ne“ManyMurderersofWomenGoFree.”Itwasashortarticle,butitincludedthenamesandphotographsofseveralhymurdervictims.TherewastheSolveigcaseinNorrt?lje,theAnitamurderinNorrk?ping,MargaretainHelsingb,andanumberofothers.
Theoldestcasetoberetedwasfromthesixties,andhemurdersmatchedthelistthatSanderhadbeengivenbyBlomkvist.Butonecasedidattractherattention.
InJune1962aprostitutebythenameofLeaPerss?tebhadgooUddevaltovisithermotherandhernine-year-oldson,whomhermotherwastakingcareof.OnaSundayevening,afteravisitofseveraldays,Leahadhuggedhermother,saidgoodbye,andcaughtthetrainbacktoG?teb.Shewasfoundtwodaysterbehindataineronanindustrialsitenolongerinuse.Shehadbeenraped,andherbodyhadbeensubjectedtoextraordinaryviolence.
TheLeamurderarousedagreatdealofattentionasasummerserialstoryintheneer,butnokillerhadeverbeeified.TherewasnoLeaonHarrietVanger’slist.NordidthemannerofherdeathfitwithanyofHarriet’sBiblequotes.
Oherhand,therewassuchaarrecethatSander’santeantlybuzzed.AbouttenyardsfromwhereLea’sbodywasfoundyaflowerpotigeoninside.Someoiedastringroundthepigeon’snedpulleditthroughtheholeiomofthepot.Theutonalittlefirethathadbeeweentwobricks.TherewasaintythatthiscrueltyhadanyewiththeLeamurder.Itcouldhavebeenachildpyingahorriblegame,butthepressdubbedthemurderthePigeonMurder.
SanderwasnoBiblereader—shedidnotevenowthateveniovertoH?galidChurdwithsomedifficultyshemaoborrowaBible.ShesatonaparkbenchoutsidethechurdreadLeviticus.WhenshereachedChapter12,verse8,hereyebrowswentup.Chapter12dealtwiththepurificationofwomenafterchildbirth.
Andifsheotaffordamb,thensheshalltaketwoturtledovesortwoyoungpigeons,oneforaburntaherforasin;andthepriestshallmakeatoforher,andsheshallbe.
LeacouldverywellhavebeenincludedinHarriet’sdateas:Lea—31208.
Sahoughtthatnoresearchshehadeverdonebeforehadtainedevenafraofthescopeofthisassig.
MildredBr?nnlund,remarriedandnowMildredBerggrehedoorwhenBlomkvistknockedaround10:00onSundaym.Thewomanwasmucholder,ofcourse,andhadbynowfilledoutagooddeal,buthereisedheratonce.
“Hi,mynameisMikaelBlomkvist.YoumustbeMildredBerggren.”
“That’sright.”
“I’msorryforknogonyourdoorlikethis,butI’vebeentryingtofindyou,andit’sratherplicatedtoexpin.”Hesmiledather.“IwonderifIcouldeinandtakeupasmalmountofyourtime.”
Mildred’shusbandandasonwhowasaboutthirty-fivewerehome,andwithoutmuchhesitationsheinvitedBlomkvisttoeandsitintheirkit.Heshookhandswitheachofthem.Hehaddrunkmorecoffeeduritwenty-fourhoursthanatanytimeinhislife,butbynowhehadlearhatinNorrnditwasrudetosayno.Whenthecoffeecupswereoable,Mildredsatdownandaskedwithsomecuriosityhowshecouldhelphim.ItwasobviousthathedidnoteasilyuandherNorsj?dialect,sosheswitchedtostandardSwedish.
Blomkvisttookadeepbreath.“Thisisalongandpeculiarstory,”hesaid.“Iember1966youwereiadwithyourthenhusband,GunnarBr?nnlund.”
Shelookedsurprised.Hewaitedforhertonodbeforeheidthephotographfrsgatanoableinfrontofher.
“Whenwasthispicturetaken?Doyouremembertheoasion?”
“Oh,mygoodness,”MildredBerggrensaid.“Thatwasalifetimeago.”
Herpresenthusbandandsoaohertolookatthepicture.
“Wewereonourhoneymoon.WehaddrivendowntoStoandSigtunaandwereonourwayhomeandhappeostopsomewhere.Wasitiad,yousaid?”
“Yes,Hedestad.Thisphotographwastakenatabout1:00iernoon.I’vebeentryingtofindyouforsometimenow,andithasn’tbeenasimpletask.”
“Youseeanoldphotographofmeauallytrackmedown.I’timaginehowyoudidit.”
Blomkvistputthephotographfromthecarparkoable.
“Iwasabletofindyouthankstothispicture,whichwastakenalittleterintheday.”Heexpinedhow,viatheNorsj?CarpentryShop,hehadfoundBurman,whointurnhadledhimtoHenningForsmaninNorsj?vallen.
“Youmusthaveagoodreasonforthislongsearch.”
“Ido.ThisgirlstandingclosetoyouinthisphotographiscalledHarriet.Thatdayshedisappeared,andshewasneverseenorheardofagain.Thegenerassumptionisthatshefellpreytoamurderer.Ishowyousomemorephotographs?”
Hetookouthisiandexpihecircumstanceswhiletheputerbootedup.ThenhepyedhertheseriesofimagesshowinghowHarriet’sfacialexpressionged.
“ItwaswhehroughtheseoldimagesthatIfoundyou,standingwithacamerarightbehindHarriet,andyouseemtobetakingapictureinthedireofwhateveritisshe’slookingat,whatevercausedhertoreathatway.Iknowthatthisisareallylongshot,butthereasonI’vebeenlookingforyouistoaskyouifbyanymiracleyoustillhavethepicturesfromthatday.”
HereparedforMildredBerggrentodismisstheideaandtellhimthatthephotographshadlongsinished.Insteadshelookedathimwithherclearblueeyesandsaid,asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld,thatofcourseshestillhadheroldhoneymoonpictures.
Shewenttoanotherroomandcamebackafterseveralmihaboxinwhichshehadstoredaquantityofpicturesinvariousalbums.Ittookawhiletofindthehoneymoonones.Shehadtakenthreephotographsiad.Onewasblurryandshowedthemai.Anothershowedherhusbandatthetime.Thethirdshowedthesintheparade.
Blomkvisteagerlyleanedforward.Hecouldseeafigureohersideofthestreetbehinda.Butthephotographtoldhimabsolutelynothing.
CHAPTER20
Tuesday,July1–Wednesday,July2
ThefirstthingBlomkvistdidthemhereturoHedestadwastogotoFrode’shousetoaskaboutVanger’sdition.Helearohisdelightthattheoldmanhadimprovedquiteabitduriweek.Hewasweakstill,andfragile,butnowhecouldsitupinbed.Hisditionwasnolardedascritical.
“ThankGod,”hesaid.“IrealisedthatIactuallylikehim.”
Frodesaid:“Iknowthat.AndHenriklikesyoutoo.HowwasNorrnd?”
“Suessfulyetunsatisfying.I’llexpinalittleter.RightnowIhaveaquestion.”
“Goahead.”
“WhatrealisticallywillhappentoyouriinMillenniumifHenrikdies?”
“Nothingatall.Martinwilltakehisptheboard.”
“Isthereanyrisk,hypotheticallyspeaking,thatMartinmightcreateproblemsforMillenniumifIdon’tputastoptotheiigationofHarriet’sdisappearance?”
Frodegavehimasharplook.
“What’shappened?”
“Nothing,actually.”MikaeltoldhimabouttheversationhehadhadwithMartinVangeronMidsummerEve.“WhenIwasinNorsj?ErikatoldmethatMartinhadcalledherandsaidthathethoughtIwasverymueededbackattheoffice.”
“Iuand.MyguessisthatCeciliawasafterhim.ButIdon’tthinkthatMartinwouldputpressureonyoulikethatonhisown.He’smuchtoosavvy.Andremember,I’malsoontheboardofthelittlesubsidiaryweformedwhenweboughtintoMillennium.”
“Butwhatifaticklishsituationcameup—howwouldyouactthen?”
“tractsexisttobehonoured.IworkforHenrik.HenrikandIhavebeenfriendsforforty-fiveyears,andweareieagreementinsuchmatters.IfHenrikshoulddieitisinpointoffaotMartin—whowouldiHenrik’sshareinthesubsidiary.WehaveatrawhichwehaveuakentobackMillenniumforthreeyears.ShouldMartinwishtostartanymischief—whichIdon’tbelievehewill—theicallyhecouldputthebrakesonasmallnumberofnewadvertisers.”
“ThelifebloodofMillennium’sexistence.”
“Yes,butlookatitthisway—waboutsuchtriviaisawasteoftime.Martinispresentlyfightingforhisindustrialsurvivandwfourteenhoursaday.Hedoesn’thavetimeforanythingelse.”
“MayIask—Iknowit’snoneofmybusiness—whatisthegeneralditionofthecorporation?”
Frodelookedgrave.
“roblems.”
“Yes,evenamonfinancialreporterlikemyselfseethat.Imean,howseriousisit?”
“Offtherecord?”
“Betweenus.”
“We’velosttweordersironidustryifewweeksandareabouttobeejectedfromtheRussianmarket.Iemberwe’regoingtohavetoyoff1,600employeesin?rebroandTrollh?ttan.Notmuchofarewardtogivetopeoplewho’veworkedforthepanyformanyyears.Eachtimeweshutdownafactory,fidehepanyisfurtherundermined.”
“Martinisunderpressure.”
“He’spullingtheloadofanoxandwalkingoneggshells.”
BlomkvistwentbacktohiscottageandcalledBerger.Shewasnotattheoffice,sohespoketoMalm.
“Here’sthedeal:ErikacalledwhenIwasinNorsj?.MartinVangerhasbeenafterherandhas,houtit,encedhertoproposethatIstarttotakeoorialresponsibility.”
“Ithinkyoushouldtoo,”Malmsaid.
“Iknowthat.Butthethingis,IhaveatractwithHenrikVahatI’tbreak,andMartinisagonbehalfofsomeoneupherewhowaopwhatIamdoingaown.Sohisproposamountstoaogetridofme.”
“Isee.”
“SayhitoErikaandtellherI’llebacktoStowhenI’mfinishedhere.Notbefore.”
“Iuand.You’restarkravingmad,ofcourse,butI’llgiveherthemessage.”
“Christer.Somethingisgoingonuphere,andIhavenoiionofbagout.”
BlomkvistknoartinVanger’sdoor.EvaHasselopeaedhimwarmly.
“Hi.IsMartinhome?”
Asifiothequestion,MartinVangercamewalkingoutwithabriefcaseinhishand.HekissedEvaonthecheekandsaidhellotoMikael.
“I’monmywaytotheoffice.Doyouwanttotalktome?”
“Wedoitterifyou’reinahurry.”
“Let’shearit.”
“Iwon’tbegoingbaillennium’seditorialboardbeforeI’mfihtheassighatHenrikgaveme.I’mrmingyouofthisnowsothatyouwon’ttonmebeingontheboardbeforeNewYear’s.”
MartinVaeeteredbadforthforabit.
“Isee.YouthinkIwanttogetridofyou.”Hepaused.“Mikael,we’llhavetotalkaboutthister.Idon’treallyhavetimetodevotetomyhobbyonMillennium’sboard,andIwishI’dneveragreedtoHenrik’sproposal.Butbelieveme—I’mgoingtodomybesttomakesurethatMillenniumsurvives.”
“I’veneverhadanydoubtaboutthat,”Blomkvistsaid.
“IfwemakeanappoiforsometimeweekwegooverthefinandIgiveyoumyviewsoer.ButmybasicattitudeisthatMillenniumotactuallyaffordtohaveoskeypeoplesittinguphereonHedebyIsndtwiddlinghisthumbs.IlikethemagazineandIthinkwemakeitstrether,butyou’recrucialtothattask.I’vewoundupinaflictofloyaltieshere.EitherIfollowHenrik’swishesorcarryoutmyjobonMillennium’sboard.”
BlomkvistgedintohistracksuitaforarunouttotheFortressanddowntoGottfried’sbeforeheheadedhomeataslowerpacealoer.Frodewassittingatthegardentable.HewaitedpatientlyasMikaeldrankabottleofwaterandtowelledthesweatfromhisface.
“Thatdoesn’tlooksohealthyinthisheat.”
“Oh,eon,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Iwaswrong.Ceciliaisn’tthemainpersonwho’safterMartin.It’sIsabel.She’sbusymobilisingtheVaotaraheryouandpossiblyburnyouatthestaketoo.She’sbeingbackedupbyBirger.”
“Isabel?”
“She’samalicious,pettywomanwhodoesn’tlikeotherpeopleingeneral.Rightnowitseemsthatshedetestsyouinparticur.She’sspreadingstoriesthatyou’reaswindlerwhodupedHenrikintyou,andthatyougothimsoworkedupthathehadaheartattack.”
“Ihopeno-onebelievesthat?”
“There’salwayssomeonewillingtobelievemaliciousrumours.”
“I’mtryingtoworkoutpehter—aesme.IfHarrietweremydaughter,Iwouldhavereactedabitdifferently.”
At2:00iernoon,hismobilerang.
“Hello,mynameisyTorssonandIworkattheHedestadCourier.Doyouhavetimetoanswerafewquestioatipthatyou’relivinghereinHedeby.”
“Well,HerrTorsson,yourtipmaeisalittleslow.I’vebeenlivingheresihefirstoftheyear.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.Whatareyoudoingiad?”
“Writing.Andtakingasortofsabbatical.”
“Whatareyon?”
“You’llfindoutwhenIpublishit.”
“Youwerejustreleasedfromprison…”
“Yes?”
“Doyouhaveaviewonjournalistswhofalsifymaterial?”
“Journalistswhofalsifymateriareidiots.”
“Soinyouropinionyou’reanidiot?”
“WhyshouldIthinkthat?I’veneverfalsifiedmaterial.”
“Butyouwerevictedoflibel.”
“So?”
TorssoatedlongenoughthatBlomkvisthadtogivehimapush.
“Iwasvictedoflibel,notoffalsifyingmaterial.”
“Butyoupublishedthematerial.”
“Ifyou’recallingtodiscussthejudgementagainstme,Ihave.”
“I’dliketoeoutanddoaninterviewwithyou.”
“Ihavenothingtosaytoyouonthistopic.”
“Soyoudon’twanttodiscussthetrial?”
“That’scorrect,”hesaid,andhungup.Hesatthinkingforalongtimebeforehewentbacktohisputer.
SanderfollowedtheinstrusshehadreceivedanddroveherKawasakiacrossthebridgetoHedebyIsnd.Shestoppedatthefirstlittlehouseo.Shewasreallyoutiicks.Butaslongasheremployeraying,shedidnotmindifshewenttotheNorthPole.Besides,itwasgreattogiveherbikeitsheadonalongrideuptheE4.Sheputthebikeonitsstandandloosehestrapthatheldherhtduffelbaginpce.
Blomkvistopehedoorandwavedtoher.Hecameoutandiedhermotorcyclewithobviousastonishment.
Hewhistled.“You’reridingamotorbike!”
Sandersaidnothing,butshewatchedhimilyashetouchedthehandlebarsandtriedtheaelerator.Shedidnotlikeanyoougherstuff.Thenshesawhischildlike,boyishsmile,whichshetookforaredeemiure.Mostpeoplewhowereintomotorcyclesusuallyughedatherlightweightbike.
“IhadamotorbikewhenIwasnieen,”hesaid,turningtoher.“Thanksfup.eina’sgetyousettled.”
HehadborrobedfromtheNilssons.Saookatouraroundthe,lookingsuspicious,butsheseemedtorexwhenshecouldfindnoimmediatesignsofanyinsidioustrap.Heshowedherwherethebathroomwas.
“Incaseyouwanttotakeashowerandfreshenup.”
“Ihavetoge.Iamnotgoingtowanderaroundihers.”
“OK,whileyougeI’llmakedinner.”
HesautéedmbchopsinredwinesaudsetthetableoutdoorsiernoonsunwhileSandershoweredandged.Shecameoutbarefootwearingabckcamisoleandashort,worndenimskirt.Thefoodsmelledgood,aawaytwostouthelpings.Fasated,Blomkvistsneakedalookatthetattoosonherback.
“Fiveplusthree,”Sandersaid.“FivecasesfromyourHarriet’slistandthreecasesthatIthinkshouldhavebeeno.”
“Tellme.”
“I’veonlybeenonthisforelevendays,andIhaven’thadacetodigupallthereports.Insomecasesthepolicereportshadbeenputiionarchive,andihey’restillstoredinthelocalpolicedistrict.Imadethreedaytripstodifferentpolicedistricts,butIdidn’thavetimetogettoallofthem.Thefiveareidentified.”
Saasolidheapofpaperotable,around500pages.Shequicklysortedthematerialintodifferentstacks.
“Let’staketheminologicalorder.”ShehandedBlomkvistalist.
1949—REBECKAJACOBSSOad
1954—MARIHOLMBERG,Kalmar
1957—RAKELLUNDE,Landskrona
1960—
1960—LIVGUSTAVSSON,Sto
1962—LEAPERSSON,Uddeval
1964—SARAWITT,Ronneby
1966—LENAANDERSSON,Uppsa
“ThefirstcaseinthisseriesisRebeckaJacobsson,1949,thedetailsofwhichyoualreadyknow.ThecaseIfoundwasMariHolmberg,athirty-two-year-oldprostituteinKalmarwhowasmurderedinherapartmentinOctober1954.It’snotclearexactlywhenshewaskilled,sinceherbodywasn’tfhtarobablyendayster.”
“AndhowdoyouecthertoHarriet’slist?”
“Shewastiedupandbadlyabused,butthecauseofdeathwasstrangution.Shehadasanitarytoweldowhroat.”
BlomkvistsatinsilenomentbeforehelookeduptheversethatwasLeviticus20:18.
“Ifamahawomanhavinghersiess,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuhefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
Sandernodded.
“HarrietVangermadethesamee.OK.?”
“May1957,RakelLunde,forty-five.Sheworkedasaingwomanandwasabitofahappyeentrithevilge.ShewasafortuellerandherhobbywasdoingTarotreadings,palms,etcetera.ShelivedoutsideLandskronainahousealongwayfromanywhere,andshewasmurderedtheresometimeearlyinthem.Shewasfoundnakedaoaundry-dryingframeinherbackgarden,withhermouthtapedshut.Causeofdeathwasaheavyrockbeiedlythrownather.Shehadtlesstusionsandfractures.”
“JesusChrist.Lisbeth,thisisfugdisgusting.”
“Itgetsworse.TheinitialsR.L.arecorrect—youfoundtheBiblequote?”
“Overlyexplicit.Amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestohstoheirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
“Thenthere’sSj?berginRanmooutsideKarlstad.She’stheoneHarrietlistedasMagda.HerfullnamewasMagdaLovisa,butpeoplecalledherLovisa.”
BlomkvistlistenedwhileSanderretedthearredetailsoftheKarlstadmurder.Wheacigarettehepoihepadshepusheditovertohim.
“Sothekillerattackedtheanimaltoo?”
“TheLeviticusversesaysthatifawomanhassexwithananimal,bothmustbekilled.”
“Thelikelihoodofthiswomanhavihaustbe…well,ent.”
“Theversebereadliterally.It’senoughthatshe‘approaches’theanimal,whichafarmer’swifewouldundeniablydoeveryday.”
“Uood.”
“ThecaseonHarriet’slistisSara.I’veidentifiedherasSaraWitt,thirty-seven,livinginRonneby.ShewasmurderedinJanuary1964,fouoherbed,subjectedtoaggravatedsexuassault,butthecauseofdeathhyxiation;shewasstrahekilleralsostartedafire,withtheprobableiionthewholehousedowntotheground,butpartofthefirewentoutbyitself,awastakencareofbythefireservice,whowerethereinaveryshorttime.”
“Andthee?”
“Listentothis.SaraWittwasboththedaughterofapastorandmarriedtoapastor.Herhusbandwasawaythatweekend.”
“Andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbypyingtheharlot,profaher;sheshallbeburhfire.OK.Thatfitso.Yousaidyou’dfoundmorecases.”
“I’vefoundthreeotherwomenwhoweremurderedundersuchsimirlystrangecircumstandtheycouldhavebeenonHarriet’slist.ThefirstisayoungwomannamedLivGustavssowenty-twoandlivedinFarsta.Shewasahorse-lovinggirl—sherodeiionsandwasquiteapromisingtalent.Shealsoownedasmallpetshopwithhersister.Shewasfoundintheshop.Shehadworkedteonthekeepingandwastherealone.Shemusthaveletthekillerinvoluntarily.Sheedandstraodeath.”
“Thatdoesn’tsoundquitelikeHarriet’slist,doesit?”
“ly,ifitweren’tforohing.Thekillercludedhisbarbaritiesbyshovingaparakeetuphervaginaaalltheanimalsoutintotheshop.Cats,turtles,whitemice,rabbits,birds.Eventhefishintheaquarium.Soitwasquiteanappallingsehersisterenteredinthem.”
Blomkvistmadeanote.
“ShewasmurderedinAugust1960,fourmonthsafterthemurderofthefarmer’swifeMagdaLovisainKarlstad.Inbothinstaheywerewomenwhoworkedprofessionallywithanimals,andinbothcasestherewasananimalsacrifice.TheKarlstadmayhavesurvived—butIimagiwouldbedifficulttostabacowtodeathwithaknife.Aparakeetismorestraightforward.Andbesides,therewasanadditionanimalsacrifice.”
“What?”
Saoldthestoryofthe“pigeonmurder”ofLeaPersson.BlomkvistsatforsolonginsilendinthoughtthatevenSandergrewimpatient.
“I’llbuyyourtheory,”hesaidatst.“There’sonecaseleft.”
“AcasethatIdiscoveredbyce.Idon’tknowhowmanyImayhavemissed.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
“February1966inUppsa.Thevictimwasaseventeen-year-oldgymnastcalledLenaAndersson.ShedisappearedafteracsspartyandwasfoundthreedaysterinadittheUppsapin,quiteawayoutoftown.Shehadbeenmurderedsomewhereelseandherbodydumpedthere.Thismurdergotalotofattentioninthemedia,butthetruecircumstancessurroundingherdeathwereneverreported.Thegirlhadbeengrotesquelytortured.Ireadthepathologist’sreport.Shewastorturedwithfire.Herhandsaswereatrociouslyburned,andshehadbeenburedlyatvariousspotsalloverherbody.Theyfoundparaffinstainsonher,whichshowedthatdleshadbeenused,butherhandsweresocharredthattheymusthavebeenheldoveramorepowerfulfire.Finally,thekillersawedoffherheadandtosseditothebody.”
Blomkvistbnched.“GoodLord,”hesaid.
“I’tfindanyBiblequotethatfits,butthereareseveralpassagesthatdealwithafireandasin,andinsomepcesit’sremehatthesacrifiimal—mostoftenabull—becutupinsuchawaythattheheadisseveredfromthefat.Firealsoremihefirstmurder,ofRebeckahereiad.”
Towardsevenihemosquitoesbegantoswarmtheyclearedoffthegardentableandmovedtothekittogoonwiththeirtalk.
“Thefactthatyoudidn’tfiBiblequotatiomeanmuch.It’snotamatterofquotations.ThisisagrotesqueparodyofwhatiswrittenintheBible—it’smorelikeassociationstoquotationspulledoutoftext.”
“Iagree.Itisn’tevenlogical.Takeforexamplethequotethatbothhavetobecutofffromtheirpeopleifsomeonehassexwithagirlwho’shavingherperiod.Ifthat’sinterpretedliterally,thekillershouldhavemittedsuicide.”
“Sowheredoesallthislead?”Blomkvistwonderedaloud.
“YourHarrieteitherhadquiteastrangehobbyorelseshemusthaveknownthattherewasaebetweenthemurders.”
“Between1949and1966,andmaybebeforeandafteraswell.Theideathataninsanelysicksadisticserialkillerwassughteringwomenforatleastseventeenyearswithoutanyoneseeingaesoundsutterlyunbelievabletome.”
Sanderpushedbackherchairandpouredmorecoffeefromthepotoove.Shelitacigarette.Mikaelcursedhimselfandstoleanotherfromher.
“No,it’snotsounbelievable,”shesaid,holdinguponefinger.“WehaveseveraldozenunsolvedmurdersofwomeninSwedenduriwehtury.Thatprofessorofcriminology,Persson,saidoVthatserialkillersareveryrareinSweden,butthatprobablywehavehadsomethatwerenevercaught.”
Sheheldupaner.
“Thesemurdersweremittedoveraverylongperiodoftimeandalloverthetry.Twoourredclosetogetherin1960,butthecircumstanceswerequitedifferent—afarmer’swifeinKarlstadandatwenty-two-year-oldinSto.”
Threefingers.
“Thereisnoimmediatelyapparentpattern.Themurderswerecarriedoutatdifferentpdthereisnorealsignature,buttherearecertainthingsthatdorecur.Animals.Fire.Aggravatedsexuassault.And,asyoupoi,aparodyofBiblicalquotations.ButitseemsthatnotoheiigatiivesinterpretedanyofthemurdersintermsoftheBible.”
Blomkvistwaswatgher.Withherslenderbody,herbckcamisole,thetattoos,andtheringspiergherface,Sanderlookedoutofpce,tosaytheleast,icottageinHedeby.Wheriedtobesociableoverdinner,shewastaciturntothepointofrudeness.Butwhenshewaswshesoundedlikeaprofessionaltertips.HerapartmentinStoightlookasifabombhadgoneoffinit,butmentallySanderwasextremelywelnised.
“It’shardtoseetheebetrostituteinUddevalwho’skilledinanindustrialyardandapastor’swifewhoisstrangledinRonnebyandhasherhousesetonfire.Ifyoudon’thavethekeythatHarrietgaveus,thatis.”
“Whichleadstothequestion,”Sandersaid.
“HowohdidHarrietgetmixedupinallthis?Asixteen-year-oldgirlwholivedinareallyshelteredenviro.”
“There’sonlyoneanswer,”Sandersaid.“TheremustbesomeetotheVangerfamily.”
By11:00thatnighttheyhadgoheseriesofmurdersanddiscussedtheceivableesaiailsofsimirityanddifferencesooftenthatBlomkvist’sheadinning.HerubbedhiseyesandstretchedandaskedSanderifshefeltlikeawalk.Herexpressionsuggestedthatshethoughtsuchpracticeswereawasteoftime,butsheagreed.Blomkvistadvisedhertogeintolongtrousersbecauseofthemosquitoes.
Theystrolledpastthesmall-boatharbourandthehebridgeandouttowardsMartinVanger’spoint.Blomkvistpoithevarioushousesandtoldheraboutthepeoplewholivedinthem.HehadsomedifficultywhentheycametoCeciliaVanger’shouse.Sandergavehimacuriouslook.
TheypassedMartinVanger’smotoryadreachedthepoint,aheysatonarodsharedacigarette.
“There’sonemoree,”Blomkvistsaidsuddenly.“Maybeyou’vealreadythoughtofit.”
“What?”
“Theirnames.”
Sahoughtforamomentandshookherhead.
“They’reallBibliames.”
“Nottrue,”shesaid.“WhereisthereaLivorLenaintheBible?”
“Theyarethere.Livmeanstolive,inotherwordsEva.Andeon—what’sLenashortfor?”
Sandergrimaannoyance.Hehadbeenquickerthanshewas.Shedidnotlikethat.
“Magdalena,”shesaid.
“Thewhore,thefirstwoman,theVirginMary…they’reallthereinthisgroup.Thisissofreakyit’dmakeapsychologist’sheadspin.Butthere’ssomethingelseIthoughtofwithregardtothenames.”
Sanderwaitedpatiently.
“They’reobviouslyalltraditionalJewishheVangerfamilyhashadmorethanitsshareoffanatiti-Semites,Nazis,andspiracytheorists.TheonlytimeImetHaraldVangerhewasstandingintheroadsnarlingthathisowndaughterwasawhore.Hecertainlyhasproblemswithwomen.”
Whebacktothetheymadeamidnightsnadheatedupthecoffee.Mikaeltookalookatthealmost500pagesthatDraganArmansky’sfavouriteresearcherhadprodu.
“You’vedoneafantasticjobofdiggingupthesefasuchashorttime,”hesaid.“Thanks.Andthanksalsoforbeingnioughtoeuphereaonit.”
“pensnow?”Sanderwaoknow.
“I’mgoingtotalktoDirchFrodetomorrowandarrangeforyourfeetobepaid.”
“Thatwasn’twhatImeant.”
Blomkvistlookedather.
“Well…IrethejobIhiredyouforisdone,”hesaid.
“I’mnotdohthis.”
Blomkvistleanedbackagainstthekitwalhergaze.Hecouldn’treadanythingatallinhereyes.ForhalfayearhehadbeenwaloneonHarriet’sdisappearandherewasanotherperson—anexperiencedresearcher—whograspedtheimplications.Hemadethedecisiononimpulse.
“Ikno’lltalktoFrode.We’llhireyouforaweekortwomoreas…aresearchassistant.Idon’tknowifhe’llwanttopaythesameratehepaystoArmansky,butweshouldbeableteabasiclivingwageforyou.”
Sandersuddenlygavehimasmile.Shehadnowishtobeshutoutandwouldhavegdlydohejobforfree.
“I’mfallingasleep,”shesaid,andwithoutfurtheradoshewenttoherroomandclosedthedoor.
Twomiersheopehedoorandputoutherhead.
“Ithinkyou’rewrong.It’snotaninsaneserialkillerwhoreadhisBiblewrong.It’sjustamardenbastardwhohateswomen.”
CHAPTER21
Thursday,July3–Thursday,July10
SanderbeforeBlomkvist,around6:00.Sheputoerforcoffeeaotakeashower.WhenBlomkvistwokeat7:30,shewasreadinghissummaryoftheHarrietVangercaseonhisi.Hecameouttothekitwithatowelroundhiswaist,rubbingthesleepoutofhiseyes.
“There’scoffeeoove,”shesaid.
Helookedoverhershoulder.
“Thatdotasswordprotected,dammit,”hesaid.
Sheturnedandpeeredupathim.
“IttakesthirtysedstodorogrammefromthethatcrackWord’sencryptionprote.”
“Weohaveatalkonthesubjectofwhat’syoursandwhat’smine,”hesaid,aotakeashower.
Whenhecameback,Sanderhadturnedoffhisputerandputitbaitsphisoffice.ShehadbootedupherownPower.Blomkvistfeltsurethatshehadalreadytransferredthetentsofhisputertoherown.
Sanderwasanrmationjuhadelichild’stakeonmoralsahics.
Hehadjustsatdowntobreakfastwhentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor.MartinVangerlookedsosolemnthatforasedBlomkvistthoughthehadetthenewsofhisuncle’sdeath.
“No,Henrik’sditionisthesameasyesterday.I’mhereforaquitedifferentreason.CouldIeramoment?”
Blomkvistlethimin,introdughimto“myresearchassistant”LisbethSander.Shegavethecaptainofindustrybarelyagndaquiodbeforeshewentbacktoherputer.MartinVangergreetedherautomaticallybutlookedsodistractedthathehardlyseemedtonoticeher.Blomkvistpouredhimacupofcoffeeandinvitedhimtohaveaseat.
“What’sthisalbout?”
“Youdon’tsubscribetotheHedestadCourier?”
“No.ButsometimesIseeitatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.”
“Thenyouhavehism’spaper.”
“YoumakeitsoundasifIoughtto.”
MartinVatheday’spaperoableinfrontofhim.Hehadbeewonsonthefrontpage,tinuedonpagefour.“victedLibelJournalistHidingHere.”AphotographtakenwithatelephotolensfromthechurchhillohersideofthebridgeshowedBlomkvistingoutofthecottage.
Thereporter,Torsson,hadcobbledtogetherascurrilouspiece.HerecapitutedtheWer?maffairandexpihatBlomkvisthadleftMillenniumindisgradthathehadretlyservedaprisonterveryself-respegresidentofHedestadutonnoticethatanOlympic-cssshitfromStowasskulkingaroundthearea.hecimsiiclewaslibellous,buttheyweresopresentBlomkvistinanunftteringlight;theyoutandtypestylewasofthekindthatsueersusedtodiscusspoliticalterrorists.Millenniumwasdescribedasamagazihlowcredibility“bentonagitation,”andBlomkvist’sonfinancialjournalismresentedasacolleof“troversialcims”aboutothermorerespectedjournalists.
“Mikael…Idon’thavewordstoexpresswhatIfeltwhehisarticle.It’srepulsive.”
“It’saput-upjob,”Blomkvistsaidcalmly.
“IhopeyouuandthatIdidn’thavetheslightestthingtodowiththis.Ichokedonmymcoffeewhe.”
“Thenwhodid?”
“Imadesomecalls.ThisTorssonisasummerworkexperiencekid.Hedidthepieordersfrer.”
“IthoughtBirgerhadnosayinthenewsroom.Afterall,heisacillorandpoliticalfigure.”
“TeicallyhehasnoinfluetheeditoriheCourierisGunnarKarlman,Ingrid’sson,who’spartoftheJohanVangerbranchofthefamily.BirgerandGunnarhavebeencloseformanyyears.”
“Isee.”
“Torssonwillbefiredforthwith.”
“Howoldishe?”
“Totellyouthetruth,Idon’tknow.I’vehim.”
“Don’tfirehim.Whenhecalledmehesoundedlikeaveryyoungandinexperiencedreporter.”
“This’tbeallowedtopasswithoutsequences.”
“Ifyouwantmyopiniouationseemsabitabsurd,wheorinchiefofapublicatioheVangerfamilygoesoackagainstanotherpublicationinwhirikVangerisapartownerandonwhoseboardyousit.Youreditor,Karlman,isattagyouandHenrik.”
“Iseewhatyoumean,andIoughttoythebmewhereitbelongs.Karlmanisapartowhecorporationandhasalwaystakenpot-shotsatme,butthisseemsmorelikeBirger’srevengebecauseyouhadarun-inwithhimatthehospital.You’reathorninhisside.”
“Ibelieveit.That’swhyIthinkTorssonisthestpersontobme.Ittakesalotforaosayhebossinstructshimtowritesomethingiainway.”
“Icoulddemandthatyoubegivenanapologytomorrow.”
“Betternot.Itwouldjustturnintoalong,drawn-outsquabblethatwouldmakethesituationworse.”
“Soyoudon’tthinkIshoulddoanything?”
“Itwouldn’tbeanyuse.Karlmanwouldkickupafussandintheworstcaseyou’dbepaintedasavilinwho,inhiscapacityasowner,istryingtostamponthefreedomofexpression.”
“Pardonme,Mikael,butIdon’tagreewithyou.Asamatteroffact,Ialsohavetherighttoexpressmyopinion.Myviewisthatthisarticlestinks—andIiomakemyownpointofviewclear.Howeverrelutly,I’mHenrik’sreptonMillennium’sboard,andinthatroleIamnotgoingtoletanoffeiclelikethisonepassunchallenged.”
“Fairenough.”
“SoI’mgoingtodemandtherighttorespond.AndifImakeKarlmanlooklikeanidiot,hehasonlyhimselftobme.”
“Youmustdowhatyoubelieveisright.”
“Forme,it’salsoimportantthatyouabsolutelyuandthatIhavenothingwhatsoevertodowiththisvitriolicattack.”
“Ibelieveyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Besides—Ididn’treallywanttthisupnow,butthisjustservestoillustratewhatwe’vealreadydiscussed.It’simportanttore-installyouonMillennium’seditorialboardsothatweshowaunitedfronttotheworld.Aslongasyou’reaway,thegossipwilltinue.IbelieveinMillennium,andI’mvihatwewinthisfighttogether.”
“Iseeyourpoint,butnowit’smyturntodisagreewithyou.I’tbreakmytractwithHenrik,aisthatIwouldn’twanttobreakit.Yousee,Ireallylikehim.AndthisthingwithHarriet…”
“Yes?”
“Iknowit’sarunningsoreforyouandIrealisethatHenrikhasbeenobsessedwithitformanyyears.”
“Justbetweewoofus—IdoloveHenrikandheismymentor—butwheoHarriet,he’salmostoffhisrocker.”
“WhenIstartedthisjobIcouldhinkingthatitwasawasteoftime.ButIthinkwe’reonthevergeofabreakthroughandthatitmightnowbepossibletoknowwhatreallyhappened.”
BlomkvistreaddoubtinMartinVanger’seyes.Atsthemadeadecision.
“OK,inthatcasethebestthingwedoistosolvethemysteryofHarrietasquicklyaspossible.I’llgiveyouallthesupportIsothatyoufinishtheworktoyoursatisfa—and,ofcourse,Henrik’s—aurntoMillennium.”
“Good.SoIwon’thavetofightwithyoutoo.”
“No,youwon’t.Youaskformyhelpwheneveryourunintoaproblem.I’llmakedamBirgerwon’tputanysortofobstaclesinyourway.AndI’lltrytotalktoCecilia,tocalmherdown.”
“Thankyou.Ioaskhersomequestions,andshe’sbeeingmyattemptsatversationforamonthnow.”
MartinVangerughed.“Perhapsyouhaveotherissuestoironout.ButIwoinvolvedinthat.”
Theyshookhands.
Sanderhadlisteheversation.WhenMartinVangerleftshereachedfortheHedestadCourierandsedthearticle.Sheputthepaperdownwithoutmakinga.
Blomkvistsatinsilehinking.GunnarKarlmanwasbornin1948andwouldhavebeeeenin1966.HewasohepeopleontheisndwhenHarrietdisappeared.
Afterbreakfastheaskedhisresearchassistanttoreadthroughthepolicereport.Hegaveherallthephotographsoftheaident,aswelsthelongsummaryofVanger’sowigations.
BlomkvistthendrovetoFrode’shouseandaskedhimkindlytodrawupanagreementforSanderasaresearchassistantforthemonth.
Bythetimehereturhecottage,Sanderhaddecampedtothegardenandwasimmersedinthepolicereport.Blomkvistwentiupthecoffee.Hewatchedherthroughthekitwindow.Sheseemedtobeskimming,spendingnomorethantenorfifteensedsoneachpage.Sheturhepagesmeically,andBlomkvistwasamazedatherckoftration;itmadenosense,sinceherowwassometiculous.Hetooktwocupsofcoffeeandjoihegardentable.
“Yournotesweredonebeforeyoukneerelookingforaserialkiller.”
“That’strue.IsimplywrotedowionsIwaoaskHenrik,andsomeotherthings.Itwasquiteunstructured.UpuntilnowI’vereallybeenstrugglinginthedark,tryingtowriteastory—achapteriobiographyofHenrikVanger.”
“Andnow?”
“IalltheiigationsfocusedonHedebyIsnd.NowI’msurethatthestory,thesequenceofeventsthatendedinherdisappearaartediad.Thatshiftstheperspective.”
Sandersaid:“Itwasamazingwhatyoudiscoveredwiththepictures.”
Blomkvistwassurprised.Sanderdidhetypetothrowplimentsaround,afttered.Oherhand—fromapurelyjournalistitofview—itwasquiteanachievement.
“It’syourturntofilliails.HowdiditgowiththatpictureyouwerechasingupinNorsj??”
“Youmeanyoudidn’tchecktheimagesinmyputer?”
“Therewasn’ttime.Ioreadtherésumés,yoursituatiostoyourself.”
Blomkviststartedhisiandclickedoographfolder.
“It’sfasating.ThevisittoNorsj?wasasortress,butitwasalsoadisappoi.Ifouure,butitdoesn’ttellusmuch.
“Thatwoman,MildredBerggren,hadsavedallherholidaypicturesinalbums.ThepictureIwaslookingforwasohem.Itwastakenoncheapcolourfilmandafterthirty-seveheprintwasincrediblyfaded—withastrongyellowti,wouldyoubelieve,shestillhadtheiveinashoebox.SheletmeborrowalltheivesfromHedestadandI’vesedthemin.ThisiswhatHarrietsaw.”
HeclickedonanimagewhiowhadthefilenameHARRIET/bd-19.eps.
Sanderimmediatelyuoodhisdismay.ShesawanunfocusedimagethatshowedsinthefroundoftheChildren’sDayparade.InthebackgroundcouldbeseentheerofSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.AbouttenpeoplewerestandingonthepavementinfrontofSundstr?m’s.
“Ithinkthisisthepersonshesaw.PartlybecauseItriedtutewhatshewaslookingat,judgingbytheaherfacewasturned—Imadeadrawingofthecrossroadsthere—andpartlybecausethisistheonlypersonwhoseemstobelookingstraightintothecamera.Meaningthat—perhaps—hewasstaringatHarriet.”
WhatSandersawwasablurryfigurestandingalittlebitbehindthespectators,almostinthesidestreet.Hehadonadarkpaddedjacketattheshouldersanddarktrousers,possiblyjeans.Blomkvistzoomedinsothatthefigurefromthewaistupfilledthes.Thephotographbecameinstantlyfuzzierstill.
“It’saman.He’saboutfive-footeleven,normalbuild.Hehasdark-blond,semi-longhairandis-shaven.Butit’simpossibletomakeouthisfacialfeaturesoreveimatehisage.Hecouldbeanywherebetweenhisteensandmiddleage.
“Youaniputetheimage…”
“Ihavemaniputedtheimage,dammit.IeveacopytotheimageprocessingwizardatMillennium.”Blomkvistclickedupanewshot.“ThisistheabsolutebestIgetoutofit.Thecameraissimplytoolousyaaoofar.”
“Haveyoushowuretoanyone?Someonemightreisetheman’sbearingor…”
“IshowedittoFrode.Hehasnoideawhothemanis.”
“HerrFrodeprobablyisn’tthemostobservantpersoad.”
“No,butI’mwforhimandHenrikVanger.IwanttoshowthepicturetoHenrikbeforeIcastthewider.”
“Perhapshe’snothingmorethaor.”
“That’spossible.ButhemariggerastrangeresponsefromHarriet.”
DuriseveraldaysBlomkvistandSanderworkedontheHarrietcasevirtuallyeverywakingmoment.Sanderwentonreadingthepolicereport,rattlingoffoionafteraherecouldoh,andeachvagueansweroruaiomoreinteerrogation.Theyspentonewholedayexaminingtimetablesforthecastofcharactersattheseoftheaidentonthebridge.
Sanderbecamemoreandmoreofanenigmatohim.Despitethefactthatsheonlyskimmedthedotsinthereport,shealwaysseemedtosettleoobscureandtradictorydetails.
Theytookabreakiernoons,whemadeitunbearableoutinthegarden.TheywouldswimintheelortotheterraceatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.SusareatedBlomkvistwithanundisguisedess.HerealisedthatSanderlookedbarelylegandshewasobviouslylivingathiscottage,andthat—inSusanne’seyes—madehimadirtyoldmiddle-agedman.Itwasnotpleasant.
Blomkvistwentouteveryeveningforarun.Sandermadewheurofbreathtothecottage.Runningwasobviouslyhing.
“I’moverforty,”hesaid.“Ihavetoexercisetokeepfromgettingtoofataroundthemiddle.”
“Isee.”
“Don’tyoueverexercise?”
“Iboxonawhile.”
“Youbox?”
“Yeah,youknow,withgloves.”
“Whatweightdoyouboxin?”hesaid,whenheemergedfromtheshower.
“all.IsparalittlenowandthenagainsttheguysinaclubinS?der.”
Whyisthatnosurprise?hethought.Butatleastshehadtoldhimsomethingaboutherself.Heknewnobasicfactsabouther.HowdidsheetobewforArmansky?Whatsortofeducationdidshehave?Whatdidherparentsdo?AssoonasBlomkvisttriedtoaskaboutherlifesheshutuplikeasweredinsinglesylblesnoredhim.
OernoonSandersuddenlyputdownabinder,frowning.
“WhatdoyouknowaboutOttoFalk?Thepastor.”
“Notmuch.Imetthepresentincumbeimesearlierintheyear,aoldmethatFalklivesinsomegeriatrieiad.Alzheimer’s.”
“Wheredidheefrom?”
“FromHedestad.HestudiedinUppsa.”
“Hewasunmarried.AndHarriethungoutwithhim.”
“Whydoyouask?”
“I’mjustsayingthatMorellweyeasyonhimierview.”
“Iiespastorsenjoyedasiderablydifferentstatusinsociety.Itwasnaturalforhimtoliveouthereontheisnd,closetothepowerbrokers,sotospeak.”
“Iwonderhowcarefullythepolicesearchedtheparsohephotographsitlookslikeitwasabigwoodenhouse,andtheremusthavebeeyofpcestohideabodyforawhile.”
“That’strue,butthere’snothingierialtoindicatethathewouldhaveanyetotheserialmurdersortoHarriet’sdisappearance.”
“Actually,thereis,”Sandersaid,withawrysmile.“Firstofallheastor,andpastorsmorethananyoneelsehaveaspecialretionshiptotheBible.Sed,hewasthestpersonknowntohaveseenandtalkedwithHarriet.”
“Buthewentdowntotheseoftheaidentandstayedthereforseveralhours.He’sinlotsofthepictures,especiallyduriimewhenHarrietmusthavevanished.”
“Allright,I’tcrackhisalibi.ButIwasactuallythinkingaboutsomethingelse.Thisstoryisaboutasadistickillerofwomen.”
“So?”
“Iwas…Ihadalittletimetomyselfthisspringandreadquiteabitaboutsadistsinaratherdifferenttext.OhethingsIreadwasanFBImanual.Itcimedthatastrikingportionofvictedserialkillerscamefromdysfunalhomesandtorturedanimalsintheirchildhood.SomeofthevictedAmeriserialkillerswerealsoarrestedforarson.TorturedanimalsandarsoncropupinseveralofHarriet’smurdercases,butwhatIwasreallythinkingaboutwasthefactthattheparsonageburneddownieseventies.”
“It’salongshot,”Blomkvistsaid.
Lisbethnodded.“Agreed.ButIfindnothinginthepolicereportaboutthecauseofthefire,anditwouldbeveryiingtoknowiftherewereotherunexpinedfireshereaboutsiies.Itwouldalsobeworthchegtoseeiftherewereanycasesofanimabuseormutitionintheareabackthen.”
WhenSanderwenttobedonherseventhnightinHedeby,shewasmildlyirritatedwithBlomkvist.Foralmostaweekshehadspentpracticallyeverywakingmihhim.Normallysevenminutesofanotherperson’spanywasenoughtogiveheraheadache,soshesetthingsuptoliveasarecluse.Sheerfectlytentaslongaspeopleleftherinpeafortunatelysocietywasnotverysmartoruanding;shehadtoprotectherselffromsociauthorities,childwelfareauthorities,guardianshipauthorities,taxauthorities,police,curators,psychologists,psychiatrists,teachers,andbouncers,whowouldherintothebareventhoughshewastwenty-five.Therewasawholearmyofpeoplewhoseemednottohaveanythiertodothantotrytodisruptherlife,and,iftheyweregiventheopportunity,tocorrectthewayshehadchosentoliveit.
Itdidnogoodtocry,shehadlearhatearlyon.Shehadalsolearhateverytimeshetriedtomakesomeoneawareofsomethinginherlife,thesituationjustgotworse.sequentlyittohertosolveherproblemsbyherself,usingwhatevermethodsshedeemednecessary.SomethingthatAdvo
Theoldestcasetoberetedwasfromthesixties,andhemurdersmatchedthelistthatSanderhadbeengivenbyBlomkvist.Butonecasedidattractherattention.
InJune1962aprostitutebythenameofLeaPerss?tebhadgooUddevaltovisithermotherandhernine-year-oldson,whomhermotherwastakingcareof.OnaSundayevening,afteravisitofseveraldays,Leahadhuggedhermother,saidgoodbye,andcaughtthetrainbacktoG?teb.Shewasfoundtwodaysterbehindataineronanindustrialsitenolongerinuse.Shehadbeenraped,andherbodyhadbeensubjectedtoextraordinaryviolence.
TheLeamurderarousedagreatdealofattentionasasummerserialstoryintheneer,butnokillerhadeverbeeified.TherewasnoLeaonHarrietVanger’slist.NordidthemannerofherdeathfitwithanyofHarriet’sBiblequotes.
Oherhand,therewassuchaarrecethatSander’santeantlybuzzed.AbouttenyardsfromwhereLea’sbodywasfoundyaflowerpotigeoninside.Someoiedastringroundthepigeon’snedpulleditthroughtheholeiomofthepot.Theutonalittlefirethathadbeeweentwobricks.TherewasaintythatthiscrueltyhadanyewiththeLeamurder.Itcouldhavebeenachildpyingahorriblegame,butthepressdubbedthemurderthePigeonMurder.
SanderwasnoBiblereader—shedidnotevenowthateveniovertoH?galidChurdwithsomedifficultyshemaoborrowaBible.ShesatonaparkbenchoutsidethechurdreadLeviticus.WhenshereachedChapter12,verse8,hereyebrowswentup.Chapter12dealtwiththepurificationofwomenafterchildbirth.
Andifsheotaffordamb,thensheshalltaketwoturtledovesortwoyoungpigeons,oneforaburntaherforasin;andthepriestshallmakeatoforher,andsheshallbe.
LeacouldverywellhavebeenincludedinHarriet’sdateas:Lea—31208.
Sahoughtthatnoresearchshehadeverdonebeforehadtainedevenafraofthescopeofthisassig.
MildredBr?nnlund,remarriedandnowMildredBerggrehedoorwhenBlomkvistknockedaround10:00onSundaym.Thewomanwasmucholder,ofcourse,andhadbynowfilledoutagooddeal,buthereisedheratonce.
“Hi,mynameisMikaelBlomkvist.YoumustbeMildredBerggren.”
“That’sright.”
“I’msorryforknogonyourdoorlikethis,butI’vebeentryingtofindyou,andit’sratherplicatedtoexpin.”Hesmiledather.“IwonderifIcouldeinandtakeupasmalmountofyourtime.”
Mildred’shusbandandasonwhowasaboutthirty-fivewerehome,andwithoutmuchhesitationsheinvitedBlomkvisttoeandsitintheirkit.Heshookhandswitheachofthem.Hehaddrunkmorecoffeeduritwenty-fourhoursthanatanytimeinhislife,butbynowhehadlearhatinNorrnditwasrudetosayno.Whenthecoffeecupswereoable,Mildredsatdownandaskedwithsomecuriosityhowshecouldhelphim.ItwasobviousthathedidnoteasilyuandherNorsj?dialect,sosheswitchedtostandardSwedish.
Blomkvisttookadeepbreath.“Thisisalongandpeculiarstory,”hesaid.“Iember1966youwereiadwithyourthenhusband,GunnarBr?nnlund.”
Shelookedsurprised.Hewaitedforhertonodbeforeheidthephotographfrsgatanoableinfrontofher.
“Whenwasthispicturetaken?Doyouremembertheoasion?”
“Oh,mygoodness,”MildredBerggrensaid.“Thatwasalifetimeago.”
Herpresenthusbandandsoaohertolookatthepicture.
“Wewereonourhoneymoon.WehaddrivendowntoStoandSigtunaandwereonourwayhomeandhappeostopsomewhere.Wasitiad,yousaid?”
“Yes,Hedestad.Thisphotographwastakenatabout1:00iernoon.I’vebeentryingtofindyouforsometimenow,andithasn’tbeenasimpletask.”
“Youseeanoldphotographofmeauallytrackmedown.I’timaginehowyoudidit.”
Blomkvistputthephotographfromthecarparkoable.
“Iwasabletofindyouthankstothispicture,whichwastakenalittleterintheday.”Heexpinedhow,viatheNorsj?CarpentryShop,hehadfoundBurman,whointurnhadledhimtoHenningForsmaninNorsj?vallen.
“Youmusthaveagoodreasonforthislongsearch.”
“Ido.ThisgirlstandingclosetoyouinthisphotographiscalledHarriet.Thatdayshedisappeared,andshewasneverseenorheardofagain.Thegenerassumptionisthatshefellpreytoamurderer.Ishowyousomemorephotographs?”
Hetookouthisiandexpihecircumstanceswhiletheputerbootedup.ThenhepyedhertheseriesofimagesshowinghowHarriet’sfacialexpressionged.
“ItwaswhehroughtheseoldimagesthatIfoundyou,standingwithacamerarightbehindHarriet,andyouseemtobetakingapictureinthedireofwhateveritisshe’slookingat,whatevercausedhertoreathatway.Iknowthatthisisareallylongshot,butthereasonI’vebeenlookingforyouistoaskyouifbyanymiracleyoustillhavethepicturesfromthatday.”
HereparedforMildredBerggrentodismisstheideaandtellhimthatthephotographshadlongsinished.Insteadshelookedathimwithherclearblueeyesandsaid,asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld,thatofcourseshestillhadheroldhoneymoonpictures.
Shewenttoanotherroomandcamebackafterseveralmihaboxinwhichshehadstoredaquantityofpicturesinvariousalbums.Ittookawhiletofindthehoneymoonones.Shehadtakenthreephotographsiad.Onewasblurryandshowedthemai.Anothershowedherhusbandatthetime.Thethirdshowedthesintheparade.
Blomkvisteagerlyleanedforward.Hecouldseeafigureohersideofthestreetbehinda.Butthephotographtoldhimabsolutelynothing.
CHAPTER20
Tuesday,July1–Wednesday,July2
ThefirstthingBlomkvistdidthemhereturoHedestadwastogotoFrode’shousetoaskaboutVanger’sdition.Helearohisdelightthattheoldmanhadimprovedquiteabitduriweek.Hewasweakstill,andfragile,butnowhecouldsitupinbed.Hisditionwasnolardedascritical.
“ThankGod,”hesaid.“IrealisedthatIactuallylikehim.”
Frodesaid:“Iknowthat.AndHenriklikesyoutoo.HowwasNorrnd?”
“Suessfulyetunsatisfying.I’llexpinalittleter.RightnowIhaveaquestion.”
“Goahead.”
“WhatrealisticallywillhappentoyouriinMillenniumifHenrikdies?”
“Nothingatall.Martinwilltakehisptheboard.”
“Isthereanyrisk,hypotheticallyspeaking,thatMartinmightcreateproblemsforMillenniumifIdon’tputastoptotheiigationofHarriet’sdisappearance?”
Frodegavehimasharplook.
“What’shappened?”
“Nothing,actually.”MikaeltoldhimabouttheversationhehadhadwithMartinVangeronMidsummerEve.“WhenIwasinNorsj?ErikatoldmethatMartinhadcalledherandsaidthathethoughtIwasverymueededbackattheoffice.”
“Iuand.MyguessisthatCeciliawasafterhim.ButIdon’tthinkthatMartinwouldputpressureonyoulikethatonhisown.He’smuchtoosavvy.Andremember,I’malsoontheboardofthelittlesubsidiaryweformedwhenweboughtintoMillennium.”
“Butwhatifaticklishsituationcameup—howwouldyouactthen?”
“tractsexisttobehonoured.IworkforHenrik.HenrikandIhavebeenfriendsforforty-fiveyears,andweareieagreementinsuchmatters.IfHenrikshoulddieitisinpointoffaotMartin—whowouldiHenrik’sshareinthesubsidiary.WehaveatrawhichwehaveuakentobackMillenniumforthreeyears.ShouldMartinwishtostartanymischief—whichIdon’tbelievehewill—theicallyhecouldputthebrakesonasmallnumberofnewadvertisers.”
“ThelifebloodofMillennium’sexistence.”
“Yes,butlookatitthisway—waboutsuchtriviaisawasteoftime.Martinispresentlyfightingforhisindustrialsurvivandwfourteenhoursaday.Hedoesn’thavetimeforanythingelse.”
“MayIask—Iknowit’snoneofmybusiness—whatisthegeneralditionofthecorporation?”
Frodelookedgrave.
“roblems.”
“Yes,evenamonfinancialreporterlikemyselfseethat.Imean,howseriousisit?”
“Offtherecord?”
“Betweenus.”
“We’velosttweordersironidustryifewweeksandareabouttobeejectedfromtheRussianmarket.Iemberwe’regoingtohavetoyoff1,600employeesin?rebroandTrollh?ttan.Notmuchofarewardtogivetopeoplewho’veworkedforthepanyformanyyears.Eachtimeweshutdownafactory,fidehepanyisfurtherundermined.”
“Martinisunderpressure.”
“He’spullingtheloadofanoxandwalkingoneggshells.”
BlomkvistwentbacktohiscottageandcalledBerger.Shewasnotattheoffice,sohespoketoMalm.
“Here’sthedeal:ErikacalledwhenIwasinNorsj?.MartinVangerhasbeenafterherandhas,houtit,encedhertoproposethatIstarttotakeoorialresponsibility.”
“Ithinkyoushouldtoo,”Malmsaid.
“Iknowthat.Butthethingis,IhaveatractwithHenrikVahatI’tbreak,andMartinisagonbehalfofsomeoneupherewhowaopwhatIamdoingaown.Sohisproposamountstoaogetridofme.”
“Isee.”
“SayhitoErikaandtellherI’llebacktoStowhenI’mfinishedhere.Notbefore.”
“Iuand.You’restarkravingmad,ofcourse,butI’llgiveherthemessage.”
“Christer.Somethingisgoingonuphere,andIhavenoiionofbagout.”
BlomkvistknoartinVanger’sdoor.EvaHasselopeaedhimwarmly.
“Hi.IsMartinhome?”
Asifiothequestion,MartinVangercamewalkingoutwithabriefcaseinhishand.HekissedEvaonthecheekandsaidhellotoMikael.
“I’monmywaytotheoffice.Doyouwanttotalktome?”
“Wedoitterifyou’reinahurry.”
“Let’shearit.”
“Iwon’tbegoingbaillennium’seditorialboardbeforeI’mfihtheassighatHenrikgaveme.I’mrmingyouofthisnowsothatyouwon’ttonmebeingontheboardbeforeNewYear’s.”
MartinVaeeteredbadforthforabit.
“Isee.YouthinkIwanttogetridofyou.”Hepaused.“Mikael,we’llhavetotalkaboutthister.Idon’treallyhavetimetodevotetomyhobbyonMillennium’sboard,andIwishI’dneveragreedtoHenrik’sproposal.Butbelieveme—I’mgoingtodomybesttomakesurethatMillenniumsurvives.”
“I’veneverhadanydoubtaboutthat,”Blomkvistsaid.
“IfwemakeanappoiforsometimeweekwegooverthefinandIgiveyoumyviewsoer.ButmybasicattitudeisthatMillenniumotactuallyaffordtohaveoskeypeoplesittinguphereonHedebyIsndtwiddlinghisthumbs.IlikethemagazineandIthinkwemakeitstrether,butyou’recrucialtothattask.I’vewoundupinaflictofloyaltieshere.EitherIfollowHenrik’swishesorcarryoutmyjobonMillennium’sboard.”
BlomkvistgedintohistracksuitaforarunouttotheFortressanddowntoGottfried’sbeforeheheadedhomeataslowerpacealoer.Frodewassittingatthegardentable.HewaitedpatientlyasMikaeldrankabottleofwaterandtowelledthesweatfromhisface.
“Thatdoesn’tlooksohealthyinthisheat.”
“Oh,eon,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Iwaswrong.Ceciliaisn’tthemainpersonwho’safterMartin.It’sIsabel.She’sbusymobilisingtheVaotaraheryouandpossiblyburnyouatthestaketoo.She’sbeingbackedupbyBirger.”
“Isabel?”
“She’samalicious,pettywomanwhodoesn’tlikeotherpeopleingeneral.Rightnowitseemsthatshedetestsyouinparticur.She’sspreadingstoriesthatyou’reaswindlerwhodupedHenrikintyou,andthatyougothimsoworkedupthathehadaheartattack.”
“Ihopeno-onebelievesthat?”
“There’salwayssomeonewillingtobelievemaliciousrumours.”
“I’mtryingtoworkoutpehter—aesme.IfHarrietweremydaughter,Iwouldhavereactedabitdifferently.”
At2:00iernoon,hismobilerang.
“Hello,mynameisyTorssonandIworkattheHedestadCourier.Doyouhavetimetoanswerafewquestioatipthatyou’relivinghereinHedeby.”
“Well,HerrTorsson,yourtipmaeisalittleslow.I’vebeenlivingheresihefirstoftheyear.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.Whatareyoudoingiad?”
“Writing.Andtakingasortofsabbatical.”
“Whatareyon?”
“You’llfindoutwhenIpublishit.”
“Youwerejustreleasedfromprison…”
“Yes?”
“Doyouhaveaviewonjournalistswhofalsifymaterial?”
“Journalistswhofalsifymateriareidiots.”
“Soinyouropinionyou’reanidiot?”
“WhyshouldIthinkthat?I’veneverfalsifiedmaterial.”
“Butyouwerevictedoflibel.”
“So?”
TorssoatedlongenoughthatBlomkvisthadtogivehimapush.
“Iwasvictedoflibel,notoffalsifyingmaterial.”
“Butyoupublishedthematerial.”
“Ifyou’recallingtodiscussthejudgementagainstme,Ihave.”
“I’dliketoeoutanddoaninterviewwithyou.”
“Ihavenothingtosaytoyouonthistopic.”
“Soyoudon’twanttodiscussthetrial?”
“That’scorrect,”hesaid,andhungup.Hesatthinkingforalongtimebeforehewentbacktohisputer.
SanderfollowedtheinstrusshehadreceivedanddroveherKawasakiacrossthebridgetoHedebyIsnd.Shestoppedatthefirstlittlehouseo.Shewasreallyoutiicks.Butaslongasheremployeraying,shedidnotmindifshewenttotheNorthPole.Besides,itwasgreattogiveherbikeitsheadonalongrideuptheE4.Sheputthebikeonitsstandandloosehestrapthatheldherhtduffelbaginpce.
Blomkvistopehedoorandwavedtoher.Hecameoutandiedhermotorcyclewithobviousastonishment.
Hewhistled.“You’reridingamotorbike!”
Sandersaidnothing,butshewatchedhimilyashetouchedthehandlebarsandtriedtheaelerator.Shedidnotlikeanyoougherstuff.Thenshesawhischildlike,boyishsmile,whichshetookforaredeemiure.Mostpeoplewhowereintomotorcyclesusuallyughedatherlightweightbike.
“IhadamotorbikewhenIwasnieen,”hesaid,turningtoher.“Thanksfup.eina’sgetyousettled.”
HehadborrobedfromtheNilssons.Saookatouraroundthe,lookingsuspicious,butsheseemedtorexwhenshecouldfindnoimmediatesignsofanyinsidioustrap.Heshowedherwherethebathroomwas.
“Incaseyouwanttotakeashowerandfreshenup.”
“Ihavetoge.Iamnotgoingtowanderaroundihers.”
“OK,whileyougeI’llmakedinner.”
HesautéedmbchopsinredwinesaudsetthetableoutdoorsiernoonsunwhileSandershoweredandged.Shecameoutbarefootwearingabckcamisoleandashort,worndenimskirt.Thefoodsmelledgood,aawaytwostouthelpings.Fasated,Blomkvistsneakedalookatthetattoosonherback.
“Fiveplusthree,”Sandersaid.“FivecasesfromyourHarriet’slistandthreecasesthatIthinkshouldhavebeeno.”
“Tellme.”
“I’veonlybeenonthisforelevendays,andIhaven’thadacetodigupallthereports.Insomecasesthepolicereportshadbeenputiionarchive,andihey’restillstoredinthelocalpolicedistrict.Imadethreedaytripstodifferentpolicedistricts,butIdidn’thavetimetogettoallofthem.Thefiveareidentified.”
Saasolidheapofpaperotable,around500pages.Shequicklysortedthematerialintodifferentstacks.
“Let’staketheminologicalorder.”ShehandedBlomkvistalist.
1949—REBECKAJACOBSSOad
1954—MARIHOLMBERG,Kalmar
1957—RAKELLUNDE,Landskrona
1960—
1960—LIVGUSTAVSSON,Sto
1962—LEAPERSSON,Uddeval
1964—SARAWITT,Ronneby
1966—LENAANDERSSON,Uppsa
“ThefirstcaseinthisseriesisRebeckaJacobsson,1949,thedetailsofwhichyoualreadyknow.ThecaseIfoundwasMariHolmberg,athirty-two-year-oldprostituteinKalmarwhowasmurderedinherapartmentinOctober1954.It’snotclearexactlywhenshewaskilled,sinceherbodywasn’tfhtarobablyendayster.”
“AndhowdoyouecthertoHarriet’slist?”
“Shewastiedupandbadlyabused,butthecauseofdeathwasstrangution.Shehadasanitarytoweldowhroat.”
BlomkvistsatinsilenomentbeforehelookeduptheversethatwasLeviticus20:18.
“Ifamahawomanhavinghersiess,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuhefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
Sandernodded.
“HarrietVangermadethesamee.OK.?”
“May1957,RakelLunde,forty-five.Sheworkedasaingwomanandwasabitofahappyeentrithevilge.ShewasafortuellerandherhobbywasdoingTarotreadings,palms,etcetera.ShelivedoutsideLandskronainahousealongwayfromanywhere,andshewasmurderedtheresometimeearlyinthem.Shewasfoundnakedaoaundry-dryingframeinherbackgarden,withhermouthtapedshut.Causeofdeathwasaheavyrockbeiedlythrownather.Shehadtlesstusionsandfractures.”
“JesusChrist.Lisbeth,thisisfugdisgusting.”
“Itgetsworse.TheinitialsR.L.arecorrect—youfoundtheBiblequote?”
“Overlyexplicit.Amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestohstoheirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
“Thenthere’sSj?berginRanmooutsideKarlstad.She’stheoneHarrietlistedasMagda.HerfullnamewasMagdaLovisa,butpeoplecalledherLovisa.”
BlomkvistlistenedwhileSanderretedthearredetailsoftheKarlstadmurder.Wheacigarettehepoihepadshepusheditovertohim.
“Sothekillerattackedtheanimaltoo?”
“TheLeviticusversesaysthatifawomanhassexwithananimal,bothmustbekilled.”
“Thelikelihoodofthiswomanhavihaustbe…well,ent.”
“Theversebereadliterally.It’senoughthatshe‘approaches’theanimal,whichafarmer’swifewouldundeniablydoeveryday.”
“Uood.”
“ThecaseonHarriet’slistisSara.I’veidentifiedherasSaraWitt,thirty-seven,livinginRonneby.ShewasmurderedinJanuary1964,fouoherbed,subjectedtoaggravatedsexuassault,butthecauseofdeathhyxiation;shewasstrahekilleralsostartedafire,withtheprobableiionthewholehousedowntotheground,butpartofthefirewentoutbyitself,awastakencareofbythefireservice,whowerethereinaveryshorttime.”
“Andthee?”
“Listentothis.SaraWittwasboththedaughterofapastorandmarriedtoapastor.Herhusbandwasawaythatweekend.”
“Andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbypyingtheharlot,profaher;sheshallbeburhfire.OK.Thatfitso.Yousaidyou’dfoundmorecases.”
“I’vefoundthreeotherwomenwhoweremurderedundersuchsimirlystrangecircumstandtheycouldhavebeenonHarriet’slist.ThefirstisayoungwomannamedLivGustavssowenty-twoandlivedinFarsta.Shewasahorse-lovinggirl—sherodeiionsandwasquiteapromisingtalent.Shealsoownedasmallpetshopwithhersister.Shewasfoundintheshop.Shehadworkedteonthekeepingandwastherealone.Shemusthaveletthekillerinvoluntarily.Sheedandstraodeath.”
“Thatdoesn’tsoundquitelikeHarriet’slist,doesit?”
“ly,ifitweren’tforohing.Thekillercludedhisbarbaritiesbyshovingaparakeetuphervaginaaalltheanimalsoutintotheshop.Cats,turtles,whitemice,rabbits,birds.Eventhefishintheaquarium.Soitwasquiteanappallingsehersisterenteredinthem.”
Blomkvistmadeanote.
“ShewasmurderedinAugust1960,fourmonthsafterthemurderofthefarmer’swifeMagdaLovisainKarlstad.Inbothinstaheywerewomenwhoworkedprofessionallywithanimals,andinbothcasestherewasananimalsacrifice.TheKarlstadmayhavesurvived—butIimagiwouldbedifficulttostabacowtodeathwithaknife.Aparakeetismorestraightforward.Andbesides,therewasanadditionanimalsacrifice.”
“What?”
Saoldthestoryofthe“pigeonmurder”ofLeaPersson.BlomkvistsatforsolonginsilendinthoughtthatevenSandergrewimpatient.
“I’llbuyyourtheory,”hesaidatst.“There’sonecaseleft.”
“AcasethatIdiscoveredbyce.Idon’tknowhowmanyImayhavemissed.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
“February1966inUppsa.Thevictimwasaseventeen-year-oldgymnastcalledLenaAndersson.ShedisappearedafteracsspartyandwasfoundthreedaysterinadittheUppsapin,quiteawayoutoftown.Shehadbeenmurderedsomewhereelseandherbodydumpedthere.Thismurdergotalotofattentioninthemedia,butthetruecircumstancessurroundingherdeathwereneverreported.Thegirlhadbeengrotesquelytortured.Ireadthepathologist’sreport.Shewastorturedwithfire.Herhandsaswereatrociouslyburned,andshehadbeenburedlyatvariousspotsalloverherbody.Theyfoundparaffinstainsonher,whichshowedthatdleshadbeenused,butherhandsweresocharredthattheymusthavebeenheldoveramorepowerfulfire.Finally,thekillersawedoffherheadandtosseditothebody.”
Blomkvistbnched.“GoodLord,”hesaid.
“I’tfindanyBiblequotethatfits,butthereareseveralpassagesthatdealwithafireandasin,andinsomepcesit’sremehatthesacrifiimal—mostoftenabull—becutupinsuchawaythattheheadisseveredfromthefat.Firealsoremihefirstmurder,ofRebeckahereiad.”
Towardsevenihemosquitoesbegantoswarmtheyclearedoffthegardentableandmovedtothekittogoonwiththeirtalk.
“Thefactthatyoudidn’tfiBiblequotatiomeanmuch.It’snotamatterofquotations.ThisisagrotesqueparodyofwhatiswrittenintheBible—it’smorelikeassociationstoquotationspulledoutoftext.”
“Iagree.Itisn’tevenlogical.Takeforexamplethequotethatbothhavetobecutofffromtheirpeopleifsomeonehassexwithagirlwho’shavingherperiod.Ifthat’sinterpretedliterally,thekillershouldhavemittedsuicide.”
“Sowheredoesallthislead?”Blomkvistwonderedaloud.
“YourHarrieteitherhadquiteastrangehobbyorelseshemusthaveknownthattherewasaebetweenthemurders.”
“Between1949and1966,andmaybebeforeandafteraswell.Theideathataninsanelysicksadisticserialkillerwassughteringwomenforatleastseventeenyearswithoutanyoneseeingaesoundsutterlyunbelievabletome.”
Sanderpushedbackherchairandpouredmorecoffeefromthepotoove.Shelitacigarette.Mikaelcursedhimselfandstoleanotherfromher.
“No,it’snotsounbelievable,”shesaid,holdinguponefinger.“WehaveseveraldozenunsolvedmurdersofwomeninSwedenduriwehtury.Thatprofessorofcriminology,Persson,saidoVthatserialkillersareveryrareinSweden,butthatprobablywehavehadsomethatwerenevercaught.”
Sheheldupaner.
“Thesemurdersweremittedoveraverylongperiodoftimeandalloverthetry.Twoourredclosetogetherin1960,butthecircumstanceswerequitedifferent—afarmer’swifeinKarlstadandatwenty-two-year-oldinSto.”
Threefingers.
“Thereisnoimmediatelyapparentpattern.Themurderswerecarriedoutatdifferentpdthereisnorealsignature,buttherearecertainthingsthatdorecur.Animals.Fire.Aggravatedsexuassault.And,asyoupoi,aparodyofBiblicalquotations.ButitseemsthatnotoheiigatiivesinterpretedanyofthemurdersintermsoftheBible.”
Blomkvistwaswatgher.Withherslenderbody,herbckcamisole,thetattoos,andtheringspiergherface,Sanderlookedoutofpce,tosaytheleast,icottageinHedeby.Wheriedtobesociableoverdinner,shewastaciturntothepointofrudeness.Butwhenshewaswshesoundedlikeaprofessionaltertips.HerapartmentinStoightlookasifabombhadgoneoffinit,butmentallySanderwasextremelywelnised.
“It’shardtoseetheebetrostituteinUddevalwho’skilledinanindustrialyardandapastor’swifewhoisstrangledinRonnebyandhasherhousesetonfire.Ifyoudon’thavethekeythatHarrietgaveus,thatis.”
“Whichleadstothequestion,”Sandersaid.
“HowohdidHarrietgetmixedupinallthis?Asixteen-year-oldgirlwholivedinareallyshelteredenviro.”
“There’sonlyoneanswer,”Sandersaid.“TheremustbesomeetotheVangerfamily.”
By11:00thatnighttheyhadgoheseriesofmurdersanddiscussedtheceivableesaiailsofsimirityanddifferencesooftenthatBlomkvist’sheadinning.HerubbedhiseyesandstretchedandaskedSanderifshefeltlikeawalk.Herexpressionsuggestedthatshethoughtsuchpracticeswereawasteoftime,butsheagreed.Blomkvistadvisedhertogeintolongtrousersbecauseofthemosquitoes.
Theystrolledpastthesmall-boatharbourandthehebridgeandouttowardsMartinVanger’spoint.Blomkvistpoithevarioushousesandtoldheraboutthepeoplewholivedinthem.HehadsomedifficultywhentheycametoCeciliaVanger’shouse.Sandergavehimacuriouslook.
TheypassedMartinVanger’smotoryadreachedthepoint,aheysatonarodsharedacigarette.
“There’sonemoree,”Blomkvistsaidsuddenly.“Maybeyou’vealreadythoughtofit.”
“What?”
“Theirnames.”
Sahoughtforamomentandshookherhead.
“They’reallBibliames.”
“Nottrue,”shesaid.“WhereisthereaLivorLenaintheBible?”
“Theyarethere.Livmeanstolive,inotherwordsEva.Andeon—what’sLenashortfor?”
Sandergrimaannoyance.Hehadbeenquickerthanshewas.Shedidnotlikethat.
“Magdalena,”shesaid.
“Thewhore,thefirstwoman,theVirginMary…they’reallthereinthisgroup.Thisissofreakyit’dmakeapsychologist’sheadspin.Butthere’ssomethingelseIthoughtofwithregardtothenames.”
Sanderwaitedpatiently.
“They’reobviouslyalltraditionalJewishheVangerfamilyhashadmorethanitsshareoffanatiti-Semites,Nazis,andspiracytheorists.TheonlytimeImetHaraldVangerhewasstandingintheroadsnarlingthathisowndaughterwasawhore.Hecertainlyhasproblemswithwomen.”
Whebacktothetheymadeamidnightsnadheatedupthecoffee.Mikaeltookalookatthealmost500pagesthatDraganArmansky’sfavouriteresearcherhadprodu.
“You’vedoneafantasticjobofdiggingupthesefasuchashorttime,”hesaid.“Thanks.Andthanksalsoforbeingnioughtoeuphereaonit.”
“pensnow?”Sanderwaoknow.
“I’mgoingtotalktoDirchFrodetomorrowandarrangeforyourfeetobepaid.”
“Thatwasn’twhatImeant.”
Blomkvistlookedather.
“Well…IrethejobIhiredyouforisdone,”hesaid.
“I’mnotdohthis.”
Blomkvistleanedbackagainstthekitwalhergaze.Hecouldn’treadanythingatallinhereyes.ForhalfayearhehadbeenwaloneonHarriet’sdisappearandherewasanotherperson—anexperiencedresearcher—whograspedtheimplications.Hemadethedecisiononimpulse.
“Ikno’lltalktoFrode.We’llhireyouforaweekortwomoreas…aresearchassistant.Idon’tknowifhe’llwanttopaythesameratehepaystoArmansky,butweshouldbeableteabasiclivingwageforyou.”
Sandersuddenlygavehimasmile.Shehadnowishtobeshutoutandwouldhavegdlydohejobforfree.
“I’mfallingasleep,”shesaid,andwithoutfurtheradoshewenttoherroomandclosedthedoor.
Twomiersheopehedoorandputoutherhead.
“Ithinkyou’rewrong.It’snotaninsaneserialkillerwhoreadhisBiblewrong.It’sjustamardenbastardwhohateswomen.”
CHAPTER21
Thursday,July3–Thursday,July10
SanderbeforeBlomkvist,around6:00.Sheputoerforcoffeeaotakeashower.WhenBlomkvistwokeat7:30,shewasreadinghissummaryoftheHarrietVangercaseonhisi.Hecameouttothekitwithatowelroundhiswaist,rubbingthesleepoutofhiseyes.
“There’scoffeeoove,”shesaid.
Helookedoverhershoulder.
“Thatdotasswordprotected,dammit,”hesaid.
Sheturnedandpeeredupathim.
“IttakesthirtysedstodorogrammefromthethatcrackWord’sencryptionprote.”
“Weohaveatalkonthesubjectofwhat’syoursandwhat’smine,”hesaid,aotakeashower.
Whenhecameback,Sanderhadturnedoffhisputerandputitbaitsphisoffice.ShehadbootedupherownPower.Blomkvistfeltsurethatshehadalreadytransferredthetentsofhisputertoherown.
Sanderwasanrmationjuhadelichild’stakeonmoralsahics.
Hehadjustsatdowntobreakfastwhentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor.MartinVangerlookedsosolemnthatforasedBlomkvistthoughthehadetthenewsofhisuncle’sdeath.
“No,Henrik’sditionisthesameasyesterday.I’mhereforaquitedifferentreason.CouldIeramoment?”
Blomkvistlethimin,introdughimto“myresearchassistant”LisbethSander.Shegavethecaptainofindustrybarelyagndaquiodbeforeshewentbacktoherputer.MartinVangergreetedherautomaticallybutlookedsodistractedthathehardlyseemedtonoticeher.Blomkvistpouredhimacupofcoffeeandinvitedhimtohaveaseat.
“What’sthisalbout?”
“Youdon’tsubscribetotheHedestadCourier?”
“No.ButsometimesIseeitatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.”
“Thenyouhavehism’spaper.”
“YoumakeitsoundasifIoughtto.”
MartinVatheday’spaperoableinfrontofhim.Hehadbeewonsonthefrontpage,tinuedonpagefour.“victedLibelJournalistHidingHere.”AphotographtakenwithatelephotolensfromthechurchhillohersideofthebridgeshowedBlomkvistingoutofthecottage.
Thereporter,Torsson,hadcobbledtogetherascurrilouspiece.HerecapitutedtheWer?maffairandexpihatBlomkvisthadleftMillenniumindisgradthathehadretlyservedaprisonterveryself-respegresidentofHedestadutonnoticethatanOlympic-cssshitfromStowasskulkingaroundthearea.hecimsiiclewaslibellous,buttheyweresopresentBlomkvistinanunftteringlight;theyoutandtypestylewasofthekindthatsueersusedtodiscusspoliticalterrorists.Millenniumwasdescribedasamagazihlowcredibility“bentonagitation,”andBlomkvist’sonfinancialjournalismresentedasacolleof“troversialcims”aboutothermorerespectedjournalists.
“Mikael…Idon’thavewordstoexpresswhatIfeltwhehisarticle.It’srepulsive.”
“It’saput-upjob,”Blomkvistsaidcalmly.
“IhopeyouuandthatIdidn’thavetheslightestthingtodowiththis.Ichokedonmymcoffeewhe.”
“Thenwhodid?”
“Imadesomecalls.ThisTorssonisasummerworkexperiencekid.Hedidthepieordersfrer.”
“IthoughtBirgerhadnosayinthenewsroom.Afterall,heisacillorandpoliticalfigure.”
“TeicallyhehasnoinfluetheeditoriheCourierisGunnarKarlman,Ingrid’sson,who’spartoftheJohanVangerbranchofthefamily.BirgerandGunnarhavebeencloseformanyyears.”
“Isee.”
“Torssonwillbefiredforthwith.”
“Howoldishe?”
“Totellyouthetruth,Idon’tknow.I’vehim.”
“Don’tfirehim.Whenhecalledmehesoundedlikeaveryyoungandinexperiencedreporter.”
“This’tbeallowedtopasswithoutsequences.”
“Ifyouwantmyopiniouationseemsabitabsurd,wheorinchiefofapublicatioheVangerfamilygoesoackagainstanotherpublicationinwhirikVangerisapartownerandonwhoseboardyousit.Youreditor,Karlman,isattagyouandHenrik.”
“Iseewhatyoumean,andIoughttoythebmewhereitbelongs.Karlmanisapartowhecorporationandhasalwaystakenpot-shotsatme,butthisseemsmorelikeBirger’srevengebecauseyouhadarun-inwithhimatthehospital.You’reathorninhisside.”
“Ibelieveit.That’swhyIthinkTorssonisthestpersontobme.Ittakesalotforaosayhebossinstructshimtowritesomethingiainway.”
“Icoulddemandthatyoubegivenanapologytomorrow.”
“Betternot.Itwouldjustturnintoalong,drawn-outsquabblethatwouldmakethesituationworse.”
“Soyoudon’tthinkIshoulddoanything?”
“Itwouldn’tbeanyuse.Karlmanwouldkickupafussandintheworstcaseyou’dbepaintedasavilinwho,inhiscapacityasowner,istryingtostamponthefreedomofexpression.”
“Pardonme,Mikael,butIdon’tagreewithyou.Asamatteroffact,Ialsohavetherighttoexpressmyopinion.Myviewisthatthisarticlestinks—andIiomakemyownpointofviewclear.Howeverrelutly,I’mHenrik’sreptonMillennium’sboard,andinthatroleIamnotgoingtoletanoffeiclelikethisonepassunchallenged.”
“Fairenough.”
“SoI’mgoingtodemandtherighttorespond.AndifImakeKarlmanlooklikeanidiot,hehasonlyhimselftobme.”
“Youmustdowhatyoubelieveisright.”
“Forme,it’salsoimportantthatyouabsolutelyuandthatIhavenothingwhatsoevertodowiththisvitriolicattack.”
“Ibelieveyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Besides—Ididn’treallywanttthisupnow,butthisjustservestoillustratewhatwe’vealreadydiscussed.It’simportanttore-installyouonMillennium’seditorialboardsothatweshowaunitedfronttotheworld.Aslongasyou’reaway,thegossipwilltinue.IbelieveinMillennium,andI’mvihatwewinthisfighttogether.”
“Iseeyourpoint,butnowit’smyturntodisagreewithyou.I’tbreakmytractwithHenrik,aisthatIwouldn’twanttobreakit.Yousee,Ireallylikehim.AndthisthingwithHarriet…”
“Yes?”
“Iknowit’sarunningsoreforyouandIrealisethatHenrikhasbeenobsessedwithitformanyyears.”
“Justbetweewoofus—IdoloveHenrikandheismymentor—butwheoHarriet,he’salmostoffhisrocker.”
“WhenIstartedthisjobIcouldhinkingthatitwasawasteoftime.ButIthinkwe’reonthevergeofabreakthroughandthatitmightnowbepossibletoknowwhatreallyhappened.”
BlomkvistreaddoubtinMartinVanger’seyes.Atsthemadeadecision.
“OK,inthatcasethebestthingwedoistosolvethemysteryofHarrietasquicklyaspossible.I’llgiveyouallthesupportIsothatyoufinishtheworktoyoursatisfa—and,ofcourse,Henrik’s—aurntoMillennium.”
“Good.SoIwon’thavetofightwithyoutoo.”
“No,youwon’t.Youaskformyhelpwheneveryourunintoaproblem.I’llmakedamBirgerwon’tputanysortofobstaclesinyourway.AndI’lltrytotalktoCecilia,tocalmherdown.”
“Thankyou.Ioaskhersomequestions,andshe’sbeeingmyattemptsatversationforamonthnow.”
MartinVangerughed.“Perhapsyouhaveotherissuestoironout.ButIwoinvolvedinthat.”
Theyshookhands.
Sanderhadlisteheversation.WhenMartinVangerleftshereachedfortheHedestadCourierandsedthearticle.Sheputthepaperdownwithoutmakinga.
Blomkvistsatinsilehinking.GunnarKarlmanwasbornin1948andwouldhavebeeeenin1966.HewasohepeopleontheisndwhenHarrietdisappeared.
Afterbreakfastheaskedhisresearchassistanttoreadthroughthepolicereport.Hegaveherallthephotographsoftheaident,aswelsthelongsummaryofVanger’sowigations.
BlomkvistthendrovetoFrode’shouseandaskedhimkindlytodrawupanagreementforSanderasaresearchassistantforthemonth.
Bythetimehereturhecottage,Sanderhaddecampedtothegardenandwasimmersedinthepolicereport.Blomkvistwentiupthecoffee.Hewatchedherthroughthekitwindow.Sheseemedtobeskimming,spendingnomorethantenorfifteensedsoneachpage.Sheturhepagesmeically,andBlomkvistwasamazedatherckoftration;itmadenosense,sinceherowwassometiculous.Hetooktwocupsofcoffeeandjoihegardentable.
“Yournotesweredonebeforeyoukneerelookingforaserialkiller.”
“That’strue.IsimplywrotedowionsIwaoaskHenrik,andsomeotherthings.Itwasquiteunstructured.UpuntilnowI’vereallybeenstrugglinginthedark,tryingtowriteastory—achapteriobiographyofHenrikVanger.”
“Andnow?”
“IalltheiigationsfocusedonHedebyIsnd.NowI’msurethatthestory,thesequenceofeventsthatendedinherdisappearaartediad.Thatshiftstheperspective.”
Sandersaid:“Itwasamazingwhatyoudiscoveredwiththepictures.”
Blomkvistwassurprised.Sanderdidhetypetothrowplimentsaround,afttered.Oherhand—fromapurelyjournalistitofview—itwasquiteanachievement.
“It’syourturntofilliails.HowdiditgowiththatpictureyouwerechasingupinNorsj??”
“Youmeanyoudidn’tchecktheimagesinmyputer?”
“Therewasn’ttime.Ioreadtherésumés,yoursituatiostoyourself.”
Blomkviststartedhisiandclickedoographfolder.
“It’sfasating.ThevisittoNorsj?wasasortress,butitwasalsoadisappoi.Ifouure,butitdoesn’ttellusmuch.
“Thatwoman,MildredBerggren,hadsavedallherholidaypicturesinalbums.ThepictureIwaslookingforwasohem.Itwastakenoncheapcolourfilmandafterthirty-seveheprintwasincrediblyfaded—withastrongyellowti,wouldyoubelieve,shestillhadtheiveinashoebox.SheletmeborrowalltheivesfromHedestadandI’vesedthemin.ThisiswhatHarrietsaw.”
HeclickedonanimagewhiowhadthefilenameHARRIET/bd-19.eps.
Sanderimmediatelyuoodhisdismay.ShesawanunfocusedimagethatshowedsinthefroundoftheChildren’sDayparade.InthebackgroundcouldbeseentheerofSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.AbouttenpeoplewerestandingonthepavementinfrontofSundstr?m’s.
“Ithinkthisisthepersonshesaw.PartlybecauseItriedtutewhatshewaslookingat,judgingbytheaherfacewasturned—Imadeadrawingofthecrossroadsthere—andpartlybecausethisistheonlypersonwhoseemstobelookingstraightintothecamera.Meaningthat—perhaps—hewasstaringatHarriet.”
WhatSandersawwasablurryfigurestandingalittlebitbehindthespectators,almostinthesidestreet.Hehadonadarkpaddedjacketattheshouldersanddarktrousers,possiblyjeans.Blomkvistzoomedinsothatthefigurefromthewaistupfilledthes.Thephotographbecameinstantlyfuzzierstill.
“It’saman.He’saboutfive-footeleven,normalbuild.Hehasdark-blond,semi-longhairandis-shaven.Butit’simpossibletomakeouthisfacialfeaturesoreveimatehisage.Hecouldbeanywherebetweenhisteensandmiddleage.
“Youaniputetheimage…”
“Ihavemaniputedtheimage,dammit.IeveacopytotheimageprocessingwizardatMillennium.”Blomkvistclickedupanewshot.“ThisistheabsolutebestIgetoutofit.Thecameraissimplytoolousyaaoofar.”
“Haveyoushowuretoanyone?Someonemightreisetheman’sbearingor…”
“IshowedittoFrode.Hehasnoideawhothemanis.”
“HerrFrodeprobablyisn’tthemostobservantpersoad.”
“No,butI’mwforhimandHenrikVanger.IwanttoshowthepicturetoHenrikbeforeIcastthewider.”
“Perhapshe’snothingmorethaor.”
“That’spossible.ButhemariggerastrangeresponsefromHarriet.”
DuriseveraldaysBlomkvistandSanderworkedontheHarrietcasevirtuallyeverywakingmoment.Sanderwentonreadingthepolicereport,rattlingoffoionafteraherecouldoh,andeachvagueansweroruaiomoreinteerrogation.Theyspentonewholedayexaminingtimetablesforthecastofcharactersattheseoftheaidentonthebridge.
Sanderbecamemoreandmoreofanenigmatohim.Despitethefactthatsheonlyskimmedthedotsinthereport,shealwaysseemedtosettleoobscureandtradictorydetails.
Theytookabreakiernoons,whemadeitunbearableoutinthegarden.TheywouldswimintheelortotheterraceatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.SusareatedBlomkvistwithanundisguisedess.HerealisedthatSanderlookedbarelylegandshewasobviouslylivingathiscottage,andthat—inSusanne’seyes—madehimadirtyoldmiddle-agedman.Itwasnotpleasant.
Blomkvistwentouteveryeveningforarun.Sandermadewheurofbreathtothecottage.Runningwasobviouslyhing.
“I’moverforty,”hesaid.“Ihavetoexercisetokeepfromgettingtoofataroundthemiddle.”
“Isee.”
“Don’tyoueverexercise?”
“Iboxonawhile.”
“Youbox?”
“Yeah,youknow,withgloves.”
“Whatweightdoyouboxin?”hesaid,whenheemergedfromtheshower.
“all.IsparalittlenowandthenagainsttheguysinaclubinS?der.”
Whyisthatnosurprise?hethought.Butatleastshehadtoldhimsomethingaboutherself.Heknewnobasicfactsabouther.HowdidsheetobewforArmansky?Whatsortofeducationdidshehave?Whatdidherparentsdo?AssoonasBlomkvisttriedtoaskaboutherlifesheshutuplikeasweredinsinglesylblesnoredhim.
OernoonSandersuddenlyputdownabinder,frowning.
“WhatdoyouknowaboutOttoFalk?Thepastor.”
“Notmuch.Imetthepresentincumbeimesearlierintheyear,aoldmethatFalklivesinsomegeriatrieiad.Alzheimer’s.”
“Wheredidheefrom?”
“FromHedestad.HestudiedinUppsa.”
“Hewasunmarried.AndHarriethungoutwithhim.”
“Whydoyouask?”
“I’mjustsayingthatMorellweyeasyonhimierview.”
“Iiespastorsenjoyedasiderablydifferentstatusinsociety.Itwasnaturalforhimtoliveouthereontheisnd,closetothepowerbrokers,sotospeak.”
“Iwonderhowcarefullythepolicesearchedtheparsohephotographsitlookslikeitwasabigwoodenhouse,andtheremusthavebeeyofpcestohideabodyforawhile.”
“That’strue,butthere’snothingierialtoindicatethathewouldhaveanyetotheserialmurdersortoHarriet’sdisappearance.”
“Actually,thereis,”Sandersaid,withawrysmile.“Firstofallheastor,andpastorsmorethananyoneelsehaveaspecialretionshiptotheBible.Sed,hewasthestpersonknowntohaveseenandtalkedwithHarriet.”
“Buthewentdowntotheseoftheaidentandstayedthereforseveralhours.He’sinlotsofthepictures,especiallyduriimewhenHarrietmusthavevanished.”
“Allright,I’tcrackhisalibi.ButIwasactuallythinkingaboutsomethingelse.Thisstoryisaboutasadistickillerofwomen.”
“So?”
“Iwas…Ihadalittletimetomyselfthisspringandreadquiteabitaboutsadistsinaratherdifferenttext.OhethingsIreadwasanFBImanual.Itcimedthatastrikingportionofvictedserialkillerscamefromdysfunalhomesandtorturedanimalsintheirchildhood.SomeofthevictedAmeriserialkillerswerealsoarrestedforarson.TorturedanimalsandarsoncropupinseveralofHarriet’smurdercases,butwhatIwasreallythinkingaboutwasthefactthattheparsonageburneddownieseventies.”
“It’salongshot,”Blomkvistsaid.
Lisbethnodded.“Agreed.ButIfindnothinginthepolicereportaboutthecauseofthefire,anditwouldbeveryiingtoknowiftherewereotherunexpinedfireshereaboutsiies.Itwouldalsobeworthchegtoseeiftherewereanycasesofanimabuseormutitionintheareabackthen.”
WhenSanderwenttobedonherseventhnightinHedeby,shewasmildlyirritatedwithBlomkvist.Foralmostaweekshehadspentpracticallyeverywakingmihhim.Normallysevenminutesofanotherperson’spanywasenoughtogiveheraheadache,soshesetthingsuptoliveasarecluse.Sheerfectlytentaslongaspeopleleftherinpeafortunatelysocietywasnotverysmartoruanding;shehadtoprotectherselffromsociauthorities,childwelfareauthorities,guardianshipauthorities,taxauthorities,police,curators,psychologists,psychiatrists,teachers,andbouncers,whowouldherintothebareventhoughshewastwenty-five.Therewasawholearmyofpeoplewhoseemednottohaveanythiertodothantotrytodisruptherlife,and,iftheyweregiventheopportunity,tocorrectthewayshehadchosentoliveit.
Itdidnogoodtocry,shehadlearhatearlyon.Shehadalsolearhateverytimeshetriedtomakesomeoneawareofsomethinginherlife,thesituationjustgotworse.sequentlyittohertosolveherproblemsbyherself,usingwhatevermethodsshedeemednecessary.SomethingthatAdvo