katBjurmanhadfoundoutthehardway.
Blomkvisthadthesametiresomehabitaseveryoneelse,pokingaroundinherlifeandaskiions.Oherhand,hedidatalllikemostothermenshehadmet.
Whensheignoredhisquestionshesimplyshruggedaherinpeace.Astounding.
Herimmediatemove,wheholdofhisithatfirstm,hadnaturallybeentotransferallthermationtoherowhatwayitwasOKifhedumpedherfromthecase;shewouldstillhaveaesstothematerial.
Shehadexpectedafuriousoutburstwhenheappearedforhisbreakfast.Insteadhehadlookedalmned,mutteredsomethingsarcastidgootheshower.Thenhebegandiscussingwhatshehadread.Astrangeguy.Shemightevenbedeludedintothinkingthathetrustedher.
Thatheknewaboutherpropensitiesasahackerwasserious.Sanderwasawarethatthelegaldescriptionofthekindofhagshedid,bothprofessionallyandasahobby,was“unwfuldatatrespassing”andcouldearwoyearsinprison.Shedidnotwanttobelockedup.Inhercaseaprisoeneanthatherputerswouldbetakenfromher,andwiththemtheonlyoupationthatshewasreallygoodat.ShehadoldArmanskyhowshegatheredthermationtheywerepayiofind.
WiththeexceptionofPgueandafewpeopleonthewho,likeher,devotedthemselvestohagonaprofessionallevel—andmostofthemknewheronlyas“”anddidnotknowwhoshewasorwhereshelived—KalleBlomkvistwastheonlyonewhohadstumbledontohersecret.Hehadetoherbecauseshemadeabluhatnotevenatwelve-year-oldwouldmit,whilyprovedthatherbrainwasbeienupbywormsandthatshedeservedtobeflogged.Butinsteadofgoingcrazywithragehehadhiredher.
sequentlyshewasmildlyirritatedwithhim.
Whentheyhadasnackjustbeforeshewenttobed,hehadsuddenlyaskedherifshewasagoodhacker.
Toherownsurpriseshereplied,“I’mprobablythebestinSweden.Theremaybetwoorthreeothersataboutmylevel.”
Shedidnotdoubttheauracyofherreply.Pguehadoncebeeerthanshewas,butshehadpassedhimlongago.
Oherhand,itfeltfunnytosaythewords.Shehadneverdobefore.Shehadneverhadanoutsidertohavethissortofversationwith,andsheehefactthatheseemedimpressedbyhertalents.Thenhehadruihefeelingbyaskinganotherquestion:howhadshetaughtherselfhag?
Whatcouldshesay?I’vealwaysbeeodoit.Insteadshewenttobedwithoutsayinggoodnight.
Irritatifurther,hedidwhesoabruptly.Sheylisteningtohimmovingabouti,cleariableandwashingthedishes.Hehadalwaysstayedupterthanshedid,butnowhewasobviouslyonhiswaytobedtoo.Sheheardhimihroom,andtheintohisbedroomandshutthedoor.Afterawhilesheheardthebedcreakwheintoit,notayardawayfromherownbutohersideofthewall.
Shehadbeensharingahousewithhimforaweek,andhehadnotonceflirtedwithher.Hehadworkedwithher,askedheropinion,sppedherontheknucklesfigurativelyspeakingwhenshewasonthewrongtradaowledgedthatshewasrightwhenshecorrectedhim.Dammit,hehadtreatedherlikeahumanbeing.
Shegotoutofbedandstoodbythewindow,restlesslypeeringintothedark.Thehardestthingforherwastoshowherselfoanotherpersonforthefirsttime.Shewasvihatherskinnybodyulsive.Herbreastswerepathetic.Shehadnohipstospeakof.Shedidnothavemuchtooffer.Apartfromthatshewasaquitenormalwoman,withthesamedesiresandsexdriveaseveryotherwomaoodthereforthewentyminutesbeforeshemadeuphermind.
BlomkvistwasreadinganovelbySaraParetskywhehedoorhaurnandlookeduptoseeSander.Shehadasheetedroundherbodyandstoodinthedoorwayforamoment.
“YouOK?”hesaid.
Sheshookherhead.
“Whatisit?”
Sheweohisbed,tookthe,andputitonthebedsidetable.Thedownandkissedhimoh.Shequicklygotintohisbedandsatlookingathim,searghim.Sheputherhandonthesheetoverhisstomach.Whenhedidnotprotestsheleanedoverandbithimonthenipple.
Blomkvistwasfbbergasted.Hetookhershouldersandpushedherawayalittlesothathecouldseeherface.
“Lisbeth…Idon’tknowifthisissuchagoodidea.Wehavetether.”
“Iwanttohavesexwithyou.AndIwon’thaveanyproblemwwithyou,butIwillhaveahellofaproblemwithyouifyoukickmeout.”
“Butwehardlyknoweachother.”
Sheughed,anabruptughthatsoundedalmostlikeacough.
“You’veanythinglikethatstandinyourwaybefore.Infact,asIdidn’tsayinmybackgrou,you’reoheseguyswho’tkeephishandsoffwomen.Sowhat’swrong?Aren’tIsexyenoughforyou?”
Blomkvistshookhisheadandtriedtothinkofsomethiosay.Whenhecouldn’tshepulledthesheetoffhimandsatastridehim.
“Idon’thaveanys,”hesaid.
“Screwit.”
Whenhewokeup,heheardheri.Itwas7:00.Hemayonlyhavesleptfortwohours,aayedinbed,dozing.
Thiswomanbaffledhim.Atabsolutelynopointhadsheevenwithagndicatedthatshewastheleastbitiedinhim.
“Go,”shesaidfromthedoorway.Sheevenhadthehintofasmile.
“Hi.”
“Weareoutofmilk.I’llgotothepetrolstation.Theyopenatseven.”Andshewasgone.
Heheardhergooutofthefrontdoor.Heshuthiseyes.Thehefrontdooropenagainandsedstershewasbathedoorway.Thistimeshewasnotsmiling.
“You’dbettereandlookatthis,”shesaidinastrangevoice.
Blomkvistwasonhisfeetatondpulledonhisjeans.
Duringthenightsomeonehadbeentothecottagewithanunwelepresent.Ontheporchythehalf-charredcorpseofacat.Thecat’slegsandheadhadbeencutoff,thenthebodyhadbeenfyedasandstomachremoved,fluothecorpse,whichseemedtohavebeenroastedoverafire.Thecat’sheadwasintathesaddleofSander’smotorcycle.Hereisedthereddish-brownfur.
CHAPTER22
Thursday,July10
Theyatebreakfastinthegardeninsilendwithoutmilkintheircoffee.SanderhadtakenoutadigitalcameraandphotographedthemacabretableaubeforeBlomkvistgotarubbishsadeditaway.HeputthethebootoftheVolvo.Heoughttofileapolicereportforanimalcruelty,possiblyintimidation,buthedidnotthinkhewouldwanttoexpinwhytheintimidationhadtakenpce.
At8:30IsabelVangerwalkedpastandontothebridge.Shedidhemoratleastpreteto.
“Howareyoudoing?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Oh,I’mfine.”Sanderlookedathim,perplexed.OK,then.Heexpectsmetobeupset.“WhenIfiherfuckerwhotorturedanicattodeathjusttosendusawarning,I’mgoingtoclobberhimwithabaseballbat.”
“Youthinkit’sawarning?”
“Haveyougotabetterexpnation?Itdefinitelymeanssomething.”
“Whateverthetruthisinthisstory,we’veworriedsomebodyenoughforthatpersontodosomethingreallysick.Butthere’sanotherproblemtoo.”
“Iknow.Thisisananimalsacrifithestyleof1954and1960anditdoesn’tseemcrediblethatsomeoivefiftyyearsagowouldbeputtingtorturedanimalcorpsesonyourdoorsteptoday.”
Blomkvistagreed.
“TheonlyoneswhocouldbesuspectedinthatcaseareHaraldVangerandIsabelVahereareanumberofolderretivesonJohanVanger’sside,buthemliveinthearea.”
Blomkvistsighed.
“Isabelisarepulsivebitchwhocouldcertainlykilcat,butIdoubtshewasrunningaroundkillingwomeniies.HaraldVanger…Idon’tknow,heseemssodecrepithehardlywalk,andI’tseehimsneakingoverherestnight,catgacat,anddoingallthis.”
“Uwastwopeople.Oneolder,oneyounger.”
BlomkvistheardacargobyandlookedupandsawCeciliadrivingawayoverthebridge.HaraldandCecilia,hethought,buttheyhardlyspoke.DespiteMartinVanger’spromisetotalktoher,Ceciliahadstillnotansweredanyofhistelephonemessages.
“Itmustbesomebodywhoknowswe’redoingthisworkandthatwe’remakingprogress,”Sandersaid,gettinguptogoinside.Whenshecamebackoutshehadputonherleathers.
“I’mgoingtoSto.I’llbebaight.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Pickupsomegadgets.Ifsomeoneiscrazyenoughtokilthatdisgustingway,heorshecouldattaexttime.Orsetthecottageonfirewhilewe’reasleep.Iwantyoutogoiadandbuytwofireextinguishersandtwosmokearmstoday.Ohefireextinguishershastobehalon.”
Withoutanotherword,sheputonherhelmet,kick-startedthemotorcycle,androaredoffacrossthebridge.
Blomkvisthidthecorpseandtheheadandgutsintherubbishbinbesidethepetrolstationbeforehedroveiadtodohiserrands.Hedrovetothehospital.HehadmadeanappoiomeetFrodeinthecafeteria,aoldhimwhathadhappehatm.Frodebnched.
“Mikael,Ineverimagihatthisstorycouldtakethisturn.”
“Whynot?Thejobwastofindamurderer,afterall.”
“Butthisisdisgustingandinhuman.Ifthere’sadaoyourlifeortoFr?kenSander’slife,wearegoingtocallitoff.LetmetalktoHenrik.”
“No.Absolutelynot.Idon’twanttoriskhishavingaack.”
“Heasksmeallthetimehowthingsaregoingwithyou.”
“Sayhellofromme,please,andtellhimI’mmovingforward.”
“Whatishen?”
“Ihaveafewquestions.ThefirstiourredjustafterHenrikhadhisheartattadIwasdowninStofortheday.Somebodywentthroughmyoffice.IhadpritheBibleverses,aographsfrsgatanwereonmydesk.YouknewandHenrikknew.MartinkneartofitsinceheanisedformetogetintotheCourieroffices.Howmanyotherpeopleknew?”
“Well,Idon’tknowwhoMartintalkedto.ButbothBirgerandCeciliaknewaboutit.Theydiscussedyourhuntingiuresarchivebetweenthemselves.Alexanderknewaboutittoo.And,bytheway,GunnarandHelenaNilssondidtoo.TheywereuptosayhellotoHenrikandgedintotheversation.AndAnitaVanger.”
“Anita?TheoneinLondon?”
“Cecilia’ssister.ShecamebackwithCeciliawhenHenrikhadhisheartattackbutstayedatahotel;asfarasIknow,shehasn’tbeenouttotheisnd.LikeCecilia,shedoesn’twanttoseeherfather.ButsheflewbackwhenHenrikcameoutofintensivecare.”
“Where’sCecilialiving?Isawherthismasshedroveacrossthebridge,butherhouseisalwaysdark.”
“She’snotcapableofdoingsuchathing,isshe?”
“No,Ijustwonderwhereshe’sstaying.”
“She’sstayingwithherbrother,Birger.It’swithinwalkingdistaovisitHenrik.”
“Doyouknowwheresheisrightnow?”
“No.She’snotvisitingHenrik,atanyrate.”
“Thanks,”Blomkvistsaid,gettingup.
TheVangerfamilywasharouadHospital.InthereceptierVangerpassedonhiswaytothelifts.Blomkvistwaiteduntilhewasgonebeforehewentouttothereception.InsteadheranintoMartinVaheentraexactlythesamespotwherehehadrunintoCeciliaonhispreviousvisit.Theysaidhelloandshookhands.
“HaveyoubeenuptoseeHenrik?”
“No,IjusthappeomeetDirchFrode.”
Martinlookedtiredandhollow-eyed.ItourredtoMikaelthathehadagedappreciablyduringthesixmonthssincehehadmethim.
“Howarethingsgoingwithyou,Mikael?”hesaid.
“Moreiingwitheverydaythatpasses.WhenHenrikisfeelierIhopetobeabletosatisfyhiscuriosity.”
BirgerVanger’swasawhite-brickterracehouseafive-minutewalkfromthehospital.HehadaviewoftheseaandtheHedestadmarina.No-oneansweredwhenBlomkvistrangthedoorbell.HecalledCecilia’smobilegotnoahereeither.Hesatinthecarforawhile,drumminghisfingersoeeringwheel.BirgerVangerwasthewildcardinthedeck;bornin1939andsotenyearsoldwhenRebeckaJacobssonwasmurdered;twenty-sevenwhenHarrietdisappeared.
AtoHenrik,BirgerandHarriethardlyeversaweachother.HehadgrownupwithhisfamilyinUppsaandonlymovedtoHedestadtoworkforthefirm.Hejumpedshipafteracoupleofyearsaedhimselftopolitics.ButhehadbeeninUppsaatthetimeLenaAnderssonwasmurdered.
Theiwiththecatgavehimanominousfeeling,asifhewereabouttorunoutoftime.
OttoFalkwasthirty-sixwhenHarrietvanished.Hewasy-two,youhanHenrikVainasiderablyworsementalstate.BlomkvistsoughthimoutattheSvanvalesthome,ayellow-brickbuildingashortdistantheHedeRiverattheotherendofthetown.BlomkvistintroducedhimselftothereceptionistandaskedtobeallowedtospeakwithPastorFalk.Heknew,heexpihatthepastorsufferedfromAlzheimer’sandenquiredhowlucidhewasnow.AnurserepliedthatPastorFalkhadfirstbeendiaghreeyearsearlierandthatasthediseasehadtakenanaggressivecourse.Falkunicate,buthehadaveryfeebleshort-termmemory,anddidnniseallofhisretives.Hewasonthewholeslippingintotheshadows.Herooatacksifhewasfrohquestionshecouldnotanswer.
Falkwassittingonabenthegardenwiththreeotherpatientsandamalenurse.Blomkvistspentanhtoengagehiminversation.
HerememberedHarrietVangerquitewell.Hisfacelitup,andhedescribedherasacharminggirl.ButBlomkvistwassoonawarethatthepastorhadfottenthatshehadbeenmissithirty-sevenyears.HetalkedaboutherasifhehadseenherretlyandaskedBlomkvisttosayhellotoherandurgehertoeandseehim.Blomkvistpromisedtodoso.
Heobviouslydidnotremembertheaidentonthebridge.ItwasnotuntiltheendoftheirversationthathesaidsomethingwhichmadeBlomkvistprickuphisears.
ItwaswhenBlomkviststeeredthetalktoHarriet’siinreligionthatFalksuddenlyseemedhesitant.Itwasasthoughacloudpassedoverhisface.FalksatrogbadforthforawhileandthenlookedupatBlomkvistandaskedwhohewas.Blomkvistintroducedhimselfagainandtheoldmanthoughtforawhile.Atlengthhesaid:“She’sstilseeker.Shehastotakecareofherselfandyouhavetowarnher.”
“WhatshouldIwarnherabout?”
Falkgrewsuddenlyagitated.Heshookhisheadwithafrown.
“Shehastoreadsoscripturaanduandsuffitiascripturae.That’stheonlywaythatshemaintainsofide.Josefwillcertainlyexcludethem.Theywereneveraeptedintothe.”
Blomkvistuoodnothingofthis,buttookassiduoushenPastorFalkleaowardshimandwhispered,“Ithinkshe’saCatholic.ShelovesmagidhasfoundherGod.Sheneedsguidance.”
Theword“Catholic”obviouslyhadaiveotationforPastorFalk.
“Ithoughtshewasiediecostalmovement?”
“No,no,no,notthePeals.She’slookingfortheforbiddentruth.SheisnotagoodChristian.”
ThenPastorFalkseemedtofetalboutBlomkvistandstartedtalkingwiththeotherpatients.
HegotbacktoHedebyIsndjustafter2:00.HewalkedovertoCeciliaVanger’sandkhedoor,butwithoutsuess.Hetriedhermobilenumberagainbutnoanswer.
Heattaokearmtoawalliatothefrontdoor.Heputonefireextinguisherothewoodstovebesidethebedroomdoorandanotheronebesidethebathroomdoor.Thenhemadehimselflunch,whisistedofcoffeeandopensandwiches,andsatinthegarden,whereheingupthenotesofhisversationwithPastorFalk.Whenthatwasdone,heraisedhiseyestothechurch.
Hedeby’snewparsonagewasquiteanordinarymoderndwellingafewminutes’walkfromthechurch.Blomkvistkhedoorat4:00andexpioPastaretaStrandhthathehadetoseekadviatheologicalmatter.MargaretaStrandhwasadark-hairedwomanofabouthisownage,dressedinjeansandafnnelshirt.Shewasbarefootandhadpaioenails.HehadrunintoherbeforeatSusanne’sBridgeCaféonacoupleofoasionsandtalkedtoheraboutPastorFalk.Hewasgivenafriendlyreceptionandioeandsitinhercourtyard.
BlomkvisttoldherthathehadinterviewedOttoFalkandwhattheoldmanhadsaid.PastorStrandhlistenedandthenaskedhimtorepeatitwordforword.
“IwassenttoservehereinHedebyonlythreeyearsago,andI’veuallymetPastorFalk.Heretiredseveralyearsbeforethat,butIbelievethathewasfairlyhigh-church.Whathesaidtoyoumeantsomethingonthelinesof‘keeptoScripturealone’—soscriptura—andthatitissuffitiascripturae.ThistterisanexpressionthatestablishesthesufficyofScriptureamongliteralbelievers.Sofidemeansfaithalohetruefaith.”
“Isee.”
“Allthisisbasia,sotospeak.Ingeneralit’stheptformofthechurdnothingunusuatall.Hewassayingquitesimply:‘ReadtheBible—itwillprovidesuffitknowledgeandvouchesforthetruefaith.’”
Mikaelfeltabitembarrassed.
“NowIhavetoaskyouinwhatethisversationourred,”shesaid.
“Iwasaskinghimaboutapersonhehadmetmanyyearsago,someoneI’mwritingabout.”
“Areligiousseeker?”
“Somethingalongthatline.”
“OK.IthinkIuaext.YoutoldmethatPastorFalksaidtwootherthings—that‘Josefwillcertainlyexcludethem’andthat‘theywereneveraeptedintothe.’IsitpossiblethatyoumisuoodandthathesaidJosefusinsteadofJosef?It’sactuallythesamename.”
“That’spossible,”Blomkvistsaid.“Itapedtheversationifyouwanttolistentoit.”
“No,Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary.Thesetwosenteablishfairlyunequivocallywhathewasalludingto.JosefuswasaJewishhistorian,aeheywereneveraeptedintotheayhavemeantthattheywereheHebrew.”
“Andthatmeans?”
Sheughed.
“PastorFalkwassayingthatthispersohralledbyesotericsources,specificallytheApocrypha.TheGreekokryphosmeans‘hidden,’andtheApocryphaarethereforethehiddenswhiesiderhighlytroversiandothersthinkshouldbeincludediestament.TheyareTobias,Judith,Esther,Baruch,Sirach,thesoftheMaabees,andsomeothers.”
“Fivemyignorance.I’veheardaboutthesoftheApocryphabuthaveneverreadthem.What’sspeciaboutthem?”
“There’sreallynothingspeciaboutthematall,exceptthattheycameienewhatterthaoftheOldTestament.TheApocryphaweredeletedfromtheHebrewBible—notbecauseJewishsistrustedtheirtentbutsimplybecausetheywerewrittehetimewhenGod’srevetoryworkwascluded.Oherhand,theApocryphaareincludedintheoldGreektranstionoftheBible.They’renotsideredtroversialin,forexample,theRomanCatholihurch.”
“Isee.”
“However,theyaretroversialiestantChurch.DuringtheReformation,theologianslookedtotheoldHebrewBible.MartinLutherdeletedtheApocryphafromtheReformation’sBibleandterCalvindecredthattheApocryphaabsolutelymustnotserveasthebasisforvisinmattersoffaith.Thustheirtentstradictorinsomewayflictwithcritasscripturae—thecrityofScripture.”
“Inotherwords,soreds.”
“Quiteright.Forexample,theApocryphacimthatmagianbepractisedandthatliesiaincasesmaybepermissible,andsuchstatements,ofcourse,upsetdogmatiterpretersofScripture.”
“Soifsomeonehasapassionfion,it’snotunthinkablethattheApocryphawillpopupontheirreadinglist,orthatsomeonelikePastorFalkwouldbeupsetbythis.”
“Exactly.EnteringtheApocryphaisalmostunavoidableifyou’restudyingtheBibleortheCatholicfaith,andit’sequallyprobablethatsomeonewhoisiedierigeneralmightreadthem.”
“Youdon’thappentohaveacopyoftheApocrypha,doyou?”
Sheughedagain.Abright,friendlyugh.
“OfcourseIdo.TheApocryphawereactuallypublishedasastatereportfromtheBiblemissioniies.”
ArmanskywonderedwhatwasgoingonwhenSanderaskedtospeaktohiminprivate.Heshutthedoorbehindherandmotiohevisitor’schair.ShetoldhimthatherworkforMikaelBlomkvistwasdohewyerwouldbepayingherbeforetheendofthemonth—butthatshehaddecidedtokeeponwiththispartivestigation.Blomkvisthadofferedherasiderablyhighersaryforamonth.
“Iamself-employed,”Sandersaid.“UntilnowI’veakenajobthatyouhaven’tgivenme,inkeepingwithreement.WhatIwanttoknoillhappentoourretionshipifItakeajobonmyown?”
Armanskyshrugged.
“You’reafreencer,youtakeanyjobyouwantandchargewhatyouthinkit’sworth.I’mjustgdyou’remakingyourowwould,however,bedisloyalofyoutotakeosyoufindthroughus.”
“Ihavenopnstodothat.I’vefihejtothetractwesighBlomkvist.WhatthisisaboutisthatIwanttostayonthecase.I’devendoitfornothing.”
“Don’teverdoanythingfornothing.”
“YouknowwhatImean.Iwanttoknowwherethisstoing.I’vevincedBlomkvisttoaskthewyertokeepmeonasaresearchassistant.”
ShepassedtheagreemeoArmansky,whoreadrapidlythroughit.
“Withthissaryyoumightaswellbewforfree.Lisbeth,you’vegottalent.Youdon’thavetoworkforsmallge.Youknowyoumakeahellofalotmorewithmeifyoueonboardfull-time.”
“Idon’twanttoworkfull-time.But,Dragan,myloyaltyistoyou.You’vebeeomesiartedhere.IwanttoknowifatractlikethisisOKwithyou,thattherewon’tbeanyfribetweenus.”
“Isee.”Hethoughtforamoment.“It’s100pertOK.Thanksforasking.IfanymoresituationslikethiscropupiureI’dappreciateitifyouaskedmesotherewon’tbeanymisuandings.”
Sahoughtoverwhethershehadanythingtoadd.ShefixedhergazeonArmansky,sayingnotaword.Insteadshejustnoddedaoodupa,asusualwithnofarewellgreeting.
ShegottheanswershewantedandinstantlylostiinArmansky.Hesmiledtohimself.Thatshehadevenaskedhimforadvicemarkedanewhighpointinhersocialisationprocess.
HeopenedafolderortonsecurityatamuseumwhereabigexhibitionofFrenchImpressionistseningsoon.ThedownthefolderandlookedatthedohwhiderhadjustgohoughtabouthowshehadughedwithBlomkvistinheroffidwonderedifshewasfinallygrowinguporwhetheritwasBlomkvistwhowastheattra.Healsofeltastrangeuneasiness.HehadneverbeeoshakeoffthefeelingthatLisbethSandererfectvictim.Andhereshewas,huntingamadmanoutinthebackofbeyond.
Onthewaynain,Saookonimpulseadetourbywayof?ppelvikenNursingHometoseehermother.ExceptforthevisitonMidsummerEve,shehadnotseehersinceChristmas,abadforsoseldomtakiime.Asedvisitwithinthecourseofafewweekswasquiteunusual.
Hermotherwasinthedayroom.Saayedagoodhourandtookhermotherforawalkdowntothedudinthegroundsofthehospital.HermotherwasstillmuddlingLisbethwithhersister.Asusual,shewashardlypresent,butsheseemedtroubledbythevisit.
WhenSandersaidgoodbye,hermotherdidnotwanttoletgoofherhand.Sanderpromisedtovisitheragainsoon,buthermazedafterhersadlyandanxiously.
Itwasasifshehadapremonitionofsomeapproagdisaster.
BlomkvistspenttwohoursinthegardenbehindhisgoingthroughtheApocryphawithoutgainingasingleinsight.Butathoughthadourredtohim.HioushadHarrietVauallybeeerestinBiblestudieshadstartedthestyearbeforeshevanished.ShehadlinkedanumberofBiblequotestoaseriesofmurdersandthenhadmethodicallyreadnotonlyherBiblebutalsotheApocrypha,andshehaddevelopedainCatholicism.
HadshereallydohesameiigationthatBlomkvistandSanderweredoingthirty-seveer?Wasitthehuntforamurdererthathadspurredheriratherthanreligiosity?PastorFalkhadindicatedthatinhiseyesshewasmoreofaseeker,lessagoodChristian.
HewasinterruptedbyBergercallinghimonhismobile.
“IjustwaellyouthatGregerandIareleavingonholidayweek.I’llbegoneforfourweeks.”
“Whereareyougoing?”
“NewYregerhasanexhibition,ahoughtwe’dgototheCaribbean.WehaveacetoborrowahouseonAntiguafromafriender’sandwe’restayiwoweeks.”
“Thatsoundswonderful.Haveagreattime.Andsayhiter.”
“Thenewissueisfinishedandwe’vealmosteduptheone.Iwishyoucouldtakeoveraseditor,butChristerhassaidhewilldoit.”
“Hecallmeifheneedsanyhelp.How’sitgoingwithJanneDahlman?”
Shehesitated.
“He’salsogoingonholiday.I’vepushedHenryiheagmanagior.HeandChristeraremindiore.”
“OK.”
“I’llbebaAugustseventh.”
IntheearlyeveningBlomkvisttriedfivetimestotelephoneCeciliaVanger.Heseextaskiocallhim.Buthereceivednoanswer.
HeputawaytheApocryphaandgotintohistracksuit,logthedoorbeforehesetoff.
Hefollowedthenarrowpathalongtheshoreaurothewoods.Hegroundhiswaythroughthicketsandarounduprootedtreesasfastashecouldgo,emergingexhaustedattheFortresswithhispulserag.Hestoppedbyoheoldartillerybatteriesandstretchedforseveralminutes.
Suddenlyheheardasharpcradthegreycretewallohisheadexploded.Thehepainasfragmentsofcreteandshraporeadeepgashinhisscalp.
ForwhatseemedaernityBlomkviststoodparalysed.Thehrewhimselfintotheartillerytrendinghardonhisshoulderandknogthewindoutofhimself.Asedroundcameattheinstanthedived.Thebulletsmackedintothecretefoundation.
Hegottohisfeetandlookedalround.HewasinthemiddleoftheFortress.Thtanarrow,rownpassagesayarddeeprantothebatteriesthatwerespreadalongalineof250yards.Inacrouch,hestartedrunningsouththroughthebyrinth.
HesuddenlyheardanechoofCaptainAdolfsson’sinimitablevoiwintermanoeuvresattheinfantryschoolinKiruna.Blomkvist,keepyourfugheaddownifyoudon’twanttogetyourarseshotoff.YearsterhestillrememberedtheextrapractisedrillsthatCaptainAdolfssoodevise.
Hestoppedtocatchhisbreath,hisheartpounding.Hecouldhearnothingbuthisowhing.Thehumaneyeperceivesmotionmuchquickerthanshapesandfigures.Moveslowlywhenyou’rescouting.Blomkvistslowlypeekedaninchoverthetopedgeofthebattery.Thesunwasstraightaheadandmadeitimpossibletomakeoutdetails,buthecouldseenomovement.
Hepulledhisheadbackdownandranontothebattery.Itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodtheenemy’sonsare.Ifhe’tseeyou,he’thityou.Cover,cover,cover.Makesureyou’reneverexposed.
Hewas300yardsfromtheedgeof?sterg?rdenfarm.Some40yardsfromwherehekherewasanalmostimperablethicketoflowbrush.Buttoreachthethickethewouldhavetosprintdownagrassslopefromtheartillerybattery,andhewouldbepletelyexposed.Itwastheonlyway.Athisbackwasthesea.
HewassuddenlyawareofpaininhistempleanddiscoveredthathewasbleedingandthathisT-shirtwasdrehblood.Scalpwoundsopbleedihoughtbeforeheagaintratedonhispositiocouldjusthavebeena,buttwomeantthatsomebodywastryingtokillhim.Hehadnowayofknowingifthemarksmanwaswaitingforhimtoreappear.
Hetriedtobecalm,thinkrationally.Thechoicewastowaitetthehellout.Ifthemarksmanwasstillthere,thetteralternativewasassuredlynotagoodidea.Ifhewaitedwherehewas,themarksmanwouldcalmlytotheFortress,findhim,andshoothimatcle.
He’tknowifI’vegohtorleft.Rifle,maybeamooserifle.Probablywithtelescopicsights.WhieanthatthemarksmanwouldhavealimitedfieldofvisionifhewaslookingforMikaelthroughthesights.
Ifyou’reinatightspot—taketheinitiative.Betterthanwaitichedandlistenedforsoundsfortwomihenhecmberedoutofthebatteryandraceddowntheslopeasfastashecould.
Hewashalfwaydowntheslopeasathirdshotwasfired,butheonlyheardavaguesmackbehindhihenhewasonhisfeetandmovingawayfromthedireofthefire,croug,running,stoppingeveryfiftyyards,listening.Heheardabranchcraewherebetweenhimaress.Hedroppedtohisstomach.
CrawlusingyourelbowswasanotherofCaptainAdolfsson’sfavouriteexpressions.Blomkvistcoveredthe150yardsonhiskneesandtoesandelbowsthroughtheundergrowth.Hepushedasidetwigsandbrawiceheheardsuddencrathethicketbehindhim.Thefirstseemedtobeveryaybetwentypacestht.Hefroze,yperfectlystill.Afterawhilehecautiouslyraisedhisheadandlookedaround,buthecouldseeno-oillforalongtime,hisnervesonfullert,readytofleeorpossiblymakeadesperateterattackiftheenemycameathihensilence.
HeknowsI’mhere.Hashetakenupapositionsomewhere,waitingformetostartmoving,orhasheretreated?
Blomkvistkeptcrawlingthroughtheundergrowthuntilhereachedthe?sterg?rden’sfence.
Thiswasthecritient.Apathranihefence.Heystretchedoutontheground,watg.Thefarmhousewas400yardsdowleslope.Thtofthehousehesawcowsgrazing.Whyhadn’tanyoheshotsaoiigate?Summer.Maybenobodyisathhtnow.
Therewasionofcrossiure—therehewouldhavenocoveratall.Thestraightpathbesidethefehepcehehimselfwouldhavepickedforaclearfieldoffire.Heretreatedintothebrushuntilhecameoutohersideintoasparsepinewood.
Hetookthelongwayaround?sterg?rden’sfieldsandS?derbergettoreae.Whenhepassed?sterg?rdenhecouldseethattheircarwasgohetopofS?derbergethestoppedandlookeddownonHedeby.Intheoldfishingsbythemarinathereweresummervisitors;womeninbathingsuitsweresittingtalkingonadock.Hesmelledsomethingcookingonanoutdrill.Childrenwerespshingierhedothemarina.
Justafter8:00.Itwasfiftyminutessiheshotshadbeenfired.Nilssonwaswateringhiswn,wearingshortsandnoshirt.Howlonghaveyoubeenthere?Vanger’shousetybutforAnna.HaraldVanger’shouselookeddesertedasalways.ThenhesawIsabelVangerinherbackgarden.Shewassittingthere,obviouslytalkingtosomeoookasedforBlomkvisttorealiseitwasthesicklyGerdaVanger,bornin1922andlivingwithherson,Alexander,ihehousesbeyondHenrik’s.Hehadher,buthehadseenherafewtimes.CeciliaVanger’shouselookedempty,butthenMikaelsawamovementi.She’shome.Wasthemarksmanawoman?HekhatCeciliacouldhandleagun.HecouldseeMartinVanger’sthedriveinfrontofhishouse.Howlonghaveyoubeenhome?
Orwasitsomeohathehadnotthoughtofyet?Frode?Alexaoomanypossibilities.
HeclimbeddownfromS?derbergetandfollowedtheroadintothevilge;hegothomewithoutenteringahefirstthinghesawwasthatthedoorofthecottagewasajar.Hewentintoacrouchalmostinstinctively.ThenhesmelledcoffeeandsawSahroughthekitwindow.
Sheheardhimeinthefrontdoorandturowardshim.Shestiffened.Hisfacelookedterrible,smearedwithbloodthathadbeguntogeal.TheleftsideofhiswhiteT-shirtwascrimson.Hewasholdingasoddenredhandkerchieftohishead.
“It’sbleedinglikehell,butit’snotdangerous,”Blomkvistsaidbeforeshecouldask.
Sheturnedandgotthefirst-aidkitfromthecupboard;ittaiwopacketsofestidages,amosquitostidalittlerollicaltape.Hepulledoffhisclothesanddroppedthemonthefloor;theothebathroom.
Thewoundonhistemplewasagashsodeepthathecouldliftupabigfpofflesh.Itwasstillbleedingandititches,buthethoughtitwouldprobablyhealifhetapeditclosed.Heranatoweluhecoldtapandwipedhisface.
Heheldthetowegainsthistemplewhilehestooduheshowerandclosedhiseyes.Thenhesmmedhisfistagainstthetilesohardthathescrapedhisknuckles.Fuckyou,whoeveryouare,hethought.I’mgoingtofindyou,andIwillgetyou.
WhenSaouchedhisarmhejumpedasifhehadhadaricshodstaredatherwithsugerihatshetookastepback.Shehandedhimthesoapabacktothekitwithoutaword.
Heputoripsicaltape.Hewentintothebedroom,pulledonapairofjeansa-shirt,takingthefolderofprinted-outphotographswithhim.Hewassofurioushewasalmostshaking.
“Stayhere,Lisbeth,”heshouted.
HewalkedovertoCeciliaVanger’shouseandrangthedoorbell.Itwashalfaminutebeforesheopehedoor.
“Idon’twanttoseeyou,”shesaid.Thenshesawhisface,wherebloodwasalreadyseepingthroughthetape.
“Letmein.Wehavetotalk.”
Shehesitated.“Wehavenothingtotalkabout.”
“Wedonow,andyoudiscussithereoepsori.”
Blomkvist’stonewassodetermihatCeciliasteppedbadlethimiatherkittable.
“Whathaveyoudone?”shesaid.
“YoucimthatmydiggingforthetruthaboutHarrietVangerissomefutileformofoupationaltherapyforHenrik.That’spossible,butanhosomeonebloodynearlyshotmyheadoff,andstnightsomeone—maybethesamehumourist—leftahorriblydeadyporch.”
Ceciliaopenedhermouth,butBlomkvistcutheroff.
“Cecilia,Idon’tgiveashitabouty-upsorwhatyouworryaboutorthefactthatyousuddenlyhatethesightofme.I’llneverenearyouagain,andyoudon’thavetoworrythatI’mgoingtobotheryouorrunafteryhtthisminuteIwishI’dneverheardofyouoranyoneelseintheVangerfamily.ButIrequireaomyquestions.Thesooneryouahem,thesooneryou’llberidofme.”
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“Numberone:wherewereyouanho?”
Cecilia’sfacecloudedover.
“AnhoIwasiad.”
“yonefirmwhereyouwere?”
“NotthatIthinkof,andIdon’thavetoaounttoyou.”
“wo:whydidyouopenthewindowinHarriet’sroomthedayshedisappeared?”
“What?”
“Youheardme.ForalltheseyearsHenrikhastriedtoworkoutwhoopehewindowinHarriet’srothosecriticalminutes.Everybodyhasdenieddoingit.Someoneislying.”
“Andwhatinhellmakesyouthinkitwasme?”
“Thispicture,”Blomkvistsaid,andflungtheblurryphotographotable.
Ceciliawalkedovertothetableandstudiedthepicture.Blomkvistthoughthecouldreadshoherface.Shelookedupathim.Hefeltatrickleofbloodrundownhischeekanddropontohisshirt.
“Thereweresixtypeopleontheisndthatday,”hesaid.“Ay-eightofthemwerewomen.Fiveorsixofthemhadshoulder-lengthblondehair.Onlyohosewaswearingalight-coloureddress.”
Shestaredilyatthephotograph.
“Andyouthinkthat’ssupposedtobeme?”
“Ifitisn’tyou,I’dlikeyoutotellmewhoyouthinkitis.Nobodyknewaboutthispicturebefore.I’vehaditforweeksandtriedtotalktoyouaboutit.Imaybeanidiot,butIhaven’tshowedittoHenrikoranyoneelsebecauseI’mdeathlyafraidofcastingsuspionyouordoingy.ButIdohavetohaveananswer.”
“You’llgetyouranswer.”Sheheldoutthephotographtohim.“Ididn’tgointoHarriet’sroomthatday.It’shepicture.Ididn’thavetheslightestthingtodowithherdisappearance.”
Shewenttothefrontdoor.
“Youhaveyouranswer.Nowpleasego.ButIthinkyoushouldhaveadoctorlookatthatwound.”
SanderdrovehimtoHedestadHospital.Ittookonlytwostitchesandagooddressingtoclosethewound.Hewasgivencortisonesalvefortherashfromthestingingtlesonhisnedhands.
AftertheyleftthehospitalBlomkvistsatforalongtimewwhetherheoughttogotothepolice.Hecouldseetheheadlinesnow.“LibelJournalistinShootingDrama.”Heshookhishead.“Let’sgohome,”hesaid.
ItwasdarkwhentheyarrivedbackatHedebyIsnd,andthatsuitedSanderfine.Sheliftedasportsbagontothekittable.
“IborrowedthisstufffromMiltonSecurity,andit’stimewemadeuseofit.”
Shepntedfourbattery-operatedmotioorsaroundthehouseandexpihatifanyonecamecloserthayfeet,aradiosignalwouldtriggerasmallchirpingarmthatshesetupinBlomkvist’sbedroom.Atthesametime,twolight-sensitivevideocamerasthatshehadputihefrontandbackofthewouldsendsignalstoaPCptopthatshesetinthecupboardbythefrontdoor.Shecamoufgedthecameraswithdarkcloth.
Sheputathirdcamerainabirdhouseabovethedoor.Shedrilledahhtthroughthewallforthecable.Thelenswasaimedattheroadahfromthegatetothefrontdoor.Ittookalow-resolutionimageeverysedandstoredthemallontheharddriveofanotherPCptopinthewardrobe.
Theapressure-sensitivedoormatirance.Ifsomeonemaoevadetheinfrareddetectorsandgotintothehouse,15-decibelsirenwouldgooff.Sanderdemonstratedforhimhowtoshutoffthedetectorswithakeytoaboxinthewardrobe.Shehadalsoborrowedanight-visionscope.
“Youdon’tleavealottoce,”Blomkvistsaid,pcoffeeforher.
“Onemorething.Nginguntilwecrackthis.”
“Believeme,I’velostalliinexercise.”
“I’mnotjoking.Thismayhavestartedoutasahistoricalmystery,butwhatwithdeadcatsandpeopletryingtoblowyourheadoffwebesurewe’reonsomebody’strail.”
Theyatedie.Blomkvistwassuddeiredandhadasplittingheadache.Hecouldhardlytalkanymore,sohewenttobed.
Saayedupreadingthereportuntil2:00.
CHAPTER23
Friday,July11
Heawokeat6:00withthesunshiningthroughagapiainsrightinhisface.Hehadavagueheadache,andithurtwheouchedthebandage.Sanderwasasleepoomachwithonearmflungoverhim.Helookeddownatthedragononhershoulderbde.
Hetedhertattoos.Asonherneck,shehadalooparoundoneankle,anotherlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarm,aesesymbolonherhip,andaroseononecalf.
Hegotoutofbedandpulledthecurtainstight.Hewenttothebathroomandthenpaddedbacktobed,tryingtogetinwithoutwakingher.
AcoupleofhoursteroverbreakfastBlomkvistsaid,“Hoingtosolvethispuzzle?”
“Wesumupthefactswehave.Wetrytofindmore.”
“Forme,theonlyquestionis:why?Isitbecausewe’retryingtosolvethemysteryaboutHarriet,orbecausewe’veuncoveredahithertounknownserialkiller?”
“Theremustbeae,”Sandersaid.“IfHarrietrealisedthattherewasaserialkiller,itlyhavebeensomeonesheknew.Ifwelookatthecastofcharactersiies,therewereatleasttwodozenpossibledidates.TodayhardlyanyofthemareleftexceptHaraldVanger,whoisnotrunningaroundinthewoodsofFr?skogenatalmostniy-threewithagun.Everybodyiseithertoooldtobeofanydaoday,ortooyoungtohavebeenaroundiies.Sowe’rebacktosquareone.”
“Uherearetwopeoplewhoarecolborating.Oneolderandoneyounger.”
“HaraldandCecilia?Idon’tthinkso.Ithiellihwhenshesaidthatshewasn’tthepersoninthewindow.”
“Thenwhowasthat?”
TheyturnedonBlomkvist’siahehourstudyingiailonceagainallthepeoplevisibleiographsoftheaidentonthebridge.
“Ilyassumethateveryohevilgemusthavebeendownthere,watgalltheexcitement.Ittember.Mostofthemarewearingjacketsorsweaters.Onlyonepersonhaslongblondehairandalight-coloureddress.”
“CeciliaVangerisinalotofthepictures.Sheseemstobeeverywhere.Betweenthebuildingsandthepeoplewhoarelookingattheaident.Hereshe’stalkingtoIsabel.Hereshe’sstandioPastorFalk.Hereshe’swithGregerVahemiddlebrother.”
“Waitaminute,”Blomkvistsaid.“Whatderhaveinhishand?”
“Somethingsquare-shaped.Itlookslikeaboxofsomekind.”
“It’saHasselbd.Sohetoohadacamera.”
Theyscrolledthroughthephotographsonemoretime.Gregerwasihem,thoughoftenblurry.Icouldbeclearlyseenthathewasholdingasquare-shapedbox.
“Ithinkyht.It’sdefinitelyacamera.”
“Whichmeansthatwegoonanotherhuntforphotographs.”
“OK,butlet’sleavethatforamoment,”Sandersaid.“Letmeproposeatheory.”
“Goahead.”
“Whatifsomeoheyoungergeionknowsthatsomeoheeionisaserialkiller,buttheydon’twantitaowledged.Thefamily’shonourandallthatcrap.Thatwouldmeanthattherearetwopeopleinvolved,butnotthatthey’reinittogether.Themurderercouldhavediedyearsago,whileournemesisjustwantsustodropthewholethingandgohome.”
“Butwhy,inthatcase,putamutitedourporch?It’sanunmistakablereferehemurders.”BlomkvisttappedHarriet’sBible.“Againaparodyofthewsregardingburnts.”
SanderleanedbadlookedupatthechurchasshequotedfromtheBible.Itwasasifsheweretalkingtoherself.
“ThenheshallkillthebullbeforetheLord;andAaron’ssonsthepriestsshallpresenttheblood,andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting.Andheshallfytheburntandcutitintopieces.”
Shefellsilent,awarethatBlomkvistwaswatgherwithatenseexpression.HeopeheBibletothefirstchapterofLeviticus.
“Doyoukwelvetoo?”
Sanderdidnotreply.
“Andheshall…”hebegan,noddingather.
“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireupoar.”Hervoicewasice.
“Averse?”
Abruptlyshestoodup.
“Lisbeth,youhaveaphotographicmemory,”Mikaelexcimedinsurprise.“That’swhyyoureadapageoftheiigationintenseds.”
Herreawasalmostexplosive.ShefixedhereyesonBlomkvistwithsuchfurythathewasastouhenherexpressiongedtodespair,aurnedonherheendranfate.
“Lisbeth,”heshoutedafterher.
Shedisappeareduptheroad.
Mikaelcarriedherputerithearm,andlockedthefrontdoorbeforehesetouttolookforher.Hefouwentymieroyatthemarina.Shewassittingthere,dippingherfeetierandsmoking.Sheheardhimingaloy,andhesawhershouldersstiffeoppedacoupleofpacesaway.
“Idon’tknowwhatIdid,butIdidoupsetyou.”
Hesatdowoher,tentativelypgahandonhershoulder.
“Please,Lisbeth.Talktome.”
Sheturnedherheadandlookedathim.
“There’snothingtotalkabout,”shesaid.“I’mjustafreak,that’sall.”
“I’dbeoverjoyedifmymemorywaswhatyoursis.”
Shetossedthecigaretteendintothewater.
Mikaelsatinsilenceforalongtime.WhatamIsupposedtosay?You’reaperfectlyordinarygirl.Whatdoesitmatterifyou’realittledifferent?Whatkindofself-imagedoyouhave,anyway?
“IthoughttherewassomethingdifferentaboutyoutheinstantIsawyou,”hesaid.“Andyouknowwhat?It’sbeenareallylongtimesinceI’vehadsuchaspontaneousgoodimpressionofanyonefromtheverybeginning.”
Somechildreofaohersideoftheharbourandjumpedintothewater.Thepainter,EugenNorman,withwhomBlomkviststillhadnotexgedasingleword,wassittinginachairoutsidehishouse,sugonhispipeasheregardedBlomkvistandSander.
“Ireallywanttobeyourfriend,ifyou’llletme,”hesaid.“Butit’suptoyou.I’mgoingbacktothehousetoputonsomemorecoffee.ehomewhenyoufeellikeit.”
Hegotupaherinpeace.Hewasonlyhalfthehillwhenheheardherfootstepsbehindhim.Theywalkedhometogetherwithoutexgingaword.
Shestoppedhimjustastheyreachedthehouse.
“Iwasintheprocessofformutingatheory…WetalkedaboutthefactthatallthisisaparodyoftheBible.It’struethathetookacatapart,butIsupposeitwouldbehardtogetholdofanox.Buthe’sfollowingthebasicstory.Iwonder…”Shelookedupatthechurchagain.“Andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting…”
Theywalkedoverthebridgetothechurch.Blomkvisttriedthedoor,butitwaslocked.Theywanderedaroundforawhile,lookingathead-stoiltheycametothechapel,whichstoodashortdistanceaway,downbythewater.AllofasuddenBlomkvistopenedhiseyeswide.Itwasnotachapel,itt.AbovethedoorhecouldreadthenameVangerchiselledintothestone,alongwithaverseinLatin,buthecouldnotdecipherit.
“‘Slumbertotheendoftime,’”Sandersaidbehindhim.
Blomkvistturolookather.Sheshrugged.
“Ihappeoseethatversesomewhere.”
Blomkvistroaredwithughter.Shestiffenedandatfirstshelookedfurious,butthensherexedwhensherealisedthathewasughingattheedyofthesituation.
Blomkvisttriedthedoor.Itw
Blomkvisthadthesametiresomehabitaseveryoneelse,pokingaroundinherlifeandaskiions.Oherhand,hedidatalllikemostothermenshehadmet.
Whensheignoredhisquestionshesimplyshruggedaherinpeace.Astounding.
Herimmediatemove,wheholdofhisithatfirstm,hadnaturallybeentotransferallthermationtoherowhatwayitwasOKifhedumpedherfromthecase;shewouldstillhaveaesstothematerial.
Shehadexpectedafuriousoutburstwhenheappearedforhisbreakfast.Insteadhehadlookedalmned,mutteredsomethingsarcastidgootheshower.Thenhebegandiscussingwhatshehadread.Astrangeguy.Shemightevenbedeludedintothinkingthathetrustedher.
Thatheknewaboutherpropensitiesasahackerwasserious.Sanderwasawarethatthelegaldescriptionofthekindofhagshedid,bothprofessionallyandasahobby,was“unwfuldatatrespassing”andcouldearwoyearsinprison.Shedidnotwanttobelockedup.Inhercaseaprisoeneanthatherputerswouldbetakenfromher,andwiththemtheonlyoupationthatshewasreallygoodat.ShehadoldArmanskyhowshegatheredthermationtheywerepayiofind.
WiththeexceptionofPgueandafewpeopleonthewho,likeher,devotedthemselvestohagonaprofessionallevel—andmostofthemknewheronlyas“”anddidnotknowwhoshewasorwhereshelived—KalleBlomkvistwastheonlyonewhohadstumbledontohersecret.Hehadetoherbecauseshemadeabluhatnotevenatwelve-year-oldwouldmit,whilyprovedthatherbrainwasbeienupbywormsandthatshedeservedtobeflogged.Butinsteadofgoingcrazywithragehehadhiredher.
sequentlyshewasmildlyirritatedwithhim.
Whentheyhadasnackjustbeforeshewenttobed,hehadsuddenlyaskedherifshewasagoodhacker.
Toherownsurpriseshereplied,“I’mprobablythebestinSweden.Theremaybetwoorthreeothersataboutmylevel.”
Shedidnotdoubttheauracyofherreply.Pguehadoncebeeerthanshewas,butshehadpassedhimlongago.
Oherhand,itfeltfunnytosaythewords.Shehadneverdobefore.Shehadneverhadanoutsidertohavethissortofversationwith,andsheehefactthatheseemedimpressedbyhertalents.Thenhehadruihefeelingbyaskinganotherquestion:howhadshetaughtherselfhag?
Whatcouldshesay?I’vealwaysbeeodoit.Insteadshewenttobedwithoutsayinggoodnight.
Irritatifurther,hedidwhesoabruptly.Sheylisteningtohimmovingabouti,cleariableandwashingthedishes.Hehadalwaysstayedupterthanshedid,butnowhewasobviouslyonhiswaytobedtoo.Sheheardhimihroom,andtheintohisbedroomandshutthedoor.Afterawhilesheheardthebedcreakwheintoit,notayardawayfromherownbutohersideofthewall.
Shehadbeensharingahousewithhimforaweek,andhehadnotonceflirtedwithher.Hehadworkedwithher,askedheropinion,sppedherontheknucklesfigurativelyspeakingwhenshewasonthewrongtradaowledgedthatshewasrightwhenshecorrectedhim.Dammit,hehadtreatedherlikeahumanbeing.
Shegotoutofbedandstoodbythewindow,restlesslypeeringintothedark.Thehardestthingforherwastoshowherselfoanotherpersonforthefirsttime.Shewasvihatherskinnybodyulsive.Herbreastswerepathetic.Shehadnohipstospeakof.Shedidnothavemuchtooffer.Apartfromthatshewasaquitenormalwoman,withthesamedesiresandsexdriveaseveryotherwomaoodthereforthewentyminutesbeforeshemadeuphermind.
BlomkvistwasreadinganovelbySaraParetskywhehedoorhaurnandlookeduptoseeSander.Shehadasheetedroundherbodyandstoodinthedoorwayforamoment.
“YouOK?”hesaid.
Sheshookherhead.
“Whatisit?”
Sheweohisbed,tookthe,andputitonthebedsidetable.Thedownandkissedhimoh.Shequicklygotintohisbedandsatlookingathim,searghim.Sheputherhandonthesheetoverhisstomach.Whenhedidnotprotestsheleanedoverandbithimonthenipple.
Blomkvistwasfbbergasted.Hetookhershouldersandpushedherawayalittlesothathecouldseeherface.
“Lisbeth…Idon’tknowifthisissuchagoodidea.Wehavetether.”
“Iwanttohavesexwithyou.AndIwon’thaveanyproblemwwithyou,butIwillhaveahellofaproblemwithyouifyoukickmeout.”
“Butwehardlyknoweachother.”
Sheughed,anabruptughthatsoundedalmostlikeacough.
“You’veanythinglikethatstandinyourwaybefore.Infact,asIdidn’tsayinmybackgrou,you’reoheseguyswho’tkeephishandsoffwomen.Sowhat’swrong?Aren’tIsexyenoughforyou?”
Blomkvistshookhisheadandtriedtothinkofsomethiosay.Whenhecouldn’tshepulledthesheetoffhimandsatastridehim.
“Idon’thaveanys,”hesaid.
“Screwit.”
Whenhewokeup,heheardheri.Itwas7:00.Hemayonlyhavesleptfortwohours,aayedinbed,dozing.
Thiswomanbaffledhim.Atabsolutelynopointhadsheevenwithagndicatedthatshewastheleastbitiedinhim.
“Go,”shesaidfromthedoorway.Sheevenhadthehintofasmile.
“Hi.”
“Weareoutofmilk.I’llgotothepetrolstation.Theyopenatseven.”Andshewasgone.
Heheardhergooutofthefrontdoor.Heshuthiseyes.Thehefrontdooropenagainandsedstershewasbathedoorway.Thistimeshewasnotsmiling.
“You’dbettereandlookatthis,”shesaidinastrangevoice.
Blomkvistwasonhisfeetatondpulledonhisjeans.
Duringthenightsomeonehadbeentothecottagewithanunwelepresent.Ontheporchythehalf-charredcorpseofacat.Thecat’slegsandheadhadbeencutoff,thenthebodyhadbeenfyedasandstomachremoved,fluothecorpse,whichseemedtohavebeenroastedoverafire.Thecat’sheadwasintathesaddleofSander’smotorcycle.Hereisedthereddish-brownfur.
CHAPTER22
Thursday,July10
Theyatebreakfastinthegardeninsilendwithoutmilkintheircoffee.SanderhadtakenoutadigitalcameraandphotographedthemacabretableaubeforeBlomkvistgotarubbishsadeditaway.HeputthethebootoftheVolvo.Heoughttofileapolicereportforanimalcruelty,possiblyintimidation,buthedidnotthinkhewouldwanttoexpinwhytheintimidationhadtakenpce.
At8:30IsabelVangerwalkedpastandontothebridge.Shedidhemoratleastpreteto.
“Howareyoudoing?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Oh,I’mfine.”Sanderlookedathim,perplexed.OK,then.Heexpectsmetobeupset.“WhenIfiherfuckerwhotorturedanicattodeathjusttosendusawarning,I’mgoingtoclobberhimwithabaseballbat.”
“Youthinkit’sawarning?”
“Haveyougotabetterexpnation?Itdefinitelymeanssomething.”
“Whateverthetruthisinthisstory,we’veworriedsomebodyenoughforthatpersontodosomethingreallysick.Butthere’sanotherproblemtoo.”
“Iknow.Thisisananimalsacrifithestyleof1954and1960anditdoesn’tseemcrediblethatsomeoivefiftyyearsagowouldbeputtingtorturedanimalcorpsesonyourdoorsteptoday.”
Blomkvistagreed.
“TheonlyoneswhocouldbesuspectedinthatcaseareHaraldVangerandIsabelVahereareanumberofolderretivesonJohanVanger’sside,buthemliveinthearea.”
Blomkvistsighed.
“Isabelisarepulsivebitchwhocouldcertainlykilcat,butIdoubtshewasrunningaroundkillingwomeniies.HaraldVanger…Idon’tknow,heseemssodecrepithehardlywalk,andI’tseehimsneakingoverherestnight,catgacat,anddoingallthis.”
“Uwastwopeople.Oneolder,oneyounger.”
BlomkvistheardacargobyandlookedupandsawCeciliadrivingawayoverthebridge.HaraldandCecilia,hethought,buttheyhardlyspoke.DespiteMartinVanger’spromisetotalktoher,Ceciliahadstillnotansweredanyofhistelephonemessages.
“Itmustbesomebodywhoknowswe’redoingthisworkandthatwe’remakingprogress,”Sandersaid,gettinguptogoinside.Whenshecamebackoutshehadputonherleathers.
“I’mgoingtoSto.I’llbebaight.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“Pickupsomegadgets.Ifsomeoneiscrazyenoughtokilthatdisgustingway,heorshecouldattaexttime.Orsetthecottageonfirewhilewe’reasleep.Iwantyoutogoiadandbuytwofireextinguishersandtwosmokearmstoday.Ohefireextinguishershastobehalon.”
Withoutanotherword,sheputonherhelmet,kick-startedthemotorcycle,androaredoffacrossthebridge.
Blomkvisthidthecorpseandtheheadandgutsintherubbishbinbesidethepetrolstationbeforehedroveiadtodohiserrands.Hedrovetothehospital.HehadmadeanappoiomeetFrodeinthecafeteria,aoldhimwhathadhappehatm.Frodebnched.
“Mikael,Ineverimagihatthisstorycouldtakethisturn.”
“Whynot?Thejobwastofindamurderer,afterall.”
“Butthisisdisgustingandinhuman.Ifthere’sadaoyourlifeortoFr?kenSander’slife,wearegoingtocallitoff.LetmetalktoHenrik.”
“No.Absolutelynot.Idon’twanttoriskhishavingaack.”
“Heasksmeallthetimehowthingsaregoingwithyou.”
“Sayhellofromme,please,andtellhimI’mmovingforward.”
“Whatishen?”
“Ihaveafewquestions.ThefirstiourredjustafterHenrikhadhisheartattadIwasdowninStofortheday.Somebodywentthroughmyoffice.IhadpritheBibleverses,aographsfrsgatanwereonmydesk.YouknewandHenrikknew.MartinkneartofitsinceheanisedformetogetintotheCourieroffices.Howmanyotherpeopleknew?”
“Well,Idon’tknowwhoMartintalkedto.ButbothBirgerandCeciliaknewaboutit.Theydiscussedyourhuntingiuresarchivebetweenthemselves.Alexanderknewaboutittoo.And,bytheway,GunnarandHelenaNilssondidtoo.TheywereuptosayhellotoHenrikandgedintotheversation.AndAnitaVanger.”
“Anita?TheoneinLondon?”
“Cecilia’ssister.ShecamebackwithCeciliawhenHenrikhadhisheartattackbutstayedatahotel;asfarasIknow,shehasn’tbeenouttotheisnd.LikeCecilia,shedoesn’twanttoseeherfather.ButsheflewbackwhenHenrikcameoutofintensivecare.”
“Where’sCecilialiving?Isawherthismasshedroveacrossthebridge,butherhouseisalwaysdark.”
“She’snotcapableofdoingsuchathing,isshe?”
“No,Ijustwonderwhereshe’sstaying.”
“She’sstayingwithherbrother,Birger.It’swithinwalkingdistaovisitHenrik.”
“Doyouknowwheresheisrightnow?”
“No.She’snotvisitingHenrik,atanyrate.”
“Thanks,”Blomkvistsaid,gettingup.
TheVangerfamilywasharouadHospital.InthereceptierVangerpassedonhiswaytothelifts.Blomkvistwaiteduntilhewasgonebeforehewentouttothereception.InsteadheranintoMartinVaheentraexactlythesamespotwherehehadrunintoCeciliaonhispreviousvisit.Theysaidhelloandshookhands.
“HaveyoubeenuptoseeHenrik?”
“No,IjusthappeomeetDirchFrode.”
Martinlookedtiredandhollow-eyed.ItourredtoMikaelthathehadagedappreciablyduringthesixmonthssincehehadmethim.
“Howarethingsgoingwithyou,Mikael?”hesaid.
“Moreiingwitheverydaythatpasses.WhenHenrikisfeelierIhopetobeabletosatisfyhiscuriosity.”
BirgerVanger’swasawhite-brickterracehouseafive-minutewalkfromthehospital.HehadaviewoftheseaandtheHedestadmarina.No-oneansweredwhenBlomkvistrangthedoorbell.HecalledCecilia’smobilegotnoahereeither.Hesatinthecarforawhile,drumminghisfingersoeeringwheel.BirgerVangerwasthewildcardinthedeck;bornin1939andsotenyearsoldwhenRebeckaJacobssonwasmurdered;twenty-sevenwhenHarrietdisappeared.
AtoHenrik,BirgerandHarriethardlyeversaweachother.HehadgrownupwithhisfamilyinUppsaandonlymovedtoHedestadtoworkforthefirm.Hejumpedshipafteracoupleofyearsaedhimselftopolitics.ButhehadbeeninUppsaatthetimeLenaAnderssonwasmurdered.
Theiwiththecatgavehimanominousfeeling,asifhewereabouttorunoutoftime.
OttoFalkwasthirty-sixwhenHarrietvanished.Hewasy-two,youhanHenrikVainasiderablyworsementalstate.BlomkvistsoughthimoutattheSvanvalesthome,ayellow-brickbuildingashortdistantheHedeRiverattheotherendofthetown.BlomkvistintroducedhimselftothereceptionistandaskedtobeallowedtospeakwithPastorFalk.Heknew,heexpihatthepastorsufferedfromAlzheimer’sandenquiredhowlucidhewasnow.AnurserepliedthatPastorFalkhadfirstbeendiaghreeyearsearlierandthatasthediseasehadtakenanaggressivecourse.Falkunicate,buthehadaveryfeebleshort-termmemory,anddidnniseallofhisretives.Hewasonthewholeslippingintotheshadows.Herooatacksifhewasfrohquestionshecouldnotanswer.
Falkwassittingonabenthegardenwiththreeotherpatientsandamalenurse.Blomkvistspentanhtoengagehiminversation.
HerememberedHarrietVangerquitewell.Hisfacelitup,andhedescribedherasacharminggirl.ButBlomkvistwassoonawarethatthepastorhadfottenthatshehadbeenmissithirty-sevenyears.HetalkedaboutherasifhehadseenherretlyandaskedBlomkvisttosayhellotoherandurgehertoeandseehim.Blomkvistpromisedtodoso.
Heobviouslydidnotremembertheaidentonthebridge.ItwasnotuntiltheendoftheirversationthathesaidsomethingwhichmadeBlomkvistprickuphisears.
ItwaswhenBlomkviststeeredthetalktoHarriet’siinreligionthatFalksuddenlyseemedhesitant.Itwasasthoughacloudpassedoverhisface.FalksatrogbadforthforawhileandthenlookedupatBlomkvistandaskedwhohewas.Blomkvistintroducedhimselfagainandtheoldmanthoughtforawhile.Atlengthhesaid:“She’sstilseeker.Shehastotakecareofherselfandyouhavetowarnher.”
“WhatshouldIwarnherabout?”
Falkgrewsuddenlyagitated.Heshookhisheadwithafrown.
“Shehastoreadsoscripturaanduandsuffitiascripturae.That’stheonlywaythatshemaintainsofide.Josefwillcertainlyexcludethem.Theywereneveraeptedintothe.”
Blomkvistuoodnothingofthis,buttookassiduoushenPastorFalkleaowardshimandwhispered,“Ithinkshe’saCatholic.ShelovesmagidhasfoundherGod.Sheneedsguidance.”
Theword“Catholic”obviouslyhadaiveotationforPastorFalk.
“Ithoughtshewasiediecostalmovement?”
“No,no,no,notthePeals.She’slookingfortheforbiddentruth.SheisnotagoodChristian.”
ThenPastorFalkseemedtofetalboutBlomkvistandstartedtalkingwiththeotherpatients.
HegotbacktoHedebyIsndjustafter2:00.HewalkedovertoCeciliaVanger’sandkhedoor,butwithoutsuess.Hetriedhermobilenumberagainbutnoanswer.
Heattaokearmtoawalliatothefrontdoor.Heputonefireextinguisherothewoodstovebesidethebedroomdoorandanotheronebesidethebathroomdoor.Thenhemadehimselflunch,whisistedofcoffeeandopensandwiches,andsatinthegarden,whereheingupthenotesofhisversationwithPastorFalk.Whenthatwasdone,heraisedhiseyestothechurch.
Hedeby’snewparsonagewasquiteanordinarymoderndwellingafewminutes’walkfromthechurch.Blomkvistkhedoorat4:00andexpioPastaretaStrandhthathehadetoseekadviatheologicalmatter.MargaretaStrandhwasadark-hairedwomanofabouthisownage,dressedinjeansandafnnelshirt.Shewasbarefootandhadpaioenails.HehadrunintoherbeforeatSusanne’sBridgeCaféonacoupleofoasionsandtalkedtoheraboutPastorFalk.Hewasgivenafriendlyreceptionandioeandsitinhercourtyard.
BlomkvisttoldherthathehadinterviewedOttoFalkandwhattheoldmanhadsaid.PastorStrandhlistenedandthenaskedhimtorepeatitwordforword.
“IwassenttoservehereinHedebyonlythreeyearsago,andI’veuallymetPastorFalk.Heretiredseveralyearsbeforethat,butIbelievethathewasfairlyhigh-church.Whathesaidtoyoumeantsomethingonthelinesof‘keeptoScripturealone’—soscriptura—andthatitissuffitiascripturae.ThistterisanexpressionthatestablishesthesufficyofScriptureamongliteralbelievers.Sofidemeansfaithalohetruefaith.”
“Isee.”
“Allthisisbasia,sotospeak.Ingeneralit’stheptformofthechurdnothingunusuatall.Hewassayingquitesimply:‘ReadtheBible—itwillprovidesuffitknowledgeandvouchesforthetruefaith.’”
Mikaelfeltabitembarrassed.
“NowIhavetoaskyouinwhatethisversationourred,”shesaid.
“Iwasaskinghimaboutapersonhehadmetmanyyearsago,someoneI’mwritingabout.”
“Areligiousseeker?”
“Somethingalongthatline.”
“OK.IthinkIuaext.YoutoldmethatPastorFalksaidtwootherthings—that‘Josefwillcertainlyexcludethem’andthat‘theywereneveraeptedintothe.’IsitpossiblethatyoumisuoodandthathesaidJosefusinsteadofJosef?It’sactuallythesamename.”
“That’spossible,”Blomkvistsaid.“Itapedtheversationifyouwanttolistentoit.”
“No,Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary.Thesetwosenteablishfairlyunequivocallywhathewasalludingto.JosefuswasaJewishhistorian,aeheywereneveraeptedintotheayhavemeantthattheywereheHebrew.”
“Andthatmeans?”
Sheughed.
“PastorFalkwassayingthatthispersohralledbyesotericsources,specificallytheApocrypha.TheGreekokryphosmeans‘hidden,’andtheApocryphaarethereforethehiddenswhiesiderhighlytroversiandothersthinkshouldbeincludediestament.TheyareTobias,Judith,Esther,Baruch,Sirach,thesoftheMaabees,andsomeothers.”
“Fivemyignorance.I’veheardaboutthesoftheApocryphabuthaveneverreadthem.What’sspeciaboutthem?”
“There’sreallynothingspeciaboutthematall,exceptthattheycameienewhatterthaoftheOldTestament.TheApocryphaweredeletedfromtheHebrewBible—notbecauseJewishsistrustedtheirtentbutsimplybecausetheywerewrittehetimewhenGod’srevetoryworkwascluded.Oherhand,theApocryphaareincludedintheoldGreektranstionoftheBible.They’renotsideredtroversialin,forexample,theRomanCatholihurch.”
“Isee.”
“However,theyaretroversialiestantChurch.DuringtheReformation,theologianslookedtotheoldHebrewBible.MartinLutherdeletedtheApocryphafromtheReformation’sBibleandterCalvindecredthattheApocryphaabsolutelymustnotserveasthebasisforvisinmattersoffaith.Thustheirtentstradictorinsomewayflictwithcritasscripturae—thecrityofScripture.”
“Inotherwords,soreds.”
“Quiteright.Forexample,theApocryphacimthatmagianbepractisedandthatliesiaincasesmaybepermissible,andsuchstatements,ofcourse,upsetdogmatiterpretersofScripture.”
“Soifsomeonehasapassionfion,it’snotunthinkablethattheApocryphawillpopupontheirreadinglist,orthatsomeonelikePastorFalkwouldbeupsetbythis.”
“Exactly.EnteringtheApocryphaisalmostunavoidableifyou’restudyingtheBibleortheCatholicfaith,andit’sequallyprobablethatsomeonewhoisiedierigeneralmightreadthem.”
“Youdon’thappentohaveacopyoftheApocrypha,doyou?”
Sheughedagain.Abright,friendlyugh.
“OfcourseIdo.TheApocryphawereactuallypublishedasastatereportfromtheBiblemissioniies.”
ArmanskywonderedwhatwasgoingonwhenSanderaskedtospeaktohiminprivate.Heshutthedoorbehindherandmotiohevisitor’schair.ShetoldhimthatherworkforMikaelBlomkvistwasdohewyerwouldbepayingherbeforetheendofthemonth—butthatshehaddecidedtokeeponwiththispartivestigation.Blomkvisthadofferedherasiderablyhighersaryforamonth.
“Iamself-employed,”Sandersaid.“UntilnowI’veakenajobthatyouhaven’tgivenme,inkeepingwithreement.WhatIwanttoknoillhappentoourretionshipifItakeajobonmyown?”
Armanskyshrugged.
“You’reafreencer,youtakeanyjobyouwantandchargewhatyouthinkit’sworth.I’mjustgdyou’remakingyourowwould,however,bedisloyalofyoutotakeosyoufindthroughus.”
“Ihavenopnstodothat.I’vefihejtothetractwesighBlomkvist.WhatthisisaboutisthatIwanttostayonthecase.I’devendoitfornothing.”
“Don’teverdoanythingfornothing.”
“YouknowwhatImean.Iwanttoknowwherethisstoing.I’vevincedBlomkvisttoaskthewyertokeepmeonasaresearchassistant.”
ShepassedtheagreemeoArmansky,whoreadrapidlythroughit.
“Withthissaryyoumightaswellbewforfree.Lisbeth,you’vegottalent.Youdon’thavetoworkforsmallge.Youknowyoumakeahellofalotmorewithmeifyoueonboardfull-time.”
“Idon’twanttoworkfull-time.But,Dragan,myloyaltyistoyou.You’vebeeomesiartedhere.IwanttoknowifatractlikethisisOKwithyou,thattherewon’tbeanyfribetweenus.”
“Isee.”Hethoughtforamoment.“It’s100pertOK.Thanksforasking.IfanymoresituationslikethiscropupiureI’dappreciateitifyouaskedmesotherewon’tbeanymisuandings.”
Sahoughtoverwhethershehadanythingtoadd.ShefixedhergazeonArmansky,sayingnotaword.Insteadshejustnoddedaoodupa,asusualwithnofarewellgreeting.
ShegottheanswershewantedandinstantlylostiinArmansky.Hesmiledtohimself.Thatshehadevenaskedhimforadvicemarkedanewhighpointinhersocialisationprocess.
HeopenedafolderortonsecurityatamuseumwhereabigexhibitionofFrenchImpressionistseningsoon.ThedownthefolderandlookedatthedohwhiderhadjustgohoughtabouthowshehadughedwithBlomkvistinheroffidwonderedifshewasfinallygrowinguporwhetheritwasBlomkvistwhowastheattra.Healsofeltastrangeuneasiness.HehadneverbeeoshakeoffthefeelingthatLisbethSandererfectvictim.Andhereshewas,huntingamadmanoutinthebackofbeyond.
Onthewaynain,Saookonimpulseadetourbywayof?ppelvikenNursingHometoseehermother.ExceptforthevisitonMidsummerEve,shehadnotseehersinceChristmas,abadforsoseldomtakiime.Asedvisitwithinthecourseofafewweekswasquiteunusual.
Hermotherwasinthedayroom.Saayedagoodhourandtookhermotherforawalkdowntothedudinthegroundsofthehospital.HermotherwasstillmuddlingLisbethwithhersister.Asusual,shewashardlypresent,butsheseemedtroubledbythevisit.
WhenSandersaidgoodbye,hermotherdidnotwanttoletgoofherhand.Sanderpromisedtovisitheragainsoon,buthermazedafterhersadlyandanxiously.
Itwasasifshehadapremonitionofsomeapproagdisaster.
BlomkvistspenttwohoursinthegardenbehindhisgoingthroughtheApocryphawithoutgainingasingleinsight.Butathoughthadourredtohim.HioushadHarrietVauallybeeerestinBiblestudieshadstartedthestyearbeforeshevanished.ShehadlinkedanumberofBiblequotestoaseriesofmurdersandthenhadmethodicallyreadnotonlyherBiblebutalsotheApocrypha,andshehaddevelopedainCatholicism.
HadshereallydohesameiigationthatBlomkvistandSanderweredoingthirty-seveer?Wasitthehuntforamurdererthathadspurredheriratherthanreligiosity?PastorFalkhadindicatedthatinhiseyesshewasmoreofaseeker,lessagoodChristian.
HewasinterruptedbyBergercallinghimonhismobile.
“IjustwaellyouthatGregerandIareleavingonholidayweek.I’llbegoneforfourweeks.”
“Whereareyougoing?”
“NewYregerhasanexhibition,ahoughtwe’dgototheCaribbean.WehaveacetoborrowahouseonAntiguafromafriender’sandwe’restayiwoweeks.”
“Thatsoundswonderful.Haveagreattime.Andsayhiter.”
“Thenewissueisfinishedandwe’vealmosteduptheone.Iwishyoucouldtakeoveraseditor,butChristerhassaidhewilldoit.”
“Hecallmeifheneedsanyhelp.How’sitgoingwithJanneDahlman?”
Shehesitated.
“He’salsogoingonholiday.I’vepushedHenryiheagmanagior.HeandChristeraremindiore.”
“OK.”
“I’llbebaAugustseventh.”
IntheearlyeveningBlomkvisttriedfivetimestotelephoneCeciliaVanger.Heseextaskiocallhim.Buthereceivednoanswer.
HeputawaytheApocryphaandgotintohistracksuit,logthedoorbeforehesetoff.
Hefollowedthenarrowpathalongtheshoreaurothewoods.Hegroundhiswaythroughthicketsandarounduprootedtreesasfastashecouldgo,emergingexhaustedattheFortresswithhispulserag.Hestoppedbyoheoldartillerybatteriesandstretchedforseveralminutes.
Suddenlyheheardasharpcradthegreycretewallohisheadexploded.Thehepainasfragmentsofcreteandshraporeadeepgashinhisscalp.
ForwhatseemedaernityBlomkviststoodparalysed.Thehrewhimselfintotheartillerytrendinghardonhisshoulderandknogthewindoutofhimself.Asedroundcameattheinstanthedived.Thebulletsmackedintothecretefoundation.
Hegottohisfeetandlookedalround.HewasinthemiddleoftheFortress.Thtanarrow,rownpassagesayarddeeprantothebatteriesthatwerespreadalongalineof250yards.Inacrouch,hestartedrunningsouththroughthebyrinth.
HesuddenlyheardanechoofCaptainAdolfsson’sinimitablevoiwintermanoeuvresattheinfantryschoolinKiruna.Blomkvist,keepyourfugheaddownifyoudon’twanttogetyourarseshotoff.YearsterhestillrememberedtheextrapractisedrillsthatCaptainAdolfssoodevise.
Hestoppedtocatchhisbreath,hisheartpounding.Hecouldhearnothingbuthisowhing.Thehumaneyeperceivesmotionmuchquickerthanshapesandfigures.Moveslowlywhenyou’rescouting.Blomkvistslowlypeekedaninchoverthetopedgeofthebattery.Thesunwasstraightaheadandmadeitimpossibletomakeoutdetails,buthecouldseenomovement.
Hepulledhisheadbackdownandranontothebattery.Itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodtheenemy’sonsare.Ifhe’tseeyou,he’thityou.Cover,cover,cover.Makesureyou’reneverexposed.
Hewas300yardsfromtheedgeof?sterg?rdenfarm.Some40yardsfromwherehekherewasanalmostimperablethicketoflowbrush.Buttoreachthethickethewouldhavetosprintdownagrassslopefromtheartillerybattery,andhewouldbepletelyexposed.Itwastheonlyway.Athisbackwasthesea.
HewassuddenlyawareofpaininhistempleanddiscoveredthathewasbleedingandthathisT-shirtwasdrehblood.Scalpwoundsopbleedihoughtbeforeheagaintratedonhispositiocouldjusthavebeena,buttwomeantthatsomebodywastryingtokillhim.Hehadnowayofknowingifthemarksmanwaswaitingforhimtoreappear.
Hetriedtobecalm,thinkrationally.Thechoicewastowaitetthehellout.Ifthemarksmanwasstillthere,thetteralternativewasassuredlynotagoodidea.Ifhewaitedwherehewas,themarksmanwouldcalmlytotheFortress,findhim,andshoothimatcle.
He’tknowifI’vegohtorleft.Rifle,maybeamooserifle.Probablywithtelescopicsights.WhieanthatthemarksmanwouldhavealimitedfieldofvisionifhewaslookingforMikaelthroughthesights.
Ifyou’reinatightspot—taketheinitiative.Betterthanwaitichedandlistenedforsoundsfortwomihenhecmberedoutofthebatteryandraceddowntheslopeasfastashecould.
Hewashalfwaydowntheslopeasathirdshotwasfired,butheonlyheardavaguesmackbehindhihenhewasonhisfeetandmovingawayfromthedireofthefire,croug,running,stoppingeveryfiftyyards,listening.Heheardabranchcraewherebetweenhimaress.Hedroppedtohisstomach.
CrawlusingyourelbowswasanotherofCaptainAdolfsson’sfavouriteexpressions.Blomkvistcoveredthe150yardsonhiskneesandtoesandelbowsthroughtheundergrowth.Hepushedasidetwigsandbrawiceheheardsuddencrathethicketbehindhim.Thefirstseemedtobeveryaybetwentypacestht.Hefroze,yperfectlystill.Afterawhilehecautiouslyraisedhisheadandlookedaround,buthecouldseeno-oillforalongtime,hisnervesonfullert,readytofleeorpossiblymakeadesperateterattackiftheenemycameathihensilence.
HeknowsI’mhere.Hashetakenupapositionsomewhere,waitingformetostartmoving,orhasheretreated?
Blomkvistkeptcrawlingthroughtheundergrowthuntilhereachedthe?sterg?rden’sfence.
Thiswasthecritient.Apathranihefence.Heystretchedoutontheground,watg.Thefarmhousewas400yardsdowleslope.Thtofthehousehesawcowsgrazing.Whyhadn’tanyoheshotsaoiigate?Summer.Maybenobodyisathhtnow.
Therewasionofcrossiure—therehewouldhavenocoveratall.Thestraightpathbesidethefehepcehehimselfwouldhavepickedforaclearfieldoffire.Heretreatedintothebrushuntilhecameoutohersideintoasparsepinewood.
Hetookthelongwayaround?sterg?rden’sfieldsandS?derbergettoreae.Whenhepassed?sterg?rdenhecouldseethattheircarwasgohetopofS?derbergethestoppedandlookeddownonHedeby.Intheoldfishingsbythemarinathereweresummervisitors;womeninbathingsuitsweresittingtalkingonadock.Hesmelledsomethingcookingonanoutdrill.Childrenwerespshingierhedothemarina.
Justafter8:00.Itwasfiftyminutessiheshotshadbeenfired.Nilssonwaswateringhiswn,wearingshortsandnoshirt.Howlonghaveyoubeenthere?Vanger’shousetybutforAnna.HaraldVanger’shouselookeddesertedasalways.ThenhesawIsabelVangerinherbackgarden.Shewassittingthere,obviouslytalkingtosomeoookasedforBlomkvisttorealiseitwasthesicklyGerdaVanger,bornin1922andlivingwithherson,Alexander,ihehousesbeyondHenrik’s.Hehadher,buthehadseenherafewtimes.CeciliaVanger’shouselookedempty,butthenMikaelsawamovementi.She’shome.Wasthemarksmanawoman?HekhatCeciliacouldhandleagun.HecouldseeMartinVanger’sthedriveinfrontofhishouse.Howlonghaveyoubeenhome?
Orwasitsomeohathehadnotthoughtofyet?Frode?Alexaoomanypossibilities.
HeclimbeddownfromS?derbergetandfollowedtheroadintothevilge;hegothomewithoutenteringahefirstthinghesawwasthatthedoorofthecottagewasajar.Hewentintoacrouchalmostinstinctively.ThenhesmelledcoffeeandsawSahroughthekitwindow.
Sheheardhimeinthefrontdoorandturowardshim.Shestiffened.Hisfacelookedterrible,smearedwithbloodthathadbeguntogeal.TheleftsideofhiswhiteT-shirtwascrimson.Hewasholdingasoddenredhandkerchieftohishead.
“It’sbleedinglikehell,butit’snotdangerous,”Blomkvistsaidbeforeshecouldask.
Sheturnedandgotthefirst-aidkitfromthecupboard;ittaiwopacketsofestidages,amosquitostidalittlerollicaltape.Hepulledoffhisclothesanddroppedthemonthefloor;theothebathroom.
Thewoundonhistemplewasagashsodeepthathecouldliftupabigfpofflesh.Itwasstillbleedingandititches,buthethoughtitwouldprobablyhealifhetapeditclosed.Heranatoweluhecoldtapandwipedhisface.
Heheldthetowegainsthistemplewhilehestooduheshowerandclosedhiseyes.Thenhesmmedhisfistagainstthetilesohardthathescrapedhisknuckles.Fuckyou,whoeveryouare,hethought.I’mgoingtofindyou,andIwillgetyou.
WhenSaouchedhisarmhejumpedasifhehadhadaricshodstaredatherwithsugerihatshetookastepback.Shehandedhimthesoapabacktothekitwithoutaword.
Heputoripsicaltape.Hewentintothebedroom,pulledonapairofjeansa-shirt,takingthefolderofprinted-outphotographswithhim.Hewassofurioushewasalmostshaking.
“Stayhere,Lisbeth,”heshouted.
HewalkedovertoCeciliaVanger’shouseandrangthedoorbell.Itwashalfaminutebeforesheopehedoor.
“Idon’twanttoseeyou,”shesaid.Thenshesawhisface,wherebloodwasalreadyseepingthroughthetape.
“Letmein.Wehavetotalk.”
Shehesitated.“Wehavenothingtotalkabout.”
“Wedonow,andyoudiscussithereoepsori.”
Blomkvist’stonewassodetermihatCeciliasteppedbadlethimiatherkittable.
“Whathaveyoudone?”shesaid.
“YoucimthatmydiggingforthetruthaboutHarrietVangerissomefutileformofoupationaltherapyforHenrik.That’spossible,butanhosomeonebloodynearlyshotmyheadoff,andstnightsomeone—maybethesamehumourist—leftahorriblydeadyporch.”
Ceciliaopenedhermouth,butBlomkvistcutheroff.
“Cecilia,Idon’tgiveashitabouty-upsorwhatyouworryaboutorthefactthatyousuddenlyhatethesightofme.I’llneverenearyouagain,andyoudon’thavetoworrythatI’mgoingtobotheryouorrunafteryhtthisminuteIwishI’dneverheardofyouoranyoneelseintheVangerfamily.ButIrequireaomyquestions.Thesooneryouahem,thesooneryou’llberidofme.”
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“Numberone:wherewereyouanho?”
Cecilia’sfacecloudedover.
“AnhoIwasiad.”
“yonefirmwhereyouwere?”
“NotthatIthinkof,andIdon’thavetoaounttoyou.”
“wo:whydidyouopenthewindowinHarriet’sroomthedayshedisappeared?”
“What?”
“Youheardme.ForalltheseyearsHenrikhastriedtoworkoutwhoopehewindowinHarriet’srothosecriticalminutes.Everybodyhasdenieddoingit.Someoneislying.”
“Andwhatinhellmakesyouthinkitwasme?”
“Thispicture,”Blomkvistsaid,andflungtheblurryphotographotable.
Ceciliawalkedovertothetableandstudiedthepicture.Blomkvistthoughthecouldreadshoherface.Shelookedupathim.Hefeltatrickleofbloodrundownhischeekanddropontohisshirt.
“Thereweresixtypeopleontheisndthatday,”hesaid.“Ay-eightofthemwerewomen.Fiveorsixofthemhadshoulder-lengthblondehair.Onlyohosewaswearingalight-coloureddress.”
Shestaredilyatthephotograph.
“Andyouthinkthat’ssupposedtobeme?”
“Ifitisn’tyou,I’dlikeyoutotellmewhoyouthinkitis.Nobodyknewaboutthispicturebefore.I’vehaditforweeksandtriedtotalktoyouaboutit.Imaybeanidiot,butIhaven’tshowedittoHenrikoranyoneelsebecauseI’mdeathlyafraidofcastingsuspionyouordoingy.ButIdohavetohaveananswer.”
“You’llgetyouranswer.”Sheheldoutthephotographtohim.“Ididn’tgointoHarriet’sroomthatday.It’shepicture.Ididn’thavetheslightestthingtodowithherdisappearance.”
Shewenttothefrontdoor.
“Youhaveyouranswer.Nowpleasego.ButIthinkyoushouldhaveadoctorlookatthatwound.”
SanderdrovehimtoHedestadHospital.Ittookonlytwostitchesandagooddressingtoclosethewound.Hewasgivencortisonesalvefortherashfromthestingingtlesonhisnedhands.
AftertheyleftthehospitalBlomkvistsatforalongtimewwhetherheoughttogotothepolice.Hecouldseetheheadlinesnow.“LibelJournalistinShootingDrama.”Heshookhishead.“Let’sgohome,”hesaid.
ItwasdarkwhentheyarrivedbackatHedebyIsnd,andthatsuitedSanderfine.Sheliftedasportsbagontothekittable.
“IborrowedthisstufffromMiltonSecurity,andit’stimewemadeuseofit.”
Shepntedfourbattery-operatedmotioorsaroundthehouseandexpihatifanyonecamecloserthayfeet,aradiosignalwouldtriggerasmallchirpingarmthatshesetupinBlomkvist’sbedroom.Atthesametime,twolight-sensitivevideocamerasthatshehadputihefrontandbackofthewouldsendsignalstoaPCptopthatshesetinthecupboardbythefrontdoor.Shecamoufgedthecameraswithdarkcloth.
Sheputathirdcamerainabirdhouseabovethedoor.Shedrilledahhtthroughthewallforthecable.Thelenswasaimedattheroadahfromthegatetothefrontdoor.Ittookalow-resolutionimageeverysedandstoredthemallontheharddriveofanotherPCptopinthewardrobe.
Theapressure-sensitivedoormatirance.Ifsomeonemaoevadetheinfrareddetectorsandgotintothehouse,15-decibelsirenwouldgooff.Sanderdemonstratedforhimhowtoshutoffthedetectorswithakeytoaboxinthewardrobe.Shehadalsoborrowedanight-visionscope.
“Youdon’tleavealottoce,”Blomkvistsaid,pcoffeeforher.
“Onemorething.Nginguntilwecrackthis.”
“Believeme,I’velostalliinexercise.”
“I’mnotjoking.Thismayhavestartedoutasahistoricalmystery,butwhatwithdeadcatsandpeopletryingtoblowyourheadoffwebesurewe’reonsomebody’strail.”
Theyatedie.Blomkvistwassuddeiredandhadasplittingheadache.Hecouldhardlytalkanymore,sohewenttobed.
Saayedupreadingthereportuntil2:00.
CHAPTER23
Friday,July11
Heawokeat6:00withthesunshiningthroughagapiainsrightinhisface.Hehadavagueheadache,andithurtwheouchedthebandage.Sanderwasasleepoomachwithonearmflungoverhim.Helookeddownatthedragononhershoulderbde.
Hetedhertattoos.Asonherneck,shehadalooparoundoneankle,anotherlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarm,aesesymbolonherhip,andaroseononecalf.
Hegotoutofbedandpulledthecurtainstight.Hewenttothebathroomandthenpaddedbacktobed,tryingtogetinwithoutwakingher.
AcoupleofhoursteroverbreakfastBlomkvistsaid,“Hoingtosolvethispuzzle?”
“Wesumupthefactswehave.Wetrytofindmore.”
“Forme,theonlyquestionis:why?Isitbecausewe’retryingtosolvethemysteryaboutHarriet,orbecausewe’veuncoveredahithertounknownserialkiller?”
“Theremustbeae,”Sandersaid.“IfHarrietrealisedthattherewasaserialkiller,itlyhavebeensomeonesheknew.Ifwelookatthecastofcharactersiies,therewereatleasttwodozenpossibledidates.TodayhardlyanyofthemareleftexceptHaraldVanger,whoisnotrunningaroundinthewoodsofFr?skogenatalmostniy-threewithagun.Everybodyiseithertoooldtobeofanydaoday,ortooyoungtohavebeenaroundiies.Sowe’rebacktosquareone.”
“Uherearetwopeoplewhoarecolborating.Oneolderandoneyounger.”
“HaraldandCecilia?Idon’tthinkso.Ithiellihwhenshesaidthatshewasn’tthepersoninthewindow.”
“Thenwhowasthat?”
TheyturnedonBlomkvist’siahehourstudyingiailonceagainallthepeoplevisibleiographsoftheaidentonthebridge.
“Ilyassumethateveryohevilgemusthavebeendownthere,watgalltheexcitement.Ittember.Mostofthemarewearingjacketsorsweaters.Onlyonepersonhaslongblondehairandalight-coloureddress.”
“CeciliaVangerisinalotofthepictures.Sheseemstobeeverywhere.Betweenthebuildingsandthepeoplewhoarelookingattheaident.Hereshe’stalkingtoIsabel.Hereshe’sstandioPastorFalk.Hereshe’swithGregerVahemiddlebrother.”
“Waitaminute,”Blomkvistsaid.“Whatderhaveinhishand?”
“Somethingsquare-shaped.Itlookslikeaboxofsomekind.”
“It’saHasselbd.Sohetoohadacamera.”
Theyscrolledthroughthephotographsonemoretime.Gregerwasihem,thoughoftenblurry.Icouldbeclearlyseenthathewasholdingasquare-shapedbox.
“Ithinkyht.It’sdefinitelyacamera.”
“Whichmeansthatwegoonanotherhuntforphotographs.”
“OK,butlet’sleavethatforamoment,”Sandersaid.“Letmeproposeatheory.”
“Goahead.”
“Whatifsomeoheyoungergeionknowsthatsomeoheeionisaserialkiller,buttheydon’twantitaowledged.Thefamily’shonourandallthatcrap.Thatwouldmeanthattherearetwopeopleinvolved,butnotthatthey’reinittogether.Themurderercouldhavediedyearsago,whileournemesisjustwantsustodropthewholethingandgohome.”
“Butwhy,inthatcase,putamutitedourporch?It’sanunmistakablereferehemurders.”BlomkvisttappedHarriet’sBible.“Againaparodyofthewsregardingburnts.”
SanderleanedbadlookedupatthechurchasshequotedfromtheBible.Itwasasifsheweretalkingtoherself.
“ThenheshallkillthebullbeforetheLord;andAaron’ssonsthepriestsshallpresenttheblood,andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting.Andheshallfytheburntandcutitintopieces.”
Shefellsilent,awarethatBlomkvistwaswatgherwithatenseexpression.HeopeheBibletothefirstchapterofLeviticus.
“Doyoukwelvetoo?”
Sanderdidnotreply.
“Andheshall…”hebegan,noddingather.
“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireupoar.”Hervoicewasice.
“Averse?”
Abruptlyshestoodup.
“Lisbeth,youhaveaphotographicmemory,”Mikaelexcimedinsurprise.“That’swhyyoureadapageoftheiigationintenseds.”
Herreawasalmostexplosive.ShefixedhereyesonBlomkvistwithsuchfurythathewasastouhenherexpressiongedtodespair,aurnedonherheendranfate.
“Lisbeth,”heshoutedafterher.
Shedisappeareduptheroad.
Mikaelcarriedherputerithearm,andlockedthefrontdoorbeforehesetouttolookforher.Hefouwentymieroyatthemarina.Shewassittingthere,dippingherfeetierandsmoking.Sheheardhimingaloy,andhesawhershouldersstiffeoppedacoupleofpacesaway.
“Idon’tknowwhatIdid,butIdidoupsetyou.”
Hesatdowoher,tentativelypgahandonhershoulder.
“Please,Lisbeth.Talktome.”
Sheturnedherheadandlookedathim.
“There’snothingtotalkabout,”shesaid.“I’mjustafreak,that’sall.”
“I’dbeoverjoyedifmymemorywaswhatyoursis.”
Shetossedthecigaretteendintothewater.
Mikaelsatinsilenceforalongtime.WhatamIsupposedtosay?You’reaperfectlyordinarygirl.Whatdoesitmatterifyou’realittledifferent?Whatkindofself-imagedoyouhave,anyway?
“IthoughttherewassomethingdifferentaboutyoutheinstantIsawyou,”hesaid.“Andyouknowwhat?It’sbeenareallylongtimesinceI’vehadsuchaspontaneousgoodimpressionofanyonefromtheverybeginning.”
Somechildreofaohersideoftheharbourandjumpedintothewater.Thepainter,EugenNorman,withwhomBlomkviststillhadnotexgedasingleword,wassittinginachairoutsidehishouse,sugonhispipeasheregardedBlomkvistandSander.
“Ireallywanttobeyourfriend,ifyou’llletme,”hesaid.“Butit’suptoyou.I’mgoingbacktothehousetoputonsomemorecoffee.ehomewhenyoufeellikeit.”
Hegotupaherinpeace.Hewasonlyhalfthehillwhenheheardherfootstepsbehindhim.Theywalkedhometogetherwithoutexgingaword.
Shestoppedhimjustastheyreachedthehouse.
“Iwasintheprocessofformutingatheory…WetalkedaboutthefactthatallthisisaparodyoftheBible.It’struethathetookacatapart,butIsupposeitwouldbehardtogetholdofanox.Buthe’sfollowingthebasicstory.Iwonder…”Shelookedupatthechurchagain.“Andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting…”
Theywalkedoverthebridgetothechurch.Blomkvisttriedthedoor,butitwaslocked.Theywanderedaroundforawhile,lookingathead-stoiltheycametothechapel,whichstoodashortdistanceaway,downbythewater.AllofasuddenBlomkvistopenedhiseyeswide.Itwasnotachapel,itt.AbovethedoorhecouldreadthenameVangerchiselledintothestone,alongwithaverseinLatin,buthecouldnotdecipherit.
“‘Slumbertotheendoftime,’”Sandersaidbehindhim.
Blomkvistturolookather.Sheshrugged.
“Ihappeoseethatversesomewhere.”
Blomkvistroaredwithughter.Shestiffenedandatfirstshelookedfurious,butthensherexedwhensherealisedthathewasughingattheedyofthesituation.
Blomkvisttriedthedoor.Itw