeandlisteheversation.
“It’sme…sorry…yes…itwasturnedoff…Iknow,hewantstohireme…andinginthemiddleofmyfuglivingroom,forChrist’ssake…”Sheraisedhervoice.“Dragan,I’mhungoverandmyheadhurts,soplease,nogames,didyouOKthisjobornot?…Thanks.”
SanderlookedthroughthedoortothelivingroomatBlomkvistpullingoutdtakingsofftheshelf.Hehadjustfoundabrownpillbottlethatwasmissingitsbel,andhewasholdingituptothelight.Hewasabouttouhetop,soshereachedoutandtookthebottlefromhim.Shewentbacktothekitandsatdownonachair,massagingherforeheaduntilhejoinedher.
“Therulesaresimple,”shesaid.“NothingthatyoudiscusswithmeorwithArmanskywillbesharedwithaall.TherewillbeatractwhichstatesthatMiltonSecuritypledgesfidentiality.IwanttoknowwhatthejobisaboutbeforeIdecidewhetherIwanttoworkforyouornot.ThatalsomeansthatIagreetokeeptomyselfeverythingyoutellme,whetherItakethejobornot,providedthatyou’renotduganysortofseriouscriminactivity.Inwhichcase,I’llreportittan,whointurnwillreportittothepolice.”
“Fine.”Hehesitated.“ArmanskymayelyawareofwhatIwanttohireyoufor…”
“Somehistoricalresearch,hesaid.”
“Well,yes,that’sright.Iwantyoutohelpmetoidentifyamurderer.”
IttookBlomkvistanhourtoexpinalltheintricatedetailsintheHarrietVangercase.Heleftnothingout.HehadFrode’spermissiontohireher,andtodothathehadtobeabletotrustherpletely.
HetoldhereverythingaboutCeciliaVangerandthathehadfoundherfaHarriet’swindow.HegaveSanderasgoodadescriptionofhercharacterashecould.Shehadmovedhighupoofsuspects,hislist.Buthewasstillfarfrombelievingthatshecouldbeinanywayassociatedwithamurdererwhowasactivewhenshewasstilyoungwoman.
HegaveSanderacopyofthelistie:“Magda—32016;Sara—32109;R.J.—30112;R.L.—32027;Mari—32018.”AndhegaveheracopyoftheversesfromLeviticus.
“Whatdoyouwaodo?”
“I’veidentifiedtheR.J.,RebeckaJacobssooldherwhatthefive-figureoodfor.“IfI’mright,thenwe’regoingtofindfourmorevictims—Magda,Sara,Mari,andR.L.”
“Youthinkthey’reallmurdered?”
“WhatIthinkisthatwearelookingforsomeonewho—iftheothernumbersandinitialsalsoprovetobeshorthandforfourmorekillings—isamurdererwhowasactiveiiesandmaybealsoiies.AndwhoisinsomewaylioHarrietVanger.I’veghbackissuesoftheHedestadCourier.Rebecka’smurderistheonlygrotesquecrimethatIcouldfindwithaetoHedestad.Iwantyoutokeepdigging,alloverSwedenifnecessary,untilyoumakeseheothernamesandverses.”
SahoughtinexpressionlesssilenceforsuchalongtimethatBlomkvistbegantogrowimpatient.Hewaswwhetherhehadchosenthewrongpersonwheraisedherhead.
“I’lltakethejob.ButfirstyouhavetosignatractwithArmansky.”
ArmanskyprithetractthatBlomkvistwouldtakebacktoHedestadforFrode’ssignature.WheuroSander’soffice,hesawhowsheandBlomkvistwereleaningoverherPower.Hehadhishandonhershoulder—hewastougher—andpointing.Armanskypausedinthecorridor.
BlomkvistsaidsomethingthatseemedtosurpriseSahensheughedoutloud.
Armanskyhadneveronceheardherughbefore,andforyearshehadbeentryingtowirust.Blomkvisthadknownherforfiveminutesandsheracticallygigglingwithhim.HefeltsuchaloathingforBlomkvistatthatmomentthathesurprisedhimself.Heclearedhisthroatashestoodinthedoorutdownthefolderwiththetract.
BlomkvistpaidaquickvisittotheMillenniumoffitheafternoon.Itwashisfirsttimeback.Itfeltveryoddtoberunningupthosefamiliarstairs.Theyhadnotgedthecodeonthedoor,andhewasabletoslipinunnotidstandforamoment,lookingaround.
Millennium’sofficeswerearrangedinanLshape.Theentrywasahallthattookupalotofspacewithoutbeingabletobeputtomuchuse.Thereweretwosofasthere,soitwasbywayofbeiionarea.Beyondwasalunkitchete,thencloakroom/toilets,andtweroomswithshelvesandfilingcabis.TherewasalsoadeskforahtoftheentrywasthegsswallofMalm’sstudio,whichtookupabout500squarefeet,withitsowranthending.Totheleftwastheeditorialoffipassingabout350squarefeet,withthewindowsfagG?tgatan.
Bergerhaddesignedeverything,puttingingsspartitionstomakeseparatequartersforthreeoftheemployeesandanopenpnfortheothers.Shehadtakenthergestroomattheverybackforherself,andgivenBlomkvisthisownroomattheoppositeend.Itwastheonlyroomthatyoucouldlookintofromtheentry.No-onehadmovedintoit,itseemed.
Thethirdroomwasslightlyapartfromtheothers,anditiedbySonnyMagnusson,whohadbeenforseveralyearsMillennium’smostsuessfudvertisingsalesman.Bergerhadhandpickedhim;sheofferedhimamodestsaryandamissiohepastyear,ithadnotmadeanydifferencehoweichewasasasalesman,theiradvertisiakeingandMagnusson’sihit.Butinsteadoflookingelsewhere,hehadtightenedhisbeltandloyallystayedput.Unlikeme,whocausedthewholendslide,Blomkvistthought.
Hegatheredhisceandwalkedintotheoffice.Itwasalmostdeserted.HecouldseeBergeratherdesk,telephonepressedtoherear.MonikaNilssonwasatherdesk,anexperiencedgeneralreporterspecialisinginpoliticalce;shecouldbethemostjadedichehadevermet.She’dbeenatMillenniumfornineyearsandwasthriving.HenryCortezwastheyouemployeeoorialstaff.HehadeasaraightoutofJMKtwo,sayingthathewaoworkatMillenniumandnowhereelse.Bergerhadnobudgettohirehim,butsheofferedhimadeskinaerandsoontookhimonasapermadogsbody,andanonasastaffreporter.
Bothutteredcriesofdelight.Hereceivedkissesonthecheekandpatsontheback.Atoheyaskedhimifhewasreturningtowork.No,hehadjuststoppedbytosayhelloandhaveawordwiththeboss.
Bergerwasgdtoseehim.SheaskedaboutVanger’sdition.BlomkvistknewnomorethanwhatFrodecouldtellhim:hisditionwasinescapablyserious.
“Sowhatareyoudoingiy?”
Blomkvistwasembarrassed.HehadbeenatMiltonSecurity,onlyafewstreetsaway,andhehaddecidedonsheerimpulsetoein.Itseemedtooplicatedtoexpinthathehadbeeohirearesearchassistantwhowasasecuritysultantwhohadhackedintohisputer.InsteadheshruggedandsaidhehadetoStoonVanger-retedbusiness,andhewouldhavetogobaorthatonce.Heaskedhowthingsweregoingatthemagazine.
“Apartfromthegoodnewsontheadvertisingandthesubscriptionfronts,thereisonecloudonthehorizon.”
“Whichis?”
“JanneDahlman.”
“Ofcourse.”
“IhadatalkwithhiminApril,afterwereleasedthehatHenrikhadbeeapartner.Idon’tknowifit’sjustJanne’snaturetobeiveorifthere’ssomethingmoreseriousgoingon,ifhe’spyingsomesame.”
“pened?”
“It’snothingIputafingeron,ratherthatInolorusthim.AfterwesigheagreementwithVanger,ChristerandIhadtodecidewhethertormthewholestaffthatwewerenoloriskofgoinguhisautumn,or…”
“Ortotelljustachosenfew.”
“Exactly.Imaybeparanoid,butIdidn’twanttoriskhavingDahlmahestory.Sowedecidedtormthewholestaffonthesamedaytheagreementublic.Whichmeantthatwekeptthelidonitforoveramonth.”
“And?”
“Well,thatwasthefirstpieceofgoodhey’dhadinayear.EveryonecheeredexceptforDahlman.Imean—wedon’thavetheworld’sbiggesteditorialstaff.Therewerethreepeoplecheering,plustheintern,andonepersonwhogothisofjointbecausewehadn’ttoldeverybodyearlier.”
“Hehadapoint…”
“Iknow.Butthethingis,hekeptonbitgabouttheissuedayafterday,andmoraleintheofficewasaffected.AftertwoweeksofthisshitIcalledhimintomyoffidtoldhimtohisfacethatmyreasonfornothavihestaffearlierwasthatIdidn’ttrusthimtokeepthenewssecret.”
“Howdidhetakeit?”
“Hewasterriblyupset,ofcourse.Istoodmygroundandgavehimanultimatum—eitherhehadtopullhimselftogetherorstartlookingforanotherjob.”
“And?”
“Hepulledhimselftogether.Buthekeepstohimself,andthere’satensioweenhimahers.Christer’tstandhim,andhedoesn’thideit.”
“WhatdoyoususpectDahlmanofdoing?”
“Idon’tknow.Wehiredhimayearago,erefirsttalkingabouttroublewithWer?m.I’tproveathing,butIhaveanastyfeelingthathe’snforus.”
“Trustyourinstincts.”
“Maybehe’sjustasquarepeginaroundholewhojusthappenstobepoisonimosphere.”
“It’spossible.ButIagreethatwemadeamistakewhenwehiredhim.”
HalfanhourterhewasonhiswaynorthacrossthelocksatSlusseninthecarhehadborrowedfromFrode’swife.Itwasaten-year-oldVolvosheneverused.Blomkvisthadbeengiveoborrowitwheneverheliked.
Itwasthetiailsthathecouldeasilyhavemissedifhehadnotbee:somepapersnotasevenlystackedasheremembered;abiquiteflushontheshelf;hisdeskdrawerclosedalltheway—heositivethatitwasaninchopenwhe.
Someonehadbeeninsidehiscottage.
Hehadlockedthedoor,butitwasanordinaryoldlockthatalmostanyonecouldpickwithascrewdriver,andwhoknewhowmanykeyswereincircutioematicallysearchedhisoffice,lookingforwhatmightbemissing.Afterawhilehedecidedthateverythingwasstillthere.
helesssomeonehadbeeniageandghhispapersandbinders.Hehadtakenhisputerwithhim,sotheyhadnotbeeoaessthat.Twoquestionsarose:whowasit?andhowmuchhadhisvisitorbeeofindout?
ThebindersbelohepartofVanger’scollethathebroughtbacktotheguesthouseafterreturningfromprison.Therewasnothingoftheerialinthem.Hishedeskwouldreadlikecodetotheuninitiated—butwasthepersonwhohadsearchedhisdeskuninitiated?
Inapsticfolderonthemiddleofthedeskhehadputacopyofthedatelistandacopyoftheverses.Thatwasserious.Itwouldtellwhoeveritwasthatthedatecodewascracked.
Sowhowasit?
Vangerwasinthehospital.Hedidnotsuspea.Frode?Hehadalreadytoldhimallthedetails.CeciliaVangerhadcelledhertriptoFloridaandwasbaLondon—alongwithhersister.Blomkvisthadonlyseenheronce,drivinghercaracrossthebridgethedaybefore.MartinVanger.HaraldVanger.BirgerVanger—hehadturnedupforafamilygatheringtowhikvisthadnotbeenihedayafterVanger’sheartattack.AlexanderVanger.IsabelVanger.
WhomhadFrodetalkedto?Whatmighthehaveletslipthistime?HowmanyoftheanxiousretiveshadpickedupothatBlomkvisthadmadeabreakthroughinhisiigation?
Itwasafter8:00.Hecalledthelocksmithiadandorderedanewlock.Thelocksmithsaidthathecouldeoutthefollowingday.Blomkvistsaidhewouldpaydoubleifhecameatoheyagreedthathewouldeataround10:30thatnightandinstalnewdeadboltlock.
BlomkvistdrovetoFrode’shouse.HiswifeshowedhimintothegardenbehindthehouseandofferedhimacoldPilsner,whichhegratefullyaepted.HeaskedhowHenrikVangerwas.
Frodeshookhishead.
“Theyoperatedoorssaythatthefewdaysarecritical.”
TheythoughtaboutthisforawhileastheydranktheirPilsners.
“Youhaven’ttalkedtohim,Isuppose?”
“No.He’snotwellenoughtotalk.HowdiditgoinSto?”
“TheSandergireptedthejob.Here’sthetrailtonSecurity.Youhavetosignitandputiti.”
Frodereadthroughthedot.
“She’sexpensive,”hesaid.
“Henrikaffordit.”
Frodenodded.Hetookapenoutofhisbreastpocketandscrawledhisname.
“It’sagoodthingthatI’msigningitwhilehe’sstillive.CouldyouputitierboxatKonsumonyourwayhome?”
Blomkvistwasinbedbymidnight,buthecouldnotsleep.UntilnowhisworkonHedebyIsndhadseemedlikeresearahistoricalcuriosity.Butifsomeonewassuffitlyiedinwhathewasdoingtobreakintohisoffice,thenthesolutionhadtobeclosertothepresentthahought.
Thenitourredtohimthattherewereotherswhomightbeiedinwhathewaswon.Vanger’ssuddenappearaheboardofMillenniumhadnotgoneunnoticedbyWer?m.Orwasthisparanoia?
Mikaelgotoutofbedaostandhekitwindow,gazingatthechurtheothersideofthebridge.Helitacigarette.
Hecouldn’tfigureoutLisbethSander.Shewasaltogetherodd.Longpausesinthemiddleoftheversation.Herapartmentwasmessy,bonchaotic.Bagsfilledwithneersinthehall.Akitthathadnotbeenedortidiedinyears.Clotheswerescatteredinheapsonthefloor.Shehadobviouslyspenthalfthenightinabar.Shehadlovebitesonhernedshehadclearlyhadpanyht.Shehadheavenknowshowmanytattoosandtwsonherfadmaybeinotherpces.Shewasweird.
Armanskyassuredhimthatshewastheirverybestresearcher,andherreportonhimwasexcruciatinglythh.Astrangegirl.
SanderwassittingatherPower,butshewasthinkingaboutMikaelBlomkvist.Shehadneverinheradultlifeallowedanyoocrossherthresholdwithoutanexpressinvitation,andshecouldtthoseshehadinvitedononehand.Blomkvisthadnontlybargedintoherlife,andshehadutteredonlyafewmeprotests.
Notonlythat,hehadteasedher.
Undernormalcircumstahatsortofbehaviourwouldhavemadehermentallycockapistol.Butshehadaniotaofthreatoranysortofhostilityfromhisside.Hehadgoodreasontoreadhertheriotact,evehertothepolisteadhehadtreatedevenherhagintohisputerasajoke.
Thathadbeesensitivepartoftheirversation.Blomkvistseemedtobedeliberatelynotbroagthesubjedfinallyshecouldnothelpaskingthequestion.
“YousaidthatyouknewwhatIdid.”
“You’vebeeninsidemyputer.You’reahacker.”
“Howdoyouknowthat?”Sanderwasabsolutelypositivethatshehadleftnotradthathertrespassingcouldnotbediscoveredbyanyoneuopsecuritysultantsatdownandsedtheharddriveatthesametimeasshewasaessier.
“Youmadeamistake.”
Shehadquotedfromatextthatwasonlyonhisputer.
Sainsilence.Finallyshelookedupathim,hereyesexpressionless.
“Howdidyoudoit?”heasked.
“Mysecret.Whatareyouthinkingofdoingaboutit?”
Mikaelshrugged.
“WhatIdo?”
“It’sexactlywhatyoudoasajournalist.”
“Ofcourse.Andthat’swhywejournalistshaveahicsmitteethatkeepstrackofthemoralissues.WhenIwriteanarticleaboutsomebastardinthebankingindustry,Ileaveout,forinstance,hisorherprivatelife.Idon’tsaythataferisalesbiaurnedonbyhavihherdogoranythinglikethat,evenifithappenstobetrue.Bastardstoohavearighttotheirprivatelives.Doesthatmakesense?”
“Yes.”
“Soyouencroayiy.MyemployerdoesoknowwhoIhavesexwith.That’smybusiness.”
Sander’sfacewascreasedbyacrookedsmile.
“YouthinkIshouldn’thavementiohat?”
“Inmycaseitdidn’tmakealotofdifference.HalfthecityknowsaboutmyretionshipwithErika.Butit’samatterofprinciple.”
“Inthatcase,itmightamuseyoutoknowthatIalsohaveprinciplesparabletoyourethicsmittee’s.IcallthemSander’sPrinciples.Ohemisthatabastardisalwaysabastard,andifIhurtabastardbydiggingupshitabouthim,thenhedeservesit.”
“OK,”Blomkvistsaid.“Myreasoningisn’ttoodifferentfromyours,but…”
“ButthethingisthatwhenIdoaPI,IalsolookatwhatIthinkabouttheperson.I’mral.Ifthepersonseemslikeagoodsort,Imighttonedow.”
“Really?”
“InyourcaseItodown.Icouldhavewrittenaaboutyoursexlife.IcouldhavementiooFrodethatErikaBergerhasapastinClubXtremeandpyedaroundwithBDSMiies—whichwouldhavepromptedcertainunavoidablenotionsaboutyoursexlifeandhers.”
BlomkvistmetSander’sgaze.Afteramomentheughed.
“You’rereallymeticulous,aren’tyou?Whydidn’tyouputitinthereport?”
“Youareadultswhoobviouslylikeeachother.Whatyoudoinbedisnobody’sbusiness,andtheonlythingIwouldhaveachievedbytalkingaboutherwastohurtbothofyou,ortoprovidesomeohbckmailmaterial.Idon’tknowFrode—thermationcouldhaveendedupwithWer?m.”
“Andyoudon’twanttoprovideWer?mwithrmation?”
“IfIhadtochoosebetweenyouandhim,I’dprobablyendupinyourcourt.”
“ErikaandIhavea…ourretionshipis…”
“Please,Ireallydon’tgiveatossaboutwhatsortofretionshipyouhave.Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion:whatdoyoupntodoaboutmyhagintoyourputer?”
“Lisbeth,I’mobckmailyou.I’mheretoaskyoutohelpmedosomeresearch.Yousayyesorno.Ifyousayno,fine,I’llfindsomeoneelseandyou’llneverhearfrommeagain.”
CHAPTER19
Thursday,June19–Sunday,June29
WhilehewaitedforwordoherVangerwasgoingtopullthroughornot,Blomkvistspentthedaysgoingoverhismaterials.HekeptinclosetouchwithFrode.OnThursdayeveningFrhthimthehattheimmediatecrisisseemedtobeover.
“Iwasabletotalktohimforawhiletoday.Hewantstoseeyouassoonaspossible.”
Soitwasthat,around1:00oernoonofMidsummerEve,BlomkvistdrovetoHedestadHospitainsearchoftheward.HeenteredanangryBirgerVanger,whoblockedhisway.Henrikcouldnotpossiblyreceivevisitors,hesaid.
“That’sodd,”Blomkvistsaid,“Henriksentwordsayingthatheexpresslywaoseemetoday.”
“You’renotamemberofthefamily;youhavenobusinesshere.”
“Yht.I’mnotamemberofthefamily.ButI’mwforHenrikVanger,andItakeordersonlyfromhim.”
ThismighthaveledtoaheatedexgeifFrodehadnotatthatmomeofVanger’sroom.
“Oh,thereyouare.Henrikhasbeenaskingafteryou.”
FrodeheldopenthedoorandBlomkvistwalkedpastBirgerintotheroom.
Vangerlookedtohaveagedtenyears.Hewaslyingwithhiseyeshalfclosed,anoxygentubeinhisnose,andhishairmoredishevelledthanever.AoppedBlomkvist,puttingahandfirmlyonhisarm.
“Twominutes.Nomore.Anddon’tupsethim.”Blomkvistsatonavisitor’schairsothathecouldseeVanger’sface.Hefeltatenderhatastonishedhim,aretchedouthishandtogentlysqueezetheoldman’shand.
“Anynews?”Thevoicewasweak.
Blomkvistnodded.
“I’llgiveyouareportassoonasyou’rebetter.Ihaven’tsolvedthemysteryyet,butI’vefoundmoreuffandI’mfollowingupanumberofleads.Inaweek,perhapstwo,I’llbeabletotelltheresults.”
ThemostVangeraoblink,indigthatheuood.
“Ihavetobeawayforafewdays.”
Henrikraisedhiseyebrows.
“I’mnotjumpingship.Ihavesomeresearchtodo.I’vereachedanagreementwithDirchthatIshouldreporttohim.IsthatOKwithyou?”
“Dirchis…myman…inallmatters.”
BlomkvistsqueezedVanger’shandagain.
“Mikael…ifIdon’t…Iwantyouto…finishthejob.”
“Iwillfinishthejob.”
“Dirchhas…full…”
“Henrik,Iwantyoutogetbetter.I’dbefuriouswithyouifyouwentaerI’vemadesuchprogress.”
“Twomihenursesaid.
“imewe’llhavealongtalk.”
BirgerVangerwaswaitingforhimwhenhecameout.Hestoppedhimbyyingahandonhisshoulder.
“Idon’twantyoubHenrikanymore.He’sveryill,andhe’snotsupposedtobeupsetordisturbed.”
“Iuandyour,andIsympathise.AndI’mnotgoingtoupsethim.”
“EveryoneknowsthatHenrikhiredyoutopokearoundinhislittlehobby…Harriet.DirchsaidthatHenrikbecameveryupsetafteraversationyouhadwithhimbeforehehadtheheartattack.Heevensaidthatyouthoughtyouhadcausedtheattack.”
“Idon’tthinksoanymore.Henrikhadsevereblockagesinhisarteries.Hecouldhavehadaheartattackjustbyhavingapee.I’msureyouknowthatbynow.”
“Iwantfulldisclosureintothislunacy.Thisismyfamilyyou’remugaroundin.”
“Itoldyou,IworkforHenrik,notforthefamily.”
BirgerVangerarentlynotusedtohavingaanduptohim.ForamomearedatBlomkvistressionthatresumablymeanttoinstilrespect,butwhichmadehimlookmorelikeaninftedmoose.BirgerturnedaintoVanger’sroom.
Blomkvistrestraiheurgetough.Thiscefhter,inthecorridoroutsideVanger’ssickbed,whichmightalsoturnouttobehisdeathbed.ButhethoughtofaversefromLennartHynd’srhymingalphabet.ItwastheletterM.Andallohemoosehestood,ughinginashot-upwood.
InthehospitallobbyheranintoCeciliaVanger.Hehadtriedcallinghermobileadozentimessinceshecamebaherinterruptedholiday,butshehadneveransweredorreturnedhiscalls.AndshewasneverhomeatherpHedebyIsndwheneverhewalkedpastandkhedoor.
“Hi,Cecilia,”hesaid.“I’msosorryaboutallthiswithHenrik.”
“Thanks,”shesaid.
“Wealk.”
“I’msorrythatI’veshutyououtlikethis.Iderstandthatyoumustbecross,butI’mnothaviimeofitthesedays.”
Mikaelputhishandonherarmandsmiledather.
“Wait,you’vegotitwrong,Cecilia.I’mnotcrossatall.Iamstillhopingthatwebefriends.wehaveacupofcoffee?”Hehedireofthehospitalcafeteria.
CeciliaVangerhesitated.“Nottoday.IogoandseeHenrik.”
“OK,butIstillalktoyou.It’spurelyprofessional.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”Shewassuddenlyalert.
“Doyourememberthefirsttimewemet,whenyoucametothecottageinJanuary?Isaidthatweweretalkingofftherecord,andthatifIoaskyouanyrealquestions,Iwouldtellyou.IthastodowithHarriet.”
CeciliaVanger’sfacewassuddenlyflushedwithanger.
“Youreallyarethefugpits.”
“Cecilia,I’vefoundsomethingsthatIreallydohavetotalktoyouabout.”
Shetookastepawayfromhim.
“Don’tyourealisethatthisbloodyhuntforthatcursedHarrietisjustoupationaltherapyforHenrik?Don’tyouseethathemightbeuptheredying,andthattheverystthingheneedsistogetupsetagainandbefilledwithfalsehopesand…”
“ItmaybeahobbyforHenrik,butthereisnowmorematerialtogoonthananyonehashadtoworkwithinaverylongtime.Therearequestionsthatdoobeanswered.”
“IfHenrikdies,thatiigationisgoingtobeoverawfullydamnedfast.Thenyou’llbeoutonyrubby,snivellingiigativebackside,”Ceciliasaid,andshewalkedaway.
Everythingwasclosed.Hedestadracticallydeserted,andtheinhabitantsseemedtohaveretreatedtotheirMidsummerpolesattheirsummercottages.BlomkvistmadefortheStadshotelterrace,whichwasactuallyopen,andtherehewasabletoordercoffeeandasandwidreadtheeveningpapers.Nothingofimportanceeningintheworld.
HeputthepaperdownandthoughtaboutCeciliaVanger.Hehadtoldno-one—apartfromtheSandergirl—thatshewastheoneehewindowinHarriet’sroom.Hewasafraidthatitwouldmakeherasuspedthestthiedtodowashurther.Butthequestionwasgoingtohavetobeasked,sooer.
HesatoerraceforanhourbeforehedecidedtosetthewholeproblemasideaeMidsummerEvetosomethingotherthantheVangerfamily.Hismobilewassilent.Bergerwasawayamusingherselfsomewherewithherhusband,andhehadno-ootalkto.
HewentbacktoHedebyIsndataround4:00iernoonandmadeanotherdecision—tostopsmoking.Hehadbeenwurlyeversincehedidhismilitaryservice,bothatthegymandbyrunningalongS?derM?rstrand,buthadfallenoutofthehabitwhentheproblemswithWer?mbegan.ItwasatRull?kerPrisonthathehadstartingpumpingironagain,mostlyastherapy.Butsincehisreleasehehadtakenalmostnoexercise.ItwastimetaionhistracksuitaoffatazypacealongtheroadtoGottfried’s,turnedofftowardstheFortress,andthercoursecrosstry.Hehaddonenoorienteeringsincehewasinthemilitary,buthehadalwaysthoughtitwasmorefuntorunthroughawoodedterrainthanonafttrack.Hefollowedthefencearound?sterg?rdenbacktothevilge.Hewasagalloverandoutofbreathbythetimehetooktheststepsuptotheguesthouse.
At6:00hetookashower.Heboiledsomepotatoesandhadopensandwichesofpickledherringinmustardsaucewithchivesandeggonaricketytableoutsidethecottage,fagthebridge.Hepouredhimselfashotofaquavitanddrankatoasttohimself.AfterthatheopenedacrimenovelbyValMcDermidentitledTheMermaidsSinging.
Ataround7:00Frodedroveupandsatheavilyinthechairacrossfromhim.BlomkvistpouredhimashotofSk?neaquavit.
“Youstirredupsomeratherlivelyemotionstoday,”Frodesaid.
“Icouldseethat.”
“Birgerisaceitedfool.”
“Iknowthat.”
“ButCeciliaisnotaceitedfool,andshe’sfurious.”
Mikaelnodded.
“Shehasinstructedmetoseethatyoustoppokingaroundinthefamily’saffairs.”
“Isee.Andwhatdidyousaytoher?”
FrodelookedathisgssofSk?neanddowheliquorinonegulp.
“MyrespohatHenrikhasgivenmeclearinstrusaboutwhathewantsyoutodo.Aslongashedoesn’tgethoseinstrus,youwilltiobeemployeduhetermsofyourtract.Iexpectyoutodoyourbesttofulfilyourpartofthetract.”
Blomkvistlookedupatthesky,whereraincloudshadbeguntogather.
“Lookslikeastormisbrewing,”Frodesaid.“Ifthewi,I’llhavetobackyouup.”
“Thankyou.”
Theysatinsilenceforawhile.
“CouldIhaveanotherdrink?”
OnlymierFrodehadgonehome,MartinVangerdroveupandparkedhiscarbytheroadinfrontofthecottage.Hecameoverandsaidhello.MikaelwishedhimahappyMidsummerandaskedifhe’dlikeadrink.
“No,it’sbetterifIdon’t.I’mjustheretogemyclothesandthenI’mgoingtodrivebacktotowntospendtheeveningwithEva.”
Blomkvistwaited.
“I’vetalkedtoCecilia.She’salittletraumatisedjustnow—sheandHenrikhavealwaysbeenclose.Ihopeyou’llfiveherifshesaysanything…unpleasant.”
“I’mveryfondofCecilia.”
“Iknowthat.Butshebedifficult.Ijustwantyoutoknowthatshe’sverymuchagainstyoingondiggingintoourpast.”
Blomkvistsighed.EveryoneiadseemedtoknowwhyVangerhadhiredhim.
“What’syourfeeling?”
“ThisthingwithHarriethasbeenHenrik’sobsessionfordecades.Idon’tknow…Harrietwasmysister,butsomehowitfeelsallsofaraway.DirchsaysthatyouhaveatractthatonlyHenrikbreak,andI’mafraidthatinhispresentditionitwoulddomoreharmthangood.”
“Soyouwaotinue?”
“Haveyoumadeanyprogress?”
“I’msorry,Martin,butitwouldbeabreachofthattractifItoldyouanythingwithoutHenrik’spermission.”
“Iuand.”Suddenlyhesmiled.“Henrikisabitofaspiraatic.Butaboveall,Idon’twantyoutogethishopesupunnecessarily.”
“Iwon’tdothat.”
“Good…Bytheway,togethesubject,wenowhaveanothertracttosideraswell.GiventhatHenrikisilnd’tintheshorttermfulfilhisobligationsontheMillenniumboard,it’smyresponsibilitytotakehispce.”
Mikaelwaited.
“Isupposeweshouldhaveaboardmeetingtolookatthesituation.”
“That’sagoodidea.ButasfarasIknow,it’sbeendecidedthattheboardmeetingwon’tbehelduntilAugust.”
“Iknowthat,butmaybeweshouldholditearlier.”
Blomkvistsmiledpolitely.
“You’rereallytalkingtothewrongperson.AtthemomentI’mnotontheboard.IleftinDecember.YoushouldgetintouchwithErikaBerger.SheknowsthatHenrikhasbeentakenill.”
MartinVangerhadnotexpectedthisresponse.
“Yht,ofcourse.I’lltalktoher.”HepattedBlomkvistontheshouldertosaygoodbyeandwasgone.
Nothingcretehadbeensaid,butthethreathungintheair.MartinVangerhadsetMillenniumonthebaray.AfteramomentBlomkvistpouredhimselfanotherdrinkandpickeduphisValMcDermid.
Themottledbrowncatcametosayhelloandrubbedonhisleg.Heliftedherupandscratchedbehindherears.
“ThetwoofusarehavingaverybMidsummerEve,aren’twe?”hesaid.
Whenitstartedtoraiinsideaobed.Thecatpreferredtostayoutdoors.
SaoutherKawasakionMidsummerEveahedaygivingitagoodoverhaul.Alightweight125mightoughestbikeintheworld,butitwashers,andshecouldha.Shehadrestoredit,oatatime,andshehadsoupeditupjustabitoverthelegallimit.
Iernooonherhelmetahersuitanddroveto?ppelvikenNursingHome,whereshespenttheeveningintheparkwithhermother.Shefeltapangofandguilt.Hermotherseemedmoreremotethaneverbefore.Duringthreehourstheyexgedonlyafewwords,aheydidspeak,hermotherdidoknowwhoshewastalkingto.
BlomkvistwastedseveraldaystryingtoidentifythecarwiththeACptes.AfteralotoftroubleandfinallybysultiiredmeiHedestad,hecametotheclusionthatthecarwasaFlia,amodelthathehadneverheardofbefore.TheactedaclerkatthemotorvehicledepartmentandenquiredaboutthepossibilityofgettingalistofalltheFliasin1966thathadaliceptebeginningAC3.Hewaseventuallytoldthatsuarchaeologicalexcavationintherecordspresumablycouldbedothatitwouldtaketimeanditwasbeyondtheboundariesofwhatcouldbesideredpublicrmation.
NotuntilseveraldaysafterMidsummerdidBlomkvistgetintohisborrowedVolvoanddrivenorthontheE4.Hedroveataleisurelypace.JustshortoftheH?rn?sandBridgehestoppedtohavecoffeeattheVesterlundpastryshop.
TheopwasUme?,wherehepulledintoaninnandhadthedailyspecial.HeboughtaroadatsandtioSkellefte?,whereheturowardsNorsj?.Hearrivedaround6:00intheeveningandtookaroomielNorsj?.
Hebeganhissearchearlythem.TheNorsj?CarpentryShopwasnotielephohePorHoteldeskclerk,agirliwenties,hadneverheardofthebusiness.
“WhoshouldIask?”
Theclerklookedpuzzledforafewsedsuntilherfacelitupandshesaidthatshewouldcallherfather.TwomiershecamebadexpihattheNorsj?CarpentryShopclosedintheearlyeighties.Ifhealktosomeonewhoknewmoreaboutthebusiness,heshouldgoandseeacertainBurman,whohadbeentheforemanandwhonowlivedonastreetcalledSolv?ndan.
Norsj?wasasmalltownwithonemai,appropriatelyenoughcalledStatan,thatranthroughthewholemunity.Itwaslihshopswithresidentialsidestreetsoffit.Attheeastendtherewasasmallindustriareaandastable;atthewesteroodanunmoifulwoodenchurch.BlomkvisthatthevilgealsohadaMissionarychurdaPealchurch.Aposteronabulletinboardatthebusstatioisedahuntingmuseumandaskiingmuseum.AleftoverflyerannouhatVeronikawouldsingatthefair-groundsatMidsummer.Hecouldwalkfromoneendofthevilgetotheotherihayminutes.
ThestreetcalledSolv?ndansistedofsingle-familyhomesandwasaboutfiveminutesfromthehotel.TherewasnoanswerwhenBlomkvistrangthebell.Itwas9:30,andheassumedthatBurmanhadleftforworkor,ifhewasretired,wasoutonanerrand.
HisopwasthehardwarestoreonStatan.HereasohatanyonelivinginNorsj?wouldsooerpayavisittothehardwarestore.Thereweretwosalesclerksintheshop.Blomkvistchosetheolderone,maybefiftyorso.
“Hi.I’mlookingforacouplewhoprobablylivedinNorsj?iies.ThemanmighthaveworkedfortheNorsj?CarpentryShop.Idon’tknowtheirIhavetwopicturesthatweretakenin1966.”
Theclerkstudiedthephotographsforalongtimebutfinallyshookhishead,sayinghecouldnherthemanorthewoman.
Atlunchtimehehadaburgeratahot-dogstahebusstation.Hehadgivenupontheshopsandhadmadehiswaythroughthemunicipaloffice,thelibrary,andthepharmacy.Thepolicestatioy,andhehadstartedapproagolderpeopleatrandom.Earlyiernoonheaskedtwoyoungwomen:theydidnhecoupleiographs,buttheydidhaveagoodidea.
“Ifthepicturesweretakenin1966,thepeoplewouldhavetobeintheirsixtiestoday.Whydon’tyougoovertotheretirementhomeonSolbadaskthere?”
Blomkvistintroducedhimselftoawomanatthefrontdeskoftheretirementhome,expiningwhathewaoknow.Shegredathimsuspiciouslybutfinallyallowedherselftobepersuaded.Sheledhimtothedayroom,wherehespenthalfanhourshowiurestoagroupofelderlypeople.Theywereveryhelpful,buthemcouldidentifythecouple.
At5:00hewentbacktoSolv?ndanandknockedonBurman’sdoor.Thistimehehadbetterluck.TheBurmans,boththemanandthewife,wereretired,andtheyhadbeenoutallday.TheyinvitedBlomkvistintotheirkit,wherehiswifepromptlymadecoffeewhileMikaelexpinedhiserrand.Aswithallhisotherattemptsthatday,heagaindrewabnk.Burmanscratchedhishead,litapipe,andthencludedafteramomentthathedidnhecoupleiographs.TheBurmansspokeinadistinorsj?dialecttoeachother,andBlomkvistoasionallyhaddifficultyuandingwhattheyweresaying.Thewifemeant“curlyhair”whensheremarkedthatthewomaniurehadkn?velh?ra.
“Butyou’requiterightthatit’sastickerfromthecarpentryshop,”herhusbandsaid.“Thatwascleverofy.Buttheproblemwasthatwehathosestickersleftandright.Totractors,peoplewhoboughtordeliveredtimber,joiners,maists,allsorts.”
“It’sturningouttobehardertofindthiscouplethanIthought.”
“Whydoyouwanttofindthem?”
Blomkvisthaddecidedtotellthetruthifanyoneaskedhim.Anyattempttomakeupastoryaboutthecoupleiureswouldjustsoundfalseaefusion.
“It’salongstory.I’miigatingacrimethatourrediadin1966,andIthinkthere’sapossibility,althoughaverysmallohatthepeopleiographsmighthaveseenpehey’renotinanywayundersuspi,andIdon’tthinkthey’reevenawarethattheymighthavermationthatcouldsolvethecrime.”
“Acrime?Whatkindofcrime?”
“I’msorry,butI’ttellyouanymorethanthat.Iknowitsoundsarrethatsomeonewouldeherealmostfortyyearster,tryingtofindthiscouple,butthecrimeisstillunsolved,andit’sohatnewfactshaveetolight.”
“Isee.Yes,thisiscertainlyanunusuassighatyou’reon.”
“Hoeopleworkedatthecarpentryshop?”
“Thenormalworkforcewasfortyorso.Iworkedtherefromtheageofsevehemid-fiftiesuntiltheshopclosed.ThenIbecameatractor.”Burmanthoughtforamoment.“ThismuchItellyou.Theguyinyourpicturesneverworkedthere.Hemighthavebeenatractor,butIthinkI’dreisehimifhewas.Butthereisoherpossibility.Maybehisfatherorsomeotherretiveworkedattheshopandthat’snothiscar.”
Mikaelnodded.“Irealisetherearelotsofpossibilities.yousuggestanyoneIcouldtalkto?”
“Yes,”saidBurman,noddiomorrandwe’llgoandhaveatalkwithsomeoftheoldguys.”
Sanderwasfagamethodologyproblemofsomesignifice.Sheertatdigginguprmationonjustaboutanybody,butherstartingpointhadalwaysbeenanameandasocialsecuritynumberforalivingperson.Iftheindividualwaslistedinaputerfile,whicheveryoablywas,thenthesubjectquidedinherspider’sweb.IftheindividualouterwithanIntere,anemaiddress,andmaybeevenapersoe,whiearlyeveryonedidwhocameunderherspecialtypeofresearch,shecouldsooerfindouttheirinnermostsecrets.
TheworkshehadagreedtodoforBlomkvistwasaltogetherdifferent.Thisassig,insimpleterms,wastoidentifyfoursocialsecuritynumbersbasedoremelyvaguedata.Inaddition,theseindividualsmostlikelydiedseveraldecadesago.Soprobablytheywouldnotbeonanyputerfiles.
Blomkvist’stheory,basedontheRebeckaJacobssoncase,wasthattheseindividualshadfallenvictimtoamurderer.Thismeantthattheyshouldbefoundinvariousunsolvedpolivestigations.Therewasnoclueastowhenorwherethesemurdershadtakenpce,exceptthatithadtobebefore1966.Intermsofresearch,shewasfagawholeuation.
So,howdoIgoaboutthis?
ShepulleduptheGoogleseargine,andtypedinthekeywords.Thatwasthesimplestformofresearchshecoulddo.Tohersurprise,shemadeaninstahroughintheiigation.HerfirsthitwastheprogrammelistingsforTVV?rmndinKarlstad,advertisingasegmentintheseries“V?rmndMurders”thatwasbroadcastin1999.AfterthatshefoundabriefmentioninaTVlistinginV?rmndsFolkbd.
Intheseries“V?rmndMurders”thefoowturnstoMagdaLovisaSj?berginRanmotr?sk,agruesomemurdermysterythatoupiedtheKarlstadpoliceseveraldecadesago.InApril1960,the46-year-oldfarmer’swifewasfoundmurderedinthefamily’sbarn.Therepunnarsdescribesthesthoursofherlifeandthefruitlesssearchforthekiller.Themurdercausedagreatstiratthetime,andmanytheorieshavebeeedaboutwhotheguiltypartywas.Ayouivewilppearontheshowtotalkabouthowhislifewasdestroyedwhenhewasausedofthemurder.8:00p.m.
Shefoundmoresubstantialrmationiicle“TheLovisaCaseShooktheWholetryside,”whichublishedinthemagazineV?rmndskultur.Allofthemagaziextshadbeenloadedontothe.WrittenwithobviousgleeandinachattyandtitiltingtohearticledescribedhowLovisaSj?berg’shusband,thelumberjackHolgerSj?berg,hadfoundhiswifedeadwhenhecamehomefromworkaround5:00.Shehadbeensubjectedtogrosssexuassault,stabbed,andfinallymurderedwiththeprongsofapitchfork.Themurderourredinthefamilybarn,butwhatarousedthemostattentionwasthefactthattheperpetrator,aftermittingthemurder,hadtiedherupinakneelingpositioninsideahorsestall.
Itwasterdiscoveredthatoheanimalsonthefarm,acow,hadsufferedastabwoundonthesideofitsneck.
Initiallythehusbandwassuspectedofthemurder,buthehadbeeninthepanyofhisworkcolleaguesfrom6:00inthematacleariy-fivemilesfromhishome.ItcouldbeverifiedthatLovisaSj?berghadbeenaliveasteas10:00inthem,whenshehadavisitfromawomanfriend.No-onehadseenorheardanything;thefarmwasfivehundredyardsfromitsneighbour.
Afterdroppingthehusbandasasuspect,thepolivestigationfocusedoim’stwenty-three-year-oldnephew.Hehadrepeatedlyfallenfoulofthew,wasextremelyshortofcash,andmanytimeshadborrowedsmallsumsfromhisaunt.Thenephew’salibiwassignifitlyweaker,aakenintocustodyforawhile,butreleasedforckofevidence.Evenso,manypeopleinthevilgethoughtithighlyprobablethathewasguilty.
Thepolicefollowedanotherlead.Apartoftheiigationedthesearchforapedrwhowasseeninthearea;therewasalsoarumourthatagroupof“thievinggypsies”hadcarriedoutaseriesofraids.Whytheyshouldhavemittedasavage,sexuallyretedmurderwithoutstealinganythingwasneverexpined.
Foratimesuspiwasdirectedataneighbourinthevilge,abachelorwhoinhisyouthwassuspectedofanallegedlyhomosexualcrime—thiswasbackwhenhomosexualitywasstilpunishableoffendatoseveralstatements,hehadareputationforbeing“odd.”Whysomeoneposedlyhomosexualwouldmitasexcrimeagainstawomanwasnotexpiher.heseleads,oranyothers,ledtoacharge.
SahoughttherewasaclearlinktothelistinHarrietVanger’sdate.Leviticus20:16said:“Ifaroachesaahit,youshallkillthewomanandthebeast;theyshallbeputtodeath,theirbloodisuponthem.”Itcouldn’tbeacethatafarmer’swifebythenameofMagdahadbeenfoundmurderedinabarn,withherbodysedandtiedupinahorsestall.
ThequestionwaswhyhadHarrietVangerwrittendownthenameMagdainsteadofLovisa,whicharentlythehevictimwentunder.IfherfullnamehadnotbeenpriheTVlisting,Sanderwouldhavemissedit.
And,ofcourse,themoreimportaionwas:wastherealiweenRebecka’smurderin1949,themurderofMagdaLovisain1960,andHarrietVanger’sdisappearan1966?
OnSaturdaymBurmantookBlomkvistoeourofNorsj?.InthemtheycalledonfiveformeremployeeswholivedwithinwalkingdistanceofBurman’shouse.Everyoneofferedthemcoffee.Allofthemstudiedthephotographsandshooktheirheads.
AfterasimplelunchattheBurmaheygotinthecarforadrive.TheyvisitedfesnearNorsj?,whereformeremployeesofthecarpentryshoplived.AteachstopBurmanwasgreetedwithwarmth,butno-onewasabletohelpthem.Blomkvistwasbeginningtodespair.
At4:00iernoon,BurmanparkedhiscaroutsideatypicalredV?sterbottenfarmnearNorsj?vallen,justnorthofNorsj?,andintroducedMikaeltoHenningForsmairedmastercarpenter.
“Yes,that’sAssarBr?nnlund’sd,”ForsmansaidassoonasBlomkvistshowedhimthephotographs.Bingo.
“Oh,sothat’sAssar’sboy,”Burmansaid.“Assarwasabuyer.”
“HowIfindhim?”
“Thed?Well,you’llhavetodig.HisnamewasGunnar,andheworkedattheBolidenmine.Hediedinabstingaidentinthemid-seventies.”
Blomkvist’sheartsank.
“Buthiswifeisstillive.Theohepicturehere.HernameisMildred,andshelivesinBjursele.”
“Bjursele?”
“It’saboutsixmilesdowntheroadtoBastutr?sk.Shelivesinthelongredhouseontheright-handsideasyintothevilge.It’sthethirdhouse.Iknowthefamilywell.”
“Hi,mynameisLisbethSander,andI’mwritingmythesisonthecriminologyofviolenceagainstwomeniwehtury.I’dliketovisitthepolicedistriLandskronaahroughthedotsofacasefrom1957.IthastodowiththemurderofawomanbythenameofRakelLunde.Doyouhaveanyideawherethosedotsaretoday?”
BjurselewaslikeaposterfortheV?sterbottentryvilge.Itsistedofabouttwentyhousessetretivelyclosetogetherinasemicircleatoneendofake.IreofthevilgewasacrossroadswithanarrowpointingtowardsHemmingen,101/2miles,andanotherpointingtowardsBastutr?sk,7miles.hecrossroadswasasmallbridgewithacreekthatBlomkvistassumedwasthewater,thesel.Attheheightofsummer,itrettyasapostcard.
HeparkedinthecourtyardinfrontofaKonsumthatwasnolongeropen,almostoppositethethirdhouseontheright-handside.Whenhekhedoor,no-oneanswered.
Hetookanhour-longwalkalongtheroadtowardsHemmingen.Hepassedaspotwherethestreambecamerushingrapids.Hemettwocatsandsawadeer,butnotasingleperson,beforeheturnedaround.MildredBr?nnlund’sdoorwasstillshut.
OnaposthebridgehefoundapeelingflyerannoungtheBT,somethingthatcouldbedecipheredastheBjurseleTuktingCarChampionship2002.“Tukting”acararentlyawintersportthatinvolvedsmashingupavehitheice-coveredke.
Hewaiteduntil10:00p.m.befaveupanddrovebaorsj?,wherehehadatedinnerandtheobedtoreadthedeofValMcDermid’snovel.
Itwasgrisly.
At10:00SanderaddedonemoreoHarrietVanger’slist.Shedidsowithsomehesitation.
Shehaddiscoveredashortcut.Atquiteregurintervalsarticleswerepublishedaboutunsolvedmurders,andinaSundaysupplementtotheeveningneershehadfoundanarticlefrom1999withtheheadli
“Whichiswhat?”
“AsItoldyou,Frode’semployerhiredmetodoajob.I’vereachedapointwhereIneedaskilledresearcher.Frodetoldmeaboutyouandsaidthatyouwereprettygood.Hehadoidentifyyou,itjustslippedout.IexpioArmanskywhatIwanted.HeOK’dthewholethingandtriedtocallyou.AndhereIam.Callhimifyouwant.”
IttookSanderamiofindhermobileamohesthatMimmihadpulledoffher.Blomkvistwatchedherembarrassedsearchwithiashepatrolledtheapartment.Allherfurnitureseemedtobestrays.Shehadastate-of-the-artPoweronanapologyforadeskinthelivingroom.ShehadaCDpyeronashelf.HerCDcolleitifultotaloftenCDsbygroupshehadneverheardof,andthemusisonthecoverslookedlikevampiresfromouterspace.Musicrobablyni.
SandersawthatArmanskyhadcalledhersevehenightbeforeandtwicethism.ShepunchedinhisnumberwhileBlomkvistleanedagainstthedoorframeandlisteheversation.
“It’sme…sorry…yes…itwasturnedoff…Iknow,hewantstohireme…andinginthemiddleofmyfuglivingroom,forChrist’ssake…”Sheraisedhervoice.“Dragan,I’mhungoverandmyheadhurts,soplease,nogames,didyouOKthisjobornot?…Thanks.”
SanderlookedthroughthedoortothelivingroomatBlomkvistpullingoutdtakingsofftheshelf.Hehadjustfoundabrownpillbottlethatwasmissingitsbel,andhewasholdingituptothelight.Hewasabouttouhetop,soshereachedoutandtookthebottlefromhim.Shewentbacktothekitandsatdownonachair,massagingherforeheaduntilhejoinedher.
“Therulesaresimple,”shesaid.“NothingthatyoudiscusswithmeorwithArmanskywillbesharedwithaall.TherewillbeatractwhichstatesthatMiltonSecuritypledgesfidentiality.IwanttoknowwhatthejobisaboutbeforeIdecidewhetherIwanttoworkforyouornot.ThatalsomeansthatIagreetokeeptomyselfeverythingyoutellme,whetherItakethejobornot,providedthatyou’renotduganysortofseriouscriminactivity.Inwhichcase,I’llreportittan,whointurnwillreportittothepolice.”
“Fine.”Hehesitated.“ArmanskymayelyawareofwhatIwanttohireyoufor…”
“Somehistoricalresearch,hesaid.”
“Well,yes,that’sright.Iwantyoutohelpmetoidentifyamurderer.”
IttookBlomkvistanhourtoexpinalltheintricatedetailsintheHarrietVangercase.Heleftnothingout.HehadFrode’spermissiontohireher,andtodothathehadtobeabletotrustherpletely.
HetoldhereverythingaboutCeciliaVangerandthathehadfoundherfaHarriet’swindow.HegaveSanderasgoodadescriptionofhercharacterashecould.Shehadmovedhighupoofsuspects,hislist.Buthewasstillfarfrombelievingthatshecouldbeinanywayassociatedwithamurdererwhowasactivewhenshewasstilyoungwoman.
HegaveSanderacopyofthelistie:“Magda—32016;Sara—32109;R.J.—30112;R.L.—32027;Mari—32018.”AndhegaveheracopyoftheversesfromLeviticus.
“Whatdoyouwaodo?”
“I’veidentifiedtheR.J.,RebeckaJacobssooldherwhatthefive-figureoodfor.“IfI’mright,thenwe’regoingtofindfourmorevictims—Magda,Sara,Mari,andR.L.”
“Youthinkthey’reallmurdered?”
“WhatIthinkisthatwearelookingforsomeonewho—iftheothernumbersandinitialsalsoprovetobeshorthandforfourmorekillings—isamurdererwhowasactiveiiesandmaybealsoiies.AndwhoisinsomewaylioHarrietVanger.I’veghbackissuesoftheHedestadCourier.Rebecka’smurderistheonlygrotesquecrimethatIcouldfindwithaetoHedestad.Iwantyoutokeepdigging,alloverSwedenifnecessary,untilyoumakeseheothernamesandverses.”
SahoughtinexpressionlesssilenceforsuchalongtimethatBlomkvistbegantogrowimpatient.Hewaswwhetherhehadchosenthewrongpersonwheraisedherhead.
“I’lltakethejob.ButfirstyouhavetosignatractwithArmansky.”
ArmanskyprithetractthatBlomkvistwouldtakebacktoHedestadforFrode’ssignature.WheuroSander’soffice,hesawhowsheandBlomkvistwereleaningoverherPower.Hehadhishandonhershoulder—hewastougher—andpointing.Armanskypausedinthecorridor.
BlomkvistsaidsomethingthatseemedtosurpriseSahensheughedoutloud.
Armanskyhadneveronceheardherughbefore,andforyearshehadbeentryingtowirust.Blomkvisthadknownherforfiveminutesandsheracticallygigglingwithhim.HefeltsuchaloathingforBlomkvistatthatmomentthathesurprisedhimself.Heclearedhisthroatashestoodinthedoorutdownthefolderwiththetract.
BlomkvistpaidaquickvisittotheMillenniumoffitheafternoon.Itwashisfirsttimeback.Itfeltveryoddtoberunningupthosefamiliarstairs.Theyhadnotgedthecodeonthedoor,andhewasabletoslipinunnotidstandforamoment,lookingaround.
Millennium’sofficeswerearrangedinanLshape.Theentrywasahallthattookupalotofspacewithoutbeingabletobeputtomuchuse.Thereweretwosofasthere,soitwasbywayofbeiionarea.Beyondwasalunkitchete,thencloakroom/toilets,andtweroomswithshelvesandfilingcabis.TherewasalsoadeskforahtoftheentrywasthegsswallofMalm’sstudio,whichtookupabout500squarefeet,withitsowranthending.Totheleftwastheeditorialoffipassingabout350squarefeet,withthewindowsfagG?tgatan.
Bergerhaddesignedeverything,puttingingsspartitionstomakeseparatequartersforthreeoftheemployeesandanopenpnfortheothers.Shehadtakenthergestroomattheverybackforherself,andgivenBlomkvisthisownroomattheoppositeend.Itwastheonlyroomthatyoucouldlookintofromtheentry.No-onehadmovedintoit,itseemed.
Thethirdroomwasslightlyapartfromtheothers,anditiedbySonnyMagnusson,whohadbeenforseveralyearsMillennium’smostsuessfudvertisingsalesman.Bergerhadhandpickedhim;sheofferedhimamodestsaryandamissiohepastyear,ithadnotmadeanydifferencehoweichewasasasalesman,theiradvertisiakeingandMagnusson’sihit.Butinsteadoflookingelsewhere,hehadtightenedhisbeltandloyallystayedput.Unlikeme,whocausedthewholendslide,Blomkvistthought.
Hegatheredhisceandwalkedintotheoffice.Itwasalmostdeserted.HecouldseeBergeratherdesk,telephonepressedtoherear.MonikaNilssonwasatherdesk,anexperiencedgeneralreporterspecialisinginpoliticalce;shecouldbethemostjadedichehadevermet.She’dbeenatMillenniumfornineyearsandwasthriving.HenryCortezwastheyouemployeeoorialstaff.HehadeasaraightoutofJMKtwo,sayingthathewaoworkatMillenniumandnowhereelse.Bergerhadnobudgettohirehim,butsheofferedhimadeskinaerandsoontookhimonasapermadogsbody,andanonasastaffreporter.
Bothutteredcriesofdelight.Hereceivedkissesonthecheekandpatsontheback.Atoheyaskedhimifhewasreturningtowork.No,hehadjuststoppedbytosayhelloandhaveawordwiththeboss.
Bergerwasgdtoseehim.SheaskedaboutVanger’sdition.BlomkvistknewnomorethanwhatFrodecouldtellhim:hisditionwasinescapablyserious.
“Sowhatareyoudoingiy?”
Blomkvistwasembarrassed.HehadbeenatMiltonSecurity,onlyafewstreetsaway,andhehaddecidedonsheerimpulsetoein.Itseemedtooplicatedtoexpinthathehadbeeohirearesearchassistantwhowasasecuritysultantwhohadhackedintohisputer.InsteadheshruggedandsaidhehadetoStoonVanger-retedbusiness,andhewouldhavetogobaorthatonce.Heaskedhowthingsweregoingatthemagazine.
“Apartfromthegoodnewsontheadvertisingandthesubscriptionfronts,thereisonecloudonthehorizon.”
“Whichis?”
“JanneDahlman.”
“Ofcourse.”
“IhadatalkwithhiminApril,afterwereleasedthehatHenrikhadbeeapartner.Idon’tknowifit’sjustJanne’snaturetobeiveorifthere’ssomethingmoreseriousgoingon,ifhe’spyingsomesame.”
“pened?”
“It’snothingIputafingeron,ratherthatInolorusthim.AfterwesigheagreementwithVanger,ChristerandIhadtodecidewhethertormthewholestaffthatwewerenoloriskofgoinguhisautumn,or…”
“Ortotelljustachosenfew.”
“Exactly.Imaybeparanoid,butIdidn’twanttoriskhavingDahlmahestory.Sowedecidedtormthewholestaffonthesamedaytheagreementublic.Whichmeantthatwekeptthelidonitforoveramonth.”
“And?”
“Well,thatwasthefirstpieceofgoodhey’dhadinayear.EveryonecheeredexceptforDahlman.Imean—wedon’thavetheworld’sbiggesteditorialstaff.Therewerethreepeoplecheering,plustheintern,andonepersonwhogothisofjointbecausewehadn’ttoldeverybodyearlier.”
“Hehadapoint…”
“Iknow.Butthethingis,hekeptonbitgabouttheissuedayafterday,andmoraleintheofficewasaffected.AftertwoweeksofthisshitIcalledhimintomyoffidtoldhimtohisfacethatmyreasonfornothavihestaffearlierwasthatIdidn’ttrusthimtokeepthenewssecret.”
“Howdidhetakeit?”
“Hewasterriblyupset,ofcourse.Istoodmygroundandgavehimanultimatum—eitherhehadtopullhimselftogetherorstartlookingforanotherjob.”
“And?”
“Hepulledhimselftogether.Buthekeepstohimself,andthere’satensioweenhimahers.Christer’tstandhim,andhedoesn’thideit.”
“WhatdoyoususpectDahlmanofdoing?”
“Idon’tknow.Wehiredhimayearago,erefirsttalkingabouttroublewithWer?m.I’tproveathing,butIhaveanastyfeelingthathe’snforus.”
“Trustyourinstincts.”
“Maybehe’sjustasquarepeginaroundholewhojusthappenstobepoisonimosphere.”
“It’spossible.ButIagreethatwemadeamistakewhenwehiredhim.”
HalfanhourterhewasonhiswaynorthacrossthelocksatSlusseninthecarhehadborrowedfromFrode’swife.Itwasaten-year-oldVolvosheneverused.Blomkvisthadbeengiveoborrowitwheneverheliked.
Itwasthetiailsthathecouldeasilyhavemissedifhehadnotbee:somepapersnotasevenlystackedasheremembered;abiquiteflushontheshelf;hisdeskdrawerclosedalltheway—heositivethatitwasaninchopenwhe.
Someonehadbeeninsidehiscottage.
Hehadlockedthedoor,butitwasanordinaryoldlockthatalmostanyonecouldpickwithascrewdriver,andwhoknewhowmanykeyswereincircutioematicallysearchedhisoffice,lookingforwhatmightbemissing.Afterawhilehedecidedthateverythingwasstillthere.
helesssomeonehadbeeniageandghhispapersandbinders.Hehadtakenhisputerwithhim,sotheyhadnotbeeoaessthat.Twoquestionsarose:whowasit?andhowmuchhadhisvisitorbeeofindout?
ThebindersbelohepartofVanger’scollethathebroughtbacktotheguesthouseafterreturningfromprison.Therewasnothingoftheerialinthem.Hishedeskwouldreadlikecodetotheuninitiated—butwasthepersonwhohadsearchedhisdeskuninitiated?
Inapsticfolderonthemiddleofthedeskhehadputacopyofthedatelistandacopyoftheverses.Thatwasserious.Itwouldtellwhoeveritwasthatthedatecodewascracked.
Sowhowasit?
Vangerwasinthehospital.Hedidnotsuspea.Frode?Hehadalreadytoldhimallthedetails.CeciliaVangerhadcelledhertriptoFloridaandwasbaLondon—alongwithhersister.Blomkvisthadonlyseenheronce,drivinghercaracrossthebridgethedaybefore.MartinVanger.HaraldVanger.BirgerVanger—hehadturnedupforafamilygatheringtowhikvisthadnotbeenihedayafterVanger’sheartattack.AlexanderVanger.IsabelVanger.
WhomhadFrodetalkedto?Whatmighthehaveletslipthistime?HowmanyoftheanxiousretiveshadpickedupothatBlomkvisthadmadeabreakthroughinhisiigation?
Itwasafter8:00.Hecalledthelocksmithiadandorderedanewlock.Thelocksmithsaidthathecouldeoutthefollowingday.Blomkvistsaidhewouldpaydoubleifhecameatoheyagreedthathewouldeataround10:30thatnightandinstalnewdeadboltlock.
BlomkvistdrovetoFrode’shouse.HiswifeshowedhimintothegardenbehindthehouseandofferedhimacoldPilsner,whichhegratefullyaepted.HeaskedhowHenrikVangerwas.
Frodeshookhishead.
“Theyoperatedoorssaythatthefewdaysarecritical.”
TheythoughtaboutthisforawhileastheydranktheirPilsners.
“Youhaven’ttalkedtohim,Isuppose?”
“No.He’snotwellenoughtotalk.HowdiditgoinSto?”
“TheSandergireptedthejob.Here’sthetrailtonSecurity.Youhavetosignitandputiti.”
Frodereadthroughthedot.
“She’sexpensive,”hesaid.
“Henrikaffordit.”
Frodenodded.Hetookapenoutofhisbreastpocketandscrawledhisname.
“It’sagoodthingthatI’msigningitwhilehe’sstillive.CouldyouputitierboxatKonsumonyourwayhome?”
Blomkvistwasinbedbymidnight,buthecouldnotsleep.UntilnowhisworkonHedebyIsndhadseemedlikeresearahistoricalcuriosity.Butifsomeonewassuffitlyiedinwhathewasdoingtobreakintohisoffice,thenthesolutionhadtobeclosertothepresentthahought.
Thenitourredtohimthattherewereotherswhomightbeiedinwhathewaswon.Vanger’ssuddenappearaheboardofMillenniumhadnotgoneunnoticedbyWer?m.Orwasthisparanoia?
Mikaelgotoutofbedaostandhekitwindow,gazingatthechurtheothersideofthebridge.Helitacigarette.
Hecouldn’tfigureoutLisbethSander.Shewasaltogetherodd.Longpausesinthemiddleoftheversation.Herapartmentwasmessy,bonchaotic.Bagsfilledwithneersinthehall.Akitthathadnotbeenedortidiedinyears.Clotheswerescatteredinheapsonthefloor.Shehadobviouslyspenthalfthenightinabar.Shehadlovebitesonhernedshehadclearlyhadpanyht.Shehadheavenknowshowmanytattoosandtwsonherfadmaybeinotherpces.Shewasweird.
Armanskyassuredhimthatshewastheirverybestresearcher,andherreportonhimwasexcruciatinglythh.Astrangegirl.
SanderwassittingatherPower,butshewasthinkingaboutMikaelBlomkvist.Shehadneverinheradultlifeallowedanyoocrossherthresholdwithoutanexpressinvitation,andshecouldtthoseshehadinvitedononehand.Blomkvisthadnontlybargedintoherlife,andshehadutteredonlyafewmeprotests.
Notonlythat,hehadteasedher.
Undernormalcircumstahatsortofbehaviourwouldhavemadehermentallycockapistol.Butshehadaniotaofthreatoranysortofhostilityfromhisside.Hehadgoodreasontoreadhertheriotact,evehertothepolisteadhehadtreatedevenherhagintohisputerasajoke.
Thathadbeesensitivepartoftheirversation.Blomkvistseemedtobedeliberatelynotbroagthesubjedfinallyshecouldnothelpaskingthequestion.
“YousaidthatyouknewwhatIdid.”
“You’vebeeninsidemyputer.You’reahacker.”
“Howdoyouknowthat?”Sanderwasabsolutelypositivethatshehadleftnotradthathertrespassingcouldnotbediscoveredbyanyoneuopsecuritysultantsatdownandsedtheharddriveatthesametimeasshewasaessier.
“Youmadeamistake.”
Shehadquotedfromatextthatwasonlyonhisputer.
Sainsilence.Finallyshelookedupathim,hereyesexpressionless.
“Howdidyoudoit?”heasked.
“Mysecret.Whatareyouthinkingofdoingaboutit?”
Mikaelshrugged.
“WhatIdo?”
“It’sexactlywhatyoudoasajournalist.”
“Ofcourse.Andthat’swhywejournalistshaveahicsmitteethatkeepstrackofthemoralissues.WhenIwriteanarticleaboutsomebastardinthebankingindustry,Ileaveout,forinstance,hisorherprivatelife.Idon’tsaythataferisalesbiaurnedonbyhavihherdogoranythinglikethat,evenifithappenstobetrue.Bastardstoohavearighttotheirprivatelives.Doesthatmakesense?”
“Yes.”
“Soyouencroayiy.MyemployerdoesoknowwhoIhavesexwith.That’smybusiness.”
Sander’sfacewascreasedbyacrookedsmile.
“YouthinkIshouldn’thavementiohat?”
“Inmycaseitdidn’tmakealotofdifference.HalfthecityknowsaboutmyretionshipwithErika.Butit’samatterofprinciple.”
“Inthatcase,itmightamuseyoutoknowthatIalsohaveprinciplesparabletoyourethicsmittee’s.IcallthemSander’sPrinciples.Ohemisthatabastardisalwaysabastard,andifIhurtabastardbydiggingupshitabouthim,thenhedeservesit.”
“OK,”Blomkvistsaid.“Myreasoningisn’ttoodifferentfromyours,but…”
“ButthethingisthatwhenIdoaPI,IalsolookatwhatIthinkabouttheperson.I’mral.Ifthepersonseemslikeagoodsort,Imighttonedow.”
“Really?”
“InyourcaseItodown.Icouldhavewrittenaaboutyoursexlife.IcouldhavementiooFrodethatErikaBergerhasapastinClubXtremeandpyedaroundwithBDSMiies—whichwouldhavepromptedcertainunavoidablenotionsaboutyoursexlifeandhers.”
BlomkvistmetSander’sgaze.Afteramomentheughed.
“You’rereallymeticulous,aren’tyou?Whydidn’tyouputitinthereport?”
“Youareadultswhoobviouslylikeeachother.Whatyoudoinbedisnobody’sbusiness,andtheonlythingIwouldhaveachievedbytalkingaboutherwastohurtbothofyou,ortoprovidesomeohbckmailmaterial.Idon’tknowFrode—thermationcouldhaveendedupwithWer?m.”
“Andyoudon’twanttoprovideWer?mwithrmation?”
“IfIhadtochoosebetweenyouandhim,I’dprobablyendupinyourcourt.”
“ErikaandIhavea…ourretionshipis…”
“Please,Ireallydon’tgiveatossaboutwhatsortofretionshipyouhave.Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion:whatdoyoupntodoaboutmyhagintoyourputer?”
“Lisbeth,I’mobckmailyou.I’mheretoaskyoutohelpmedosomeresearch.Yousayyesorno.Ifyousayno,fine,I’llfindsomeoneelseandyou’llneverhearfrommeagain.”
CHAPTER19
Thursday,June19–Sunday,June29
WhilehewaitedforwordoherVangerwasgoingtopullthroughornot,Blomkvistspentthedaysgoingoverhismaterials.HekeptinclosetouchwithFrode.OnThursdayeveningFrhthimthehattheimmediatecrisisseemedtobeover.
“Iwasabletotalktohimforawhiletoday.Hewantstoseeyouassoonaspossible.”
Soitwasthat,around1:00oernoonofMidsummerEve,BlomkvistdrovetoHedestadHospitainsearchoftheward.HeenteredanangryBirgerVanger,whoblockedhisway.Henrikcouldnotpossiblyreceivevisitors,hesaid.
“That’sodd,”Blomkvistsaid,“Henriksentwordsayingthatheexpresslywaoseemetoday.”
“You’renotamemberofthefamily;youhavenobusinesshere.”
“Yht.I’mnotamemberofthefamily.ButI’mwforHenrikVanger,andItakeordersonlyfromhim.”
ThismighthaveledtoaheatedexgeifFrodehadnotatthatmomeofVanger’sroom.
“Oh,thereyouare.Henrikhasbeenaskingafteryou.”
FrodeheldopenthedoorandBlomkvistwalkedpastBirgerintotheroom.
Vangerlookedtohaveagedtenyears.Hewaslyingwithhiseyeshalfclosed,anoxygentubeinhisnose,andhishairmoredishevelledthanever.AoppedBlomkvist,puttingahandfirmlyonhisarm.
“Twominutes.Nomore.Anddon’tupsethim.”Blomkvistsatonavisitor’schairsothathecouldseeVanger’sface.Hefeltatenderhatastonishedhim,aretchedouthishandtogentlysqueezetheoldman’shand.
“Anynews?”Thevoicewasweak.
Blomkvistnodded.
“I’llgiveyouareportassoonasyou’rebetter.Ihaven’tsolvedthemysteryyet,butI’vefoundmoreuffandI’mfollowingupanumberofleads.Inaweek,perhapstwo,I’llbeabletotelltheresults.”
ThemostVangeraoblink,indigthatheuood.
“Ihavetobeawayforafewdays.”
Henrikraisedhiseyebrows.
“I’mnotjumpingship.Ihavesomeresearchtodo.I’vereachedanagreementwithDirchthatIshouldreporttohim.IsthatOKwithyou?”
“Dirchis…myman…inallmatters.”
BlomkvistsqueezedVanger’shandagain.
“Mikael…ifIdon’t…Iwantyouto…finishthejob.”
“Iwillfinishthejob.”
“Dirchhas…full…”
“Henrik,Iwantyoutogetbetter.I’dbefuriouswithyouifyouwentaerI’vemadesuchprogress.”
“Twomihenursesaid.
“imewe’llhavealongtalk.”
BirgerVangerwaswaitingforhimwhenhecameout.Hestoppedhimbyyingahandonhisshoulder.
“Idon’twantyoubHenrikanymore.He’sveryill,andhe’snotsupposedtobeupsetordisturbed.”
“Iuandyour,andIsympathise.AndI’mnotgoingtoupsethim.”
“EveryoneknowsthatHenrikhiredyoutopokearoundinhislittlehobby…Harriet.DirchsaidthatHenrikbecameveryupsetafteraversationyouhadwithhimbeforehehadtheheartattack.Heevensaidthatyouthoughtyouhadcausedtheattack.”
“Idon’tthinksoanymore.Henrikhadsevereblockagesinhisarteries.Hecouldhavehadaheartattackjustbyhavingapee.I’msureyouknowthatbynow.”
“Iwantfulldisclosureintothislunacy.Thisismyfamilyyou’remugaroundin.”
“Itoldyou,IworkforHenrik,notforthefamily.”
BirgerVangerarentlynotusedtohavingaanduptohim.ForamomearedatBlomkvistressionthatresumablymeanttoinstilrespect,butwhichmadehimlookmorelikeaninftedmoose.BirgerturnedaintoVanger’sroom.
Blomkvistrestraiheurgetough.Thiscefhter,inthecorridoroutsideVanger’ssickbed,whichmightalsoturnouttobehisdeathbed.ButhethoughtofaversefromLennartHynd’srhymingalphabet.ItwastheletterM.Andallohemoosehestood,ughinginashot-upwood.
InthehospitallobbyheranintoCeciliaVanger.Hehadtriedcallinghermobileadozentimessinceshecamebaherinterruptedholiday,butshehadneveransweredorreturnedhiscalls.AndshewasneverhomeatherpHedebyIsndwheneverhewalkedpastandkhedoor.
“Hi,Cecilia,”hesaid.“I’msosorryaboutallthiswithHenrik.”
“Thanks,”shesaid.
“Wealk.”
“I’msorrythatI’veshutyououtlikethis.Iderstandthatyoumustbecross,butI’mnothaviimeofitthesedays.”
Mikaelputhishandonherarmandsmiledather.
“Wait,you’vegotitwrong,Cecilia.I’mnotcrossatall.Iamstillhopingthatwebefriends.wehaveacupofcoffee?”Hehedireofthehospitalcafeteria.
CeciliaVangerhesitated.“Nottoday.IogoandseeHenrik.”
“OK,butIstillalktoyou.It’spurelyprofessional.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”Shewassuddenlyalert.
“Doyourememberthefirsttimewemet,whenyoucametothecottageinJanuary?Isaidthatweweretalkingofftherecord,andthatifIoaskyouanyrealquestions,Iwouldtellyou.IthastodowithHarriet.”
CeciliaVanger’sfacewassuddenlyflushedwithanger.
“Youreallyarethefugpits.”
“Cecilia,I’vefoundsomethingsthatIreallydohavetotalktoyouabout.”
Shetookastepawayfromhim.
“Don’tyourealisethatthisbloodyhuntforthatcursedHarrietisjustoupationaltherapyforHenrik?Don’tyouseethathemightbeuptheredying,andthattheverystthingheneedsistogetupsetagainandbefilledwithfalsehopesand…”
“ItmaybeahobbyforHenrik,butthereisnowmorematerialtogoonthananyonehashadtoworkwithinaverylongtime.Therearequestionsthatdoobeanswered.”
“IfHenrikdies,thatiigationisgoingtobeoverawfullydamnedfast.Thenyou’llbeoutonyrubby,snivellingiigativebackside,”Ceciliasaid,andshewalkedaway.
Everythingwasclosed.Hedestadracticallydeserted,andtheinhabitantsseemedtohaveretreatedtotheirMidsummerpolesattheirsummercottages.BlomkvistmadefortheStadshotelterrace,whichwasactuallyopen,andtherehewasabletoordercoffeeandasandwidreadtheeveningpapers.Nothingofimportanceeningintheworld.
HeputthepaperdownandthoughtaboutCeciliaVanger.Hehadtoldno-one—apartfromtheSandergirl—thatshewastheoneehewindowinHarriet’sroom.Hewasafraidthatitwouldmakeherasuspedthestthiedtodowashurther.Butthequestionwasgoingtohavetobeasked,sooer.
HesatoerraceforanhourbeforehedecidedtosetthewholeproblemasideaeMidsummerEvetosomethingotherthantheVangerfamily.Hismobilewassilent.Bergerwasawayamusingherselfsomewherewithherhusband,andhehadno-ootalkto.
HewentbacktoHedebyIsndataround4:00iernoonandmadeanotherdecision—tostopsmoking.Hehadbeenwurlyeversincehedidhismilitaryservice,bothatthegymandbyrunningalongS?derM?rstrand,buthadfallenoutofthehabitwhentheproblemswithWer?mbegan.ItwasatRull?kerPrisonthathehadstartingpumpingironagain,mostlyastherapy.Butsincehisreleasehehadtakenalmostnoexercise.ItwastimetaionhistracksuitaoffatazypacealongtheroadtoGottfried’s,turnedofftowardstheFortress,andthercoursecrosstry.Hehaddonenoorienteeringsincehewasinthemilitary,buthehadalwaysthoughtitwasmorefuntorunthroughawoodedterrainthanonafttrack.Hefollowedthefencearound?sterg?rdenbacktothevilge.Hewasagalloverandoutofbreathbythetimehetooktheststepsuptotheguesthouse.
At6:00hetookashower.Heboiledsomepotatoesandhadopensandwichesofpickledherringinmustardsaucewithchivesandeggonaricketytableoutsidethecottage,fagthebridge.Hepouredhimselfashotofaquavitanddrankatoasttohimself.AfterthatheopenedacrimenovelbyValMcDermidentitledTheMermaidsSinging.
Ataround7:00Frodedroveupandsatheavilyinthechairacrossfromhim.BlomkvistpouredhimashotofSk?neaquavit.
“Youstirredupsomeratherlivelyemotionstoday,”Frodesaid.
“Icouldseethat.”
“Birgerisaceitedfool.”
“Iknowthat.”
“ButCeciliaisnotaceitedfool,andshe’sfurious.”
Mikaelnodded.
“Shehasinstructedmetoseethatyoustoppokingaroundinthefamily’saffairs.”
“Isee.Andwhatdidyousaytoher?”
FrodelookedathisgssofSk?neanddowheliquorinonegulp.
“MyrespohatHenrikhasgivenmeclearinstrusaboutwhathewantsyoutodo.Aslongashedoesn’tgethoseinstrus,youwilltiobeemployeduhetermsofyourtract.Iexpectyoutodoyourbesttofulfilyourpartofthetract.”
Blomkvistlookedupatthesky,whereraincloudshadbeguntogather.
“Lookslikeastormisbrewing,”Frodesaid.“Ifthewi,I’llhavetobackyouup.”
“Thankyou.”
Theysatinsilenceforawhile.
“CouldIhaveanotherdrink?”
OnlymierFrodehadgonehome,MartinVangerdroveupandparkedhiscarbytheroadinfrontofthecottage.Hecameoverandsaidhello.MikaelwishedhimahappyMidsummerandaskedifhe’dlikeadrink.
“No,it’sbetterifIdon’t.I’mjustheretogemyclothesandthenI’mgoingtodrivebacktotowntospendtheeveningwithEva.”
Blomkvistwaited.
“I’vetalkedtoCecilia.She’salittletraumatisedjustnow—sheandHenrikhavealwaysbeenclose.Ihopeyou’llfiveherifshesaysanything…unpleasant.”
“I’mveryfondofCecilia.”
“Iknowthat.Butshebedifficult.Ijustwantyoutoknowthatshe’sverymuchagainstyoingondiggingintoourpast.”
Blomkvistsighed.EveryoneiadseemedtoknowwhyVangerhadhiredhim.
“What’syourfeeling?”
“ThisthingwithHarriethasbeenHenrik’sobsessionfordecades.Idon’tknow…Harrietwasmysister,butsomehowitfeelsallsofaraway.DirchsaysthatyouhaveatractthatonlyHenrikbreak,andI’mafraidthatinhispresentditionitwoulddomoreharmthangood.”
“Soyouwaotinue?”
“Haveyoumadeanyprogress?”
“I’msorry,Martin,butitwouldbeabreachofthattractifItoldyouanythingwithoutHenrik’spermission.”
“Iuand.”Suddenlyhesmiled.“Henrikisabitofaspiraatic.Butaboveall,Idon’twantyoutogethishopesupunnecessarily.”
“Iwon’tdothat.”
“Good…Bytheway,togethesubject,wenowhaveanothertracttosideraswell.GiventhatHenrikisilnd’tintheshorttermfulfilhisobligationsontheMillenniumboard,it’smyresponsibilitytotakehispce.”
Mikaelwaited.
“Isupposeweshouldhaveaboardmeetingtolookatthesituation.”
“That’sagoodidea.ButasfarasIknow,it’sbeendecidedthattheboardmeetingwon’tbehelduntilAugust.”
“Iknowthat,butmaybeweshouldholditearlier.”
Blomkvistsmiledpolitely.
“You’rereallytalkingtothewrongperson.AtthemomentI’mnotontheboard.IleftinDecember.YoushouldgetintouchwithErikaBerger.SheknowsthatHenrikhasbeentakenill.”
MartinVangerhadnotexpectedthisresponse.
“Yht,ofcourse.I’lltalktoher.”HepattedBlomkvistontheshouldertosaygoodbyeandwasgone.
Nothingcretehadbeensaid,butthethreathungintheair.MartinVangerhadsetMillenniumonthebaray.AfteramomentBlomkvistpouredhimselfanotherdrinkandpickeduphisValMcDermid.
Themottledbrowncatcametosayhelloandrubbedonhisleg.Heliftedherupandscratchedbehindherears.
“ThetwoofusarehavingaverybMidsummerEve,aren’twe?”hesaid.
Whenitstartedtoraiinsideaobed.Thecatpreferredtostayoutdoors.
SaoutherKawasakionMidsummerEveahedaygivingitagoodoverhaul.Alightweight125mightoughestbikeintheworld,butitwashers,andshecouldha.Shehadrestoredit,oatatime,andshehadsoupeditupjustabitoverthelegallimit.
Iernooonherhelmetahersuitanddroveto?ppelvikenNursingHome,whereshespenttheeveningintheparkwithhermother.Shefeltapangofandguilt.Hermotherseemedmoreremotethaneverbefore.Duringthreehourstheyexgedonlyafewwords,aheydidspeak,hermotherdidoknowwhoshewastalkingto.
BlomkvistwastedseveraldaystryingtoidentifythecarwiththeACptes.AfteralotoftroubleandfinallybysultiiredmeiHedestad,hecametotheclusionthatthecarwasaFlia,amodelthathehadneverheardofbefore.TheactedaclerkatthemotorvehicledepartmentandenquiredaboutthepossibilityofgettingalistofalltheFliasin1966thathadaliceptebeginningAC3.Hewaseventuallytoldthatsuarchaeologicalexcavationintherecordspresumablycouldbedothatitwouldtaketimeanditwasbeyondtheboundariesofwhatcouldbesideredpublicrmation.
NotuntilseveraldaysafterMidsummerdidBlomkvistgetintohisborrowedVolvoanddrivenorthontheE4.Hedroveataleisurelypace.JustshortoftheH?rn?sandBridgehestoppedtohavecoffeeattheVesterlundpastryshop.
TheopwasUme?,wherehepulledintoaninnandhadthedailyspecial.HeboughtaroadatsandtioSkellefte?,whereheturowardsNorsj?.Hearrivedaround6:00intheeveningandtookaroomielNorsj?.
Hebeganhissearchearlythem.TheNorsj?CarpentryShopwasnotielephohePorHoteldeskclerk,agirliwenties,hadneverheardofthebusiness.
“WhoshouldIask?”
Theclerklookedpuzzledforafewsedsuntilherfacelitupandshesaidthatshewouldcallherfather.TwomiershecamebadexpihattheNorsj?CarpentryShopclosedintheearlyeighties.Ifhealktosomeonewhoknewmoreaboutthebusiness,heshouldgoandseeacertainBurman,whohadbeentheforemanandwhonowlivedonastreetcalledSolv?ndan.
Norsj?wasasmalltownwithonemai,appropriatelyenoughcalledStatan,thatranthroughthewholemunity.Itwaslihshopswithresidentialsidestreetsoffit.Attheeastendtherewasasmallindustriareaandastable;atthewesteroodanunmoifulwoodenchurch.BlomkvisthatthevilgealsohadaMissionarychurdaPealchurch.Aposteronabulletinboardatthebusstatioisedahuntingmuseumandaskiingmuseum.AleftoverflyerannouhatVeronikawouldsingatthefair-groundsatMidsummer.Hecouldwalkfromoneendofthevilgetotheotherihayminutes.
ThestreetcalledSolv?ndansistedofsingle-familyhomesandwasaboutfiveminutesfromthehotel.TherewasnoanswerwhenBlomkvistrangthebell.Itwas9:30,andheassumedthatBurmanhadleftforworkor,ifhewasretired,wasoutonanerrand.
HisopwasthehardwarestoreonStatan.HereasohatanyonelivinginNorsj?wouldsooerpayavisittothehardwarestore.Thereweretwosalesclerksintheshop.Blomkvistchosetheolderone,maybefiftyorso.
“Hi.I’mlookingforacouplewhoprobablylivedinNorsj?iies.ThemanmighthaveworkedfortheNorsj?CarpentryShop.Idon’tknowtheirIhavetwopicturesthatweretakenin1966.”
Theclerkstudiedthephotographsforalongtimebutfinallyshookhishead,sayinghecouldnherthemanorthewoman.
Atlunchtimehehadaburgeratahot-dogstahebusstation.Hehadgivenupontheshopsandhadmadehiswaythroughthemunicipaloffice,thelibrary,andthepharmacy.Thepolicestatioy,andhehadstartedapproagolderpeopleatrandom.Earlyiernoonheaskedtwoyoungwomen:theydidnhecoupleiographs,buttheydidhaveagoodidea.
“Ifthepicturesweretakenin1966,thepeoplewouldhavetobeintheirsixtiestoday.Whydon’tyougoovertotheretirementhomeonSolbadaskthere?”
Blomkvistintroducedhimselftoawomanatthefrontdeskoftheretirementhome,expiningwhathewaoknow.Shegredathimsuspiciouslybutfinallyallowedherselftobepersuaded.Sheledhimtothedayroom,wherehespenthalfanhourshowiurestoagroupofelderlypeople.Theywereveryhelpful,buthemcouldidentifythecouple.
At5:00hewentbacktoSolv?ndanandknockedonBurman’sdoor.Thistimehehadbetterluck.TheBurmans,boththemanandthewife,wereretired,andtheyhadbeenoutallday.TheyinvitedBlomkvistintotheirkit,wherehiswifepromptlymadecoffeewhileMikaelexpinedhiserrand.Aswithallhisotherattemptsthatday,heagaindrewabnk.Burmanscratchedhishead,litapipe,andthencludedafteramomentthathedidnhecoupleiographs.TheBurmansspokeinadistinorsj?dialecttoeachother,andBlomkvistoasionallyhaddifficultyuandingwhattheyweresaying.Thewifemeant“curlyhair”whensheremarkedthatthewomaniurehadkn?velh?ra.
“Butyou’requiterightthatit’sastickerfromthecarpentryshop,”herhusbandsaid.“Thatwascleverofy.Buttheproblemwasthatwehathosestickersleftandright.Totractors,peoplewhoboughtordeliveredtimber,joiners,maists,allsorts.”
“It’sturningouttobehardertofindthiscouplethanIthought.”
“Whydoyouwanttofindthem?”
Blomkvisthaddecidedtotellthetruthifanyoneaskedhim.Anyattempttomakeupastoryaboutthecoupleiureswouldjustsoundfalseaefusion.
“It’salongstory.I’miigatingacrimethatourrediadin1966,andIthinkthere’sapossibility,althoughaverysmallohatthepeopleiographsmighthaveseenpehey’renotinanywayundersuspi,andIdon’tthinkthey’reevenawarethattheymighthavermationthatcouldsolvethecrime.”
“Acrime?Whatkindofcrime?”
“I’msorry,butI’ttellyouanymorethanthat.Iknowitsoundsarrethatsomeonewouldeherealmostfortyyearster,tryingtofindthiscouple,butthecrimeisstillunsolved,andit’sohatnewfactshaveetolight.”
“Isee.Yes,thisiscertainlyanunusuassighatyou’reon.”
“Hoeopleworkedatthecarpentryshop?”
“Thenormalworkforcewasfortyorso.Iworkedtherefromtheageofsevehemid-fiftiesuntiltheshopclosed.ThenIbecameatractor.”Burmanthoughtforamoment.“ThismuchItellyou.Theguyinyourpicturesneverworkedthere.Hemighthavebeenatractor,butIthinkI’dreisehimifhewas.Butthereisoherpossibility.Maybehisfatherorsomeotherretiveworkedattheshopandthat’snothiscar.”
Mikaelnodded.“Irealisetherearelotsofpossibilities.yousuggestanyoneIcouldtalkto?”
“Yes,”saidBurman,noddiomorrandwe’llgoandhaveatalkwithsomeoftheoldguys.”
Sanderwasfagamethodologyproblemofsomesignifice.Sheertatdigginguprmationonjustaboutanybody,butherstartingpointhadalwaysbeenanameandasocialsecuritynumberforalivingperson.Iftheindividualwaslistedinaputerfile,whicheveryoablywas,thenthesubjectquidedinherspider’sweb.IftheindividualouterwithanIntere,anemaiddress,andmaybeevenapersoe,whiearlyeveryonedidwhocameunderherspecialtypeofresearch,shecouldsooerfindouttheirinnermostsecrets.
TheworkshehadagreedtodoforBlomkvistwasaltogetherdifferent.Thisassig,insimpleterms,wastoidentifyfoursocialsecuritynumbersbasedoremelyvaguedata.Inaddition,theseindividualsmostlikelydiedseveraldecadesago.Soprobablytheywouldnotbeonanyputerfiles.
Blomkvist’stheory,basedontheRebeckaJacobssoncase,wasthattheseindividualshadfallenvictimtoamurderer.Thismeantthattheyshouldbefoundinvariousunsolvedpolivestigations.Therewasnoclueastowhenorwherethesemurdershadtakenpce,exceptthatithadtobebefore1966.Intermsofresearch,shewasfagawholeuation.
So,howdoIgoaboutthis?
ShepulleduptheGoogleseargine,andtypedinthekeywords.Thatwasthesimplestformofresearchshecoulddo.Tohersurprise,shemadeaninstahroughintheiigation.HerfirsthitwastheprogrammelistingsforTVV?rmndinKarlstad,advertisingasegmentintheseries“V?rmndMurders”thatwasbroadcastin1999.AfterthatshefoundabriefmentioninaTVlistinginV?rmndsFolkbd.
Intheseries“V?rmndMurders”thefoowturnstoMagdaLovisaSj?berginRanmotr?sk,agruesomemurdermysterythatoupiedtheKarlstadpoliceseveraldecadesago.InApril1960,the46-year-oldfarmer’swifewasfoundmurderedinthefamily’sbarn.Therepunnarsdescribesthesthoursofherlifeandthefruitlesssearchforthekiller.Themurdercausedagreatstiratthetime,andmanytheorieshavebeeedaboutwhotheguiltypartywas.Ayouivewilppearontheshowtotalkabouthowhislifewasdestroyedwhenhewasausedofthemurder.8:00p.m.
Shefoundmoresubstantialrmationiicle“TheLovisaCaseShooktheWholetryside,”whichublishedinthemagazineV?rmndskultur.Allofthemagaziextshadbeenloadedontothe.WrittenwithobviousgleeandinachattyandtitiltingtohearticledescribedhowLovisaSj?berg’shusband,thelumberjackHolgerSj?berg,hadfoundhiswifedeadwhenhecamehomefromworkaround5:00.Shehadbeensubjectedtogrosssexuassault,stabbed,andfinallymurderedwiththeprongsofapitchfork.Themurderourredinthefamilybarn,butwhatarousedthemostattentionwasthefactthattheperpetrator,aftermittingthemurder,hadtiedherupinakneelingpositioninsideahorsestall.
Itwasterdiscoveredthatoheanimalsonthefarm,acow,hadsufferedastabwoundonthesideofitsneck.
Initiallythehusbandwassuspectedofthemurder,buthehadbeeninthepanyofhisworkcolleaguesfrom6:00inthematacleariy-fivemilesfromhishome.ItcouldbeverifiedthatLovisaSj?berghadbeenaliveasteas10:00inthem,whenshehadavisitfromawomanfriend.No-onehadseenorheardanything;thefarmwasfivehundredyardsfromitsneighbour.
Afterdroppingthehusbandasasuspect,thepolivestigationfocusedoim’stwenty-three-year-oldnephew.Hehadrepeatedlyfallenfoulofthew,wasextremelyshortofcash,andmanytimeshadborrowedsmallsumsfromhisaunt.Thenephew’salibiwassignifitlyweaker,aakenintocustodyforawhile,butreleasedforckofevidence.Evenso,manypeopleinthevilgethoughtithighlyprobablethathewasguilty.
Thepolicefollowedanotherlead.Apartoftheiigationedthesearchforapedrwhowasseeninthearea;therewasalsoarumourthatagroupof“thievinggypsies”hadcarriedoutaseriesofraids.Whytheyshouldhavemittedasavage,sexuallyretedmurderwithoutstealinganythingwasneverexpined.
Foratimesuspiwasdirectedataneighbourinthevilge,abachelorwhoinhisyouthwassuspectedofanallegedlyhomosexualcrime—thiswasbackwhenhomosexualitywasstilpunishableoffendatoseveralstatements,hehadareputationforbeing“odd.”Whysomeoneposedlyhomosexualwouldmitasexcrimeagainstawomanwasnotexpiher.heseleads,oranyothers,ledtoacharge.
SahoughttherewasaclearlinktothelistinHarrietVanger’sdate.Leviticus20:16said:“Ifaroachesaahit,youshallkillthewomanandthebeast;theyshallbeputtodeath,theirbloodisuponthem.”Itcouldn’tbeacethatafarmer’swifebythenameofMagdahadbeenfoundmurderedinabarn,withherbodysedandtiedupinahorsestall.
ThequestionwaswhyhadHarrietVangerwrittendownthenameMagdainsteadofLovisa,whicharentlythehevictimwentunder.IfherfullnamehadnotbeenpriheTVlisting,Sanderwouldhavemissedit.
And,ofcourse,themoreimportaionwas:wastherealiweenRebecka’smurderin1949,themurderofMagdaLovisain1960,andHarrietVanger’sdisappearan1966?
OnSaturdaymBurmantookBlomkvistoeourofNorsj?.InthemtheycalledonfiveformeremployeeswholivedwithinwalkingdistanceofBurman’shouse.Everyoneofferedthemcoffee.Allofthemstudiedthephotographsandshooktheirheads.
AfterasimplelunchattheBurmaheygotinthecarforadrive.TheyvisitedfesnearNorsj?,whereformeremployeesofthecarpentryshoplived.AteachstopBurmanwasgreetedwithwarmth,butno-onewasabletohelpthem.Blomkvistwasbeginningtodespair.
At4:00iernoon,BurmanparkedhiscaroutsideatypicalredV?sterbottenfarmnearNorsj?vallen,justnorthofNorsj?,andintroducedMikaeltoHenningForsmairedmastercarpenter.
“Yes,that’sAssarBr?nnlund’sd,”ForsmansaidassoonasBlomkvistshowedhimthephotographs.Bingo.
“Oh,sothat’sAssar’sboy,”Burmansaid.“Assarwasabuyer.”
“HowIfindhim?”
“Thed?Well,you’llhavetodig.HisnamewasGunnar,andheworkedattheBolidenmine.Hediedinabstingaidentinthemid-seventies.”
Blomkvist’sheartsank.
“Buthiswifeisstillive.Theohepicturehere.HernameisMildred,andshelivesinBjursele.”
“Bjursele?”
“It’saboutsixmilesdowntheroadtoBastutr?sk.Shelivesinthelongredhouseontheright-handsideasyintothevilge.It’sthethirdhouse.Iknowthefamilywell.”
“Hi,mynameisLisbethSander,andI’mwritingmythesisonthecriminologyofviolenceagainstwomeniwehtury.I’dliketovisitthepolicedistriLandskronaahroughthedotsofacasefrom1957.IthastodowiththemurderofawomanbythenameofRakelLunde.Doyouhaveanyideawherethosedotsaretoday?”
BjurselewaslikeaposterfortheV?sterbottentryvilge.Itsistedofabouttwentyhousessetretivelyclosetogetherinasemicircleatoneendofake.IreofthevilgewasacrossroadswithanarrowpointingtowardsHemmingen,101/2miles,andanotherpointingtowardsBastutr?sk,7miles.hecrossroadswasasmallbridgewithacreekthatBlomkvistassumedwasthewater,thesel.Attheheightofsummer,itrettyasapostcard.
HeparkedinthecourtyardinfrontofaKonsumthatwasnolongeropen,almostoppositethethirdhouseontheright-handside.Whenhekhedoor,no-oneanswered.
Hetookanhour-longwalkalongtheroadtowardsHemmingen.Hepassedaspotwherethestreambecamerushingrapids.Hemettwocatsandsawadeer,butnotasingleperson,beforeheturnedaround.MildredBr?nnlund’sdoorwasstillshut.
OnaposthebridgehefoundapeelingflyerannoungtheBT,somethingthatcouldbedecipheredastheBjurseleTuktingCarChampionship2002.“Tukting”acararentlyawintersportthatinvolvedsmashingupavehitheice-coveredke.
Hewaiteduntil10:00p.m.befaveupanddrovebaorsj?,wherehehadatedinnerandtheobedtoreadthedeofValMcDermid’snovel.
Itwasgrisly.
At10:00SanderaddedonemoreoHarrietVanger’slist.Shedidsowithsomehesitation.
Shehaddiscoveredashortcut.Atquiteregurintervalsarticleswerepublishedaboutunsolvedmurders,andinaSundaysupplementtotheeveningneershehadfoundanarticlefrom1999withtheheadli