aslocked.Hethoughtforamoment,thentoldSaositdownandwaitforhim.HewalkedovertoseeAnnaNygrenandknocked.Heexpihathewaohaveacloserlookatthefamilycrypt,andhewonderedwhereHenrikmightkeepthekey.Annalookeddoubtful,butshecollectedthekeyfromhisdesk.
Assoonastheyopehedoor,theykhattheyhadbeenright.Thestenchofburnedcadaverandcharredremainshungheavyintheair.Butthecattorturerhadnotmadeafire.Inoneerstoodablowtorch,thekindusedbyskierstomeltthewaxontheirskis.Sathecameraoutofthepocketofherjeansskirtandtooksomepictures.Then,gingerly,shepickeduptheblowtorch.
“Thiscouldbeevidence.Hemighthaveleftfingerprints,”shesaid.
“Ohsure,weasktheVangerfamilytolineupandgiveustheirfingerprints.”Blomkvistsmiled.“IwouldlovetowatchyougetIsabel’s.”
“Thereareways,”Sandersaid.
Therewasagreatdealofbloodonthefloor,notallofitdry,aswelsaboltcutter,whichtheyreedhadbeeocutoffthecat’shead.
Blomkvistlookedaround.AraisedsarcophagusbelooAlexandreVangeersad,andfravesinthefloorhousedtheremainsoftheearliestfamilymembers.MoreretlytheVangershadapparentlysettledforcremation.Aboutthirtyhewallhadthehecestors.Blomkvisttracedthefamilyicleforwardintime,wwheretheyburiedfamilymemberswhowerenotgivenspasidethecrypt—thosenotdeemedimportantenough.
“Nowweknow,”Blomkvistsaidastheywerere-crossingthebridge.“We’rehuntingforthepletelunatic.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Blomkvistpausedinthemiddleofthebridgeandleaherail.
“Ifthiswassomerun-of-the-millcrackpotwhowastryingthtenus,hewouldhavetakedowntothegarageorevenoutintothewoods.Buthewenttothecrypt.There’ssomethingpulsiveaboutthat.Justthinkoftherisk.It’ssummerandpeopleareoutandaboutatnight,goingforwalks.TheroadthroughthecemeteryisamainroadbetweehandsouthofHedeby.Evethedoorbehindhim,thecatmusthaveraised,andtheremusthavebeenaburningsmell.”
“He?”
“Idon’tthinkthatCeciliaVangerwouldbecreepingaroundhereinthenightwithablowtorch.”
Sandershrugged.
“Idon’ttrustanystohem,includingFrodeoryourfriendHenrik.They’reallpartofafamilythatwouldswindleyouiftheyhadthece.Sowhatdowedonow?”
Blomkvistsaid,“I’vediscoveredalotofsecretsaboutyou.Hoeople,forexample,knowthatyou’reahacker?”
“No-one.”
“No-oneexceptme,youmean.”
“Whatareyougettingat?”
“Iwanttoknowifyou’reOKwithme.Ifyoutrustme.”
Shelookedathimforalongmoment.Finally,forananswer,sheonlyshrugged.
“There’snothingIdoaboutit.”
“Doyoutrustme?”Blomkvistpersisted.
“Forthetimebeing,”shesaid.
“Good.Let’sgoovertoseeFrode.”
ThiswasthefirsttimeAdvokatFrode’swifehadmetSander.Shegaveherawide-eyedlookatthesametimeasshesmiledpolitely.Frode’sfacelitupwhenhesawSander.Hestoodtowelethem.
“Howoseeyou,”hesaid.“I’vebeenfeelingguiltythatIneverproperlyexpressedmygratitudefortheextraordinaryworkyoudidforus.Bothstwinterandnow,thissummer.”
Sandergavehimasuspiciousgre.
“Iaid,”shesaid.
“That’snotit.ImadesomeassumptionsaboutyouwhenIfirstsawyou.Youwouldbekindtopardonmeirospect.”
Blomkvistwassurprised.Frodeableofaskingatwenty-five-year-oldpierdtattooedgirltofivehimforsomethingforwhichhehadoapologise!ThewyerclimbedafewnotchesinBlomkvist’seyes.Saaredstraightahead,ignhim.
FrodelookedatBlomkvist.
“Whatdidyoudotoyourhead?”
Theysatdown.Blomkvistsummedupthedevelopmentsofthepasttwenty-fourhours.AshedescribedhowsomeonehadshotathimoutheFortress,Frodeleapedtohisfeet.
“Thisisbarkingmad.”HepausedandfixedhiseyesonBlomkvist.“I’msorry,butthishastostop.I’thaveit.IamgoingtotalktoHenrikahetract.”
“Sitdown,”saidBlomkvist.
“Youdon’tuand…”
“WhatIuandisthatLisbethandIhavegotsoclosethatwhoeverisbehindallofthisisreaginaderangedmanner,inpanic.We’vegotsomequestions.Firstofall:howmanykeysaretheretotheVangerfamilycryptandwhohasone?”
“It’snotmyprovindIhavenoidea,”Frodesaid.“Iwouldsupposethatseveralfamilymemberswouldhaveaesstothecrypt.IknowthatHenrikhasakey,andthatIsabelsometimesgoesthere,butI’ttellyouwhethershehasherownkeyorwhethersheborrowsHenrik’s.”
“OK.You’restillonthemainboard.Arethereanycorporatearchives?Alibraryorsomethinglikethat,wherethey’vecollectedpressclippingsandrmationaboutthefirmovertheyears?”
“Yes,thereis.AttheHedestadmainoffice.”
“Weneedaesstoit.Arethereanyoldstaffnewslettersoranythinglikethat?”
“AgainIhavetocedethatIdon’tknow.Ihaveothearchivesmyselfinthirtyyears.YoualktoawomannamedBodilLindgren.”
“CouldyoucallherandarraLisbethhasaesstothearchivesthisafternoon?SheneedsalltheoldpressclippingsabouttheVangerCorporation.”
“That’snoproblem.Anythingelse?”
“Yes.GregerVangerwasholdingaHasselbdinhishandohebridgeaidentourred.Thatmeansthathealsomighthavetakeures.Wherewouldthepictureshaveendedupafterhisdeath?”
“Withhiswidoworhisson,logically.LetmecallAlexanderandaskhim.”
“WhatamIlookingfor?”Sandersaidwhentheywereontheirwaybacktotheisnd.
“Pressclippingsandstaffnewsletters.Iwantyoutoreadthrougheverythingaroueswhenthemurdersiiesandsixtiesweremitted.Makeanoteofanythingthatstrikesyou.Betterifyoudothispartofthejob.Itseemsthatyourmemory…”
Shepunchedhimintheside.
FivemierherKawasakiwasctteringacrossthebridge.
BlomkvistshookhandswithAlexanderVanger.HehadbeenawayformostofthetimethatBlomkvisthadbeeninHedeby.HewastwentywhenHarrietdisappeared.
“Dirchsaidthatyouwaolookatoldphotographs.”
“YourfatherhadaHasselbd,Ibelieve.”
“That’sright.It’sstillhere,butno-o.”
“IexpectyouknowthatHenrikhasaskedmetostudyagainpeoHarriet.”
“That’swhatIuand.Andthereareplentyofpeoplewhoaren’thappyaboutthat.”
“Apparentlyso,andofcourseyoudon’thavetoshowmeanything.”
“Please…Whatwouldyouliketosee?”
“Ifyourfathertookanypicturesonthedayoftheaident,thedaythatHarrietdisappeared.”
Theywentuptotheattic.IttookseveralminutesbeforeAlexanderwasabletoidentifyaboxofunsortedphotographs.
“Takehomethewholebox,”hesaid.“Ifthereareanyatall,they’llbeinthere.”
Asillustrationsforthefamilyicle,GregerVanger’sboxheldsems,includinganumberertogetherwithSvenOlofLindholm,thebigSwedishNazileaderiies.Thosehesetaside.
HefoundenvelopesofpicturesthatGregerhadtakenoffamilygatheringsaswelsmanytypicalholidayphotographs—fishinginthemountainsandajourneyinItaly.
Hefoundfourpicturesofthebridgeaident.Inspiteofhisexceptionalcamera,Gregerwasawretchedphotographer.Twopictureswereclose-upsofthetaruckitself,twowereofspectators,takenfrombehind.HefoundonlyoneinwhichCeciliaVangerwasvisibleinsemi-profile.
Hesediures,eventhoughhekhattheywouldtellhimnothingneheoseeAnna.
“DoyouthinkHenrikhadanyphotographalbumsotherthantheonesheassembledforhisiigationaboutHarriet?”
“Yes,Henrikhasalwaysbeeedinphotography—eversincehewasyoung,I’vebeentold.Hehaslotsofalbumsinhisoffice.”
“Couldyoushowme?”
HerreluceiwasohingtolendBlomkvistthekeytothefamilycrypt—Godwasinchargethere,afterall—butitwasatertolethimintoHenrikVanger’soffice.God’swritdidendthere.BlomkvistsuggestedthatAnnashouldcallFrode.Finallysheagreedtoallowhimin.Almostthreefeetoftheverybottomshelfwastakenupwithphotographalbums.Hesatatthedeskahefirstalbum.
Vangerhadsavedeverystfamilyphotograph.Manywereobviouslyfromlongbeforehistime.Theoldestpicturesdatedbacktothe1870s,showinggruffmenandsterherewerepicturesofVanger’sparents.OneshowedhisfathercelebratingMidsummerwithargeandcheerfulgroupinSandhamnin1906.AnotherSandhamnphotographshowedFredrikVangerandhiswife,Ulrika,withAndersZornandAlbertEngstr?msittingatatable.Otherphotographsshowedworkersooryfloorandinoffices.HefoundCaptainranathwhohadtransportedVangerandhisbelovedEdithLobachtosafetyinKarlskrona.
Annacameupstairsofcoffee.Hethankedher.BythenhehadreachedmoderntimesandagingthroughimagesofVangerinhisprime,openingfactories,shakinghandswithTageErnder,oneofVangerandMarcusWallehetitalistsstaringgrimlyateachother.
Inthesamealbumhefoundaspreadonwhigerhadwritteninpencil“Familycil1966.”Twocolourphotographsshowedmentalkingandsmokingcigars.HereisedHenrik,Harald,Greger,andseveralofthemalein-wsinJohanVanger’sbranchofthefamily.Twophotographsshowedtheformaldinner,fortymenandwomeedatthetable,alllookingintothecamera.ThepicturesweretakehedramaatthebridgewasoverbutbeforeanyonewasawarethatHarriethaddisappeared.Hestudiedtheirfaces.Thiswasthedinnersheshouldhaveattended.Didanyofthemenknowthatshewasgohephotographsprovidednoanswer.
Thensuddenlyhechokedonhiscoffee.Hestartedcoughingandsatupstraightinhischair.
AtthefarendofthetablesatCeciliaVangerinherlight-coloureddress,smilingintothecamera.ohersatanotherblondewomanwithlonghairandaicallight-coloureddress.Theyweresoalikethattheycouldhavebeentwins.Andsuddenlythepuzzlepiecefellintopce.Ceciliawasn’ttheoneinHarriet’swindow—itwashersister,Anita,twoyearsherjuniorandnowlivinginLondon.
WhatwasitSanderhadsaid?CeciliaVangerisinalotofthepictures.Notatall.Thereweretwogirls,andascewouldhaveit—untilnow—theyhadneverbeehesameframe.Inthebd-whitephotographs,fromadistaheylookedidentical.Vangerhadpresumablyalwaysbeeellthesistersapart,butforBlomkvistandSahegirlslookedsoalikethattheyhadassumeditwasoneperson.Andno-onehadeverpoitheirmistakebecausetheyhadhoughttoask.
Blomkvistturhepageahehairsonthebackofhisandonend.Itwasasifacoldgustofwindpassedthroughtheroom.
Therewerepicturestakeday,whenthesearchforHarriethadbegun.AyoungIorMorellwasgivinginstrustoasearchpartysistingoftwouniformedpoliceofficersandtenmenwearingbootswhowereabouttosetout.Vangerwaswearingaknee-lengthraincoatandanarrow-brimmedEnglishhat.
Oofthephotographstoodayoung,slightlystoutyoungmanwithlight,longishhair.Hehadonadarkpaddedjacketatchattheshoulder.Theimagewasveryclear.Blomkvistreisedhimatondthejacket—but,justtomakesure,heremovedthephotographadowntoaskAnnaifshereisedtheman.
“Yes,ofcourse,that’sMartin.”
Sanderploughedthroughyearafteryearofpresscuttings,movinginologicalorder.Shebeganin1949andworkedherwayforward.Thearchivewashuge.Thepanywasmentiohemedianearlyeverydayduringtherelevanttimeperiod—notonlyinthelocalpressbutalsoiionalmedia.Therewerefinanalyses,tradeunioiations,thethreatofstrikes,factoryopeningsandfactoryclosings,annualreports,gesinmanagers,newproductsthatwereuherewasafloodofnews.Click.Click.Click.Herbrainwaswathighspeedasshefocusedandabsorbedthermationfromtheyellowingpages.
Afterseveralhoursshehadanidea.SheaskedthearchivesmaherewasachartshowiheVangerCorporationhadfactoriesorpaniesduriiesandsixties.
BodilLindgrenlookedatSahundisguisedess.Shewasnotatallhappygivingatotalstrangerpermissioertheinnersanctumofthefirm’sarchives,beingobligedtoallowhertolohwhateverdotssheliked.Andbesides,thisgirllookedlikesomesortofhalf-wittedfifteen-year-oldanarchist.ButHerrFrodehadgivenherinstrusthatcouldnotbemisinterpreted.Thisslipofagirlwastobefreetolookatanythingshepleased.Anditwasurgent.ShebroughtouttheprintedannualreportsfortheyearsthatSanderwaosee;eachreporttainedachartofthefirm’sdivisionsthroughoutSweden.
Sanderlookedatthechartsandsawthatthefirmhadmanyfactories,offices,andsalesoutlets.Ateverysitewhereamurderwasmitted,therewasalsoareddot,sometimesseveral,indigtheVangerCorporation.
Shefoundthefirstein1957.RakelLunde,Landskrona,wasfouhedayaftertheV.&strupanychedanorderworthseveralmilliontobuildagalleriaiown.V.&C.stoerandCarlénstru.ThelocalpaperhadinterviewedGottfriedVanger,whohadetotowntosigract.
SanderrecalledsomethingshehadreadinthepolivestigationintheprovincialrecordoffiLandskrona.RakelLunde,fortuellerinherfreetime,wasanofficeer.ShehadworkedforV.&stru.
At7:00intheeveningBlomkvistcalledSanderadozentimesaimehermobilewasturnedoff.Shedidnotwanttobedisturbed.
Hewanderedrestlesslythroughthehouse.HehadpulledoutVanger’snotesonMartin’sactivitiesatthetimeofHarriet’sdisappearance.
MartinVangerwasinhisstyearatthepreparatoryschoolinUppsain1966.Uppsa.LenaAnderssoeen-year-oldpreparatoryschoolpupil.Headseparatedfromthefat.
Vangerhadmentiohisatonepoint,butBlomkvisthadtosulthisofindthepassage.Martinhadbeenanintrovertedboy.Theyhadbeenworriedabouthim.Afterhisfatherdrowned,IsabelhaddecidedtosendhimtoUppsa—ageofsewherehewasgivenroomandboardwithHaraldVanger.HaraldandMartin?Ithardlyfeltright.
MartinVangerwasnotwithHaraldinthecargoingtothegatheringiad,andhehadmissedatrain.Hearrivedteiernoonandsowasamongthosestrahewrongsideofthebridge.Heonlyarrivedontheisndbyboatsometimeafter6:00.HewasreceivedbyVangerhimself,amongothers.VangerhadputMartinfardowofpeoplewhomighthavehadanythingtodowithHarriet’sdisappearance.
MartinsaidthathehadnotseenHarrietonthatday.Hewaslying.Hehadarrivediadearlierinthedayandhewassgatan,facetofacewithhissister.Blomkvistcouldprovetheliewithphotographsthathadbeenburiedforalmostfortyyears.
HarrietVangerhadseenherbrotheraedwithshock.ShehadgooHedebyIsndandtriedtotalktoHenrik,butshewasgonebeforeanyversationcouldtakepce.Whatwereyouthinkingoftellinghim?Uppsa?ButLenaAndersson,Uppsa,wasnoto.Youcouldnothaveknownaboutit.
ThestorystilldidnotmakeseoBlomkvist.Harriethaddisappearedaround3:00iernoon.Martinwasuionablyohersideofthewateratthattime.Hecouldbeseeniographfromthechurchhill.HecouldnotpossiblyhavehurtHarrietontheisnd.Onepuzzlepiecewasstillmissing.AnacpliitaVanger?
FromthearchivesSandercouldseethatGottfriedVanger’spositionwithinthefirmhadgedovertheyears.Attheageoftwentyin1947,hemetIsabelandimmediatelygnant;MartinVangerwasbornin1948,andwiththattherewasionbutthattheyoungpeoplewouldmarry.
WhenGottfriedwastwenty-two,hewasbroughtintothemainofficeoftheVangerCorporationbyHenrikVanger.Hewasobviouslytalentedandtheymayhavebeengroominghimtotakeover.Heromotedtotheboardattheageoftwenty-five,astheassistantheadofthepany’sdevelopmentdivision.Arisingstar.
Sometimeinthemid-fiftieshisstarbegantoplummet.Hedrank.HismarriagetoIsabelwasontherocks.Thechildren,HarrietandMartin,werenotdoingwell.Henrikdrewthelitfried’scareerhadreacheditszenith.In1956anotherappoiwasmade,anotherassistantheadofdevelopment.Twoassistantheads:onewhodidtheworkwhileGottfrieddrankandwasabsentfperiodsoftime.
ButGottfriedwasstilVanger,aswelscharmingandeloquent.From1957on,hisworkseemedtosistoftravellingaroundthetrytoopenfactories,resolvelocalflicts,andspreadanimagethatpanymareallydidcare.We’resendingoutoneofourownsonstolistentoyourproblems.Wedotakeyouseriously.
Sanderfoundasede.GottfriedVangerhadparticipatediiationinKarlstad,wheretheVangerCorporationhadboughtatimberpany.Onthefollowingdayafarmer’swife,MagdaLovisaSj?berg,wasfoundmurdered.
Sanderdiscoveredthethirdejustfifteenmier.Uddeval,1962.ThesamedaythatLeaPerssondisappeared,thelocalpaperhadinterviewedGottfriedVangeraboutapossibleexpansionoftheharbour.
WhenFruLindgrenhadwaocloseupandgohomeat5:30,Sanderhadsherthatshewasalongwayfromfi.Shecouldgohomeaslongassheleftthekey,andSanderwouldlockup.BythattimethearchivesmanagerwassoinfuriatedthatagirllikethisonecouldbossheraroundthatshecalledHerrFrode.FrodetoldherthatSandercouldstayallnightifshewao.WouldFruLindgrenpleasenotifysecurityattheofficesothattheycouldletSawheedtoleave?
Threehourster,gettingonfor8:30,SanderhadcludedthatGottfriedVangerhadbeenclosetowhereatleastfiveoftheeightmurdersweremitted,eitherduringthedaysbeforeoraftertheevent.Shewasstillmissingrmationaboutthemurdersin1949and1954.Shestudiedanehotographofhim.Aslim,handsomemanwithdarkblondhair;helookedratherlikeCrkGableihtheWind.
In1949Gottfriedwastwenty-twoyearsold.Thefirstmurdertookphishometerritory.Hedestad.RebeckaJacobsson,whoworkedattheVangerCorporation.Wheredidthetwoofyoumeet?Whatdidyoupromiseher?
Saherlip.TheproblemwasthatGottfriedVangerhaddrownedwhenhewasdrunkin1965,whilethestmurderwasmittedinUppsainFebruary1966.ShewonderedifshewasmistakenwhenshehadaddedLenaAndersson,theseventeen-year-oldschoolgirl,tothelist.No.Itmighthesamesignature,butitwasthesameBibleparody.Theymustbeected.
By9:00itwasgettingdark.Theairwasditwasdrizzling.Mikaelwassittingi,drumminghisfingersoable,whenMartinVanger’sVolvocrossedthebridgeandturtowardsthepoint.Thatsomehhtmatterstoahead.
Hedidnotknowwhatheshoulddo.Hiswholebeingwasburningwithadesiretoaskquestions—toinitiateafrontation.ItwascertainlynotasensibleattitudetohaveifhesuspectedMartinVangerofbeinganinsanemurdererwhohadkilledhissisterandagirlinUppsa,andwhohadalsoverynearlysueededinkillinghimtoo.ButMartinwasalsoamag.AndhedidnotknowthatBlomkvistknew;hecouldgoandseehimwiththepretextthat…well,hewaoreturoGottfriedVanger’s.Blomkvistlockedthedoorbehindhimandstrolledouttothepoint.
HaraldVanger’shouseitchdark,asusual.InHenrik’shousethelightswereoffexceptinoneroomfagthecourtyard.Annahadgoobed.Isabel’shousewasdark.Ceciliawasn’tathome.ThelightswereonupstairsinAlexander’shouse,buttheywereoffiwohousesoupiedbypeoplewhowerenotmembersoftheVangerfamily.Hedidnotseeasoul.
HepausedirresolutelyoutsideMartinVanger’shouse,tookouthismobile,andpunchedinSander’sillnoanswer.Heturnedoffhismobilesothatitwouldnotstartringing.
Therewerelightsondownstairs.Blomkvistwalkedacrossthewnandstoppedafewyardsfromthekitwindow,buthecouldseeno-oinuedonaroundthehouse,pausingateadow,buttherewasnosignofMartin.Oherhand,hediddiscoverthatthesmallsidedoorintothegaragewasslightlyopen.Don’tbeadamnfool.Buthecouldthetemptationtolook.
Thefirstthinghesawonthecarpenter’sbenchenboxofammunitionforamooserifle.Thewogasolinesontheflooruhebench.Preparationsforanothernoalvisit,Martin?
“ein,Mikael.Isawyouontheroad.”
Blomkvist’sheartskippedabeat.SlowlyheturnedhisheadandsawMartinVaandinginthedarkbyadoorleadingintothehouse.
“Yousimplycouldn’tstayaway,couldyou?”
Hisvoicewascalm,almostfriendly.
“Hi,Martin,”Blomkvistsaid.
“ein,”Martied.“Thisway.”
Hetookastepforwardandtotheside,holdingouthislefthandinaninvitiure.Heraisedhisrighthand,andBlomkvistsawtherefleofdullmetal.
“IhaveaGlomyhand.Don’tdoanythingstupid.Atthisdistaniss.”
Blomkvistslowlymovedcloser.WhenhereachedMartioppedandlookedhimintheeye.
“Ihadtoehere.Therearesomaions.”
“Iuand.Throughthedoor.”
Blomkvistehehouse.Thepassageledtothehallhekit,butbefotthatfar,MartinVaoppedhimbyputtingahandlightlyonBlomkvist’sshoulder.
“No,notthatway.Tht.Openthedoor.”
Thebasement.WhenBlomkvistwashalfwaydoweps,MartinVaurnedaswitdthelightswenton.Thtofhimwastheboilerruidedhimtotheleft,intoasteroomwitholdfurnitureandboxes,atthebackofwhichwasasteelsecuritydoorwithadeadboltlock.
“Here,”Martinsaid,tossingakeyringtoBlomkvist.“Openit.”
Heopehedoor.
“Theswitchiso.”
Blomkvisthadopehedoortohell.
Around9:00Sanderwenttogetsomecoffeeandapstic-edsandwithevendingmaeinthecorridoroutsidethearchives.Shekeptonpagingthrougholddots,lookingforanytraceofGottfriedVangerinKalmarin1954.Shefoundnothing.
ShethoughtaboutcallingBlomkvist,butdecidedtoghthestaffnewslettersbeforeshecalleditaday.
Thespaceroximatelytenbytwe.Blomkvistassumedthatitwassituatedalohsideofthehouse.
MartinVangerhadtrivedhisprivatetorturechamberwithgreatcare.Oweres,metaleyeletsintheceilingandfloor,atablewithleatherstrapswherehecouldrestrainhisvictims.Ahevideoequipment.Atapingstudio.Inthebackoftheroomwasasteelcagefuests.Thtofthedoorwasabench,abed,andaTVerwithvideosonashelf.
Assoonastheyeheroom,MartinVangeraimedthepistotBlomkvistandtoldhimtolieonhisstomathefloor.Blomkvistrefused.
“Verywell,”Martinsaid.“ThenI’llshootyouinthekneecap.”
Hetookaim.Blomkvistcapituted.Hehadnochoice.
HehadhopedthatMartinwouldrexhisguardjustatenthofased—heknewhewouldwinanysortoffightwithhim.HehadhadhalfathepassageupstairswhenMartinputhishandonhisshoulder,buthehadhesitated.AfterthatMartinhadnoteclose.Withabulletinhiskneecaphewouldhavelosthisce.Heydownonthefloor.
Martinapproachedfrombehindandtoldhimtoputhishandsonhisback.Hehandcuffedhim.ThenhekickedMikaelidpunchedhimviciouslyaedly.
peerthatseemedlikeanightmare.Martinswuweenrationalityandpurelunacy.Foratimequitecalm,theinstanthewouldbepagbadforthlikeananimalinacage.HekickedBlomkvistseveraltimes.AllBlomkvistcoulddowastrytoprotecthisheadandtaketheblowsipartsofhisbody.
ForthefirsthalfhourMartindidnotsayaword,andheappearedtobeincapableofanysortofmunication.Afterthatheseemedtorecovertrol.HeputaroundBlomkvist’sneck,fasteningitadloetaleyeletonthefloor.HeleftBlomkvistaloneforaboutfifteenminutes.Wheurned,hewascarryingalitrebottleofwater.HesatonachairandlookedatBlomkvistashedrank.
“CouldIhavesomewater?”Blomkvistsaid.
Martinleaneddownahimtakeagoodlongdrinkfromthebottle.Blomkvistswallowedgreedily.
“Thanks.”
“Stillsopolite,KalleBlomkvist.”
“Whyallthepungandkig?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Becauseyoumakemeveryangryindeed.Youdeservetobepunished.Whydidn’tyoujustgohome?YouwereMillennium.Iwasserious—wecouldhavemadeitintoagreatmagazine.Wecouldhaveworkedtogetherforyears.”
Blomkvistgrimadtriedtoshifthisbodyintoamorefortableposition.Hewasdefenceless.Allhehadwashisvoice.
“Iassumeyoumeanthattheopportunityhaspassed,”Blomkvistsaid.
MartinVangerughed.
“I’msorry,Mikael.But,ofcourse,youknowperfectlywellthatyoingtodiedownhere.”
Blomkvistnodded.
“Howthehelldidyoufindme,youandthatanorexicspookthatyedintothis?”
“YouliedaboutwhatyouweredoingohatHarrietdisappeared.YouwereiadattheChildren’sDayparade.Youwerephotographedthere,lookingatHarriet.”
“WasthatwhyyouwenttoNorsj??”
“Togetthepicture,yes.Itwastakenbyahoneymooncoupleeobeiad.”
Heshookhishead.
“That’sacrasslie,”Martinsaid.
Blomkvistthoughthard:whattosaytopreventorpostponehisexecution.
“Where’sthepicturenow?”
“Theive?It’sinasafe-depositboxatHandelsbankenhereiad…Youdidn’tknowthatIhaveasafe-depositbox?”Heliedeasily.“Therearecopiesinvariouspces.Inmyputerandinthegirl’s,ontheserveratMillennium,andontheserveratMiltonSecurity,wherethegirlworks.”
Martinwaited,tryingtoworkoutwhetherornotBlomkvistwasbluffing.
“Howmuchdoesthegirlknow?”
Blomkvisthesitated.Sanderwasrightnowhisonlyhopeofrescue.Whatwouldshethinkwhenshecamehomeandfoundhimnotthere?HehadputthephotographofMartinVangerwearingthepaddedjacketotable.Wouldshemakethee?Wouldshesoundthearm?Sheisnotgoingtocallthepolice.ThenightmarewasthatshewouldetoMartinVanger’shouseandringthebell,demandingtoknowwhereBlomkvistwas.
“Answerme,”Martinsaid,hisvoiceice-cold.
“I’mthinking.SheknowsalmostasmuchasIdo,maybeevenalittlemore.Yes,IwouldresheknowsmorethanIdo.She’sbright.She’stheonewhomadethelinktoLenaAndersson.”
“LenaAndersson?”Martinsoundedperplexed.
“ThegirlyoutorturedandkilledinUppsain1966.Don’ttellmeyou’vefotten?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”Butforthefirsttimehesoundedshaken.Itwasthefirsttimethatanyonehadmadethate—LenaAnderssonwasnotincludedinHarriet’sdate.
“Martin,”Blomkvistsaid,makinghisvoiceassteadyashecould.“It’sover.Youkillme,butit’sfioomanypeopleknow.”
Martinstartedpagbadfain.
Ihavetorememberthathe’sirrational.Thecat.Hecouldhavebroughtthecatdowhewenttothefamilycrypt.Martinstopped.
“Ithinkyou’relying.YouandSanderaretheonlyoneswhoknowanything.Youobviouslyhaven’ttalkedtoahepolicewouldhavebeenherebynow.Alebzeintheguestcottageandtheproofwillbegone.”
“Andifyou’rewrong?”
“IfI’mwrong,thenitreallyisover.ButIdon’tthinkitis.I’llbetthatyou’rebluffing.AndwhatotherchoicedoIhave?I’llgivethatsomethought.It’sthatanorexiclittletwho’stheweaklink.”
“ShewenttoStoatlunchtime.”
Martinughed.
“Bluffaway,Mikael.ShehasbeensittinginthearchivesattheVangerCorporationofficesallevening.”
Blomkvist’sheartskippedabeat.Heknew.He’sknownallong.
“That’sright.ThepnwastovisitthearchiveaoSto,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ididn’tknowshestayedtheresolong.”
“Stopallthiscrap,Mikael.ThearchivesmanagerrangtotellmethatDirchhadletthegirlstaythereasteassheliked.Whichmeansshe’llcertainlybehome.Thenightwatisgoingtocallmewhensheleaves.”
PART4
HostileTakeover
JULY11TODECEMBER30
Niy-twopereninSwedenwhohavebeensubjectedtosexuassaulthaveedthemostretviolentiothepolice.
CHAPTER24
Friday,July11–Saturday,July12
MartinVangerbentdownahroughMikael’spockets.Hetookthekey.
“Smartofyoutogethelock,”hesaid.“I’mgoingtotakecareofyirlfriendwhesback.”
BlomkvistremindedhimselfthatMartinwasaiatorexperiencedfrommanyindustrialbattles.Hehadalreadyseenthroughonebluff.
“Why?”
“Whywhat?”
“Whyallofthis?”Blomkvistgesturedvaguelyatthespacearoundhim.
MartidoutonehandunderBlomkvist’s,liftinghisheadsotheireyesmet.
“Becauseit’ssoeasy,”hesaid.“Womendisappearallthetime.Nobodymissesthem.Immigrants.WhoresfromRussia.ThousandsofpeoplepassthroughSwedeneveryyear.”
HeletgoofBlomkvist’sheadandstoodup.
Martin’swordshitBlomkvistlikeapuntheface.
ChristAlmighty.Thisisnohistoricalmystery.MartinVangerismurderingwomentoday.AndIwanderedrightintoit…
“Asithappens,Idon’thaveaguestrightnow.ButitmightamuseyoutoknowthatwhileyouandHenriksataroundbabblingthiswinterandspring,therewasagirldownhere.IrinafromBerus.Whileyousatandatedihme,shewaslockedupinthecagedowleasanteveningasIremember,no?”
Martinperchedoable,lettinghislegsdangle.Blomkvistshuthiseyes.Hesuddeahisthroatandheswallowedhard.Thepaininhisgutandinhisribsseemedtoswell.
“Whatdoyoudowiththebodies?”
“Ihavemyboatatthedhtbelowhere.Itakethemalongwayouttosea.Unlikemyfather,Idoraces.Buthewassmarttoo.HespreadhisvictimsoutalloverSweden.”
Thepuzzlepieceswerefallingintopce.
GottfriedVanger.From1949until1965.ThenMartinVaartingin1966inUppsa.
“Youadmireyourfather.”
“Hewastheoaughtme.HeinitiatedmewhenIwasfourteen.”
“Uddeval.LeaPersson.”
“Aren’tyouclever?Yes,Iwasthere.Ionlywatched,butIwasthere.”
“1964.SaraWittinRonneby.”
“Iwassixteen.ItwasthefirsttimeIhadawoman.Myfathertaughtme.Iwastheonewhledher.”
He’sbragging.GoodLord,whatarevoltinglysickfamily.
“You’thaveanynotionofhowdemehisis.”
“Youareaveryordinarylittleperson,Mikael.Youwouldnotbeabletouandthegodlikefeelingofhavingabsolutetroloversomeone’slifeah.”
“Youenjoytandkillingwomen,Martin.”
“Idon’tthinksoreally.IfIdoanintellealysisofmydition,I’mmoreofaserialrapistthanaserialmurderer.Infact,mostofallI’maserialkidhekillingisanaturalsequeospeak,becauseIhavetohidemycrime.
“Ofcoursemyasaren’tsociallyaeptable,butmycrimeisfirstandforemostacrimeagainsttheventionsofsociety.Deathdoesiltheendofmyguests’visitshere,afterI’vegrownwearyofthem.It’salwayssofasatingtoseetheirdisappoi.”
“Disappoi?”
“Exactly.Disappoiheyimagihatiftheypleaseme,they’lllive.Theyadapttomyrules.Theystarttotrustmeanddevelopacertaincamaraderiewithme,hopingtotheveryendthatthiscamaraderiemeanssomething.Thedisappoieswhenitfinallydawnsohatthey’vebeerulyscrewed.”
Martinwalkedarouableandleanedagainstthesteelcage.
“Youwithyourbeoisventionswouldnevergraspthis,buttheexcitementesfrompnningakidnapping.They’renotdoneonimpulse—thosekindsofkidnappersinvariablygetcaught.It’sascewiththousandsofdetailsthatIhavetoweigh.Ihavetoidentifymyprey,mapoutherlife,whoisshe,wheredoessheefrom,howImaketactwithher,whatdoIhavetodotobealohmypreywithoutrevealingmynameorhavingitturnupinanyfuturepolivestigation?”
Shutup,fod’ssake,Blomkvistthought.
“Areyoureallyiedinallthis,Mikael?”
HebentdownandstrokedBlomkvist’scheek.Thetouchwasalmosttender.
“Yourealisethatthislyendoneway?WillitbotheryouifIsmoke?”
“Youcouldoffermeacigarette,”hesaid.
MartinlittwocigarettesandcarefullypeofthembetweenBlomkvist’slips,lettinghimtakeal.
“Thanks,”Blomkvistsaid,automatically.
MartinVangerughedagain.
“Yousee.You’vealreadystartedtoadapttothesubmissionprinciple.Iholdyourlifeinmyhands,Mikael.YouknowthatIdispatchyouatanysed.Youpleadedwithmetoimproveyourqualityoflife,andyoudidsobyusingreasonandalittlegoodmanners.Andyouwererewarded.”
Blomkvistnodded.Hisheartoundingsoharditwasalmostunbearable.
At11:15LisbethSanderdraofthewaterfromherPETbottleassheturhepages.UnlikeBlomkvist,whoearlierinthedayhadchokedonhiscoffee,shedidhewaterdownthewrongway.Oherhand,shedidopenhereyeswidewhenshemadethee.
Click!
Fortwohoursshehadbeenwadingthroughthestaffnewslettersfromallpointsofthepass.Themainnewsletteranyrmation.ItboretheVangerlogo—aSwedishbannerflutteringinthewind,withthepointfanarrow.Thepublicationresumablyputtogetherbythefirm’sadvertisiment,anditwasfilledwithpropagandathatposedtomaketheemployeesfeelthattheyweremembersofonebigfamily.
InassociationwiththewintersportsholidayinFebruary1967,HenrikVanger,inamagnanimousgesture,hadinvitedfiftyemployeesfromthemainoffidtheirfamiliestoaweek’sskiingholidayinH?rjedalen.Thepanyhadmaderecordprofitsduringthepreviousyear.ThePRdepartmeooandputtogetherapicturereport.
Manyofthepictureswithamusingcaptionswerefromtheslopes.Someshowedgroupsinthebar,withughingemployeeshoistingbeermugs.TwophotographswereofasmallmfunwhenHenrikVangerprocimedUl-BrittMogreheBestOfficeWorkeroftheYear.Shewasgivenabonusoffivehundredkronorandagssbowl.
Theceremonywasheldoerraceofthehotel,clearlyrightbeforepeoplewerethinkingofheadingbacktotheslopes.Abouttwentypeoplewereiure.
Onthefarright,justbehindHenrikVaoodamanwithlongblondhair.Hewaswearingadarkpaddedjacketwithadistinctivepatchattheshoulder.Sihepublicationwasinbd-white,thecolourwasn’tidentifiable,butSanderwaswillingtobetherlifethattheshoulderpatchwasred.
Thecaptionexpihee.…farright,MartinVanger,whoisstudyinginUppsa.Heisalreadybeingdiscussedassomeohapromisingfutureinthepany’sma.
“Gotcha,”Sandersaidinalowvoice.
Sheswitchedoffthedeskmpahenewslettersinpilesalloverthedesk—somethingforthatslutLiakeorrow.
Shewentouttothecarparkthroughasidedoor.Asitclosedbehindher,sherememberedthatshehadpromisedtotellthenightwatwhe.Shestoppedahereyessweepoverthecarpark.Thewat’sofficewasohersideofthebuilding.Thatmeantthatshewouldhavetowalkallthewayroundtotheotherside.Letsleepingdogslie,shedecided.
Beforesheputonherhelmet,sheturnedonhermobileandcalledBlomkvist’snumber.Shegotamessagesayingthatthesubscribercouldnotbereached.Butshealsosawthathehadtriedtocallherhanthirteeween3:30and9:00.Iwohours,nocall.
Sariedthecottagenumber,buttherewasnoanswer.Shefrowrappedoer,putonherhelmet,andkick-startedthemotorcycle.TheridefromthemainofficeattheentraoHedestad’sindustrialdistrictouttoHedebyIsndtooktenminutes.Alightwasoni.
Sanderlookedaround.HerfirstthoughtwasthatBlomkvisthadgooseeFrode,butfromthebridgeshehadalreadynoticedthatthelightswereoffinFrode’shouseohersideofthewater.Shelookedatherwatch:11:40.
Shewentintothecottage,opehewardrobe,andtookoutthetwoPCsthatshewasusingtostorethesurveiluresfromthecamerasshehadinstalled.Ittookherawhiletorunupthesequenceofevents.
At15:32Blomkvistehe.
At16:03hetookhiscoffeecupouttothegarden.Hehadafolderwithhim,whichhestudied.Hemadethreebrieftelephonecallsduringthehourhespentoutinthegardehreecallscorrespolytocallsshehadnotanswered.
At17:21Blomkvistleftthecottage.Hewasbacklessthanfifteenmier.
At18:20hewenttothegateandlookedinthedireofthebridge.
At21:03hewentout.Hehadnoteback.
Sanderfast-forwardedthroughthepicturesfromtheotherPC,whichphotographedthegateandtheroadoutsidethefrontdoor.Shecouldseewhohadgoduringtheday.
At19:12Nilssoncamehome.
At19:42theSaabthatbeloo?sterg?rdendrovetowardsHedestad.
At20:02theSaabwasonitswayback.
At21:00MartinVanger’scarwentby.ThreemierBlomkvistleftthehouse.
At21:50,MartinVangerappearedinthecamera’sviewfinder.Hestoodatthegateforoveraminute,lookingatthehouse,thenpeeringthroughthekitwindow.Hewentuptothepordtriedthedoor,takingoutakey.Hemusthavediscoveredthattheyhadputinanewlock.Hestoodstillforamomentbeforeheturnedonhisheehehouse.
Sanderfeltanice-coldfeari.
MartinVangeronceagaiBlomkvistalone.Hewasstillinhisunfortablepositionwithhishandsbehindhisbadhisneckfastenedbyathintoainthefloor.Hefiddledwiththehandcuffs,buthekhathewouldnotbeabletogetthemoff.Thecuffsweresotightthathishandswerenumb.
Hehadnoce.Heshuthiseyes.
HedidnotknowhowmuchtimehadpassedwhenheheardMartin’sfootstepsagain.HeappearedinBlomkvist’sfieldofvision.Helookedworried.
“Unfortable?”hesaid.
“Very,”saidBlomkvist.
“You’veonlygotyourselftobme.YoushouldhavegonebacktoSto.”
“Whydoyoukill,Martin?”
“It’sachoicethatImade.IcoulddiscussthemorandintellectuaspectsofwhatIdo;wecouldtalkallnight,butitwouldn’tgeanything.Trytolookatitthisway:ahumanbeingisashellmadeofskinkeepingthecells,blood,andchemicalposinpce.Veryfewendupiorys.Mostpeoplesuumbanddisappearwithoutatrace.”
“Youkillwomen.”
“Thoseofuswhomurderforpleasure—I’mnottheonlyohthishobby—weliveapletelife.”
“ButwhyHarriet?Yourownsister?”
Inaseartingrabbedhimbythehair.
“peoher,youlittlebastard?Tellme.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Blomkvistgasped.Hetriedtoturnhisheadtolessenthepaininhisscalp.Thetightenedroundhisneck.
“YouandSander.Whathaveyoueupwith?”
“Letgo,forheaven’ssake.We’retalking.”
MartinVagoofhishairandsatcross-leggedinfrontofBlomkvist.Hetookaknifefromhisjacketandope.HesetthepointagainsttheskinjustbelowBlomkvist’seye.BlomkvistforcedhimselftomeetMartin’sgaze.
“Whatthehellhappeoher,bastard?”
“Idon’tuand.Ithoughtyoukilledher.”
MartinVaaredatBlomkvistforalongmoment.Thenherexed.Hegotupandwanderedaroundtheroom,thinkihrewthekhefloorandughedbeforehecamebacktofakvist.
“Harriet,Harriet,alwaysHarriet.Wetried…totalktottfriedtriedtoteachher.Wethoughtthatshewasoneofusandthatshewouldaeptherduty,butshewasjustanordinary…t.Ihadherundertrol,orsoIthought,butshenningtotellHenrik,andIrealisedthatIcouldn’ttrusther.Sooershewasgoingtotellsomeoneaboutme.”
“Youkilledher.”
“Iwaokillher.Ithoughtaboutit,butIarrivedtoote.Icouldovertotheisnd.”
Blomkvist’sbrainwaswithdifficultytryingtoabsorbthisrmation,butitfeltasifamessagehadpoppedupwiththewordsRMATIONOVERLOAD.MartinVangerdidnotknowwhathadhappeohissister.
AllofasuddenMartinpulledhismobiletelephoofhispocket,ghedispy,andputitonthechairothepistol.
“It’stimetostopallthis.Ihavetodisposeofyouranorexicbitighttoo.”
HetookoutanarrowleatherstrapfromacupboardandslippeditaroundBlomkvist’sneck,likeanoose.Heloosehethatheldhimshackledtothefloor,hauledhimtohisfeet,andshovedhimtowardsthewall.HeslippedtheleatherstrapthroughaloopaboveBlomkvist’sheadaightesothathewasforcedtostandontiptoes.
“Isthattootight?youbreathe?”Helooseanotdlockedtheotherendofthestrapinpce,furtherdownthewall.“Idon’twantyoutosuffocatealtonce.”
ThenoosewascuttingsohardintoBlomkvist’sthroatthathewasincapableofutteringaword.Martinlookedathimattentively.
AbruptlyheunzippedBlomkvist’strousersandtuggedthemdown,alongwithhisboxershorts.Ashepulledthemoff,Blomkvistlosthisfootholdanddangledforasedfromthenoosebeforehistoesagaiactwiththefloor.Martiovertoacupboardandtookoutapairofscissors.HecutoffBlomkvist’sT-shirtandtossedthebitsonthefloor.TheookupapositioanceawayfromMikaendregardedhisvictim.
“I’veneverhadaboyinhere,”Martinsaidinaseriousvoice.“I’veouchedanotherman,asamatteroffact…exceptformyfather.Thatwasmyduty.”
Blomkvist’stempleswerepounding.Hecouldnotputhisweightonhisfeetwithoutbeingstrangled.Hetriedtousehisfiogetagriponthecretewallbehindhim,buttherewasnothingtoholdonto.
“It’stime,”MartinVangersaid.
Heputhishandorapandpulleddown.Blomkvistinstantlyfelttheingintohisneck.
“I’vealwayswonderedhowamantastes.”
HeincreasedthepressureonthenooseandleanedforwardtokissBlomkvistonthelipsatthesametimethatacoldvoicecutthroughtheroom.
“Hey,youfugcreep,inthisshitholeI’vegotamonopolyonthatone.”
BlomkvistheardSander’svoicethrougharedfog.Hemaofocushiseyesenoughtoseeherstandinginthedoorway.ShewaslookingatMartinVahoutexpression.
“No…run,”hecroaked.
HecouldhelookonMartin’sface,buthecouldalmostphysicallyfeeltheshockwheurnedaround.Forased,timestoodstill.ThenMartinreachedforthepistolhehadleftonthechair.
Saookthreeswiftstridesforwardandswungagolfclubshehadhiddenatherside.TheironflewinawideardhitMartinonthecolrbonenearhisshoulder.TheblowhadaterriblefordBlomkvistheardsomethingsnap.Martinhowled.
“Doyoulikepain,creep?”Sandersaid.
Hervoicewasasroughassandpaper.AslongasBlomkvistlived,hewouldherfaceasshewentoack.Herteethwerebaredlikeabeastofprey.Hereyeswereglittering,bckascoal.Shemovedwiththelightningspeedofatarantuaotallyfocusedonherpreyassheswungtheclubagain,strikingMartinintheribs.
HestumbledoverthechairahepistoltumbledtotheflooratSander’sfeet.Shekickeditaway.
Theruckforthethirdtime,justasMartinVangerwastryingtogettohisfeet.Shehithimwithaloudsmathehip.AhorriblecryissuedfromMartin’sthroat.Thefourthblowstruckhimfrombehiweentheshoulderbdes.
“Lis…uuth…”Blomkvistgasped.
Hewasabouttopassout,andthepaininhistempleswasalmostunbearable.
Sheturohimandsawthathisfacewasthecolourofatomato,hiseyeswereopenwide,andhistonguepingoutofhismouth.
Shelookedaboutherandsawthekhefloor.ThenshesparedagMartinVanger,whowastryingtocrawwayfromher,onearmhanging.Hewouldnotbemakinganytroubleforthefewseds.Sheletgoofthegolfclubandpickedupthekhadasharppointbutadulledge.Shestoodooesandfranticallysawedattheleatherstraptogetitoff.IttookseveralsedsbeforeBlomkvistsanktothefloor.Butthenooseulledtighterroundhisneck.
SanderlookedagainatMartinVanger.Hewasonhisfeetbutdoubledover.Shetriedtodigherfingersuhefirstshedidnotdarecutit,butfinallysheslippedthepointoftheknifeunderh,sgBlomkvist’sneckasshetriedtoexpandthestitloosenedandBlomkvisttookseveralshaky,wheezihs.
ForamomentBlomkvisthadasensationofhisbodyandsouluniting.Hehadperfectvisionandakeouteveryspeckofdustintheroom.Hehadperfecthearingaeredeverybreath,everyrustleofclothing,asiftheywereenteringhisearsthroughaheadset,andhewasawareoftheodourofSander’ssweatandthesmellofleatherfromherjacket.Thentheillusionburstasbloodbeganstreamingtohishead.
SaurnedherheadjustasMartinVangerdisappearedoutthedoor.Shegotup,grabbedthepistol,checkedthemagazineandflickedoffthesafety.Shelookedaroundandfocusedonthekeystothehandcuffs,whipinsightoable.
“I’mgoingtotakehim,”shesaid,runningforthedoor.Shegrabbedthekeysasshepasse
Assoonastheyopehedoor,theykhattheyhadbeenright.Thestenchofburnedcadaverandcharredremainshungheavyintheair.Butthecattorturerhadnotmadeafire.Inoneerstoodablowtorch,thekindusedbyskierstomeltthewaxontheirskis.Sathecameraoutofthepocketofherjeansskirtandtooksomepictures.Then,gingerly,shepickeduptheblowtorch.
“Thiscouldbeevidence.Hemighthaveleftfingerprints,”shesaid.
“Ohsure,weasktheVangerfamilytolineupandgiveustheirfingerprints.”Blomkvistsmiled.“IwouldlovetowatchyougetIsabel’s.”
“Thereareways,”Sandersaid.
Therewasagreatdealofbloodonthefloor,notallofitdry,aswelsaboltcutter,whichtheyreedhadbeeocutoffthecat’shead.
Blomkvistlookedaround.AraisedsarcophagusbelooAlexandreVangeersad,andfravesinthefloorhousedtheremainsoftheearliestfamilymembers.MoreretlytheVangershadapparentlysettledforcremation.Aboutthirtyhewallhadthehecestors.Blomkvisttracedthefamilyicleforwardintime,wwheretheyburiedfamilymemberswhowerenotgivenspasidethecrypt—thosenotdeemedimportantenough.
“Nowweknow,”Blomkvistsaidastheywerere-crossingthebridge.“We’rehuntingforthepletelunatic.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Blomkvistpausedinthemiddleofthebridgeandleaherail.
“Ifthiswassomerun-of-the-millcrackpotwhowastryingthtenus,hewouldhavetakedowntothegarageorevenoutintothewoods.Buthewenttothecrypt.There’ssomethingpulsiveaboutthat.Justthinkoftherisk.It’ssummerandpeopleareoutandaboutatnight,goingforwalks.TheroadthroughthecemeteryisamainroadbetweehandsouthofHedeby.Evethedoorbehindhim,thecatmusthaveraised,andtheremusthavebeenaburningsmell.”
“He?”
“Idon’tthinkthatCeciliaVangerwouldbecreepingaroundhereinthenightwithablowtorch.”
Sandershrugged.
“Idon’ttrustanystohem,includingFrodeoryourfriendHenrik.They’reallpartofafamilythatwouldswindleyouiftheyhadthece.Sowhatdowedonow?”
Blomkvistsaid,“I’vediscoveredalotofsecretsaboutyou.Hoeople,forexample,knowthatyou’reahacker?”
“No-one.”
“No-oneexceptme,youmean.”
“Whatareyougettingat?”
“Iwanttoknowifyou’reOKwithme.Ifyoutrustme.”
Shelookedathimforalongmoment.Finally,forananswer,sheonlyshrugged.
“There’snothingIdoaboutit.”
“Doyoutrustme?”Blomkvistpersisted.
“Forthetimebeing,”shesaid.
“Good.Let’sgoovertoseeFrode.”
ThiswasthefirsttimeAdvokatFrode’swifehadmetSander.Shegaveherawide-eyedlookatthesametimeasshesmiledpolitely.Frode’sfacelitupwhenhesawSander.Hestoodtowelethem.
“Howoseeyou,”hesaid.“I’vebeenfeelingguiltythatIneverproperlyexpressedmygratitudefortheextraordinaryworkyoudidforus.Bothstwinterandnow,thissummer.”
Sandergavehimasuspiciousgre.
“Iaid,”shesaid.
“That’snotit.ImadesomeassumptionsaboutyouwhenIfirstsawyou.Youwouldbekindtopardonmeirospect.”
Blomkvistwassurprised.Frodeableofaskingatwenty-five-year-oldpierdtattooedgirltofivehimforsomethingforwhichhehadoapologise!ThewyerclimbedafewnotchesinBlomkvist’seyes.Saaredstraightahead,ignhim.
FrodelookedatBlomkvist.
“Whatdidyoudotoyourhead?”
Theysatdown.Blomkvistsummedupthedevelopmentsofthepasttwenty-fourhours.AshedescribedhowsomeonehadshotathimoutheFortress,Frodeleapedtohisfeet.
“Thisisbarkingmad.”HepausedandfixedhiseyesonBlomkvist.“I’msorry,butthishastostop.I’thaveit.IamgoingtotalktoHenrikahetract.”
“Sitdown,”saidBlomkvist.
“Youdon’tuand…”
“WhatIuandisthatLisbethandIhavegotsoclosethatwhoeverisbehindallofthisisreaginaderangedmanner,inpanic.We’vegotsomequestions.Firstofall:howmanykeysaretheretotheVangerfamilycryptandwhohasone?”
“It’snotmyprovindIhavenoidea,”Frodesaid.“Iwouldsupposethatseveralfamilymemberswouldhaveaesstothecrypt.IknowthatHenrikhasakey,andthatIsabelsometimesgoesthere,butI’ttellyouwhethershehasherownkeyorwhethersheborrowsHenrik’s.”
“OK.You’restillonthemainboard.Arethereanycorporatearchives?Alibraryorsomethinglikethat,wherethey’vecollectedpressclippingsandrmationaboutthefirmovertheyears?”
“Yes,thereis.AttheHedestadmainoffice.”
“Weneedaesstoit.Arethereanyoldstaffnewslettersoranythinglikethat?”
“AgainIhavetocedethatIdon’tknow.Ihaveothearchivesmyselfinthirtyyears.YoualktoawomannamedBodilLindgren.”
“CouldyoucallherandarraLisbethhasaesstothearchivesthisafternoon?SheneedsalltheoldpressclippingsabouttheVangerCorporation.”
“That’snoproblem.Anythingelse?”
“Yes.GregerVangerwasholdingaHasselbdinhishandohebridgeaidentourred.Thatmeansthathealsomighthavetakeures.Wherewouldthepictureshaveendedupafterhisdeath?”
“Withhiswidoworhisson,logically.LetmecallAlexanderandaskhim.”
“WhatamIlookingfor?”Sandersaidwhentheywereontheirwaybacktotheisnd.
“Pressclippingsandstaffnewsletters.Iwantyoutoreadthrougheverythingaroueswhenthemurdersiiesandsixtiesweremitted.Makeanoteofanythingthatstrikesyou.Betterifyoudothispartofthejob.Itseemsthatyourmemory…”
Shepunchedhimintheside.
FivemierherKawasakiwasctteringacrossthebridge.
BlomkvistshookhandswithAlexanderVanger.HehadbeenawayformostofthetimethatBlomkvisthadbeeninHedeby.HewastwentywhenHarrietdisappeared.
“Dirchsaidthatyouwaolookatoldphotographs.”
“YourfatherhadaHasselbd,Ibelieve.”
“That’sright.It’sstillhere,butno-o.”
“IexpectyouknowthatHenrikhasaskedmetostudyagainpeoHarriet.”
“That’swhatIuand.Andthereareplentyofpeoplewhoaren’thappyaboutthat.”
“Apparentlyso,andofcourseyoudon’thavetoshowmeanything.”
“Please…Whatwouldyouliketosee?”
“Ifyourfathertookanypicturesonthedayoftheaident,thedaythatHarrietdisappeared.”
Theywentuptotheattic.IttookseveralminutesbeforeAlexanderwasabletoidentifyaboxofunsortedphotographs.
“Takehomethewholebox,”hesaid.“Ifthereareanyatall,they’llbeinthere.”
Asillustrationsforthefamilyicle,GregerVanger’sboxheldsems,includinganumberertogetherwithSvenOlofLindholm,thebigSwedishNazileaderiies.Thosehesetaside.
HefoundenvelopesofpicturesthatGregerhadtakenoffamilygatheringsaswelsmanytypicalholidayphotographs—fishinginthemountainsandajourneyinItaly.
Hefoundfourpicturesofthebridgeaident.Inspiteofhisexceptionalcamera,Gregerwasawretchedphotographer.Twopictureswereclose-upsofthetaruckitself,twowereofspectators,takenfrombehind.HefoundonlyoneinwhichCeciliaVangerwasvisibleinsemi-profile.
Hesediures,eventhoughhekhattheywouldtellhimnothingneheoseeAnna.
“DoyouthinkHenrikhadanyphotographalbumsotherthantheonesheassembledforhisiigationaboutHarriet?”
“Yes,Henrikhasalwaysbeeedinphotography—eversincehewasyoung,I’vebeentold.Hehaslotsofalbumsinhisoffice.”
“Couldyoushowme?”
HerreluceiwasohingtolendBlomkvistthekeytothefamilycrypt—Godwasinchargethere,afterall—butitwasatertolethimintoHenrikVanger’soffice.God’swritdidendthere.BlomkvistsuggestedthatAnnashouldcallFrode.Finallysheagreedtoallowhimin.Almostthreefeetoftheverybottomshelfwastakenupwithphotographalbums.Hesatatthedeskahefirstalbum.
Vangerhadsavedeverystfamilyphotograph.Manywereobviouslyfromlongbeforehistime.Theoldestpicturesdatedbacktothe1870s,showinggruffmenandsterherewerepicturesofVanger’sparents.OneshowedhisfathercelebratingMidsummerwithargeandcheerfulgroupinSandhamnin1906.AnotherSandhamnphotographshowedFredrikVangerandhiswife,Ulrika,withAndersZornandAlbertEngstr?msittingatatable.Otherphotographsshowedworkersooryfloorandinoffices.HefoundCaptainranathwhohadtransportedVangerandhisbelovedEdithLobachtosafetyinKarlskrona.
Annacameupstairsofcoffee.Hethankedher.BythenhehadreachedmoderntimesandagingthroughimagesofVangerinhisprime,openingfactories,shakinghandswithTageErnder,oneofVangerandMarcusWallehetitalistsstaringgrimlyateachother.
Inthesamealbumhefoundaspreadonwhigerhadwritteninpencil“Familycil1966.”Twocolourphotographsshowedmentalkingandsmokingcigars.HereisedHenrik,Harald,Greger,andseveralofthemalein-wsinJohanVanger’sbranchofthefamily.Twophotographsshowedtheformaldinner,fortymenandwomeedatthetable,alllookingintothecamera.ThepicturesweretakehedramaatthebridgewasoverbutbeforeanyonewasawarethatHarriethaddisappeared.Hestudiedtheirfaces.Thiswasthedinnersheshouldhaveattended.Didanyofthemenknowthatshewasgohephotographsprovidednoanswer.
Thensuddenlyhechokedonhiscoffee.Hestartedcoughingandsatupstraightinhischair.
AtthefarendofthetablesatCeciliaVangerinherlight-coloureddress,smilingintothecamera.ohersatanotherblondewomanwithlonghairandaicallight-coloureddress.Theyweresoalikethattheycouldhavebeentwins.Andsuddenlythepuzzlepiecefellintopce.Ceciliawasn’ttheoneinHarriet’swindow—itwashersister,Anita,twoyearsherjuniorandnowlivinginLondon.
WhatwasitSanderhadsaid?CeciliaVangerisinalotofthepictures.Notatall.Thereweretwogirls,andascewouldhaveit—untilnow—theyhadneverbeehesameframe.Inthebd-whitephotographs,fromadistaheylookedidentical.Vangerhadpresumablyalwaysbeeellthesistersapart,butforBlomkvistandSahegirlslookedsoalikethattheyhadassumeditwasoneperson.Andno-onehadeverpoitheirmistakebecausetheyhadhoughttoask.
Blomkvistturhepageahehairsonthebackofhisandonend.Itwasasifacoldgustofwindpassedthroughtheroom.
Therewerepicturestakeday,whenthesearchforHarriethadbegun.AyoungIorMorellwasgivinginstrustoasearchpartysistingoftwouniformedpoliceofficersandtenmenwearingbootswhowereabouttosetout.Vangerwaswearingaknee-lengthraincoatandanarrow-brimmedEnglishhat.
Oofthephotographstoodayoung,slightlystoutyoungmanwithlight,longishhair.Hehadonadarkpaddedjacketatchattheshoulder.Theimagewasveryclear.Blomkvistreisedhimatondthejacket—but,justtomakesure,heremovedthephotographadowntoaskAnnaifshereisedtheman.
“Yes,ofcourse,that’sMartin.”
Sanderploughedthroughyearafteryearofpresscuttings,movinginologicalorder.Shebeganin1949andworkedherwayforward.Thearchivewashuge.Thepanywasmentiohemedianearlyeverydayduringtherelevanttimeperiod—notonlyinthelocalpressbutalsoiionalmedia.Therewerefinanalyses,tradeunioiations,thethreatofstrikes,factoryopeningsandfactoryclosings,annualreports,gesinmanagers,newproductsthatwereuherewasafloodofnews.Click.Click.Click.Herbrainwaswathighspeedasshefocusedandabsorbedthermationfromtheyellowingpages.
Afterseveralhoursshehadanidea.SheaskedthearchivesmaherewasachartshowiheVangerCorporationhadfactoriesorpaniesduriiesandsixties.
BodilLindgrenlookedatSahundisguisedess.Shewasnotatallhappygivingatotalstrangerpermissioertheinnersanctumofthefirm’sarchives,beingobligedtoallowhertolohwhateverdotssheliked.Andbesides,thisgirllookedlikesomesortofhalf-wittedfifteen-year-oldanarchist.ButHerrFrodehadgivenherinstrusthatcouldnotbemisinterpreted.Thisslipofagirlwastobefreetolookatanythingshepleased.Anditwasurgent.ShebroughtouttheprintedannualreportsfortheyearsthatSanderwaosee;eachreporttainedachartofthefirm’sdivisionsthroughoutSweden.
Sanderlookedatthechartsandsawthatthefirmhadmanyfactories,offices,andsalesoutlets.Ateverysitewhereamurderwasmitted,therewasalsoareddot,sometimesseveral,indigtheVangerCorporation.
Shefoundthefirstein1957.RakelLunde,Landskrona,wasfouhedayaftertheV.&strupanychedanorderworthseveralmilliontobuildagalleriaiown.V.&C.stoerandCarlénstru.ThelocalpaperhadinterviewedGottfriedVanger,whohadetotowntosigract.
SanderrecalledsomethingshehadreadinthepolivestigationintheprovincialrecordoffiLandskrona.RakelLunde,fortuellerinherfreetime,wasanofficeer.ShehadworkedforV.&stru.
At7:00intheeveningBlomkvistcalledSanderadozentimesaimehermobilewasturnedoff.Shedidnotwanttobedisturbed.
Hewanderedrestlesslythroughthehouse.HehadpulledoutVanger’snotesonMartin’sactivitiesatthetimeofHarriet’sdisappearance.
MartinVangerwasinhisstyearatthepreparatoryschoolinUppsain1966.Uppsa.LenaAnderssoeen-year-oldpreparatoryschoolpupil.Headseparatedfromthefat.
Vangerhadmentiohisatonepoint,butBlomkvisthadtosulthisofindthepassage.Martinhadbeenanintrovertedboy.Theyhadbeenworriedabouthim.Afterhisfatherdrowned,IsabelhaddecidedtosendhimtoUppsa—ageofsewherehewasgivenroomandboardwithHaraldVanger.HaraldandMartin?Ithardlyfeltright.
MartinVangerwasnotwithHaraldinthecargoingtothegatheringiad,andhehadmissedatrain.Hearrivedteiernoonandsowasamongthosestrahewrongsideofthebridge.Heonlyarrivedontheisndbyboatsometimeafter6:00.HewasreceivedbyVangerhimself,amongothers.VangerhadputMartinfardowofpeoplewhomighthavehadanythingtodowithHarriet’sdisappearance.
MartinsaidthathehadnotseenHarrietonthatday.Hewaslying.Hehadarrivediadearlierinthedayandhewassgatan,facetofacewithhissister.Blomkvistcouldprovetheliewithphotographsthathadbeenburiedforalmostfortyyears.
HarrietVangerhadseenherbrotheraedwithshock.ShehadgooHedebyIsndandtriedtotalktoHenrik,butshewasgonebeforeanyversationcouldtakepce.Whatwereyouthinkingoftellinghim?Uppsa?ButLenaAndersson,Uppsa,wasnoto.Youcouldnothaveknownaboutit.
ThestorystilldidnotmakeseoBlomkvist.Harriethaddisappearedaround3:00iernoon.Martinwasuionablyohersideofthewateratthattime.Hecouldbeseeniographfromthechurchhill.HecouldnotpossiblyhavehurtHarrietontheisnd.Onepuzzlepiecewasstillmissing.AnacpliitaVanger?
FromthearchivesSandercouldseethatGottfriedVanger’spositionwithinthefirmhadgedovertheyears.Attheageoftwentyin1947,hemetIsabelandimmediatelygnant;MartinVangerwasbornin1948,andwiththattherewasionbutthattheyoungpeoplewouldmarry.
WhenGottfriedwastwenty-two,hewasbroughtintothemainofficeoftheVangerCorporationbyHenrikVanger.Hewasobviouslytalentedandtheymayhavebeengroominghimtotakeover.Heromotedtotheboardattheageoftwenty-five,astheassistantheadofthepany’sdevelopmentdivision.Arisingstar.
Sometimeinthemid-fiftieshisstarbegantoplummet.Hedrank.HismarriagetoIsabelwasontherocks.Thechildren,HarrietandMartin,werenotdoingwell.Henrikdrewthelitfried’scareerhadreacheditszenith.In1956anotherappoiwasmade,anotherassistantheadofdevelopment.Twoassistantheads:onewhodidtheworkwhileGottfrieddrankandwasabsentfperiodsoftime.
ButGottfriedwasstilVanger,aswelscharmingandeloquent.From1957on,hisworkseemedtosistoftravellingaroundthetrytoopenfactories,resolvelocalflicts,andspreadanimagethatpanymareallydidcare.We’resendingoutoneofourownsonstolistentoyourproblems.Wedotakeyouseriously.
Sanderfoundasede.GottfriedVangerhadparticipatediiationinKarlstad,wheretheVangerCorporationhadboughtatimberpany.Onthefollowingdayafarmer’swife,MagdaLovisaSj?berg,wasfoundmurdered.
Sanderdiscoveredthethirdejustfifteenmier.Uddeval,1962.ThesamedaythatLeaPerssondisappeared,thelocalpaperhadinterviewedGottfriedVangeraboutapossibleexpansionoftheharbour.
WhenFruLindgrenhadwaocloseupandgohomeat5:30,Sanderhadsherthatshewasalongwayfromfi.Shecouldgohomeaslongassheleftthekey,andSanderwouldlockup.BythattimethearchivesmanagerwassoinfuriatedthatagirllikethisonecouldbossheraroundthatshecalledHerrFrode.FrodetoldherthatSandercouldstayallnightifshewao.WouldFruLindgrenpleasenotifysecurityattheofficesothattheycouldletSawheedtoleave?
Threehourster,gettingonfor8:30,SanderhadcludedthatGottfriedVangerhadbeenclosetowhereatleastfiveoftheeightmurdersweremitted,eitherduringthedaysbeforeoraftertheevent.Shewasstillmissingrmationaboutthemurdersin1949and1954.Shestudiedanehotographofhim.Aslim,handsomemanwithdarkblondhair;helookedratherlikeCrkGableihtheWind.
In1949Gottfriedwastwenty-twoyearsold.Thefirstmurdertookphishometerritory.Hedestad.RebeckaJacobsson,whoworkedattheVangerCorporation.Wheredidthetwoofyoumeet?Whatdidyoupromiseher?
Saherlip.TheproblemwasthatGottfriedVangerhaddrownedwhenhewasdrunkin1965,whilethestmurderwasmittedinUppsainFebruary1966.ShewonderedifshewasmistakenwhenshehadaddedLenaAndersson,theseventeen-year-oldschoolgirl,tothelist.No.Itmighthesamesignature,butitwasthesameBibleparody.Theymustbeected.
By9:00itwasgettingdark.Theairwasditwasdrizzling.Mikaelwassittingi,drumminghisfingersoable,whenMartinVanger’sVolvocrossedthebridgeandturtowardsthepoint.Thatsomehhtmatterstoahead.
Hedidnotknowwhatheshoulddo.Hiswholebeingwasburningwithadesiretoaskquestions—toinitiateafrontation.ItwascertainlynotasensibleattitudetohaveifhesuspectedMartinVangerofbeinganinsanemurdererwhohadkilledhissisterandagirlinUppsa,andwhohadalsoverynearlysueededinkillinghimtoo.ButMartinwasalsoamag.AndhedidnotknowthatBlomkvistknew;hecouldgoandseehimwiththepretextthat…well,hewaoreturoGottfriedVanger’s.Blomkvistlockedthedoorbehindhimandstrolledouttothepoint.
HaraldVanger’shouseitchdark,asusual.InHenrik’shousethelightswereoffexceptinoneroomfagthecourtyard.Annahadgoobed.Isabel’shousewasdark.Ceciliawasn’tathome.ThelightswereonupstairsinAlexander’shouse,buttheywereoffiwohousesoupiedbypeoplewhowerenotmembersoftheVangerfamily.Hedidnotseeasoul.
HepausedirresolutelyoutsideMartinVanger’shouse,tookouthismobile,andpunchedinSander’sillnoanswer.Heturnedoffhismobilesothatitwouldnotstartringing.
Therewerelightsondownstairs.Blomkvistwalkedacrossthewnandstoppedafewyardsfromthekitwindow,buthecouldseeno-oinuedonaroundthehouse,pausingateadow,buttherewasnosignofMartin.Oherhand,hediddiscoverthatthesmallsidedoorintothegaragewasslightlyopen.Don’tbeadamnfool.Buthecouldthetemptationtolook.
Thefirstthinghesawonthecarpenter’sbenchenboxofammunitionforamooserifle.Thewogasolinesontheflooruhebench.Preparationsforanothernoalvisit,Martin?
“ein,Mikael.Isawyouontheroad.”
Blomkvist’sheartskippedabeat.SlowlyheturnedhisheadandsawMartinVaandinginthedarkbyadoorleadingintothehouse.
“Yousimplycouldn’tstayaway,couldyou?”
Hisvoicewascalm,almostfriendly.
“Hi,Martin,”Blomkvistsaid.
“ein,”Martied.“Thisway.”
Hetookastepforwardandtotheside,holdingouthislefthandinaninvitiure.Heraisedhisrighthand,andBlomkvistsawtherefleofdullmetal.
“IhaveaGlomyhand.Don’tdoanythingstupid.Atthisdistaniss.”
Blomkvistslowlymovedcloser.WhenhereachedMartioppedandlookedhimintheeye.
“Ihadtoehere.Therearesomaions.”
“Iuand.Throughthedoor.”
Blomkvistehehouse.Thepassageledtothehallhekit,butbefotthatfar,MartinVaoppedhimbyputtingahandlightlyonBlomkvist’sshoulder.
“No,notthatway.Tht.Openthedoor.”
Thebasement.WhenBlomkvistwashalfwaydoweps,MartinVaurnedaswitdthelightswenton.Thtofhimwastheboilerruidedhimtotheleft,intoasteroomwitholdfurnitureandboxes,atthebackofwhichwasasteelsecuritydoorwithadeadboltlock.
“Here,”Martinsaid,tossingakeyringtoBlomkvist.“Openit.”
Heopehedoor.
“Theswitchiso.”
Blomkvisthadopehedoortohell.
Around9:00Sanderwenttogetsomecoffeeandapstic-edsandwithevendingmaeinthecorridoroutsidethearchives.Shekeptonpagingthrougholddots,lookingforanytraceofGottfriedVangerinKalmarin1954.Shefoundnothing.
ShethoughtaboutcallingBlomkvist,butdecidedtoghthestaffnewslettersbeforeshecalleditaday.
Thespaceroximatelytenbytwe.Blomkvistassumedthatitwassituatedalohsideofthehouse.
MartinVangerhadtrivedhisprivatetorturechamberwithgreatcare.Oweres,metaleyeletsintheceilingandfloor,atablewithleatherstrapswherehecouldrestrainhisvictims.Ahevideoequipment.Atapingstudio.Inthebackoftheroomwasasteelcagefuests.Thtofthedoorwasabench,abed,andaTVerwithvideosonashelf.
Assoonastheyeheroom,MartinVangeraimedthepistotBlomkvistandtoldhimtolieonhisstomathefloor.Blomkvistrefused.
“Verywell,”Martinsaid.“ThenI’llshootyouinthekneecap.”
Hetookaim.Blomkvistcapituted.Hehadnochoice.
HehadhopedthatMartinwouldrexhisguardjustatenthofased—heknewhewouldwinanysortoffightwithhim.HehadhadhalfathepassageupstairswhenMartinputhishandonhisshoulder,buthehadhesitated.AfterthatMartinhadnoteclose.Withabulletinhiskneecaphewouldhavelosthisce.Heydownonthefloor.
Martinapproachedfrombehindandtoldhimtoputhishandsonhisback.Hehandcuffedhim.ThenhekickedMikaelidpunchedhimviciouslyaedly.
peerthatseemedlikeanightmare.Martinswuweenrationalityandpurelunacy.Foratimequitecalm,theinstanthewouldbepagbadforthlikeananimalinacage.HekickedBlomkvistseveraltimes.AllBlomkvistcoulddowastrytoprotecthisheadandtaketheblowsipartsofhisbody.
ForthefirsthalfhourMartindidnotsayaword,andheappearedtobeincapableofanysortofmunication.Afterthatheseemedtorecovertrol.HeputaroundBlomkvist’sneck,fasteningitadloetaleyeletonthefloor.HeleftBlomkvistaloneforaboutfifteenminutes.Wheurned,hewascarryingalitrebottleofwater.HesatonachairandlookedatBlomkvistashedrank.
“CouldIhavesomewater?”Blomkvistsaid.
Martinleaneddownahimtakeagoodlongdrinkfromthebottle.Blomkvistswallowedgreedily.
“Thanks.”
“Stillsopolite,KalleBlomkvist.”
“Whyallthepungandkig?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Becauseyoumakemeveryangryindeed.Youdeservetobepunished.Whydidn’tyoujustgohome?YouwereMillennium.Iwasserious—wecouldhavemadeitintoagreatmagazine.Wecouldhaveworkedtogetherforyears.”
Blomkvistgrimadtriedtoshifthisbodyintoamorefortableposition.Hewasdefenceless.Allhehadwashisvoice.
“Iassumeyoumeanthattheopportunityhaspassed,”Blomkvistsaid.
MartinVangerughed.
“I’msorry,Mikael.But,ofcourse,youknowperfectlywellthatyoingtodiedownhere.”
Blomkvistnodded.
“Howthehelldidyoufindme,youandthatanorexicspookthatyedintothis?”
“YouliedaboutwhatyouweredoingohatHarrietdisappeared.YouwereiadattheChildren’sDayparade.Youwerephotographedthere,lookingatHarriet.”
“WasthatwhyyouwenttoNorsj??”
“Togetthepicture,yes.Itwastakenbyahoneymooncoupleeobeiad.”
Heshookhishead.
“That’sacrasslie,”Martinsaid.
Blomkvistthoughthard:whattosaytopreventorpostponehisexecution.
“Where’sthepicturenow?”
“Theive?It’sinasafe-depositboxatHandelsbankenhereiad…Youdidn’tknowthatIhaveasafe-depositbox?”Heliedeasily.“Therearecopiesinvariouspces.Inmyputerandinthegirl’s,ontheserveratMillennium,andontheserveratMiltonSecurity,wherethegirlworks.”
Martinwaited,tryingtoworkoutwhetherornotBlomkvistwasbluffing.
“Howmuchdoesthegirlknow?”
Blomkvisthesitated.Sanderwasrightnowhisonlyhopeofrescue.Whatwouldshethinkwhenshecamehomeandfoundhimnotthere?HehadputthephotographofMartinVangerwearingthepaddedjacketotable.Wouldshemakethee?Wouldshesoundthearm?Sheisnotgoingtocallthepolice.ThenightmarewasthatshewouldetoMartinVanger’shouseandringthebell,demandingtoknowwhereBlomkvistwas.
“Answerme,”Martinsaid,hisvoiceice-cold.
“I’mthinking.SheknowsalmostasmuchasIdo,maybeevenalittlemore.Yes,IwouldresheknowsmorethanIdo.She’sbright.She’stheonewhomadethelinktoLenaAndersson.”
“LenaAndersson?”Martinsoundedperplexed.
“ThegirlyoutorturedandkilledinUppsain1966.Don’ttellmeyou’vefotten?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”Butforthefirsttimehesoundedshaken.Itwasthefirsttimethatanyonehadmadethate—LenaAnderssonwasnotincludedinHarriet’sdate.
“Martin,”Blomkvistsaid,makinghisvoiceassteadyashecould.“It’sover.Youkillme,butit’sfioomanypeopleknow.”
Martinstartedpagbadfain.
Ihavetorememberthathe’sirrational.Thecat.Hecouldhavebroughtthecatdowhewenttothefamilycrypt.Martinstopped.
“Ithinkyou’relying.YouandSanderaretheonlyoneswhoknowanything.Youobviouslyhaven’ttalkedtoahepolicewouldhavebeenherebynow.Alebzeintheguestcottageandtheproofwillbegone.”
“Andifyou’rewrong?”
“IfI’mwrong,thenitreallyisover.ButIdon’tthinkitis.I’llbetthatyou’rebluffing.AndwhatotherchoicedoIhave?I’llgivethatsomethought.It’sthatanorexiclittletwho’stheweaklink.”
“ShewenttoStoatlunchtime.”
Martinughed.
“Bluffaway,Mikael.ShehasbeensittinginthearchivesattheVangerCorporationofficesallevening.”
Blomkvist’sheartskippedabeat.Heknew.He’sknownallong.
“That’sright.ThepnwastovisitthearchiveaoSto,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ididn’tknowshestayedtheresolong.”
“Stopallthiscrap,Mikael.ThearchivesmanagerrangtotellmethatDirchhadletthegirlstaythereasteassheliked.Whichmeansshe’llcertainlybehome.Thenightwatisgoingtocallmewhensheleaves.”
PART4
HostileTakeover
JULY11TODECEMBER30
Niy-twopereninSwedenwhohavebeensubjectedtosexuassaulthaveedthemostretviolentiothepolice.
CHAPTER24
Friday,July11–Saturday,July12
MartinVangerbentdownahroughMikael’spockets.Hetookthekey.
“Smartofyoutogethelock,”hesaid.“I’mgoingtotakecareofyirlfriendwhesback.”
BlomkvistremindedhimselfthatMartinwasaiatorexperiencedfrommanyindustrialbattles.Hehadalreadyseenthroughonebluff.
“Why?”
“Whywhat?”
“Whyallofthis?”Blomkvistgesturedvaguelyatthespacearoundhim.
MartidoutonehandunderBlomkvist’s,liftinghisheadsotheireyesmet.
“Becauseit’ssoeasy,”hesaid.“Womendisappearallthetime.Nobodymissesthem.Immigrants.WhoresfromRussia.ThousandsofpeoplepassthroughSwedeneveryyear.”
HeletgoofBlomkvist’sheadandstoodup.
Martin’swordshitBlomkvistlikeapuntheface.
ChristAlmighty.Thisisnohistoricalmystery.MartinVangerismurderingwomentoday.AndIwanderedrightintoit…
“Asithappens,Idon’thaveaguestrightnow.ButitmightamuseyoutoknowthatwhileyouandHenriksataroundbabblingthiswinterandspring,therewasagirldownhere.IrinafromBerus.Whileyousatandatedihme,shewaslockedupinthecagedowleasanteveningasIremember,no?”
Martinperchedoable,lettinghislegsdangle.Blomkvistshuthiseyes.Hesuddeahisthroatandheswallowedhard.Thepaininhisgutandinhisribsseemedtoswell.
“Whatdoyoudowiththebodies?”
“Ihavemyboatatthedhtbelowhere.Itakethemalongwayouttosea.Unlikemyfather,Idoraces.Buthewassmarttoo.HespreadhisvictimsoutalloverSweden.”
Thepuzzlepieceswerefallingintopce.
GottfriedVanger.From1949until1965.ThenMartinVaartingin1966inUppsa.
“Youadmireyourfather.”
“Hewastheoaughtme.HeinitiatedmewhenIwasfourteen.”
“Uddeval.LeaPersson.”
“Aren’tyouclever?Yes,Iwasthere.Ionlywatched,butIwasthere.”
“1964.SaraWittinRonneby.”
“Iwassixteen.ItwasthefirsttimeIhadawoman.Myfathertaughtme.Iwastheonewhledher.”
He’sbragging.GoodLord,whatarevoltinglysickfamily.
“You’thaveanynotionofhowdemehisis.”
“Youareaveryordinarylittleperson,Mikael.Youwouldnotbeabletouandthegodlikefeelingofhavingabsolutetroloversomeone’slifeah.”
“Youenjoytandkillingwomen,Martin.”
“Idon’tthinksoreally.IfIdoanintellealysisofmydition,I’mmoreofaserialrapistthanaserialmurderer.Infact,mostofallI’maserialkidhekillingisanaturalsequeospeak,becauseIhavetohidemycrime.
“Ofcoursemyasaren’tsociallyaeptable,butmycrimeisfirstandforemostacrimeagainsttheventionsofsociety.Deathdoesiltheendofmyguests’visitshere,afterI’vegrownwearyofthem.It’salwayssofasatingtoseetheirdisappoi.”
“Disappoi?”
“Exactly.Disappoiheyimagihatiftheypleaseme,they’lllive.Theyadapttomyrules.Theystarttotrustmeanddevelopacertaincamaraderiewithme,hopingtotheveryendthatthiscamaraderiemeanssomething.Thedisappoieswhenitfinallydawnsohatthey’vebeerulyscrewed.”
Martinwalkedarouableandleanedagainstthesteelcage.
“Youwithyourbeoisventionswouldnevergraspthis,buttheexcitementesfrompnningakidnapping.They’renotdoneonimpulse—thosekindsofkidnappersinvariablygetcaught.It’sascewiththousandsofdetailsthatIhavetoweigh.Ihavetoidentifymyprey,mapoutherlife,whoisshe,wheredoessheefrom,howImaketactwithher,whatdoIhavetodotobealohmypreywithoutrevealingmynameorhavingitturnupinanyfuturepolivestigation?”
Shutup,fod’ssake,Blomkvistthought.
“Areyoureallyiedinallthis,Mikael?”
HebentdownandstrokedBlomkvist’scheek.Thetouchwasalmosttender.
“Yourealisethatthislyendoneway?WillitbotheryouifIsmoke?”
“Youcouldoffermeacigarette,”hesaid.
MartinlittwocigarettesandcarefullypeofthembetweenBlomkvist’slips,lettinghimtakeal.
“Thanks,”Blomkvistsaid,automatically.
MartinVangerughedagain.
“Yousee.You’vealreadystartedtoadapttothesubmissionprinciple.Iholdyourlifeinmyhands,Mikael.YouknowthatIdispatchyouatanysed.Youpleadedwithmetoimproveyourqualityoflife,andyoudidsobyusingreasonandalittlegoodmanners.Andyouwererewarded.”
Blomkvistnodded.Hisheartoundingsoharditwasalmostunbearable.
At11:15LisbethSanderdraofthewaterfromherPETbottleassheturhepages.UnlikeBlomkvist,whoearlierinthedayhadchokedonhiscoffee,shedidhewaterdownthewrongway.Oherhand,shedidopenhereyeswidewhenshemadethee.
Click!
Fortwohoursshehadbeenwadingthroughthestaffnewslettersfromallpointsofthepass.Themainnewsletteranyrmation.ItboretheVangerlogo—aSwedishbannerflutteringinthewind,withthepointfanarrow.Thepublicationresumablyputtogetherbythefirm’sadvertisiment,anditwasfilledwithpropagandathatposedtomaketheemployeesfeelthattheyweremembersofonebigfamily.
InassociationwiththewintersportsholidayinFebruary1967,HenrikVanger,inamagnanimousgesture,hadinvitedfiftyemployeesfromthemainoffidtheirfamiliestoaweek’sskiingholidayinH?rjedalen.Thepanyhadmaderecordprofitsduringthepreviousyear.ThePRdepartmeooandputtogetherapicturereport.
Manyofthepictureswithamusingcaptionswerefromtheslopes.Someshowedgroupsinthebar,withughingemployeeshoistingbeermugs.TwophotographswereofasmallmfunwhenHenrikVangerprocimedUl-BrittMogreheBestOfficeWorkeroftheYear.Shewasgivenabonusoffivehundredkronorandagssbowl.
Theceremonywasheldoerraceofthehotel,clearlyrightbeforepeoplewerethinkingofheadingbacktotheslopes.Abouttwentypeoplewereiure.
Onthefarright,justbehindHenrikVaoodamanwithlongblondhair.Hewaswearingadarkpaddedjacketwithadistinctivepatchattheshoulder.Sihepublicationwasinbd-white,thecolourwasn’tidentifiable,butSanderwaswillingtobetherlifethattheshoulderpatchwasred.
Thecaptionexpihee.…farright,MartinVanger,whoisstudyinginUppsa.Heisalreadybeingdiscussedassomeohapromisingfutureinthepany’sma.
“Gotcha,”Sandersaidinalowvoice.
Sheswitchedoffthedeskmpahenewslettersinpilesalloverthedesk—somethingforthatslutLiakeorrow.
Shewentouttothecarparkthroughasidedoor.Asitclosedbehindher,sherememberedthatshehadpromisedtotellthenightwatwhe.Shestoppedahereyessweepoverthecarpark.Thewat’sofficewasohersideofthebuilding.Thatmeantthatshewouldhavetowalkallthewayroundtotheotherside.Letsleepingdogslie,shedecided.
Beforesheputonherhelmet,sheturnedonhermobileandcalledBlomkvist’snumber.Shegotamessagesayingthatthesubscribercouldnotbereached.Butshealsosawthathehadtriedtocallherhanthirteeween3:30and9:00.Iwohours,nocall.
Sariedthecottagenumber,buttherewasnoanswer.Shefrowrappedoer,putonherhelmet,andkick-startedthemotorcycle.TheridefromthemainofficeattheentraoHedestad’sindustrialdistrictouttoHedebyIsndtooktenminutes.Alightwasoni.
Sanderlookedaround.HerfirstthoughtwasthatBlomkvisthadgooseeFrode,butfromthebridgeshehadalreadynoticedthatthelightswereoffinFrode’shouseohersideofthewater.Shelookedatherwatch:11:40.
Shewentintothecottage,opehewardrobe,andtookoutthetwoPCsthatshewasusingtostorethesurveiluresfromthecamerasshehadinstalled.Ittookherawhiletorunupthesequenceofevents.
At15:32Blomkvistehe.
At16:03hetookhiscoffeecupouttothegarden.Hehadafolderwithhim,whichhestudied.Hemadethreebrieftelephonecallsduringthehourhespentoutinthegardehreecallscorrespolytocallsshehadnotanswered.
At17:21Blomkvistleftthecottage.Hewasbacklessthanfifteenmier.
At18:20hewenttothegateandlookedinthedireofthebridge.
At21:03hewentout.Hehadnoteback.
Sanderfast-forwardedthroughthepicturesfromtheotherPC,whichphotographedthegateandtheroadoutsidethefrontdoor.Shecouldseewhohadgoduringtheday.
At19:12Nilssoncamehome.
At19:42theSaabthatbeloo?sterg?rdendrovetowardsHedestad.
At20:02theSaabwasonitswayback.
At21:00MartinVanger’scarwentby.ThreemierBlomkvistleftthehouse.
At21:50,MartinVangerappearedinthecamera’sviewfinder.Hestoodatthegateforoveraminute,lookingatthehouse,thenpeeringthroughthekitwindow.Hewentuptothepordtriedthedoor,takingoutakey.Hemusthavediscoveredthattheyhadputinanewlock.Hestoodstillforamomentbeforeheturnedonhisheehehouse.
Sanderfeltanice-coldfeari.
MartinVangeronceagaiBlomkvistalone.Hewasstillinhisunfortablepositionwithhishandsbehindhisbadhisneckfastenedbyathintoainthefloor.Hefiddledwiththehandcuffs,buthekhathewouldnotbeabletogetthemoff.Thecuffsweresotightthathishandswerenumb.
Hehadnoce.Heshuthiseyes.
HedidnotknowhowmuchtimehadpassedwhenheheardMartin’sfootstepsagain.HeappearedinBlomkvist’sfieldofvision.Helookedworried.
“Unfortable?”hesaid.
“Very,”saidBlomkvist.
“You’veonlygotyourselftobme.YoushouldhavegonebacktoSto.”
“Whydoyoukill,Martin?”
“It’sachoicethatImade.IcoulddiscussthemorandintellectuaspectsofwhatIdo;wecouldtalkallnight,butitwouldn’tgeanything.Trytolookatitthisway:ahumanbeingisashellmadeofskinkeepingthecells,blood,andchemicalposinpce.Veryfewendupiorys.Mostpeoplesuumbanddisappearwithoutatrace.”
“Youkillwomen.”
“Thoseofuswhomurderforpleasure—I’mnottheonlyohthishobby—weliveapletelife.”
“ButwhyHarriet?Yourownsister?”
Inaseartingrabbedhimbythehair.
“peoher,youlittlebastard?Tellme.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Blomkvistgasped.Hetriedtoturnhisheadtolessenthepaininhisscalp.Thetightenedroundhisneck.
“YouandSander.Whathaveyoueupwith?”
“Letgo,forheaven’ssake.We’retalking.”
MartinVagoofhishairandsatcross-leggedinfrontofBlomkvist.Hetookaknifefromhisjacketandope.HesetthepointagainsttheskinjustbelowBlomkvist’seye.BlomkvistforcedhimselftomeetMartin’sgaze.
“Whatthehellhappeoher,bastard?”
“Idon’tuand.Ithoughtyoukilledher.”
MartinVaaredatBlomkvistforalongmoment.Thenherexed.Hegotupandwanderedaroundtheroom,thinkihrewthekhefloorandughedbeforehecamebacktofakvist.
“Harriet,Harriet,alwaysHarriet.Wetried…totalktottfriedtriedtoteachher.Wethoughtthatshewasoneofusandthatshewouldaeptherduty,butshewasjustanordinary…t.Ihadherundertrol,orsoIthought,butshenningtotellHenrik,andIrealisedthatIcouldn’ttrusther.Sooershewasgoingtotellsomeoneaboutme.”
“Youkilledher.”
“Iwaokillher.Ithoughtaboutit,butIarrivedtoote.Icouldovertotheisnd.”
Blomkvist’sbrainwaswithdifficultytryingtoabsorbthisrmation,butitfeltasifamessagehadpoppedupwiththewordsRMATIONOVERLOAD.MartinVangerdidnotknowwhathadhappeohissister.
AllofasuddenMartinpulledhismobiletelephoofhispocket,ghedispy,andputitonthechairothepistol.
“It’stimetostopallthis.Ihavetodisposeofyouranorexicbitighttoo.”
HetookoutanarrowleatherstrapfromacupboardandslippeditaroundBlomkvist’sneck,likeanoose.Heloosehethatheldhimshackledtothefloor,hauledhimtohisfeet,andshovedhimtowardsthewall.HeslippedtheleatherstrapthroughaloopaboveBlomkvist’sheadaightesothathewasforcedtostandontiptoes.
“Isthattootight?youbreathe?”Helooseanotdlockedtheotherendofthestrapinpce,furtherdownthewall.“Idon’twantyoutosuffocatealtonce.”
ThenoosewascuttingsohardintoBlomkvist’sthroatthathewasincapableofutteringaword.Martinlookedathimattentively.
AbruptlyheunzippedBlomkvist’strousersandtuggedthemdown,alongwithhisboxershorts.Ashepulledthemoff,Blomkvistlosthisfootholdanddangledforasedfromthenoosebeforehistoesagaiactwiththefloor.Martiovertoacupboardandtookoutapairofscissors.HecutoffBlomkvist’sT-shirtandtossedthebitsonthefloor.TheookupapositioanceawayfromMikaendregardedhisvictim.
“I’veneverhadaboyinhere,”Martinsaidinaseriousvoice.“I’veouchedanotherman,asamatteroffact…exceptformyfather.Thatwasmyduty.”
Blomkvist’stempleswerepounding.Hecouldnotputhisweightonhisfeetwithoutbeingstrangled.Hetriedtousehisfiogetagriponthecretewallbehindhim,buttherewasnothingtoholdonto.
“It’stime,”MartinVangersaid.
Heputhishandorapandpulleddown.Blomkvistinstantlyfelttheingintohisneck.
“I’vealwayswonderedhowamantastes.”
HeincreasedthepressureonthenooseandleanedforwardtokissBlomkvistonthelipsatthesametimethatacoldvoicecutthroughtheroom.
“Hey,youfugcreep,inthisshitholeI’vegotamonopolyonthatone.”
BlomkvistheardSander’svoicethrougharedfog.Hemaofocushiseyesenoughtoseeherstandinginthedoorway.ShewaslookingatMartinVahoutexpression.
“No…run,”hecroaked.
HecouldhelookonMartin’sface,buthecouldalmostphysicallyfeeltheshockwheurnedaround.Forased,timestoodstill.ThenMartinreachedforthepistolhehadleftonthechair.
Saookthreeswiftstridesforwardandswungagolfclubshehadhiddenatherside.TheironflewinawideardhitMartinonthecolrbonenearhisshoulder.TheblowhadaterriblefordBlomkvistheardsomethingsnap.Martinhowled.
“Doyoulikepain,creep?”Sandersaid.
Hervoicewasasroughassandpaper.AslongasBlomkvistlived,hewouldherfaceasshewentoack.Herteethwerebaredlikeabeastofprey.Hereyeswereglittering,bckascoal.Shemovedwiththelightningspeedofatarantuaotallyfocusedonherpreyassheswungtheclubagain,strikingMartinintheribs.
HestumbledoverthechairahepistoltumbledtotheflooratSander’sfeet.Shekickeditaway.
Theruckforthethirdtime,justasMartinVangerwastryingtogettohisfeet.Shehithimwithaloudsmathehip.AhorriblecryissuedfromMartin’sthroat.Thefourthblowstruckhimfrombehiweentheshoulderbdes.
“Lis…uuth…”Blomkvistgasped.
Hewasabouttopassout,andthepaininhistempleswasalmostunbearable.
Sheturohimandsawthathisfacewasthecolourofatomato,hiseyeswereopenwide,andhistonguepingoutofhismouth.
Shelookedaboutherandsawthekhefloor.ThenshesparedagMartinVanger,whowastryingtocrawwayfromher,onearmhanging.Hewouldnotbemakinganytroubleforthefewseds.Sheletgoofthegolfclubandpickedupthekhadasharppointbutadulledge.Shestoodooesandfranticallysawedattheleatherstraptogetitoff.IttookseveralsedsbeforeBlomkvistsanktothefloor.Butthenooseulledtighterroundhisneck.
SanderlookedagainatMartinVanger.Hewasonhisfeetbutdoubledover.Shetriedtodigherfingersuhefirstshedidnotdarecutit,butfinallysheslippedthepointoftheknifeunderh,sgBlomkvist’sneckasshetriedtoexpandthestitloosenedandBlomkvisttookseveralshaky,wheezihs.
ForamomentBlomkvisthadasensationofhisbodyandsouluniting.Hehadperfectvisionandakeouteveryspeckofdustintheroom.Hehadperfecthearingaeredeverybreath,everyrustleofclothing,asiftheywereenteringhisearsthroughaheadset,andhewasawareoftheodourofSander’ssweatandthesmellofleatherfromherjacket.Thentheillusionburstasbloodbeganstreamingtohishead.
SaurnedherheadjustasMartinVangerdisappearedoutthedoor.Shegotup,grabbedthepistol,checkedthemagazineandflickedoffthesafety.Shelookedaroundandfocusedonthekeystothehandcuffs,whipinsightoable.
“I’mgoingtotakehim,”shesaid,runningforthedoor.Shegrabbedthekeysasshepasse