dthetableandtossedthembadedtotheflooroBlomkvist.
Hetriedtoshouttohertowait,buthemanagedonlyaraspingsoundandbythenshehadvanished.
SanderhadnotfottenthatMartinVangerhadariflesomewhere,aopped,holdiolreadytofireinfrontofher,asshecameupstairstothepassagewaybetweenthegaragea.Shelistened,butshecouldhearnosoundtellingherwhereherpreywas.Shemovedstealthilytowardsthekit,andshewasalmosttherewhensheheardacarstartingupinthecourtyard.
FromthedriveshesaairoftaillightspassingHenrikVanger’shouseandturningdowntothebridge,andsheranasfastasherlegscouldcarryher.Shestuffedthepistolinherjacketpocketanddidnotbotherwiththehelmetasshestartedhermotorcycle.Sedstershewascrossingthebridge.
Hehadmaybeaniy-sedstartwhenshecameintotheroundaboutattheentraheE4.Shecouldnotseehiscar.Shebrakedandturnedoffthemotortolisten.
Theskywasfilledwithheavyclouds.Onthehorizonshesawahintofthedawn.ThensheheardthesoundofanengineandcaughtaglimpseoftaillightsontheE4,goingsouth.Sanderkickedthemotorcycle,putitintogear,andradertheviaduct.Shewasdoing40milesperhourasshetookthecurveoftheentranceramp.Shesawnotraffidaeleratedtofullspeedandflewforward.Whentheroadbegantocurveale,shewasdoing90mph,whichwasaboutthefastesthersouped-uplightweightbikeanagegoingdownhill.Aftertwominutesshesawthelightsabout650yardsahead.
Analysesequences.WhatdoIdonow?
Shedeceleratedtoamorereasonableseventy-fiveapacewithhihentheycameontoalongstraight;shewasonlytwohundredyardsbehindhim.
Hemusthaveseentheheadlightfromhermotorcycle,andhespedupwheookalongcurve.Sheaeleratedagainbutlostgroundonthebends.
Shesawtheheadlightsofatruckapproag.MartinVangerdidtoo.Heincreasedhisspeedagainanddrovestraightintotheoningne.Sandersawthetruckswerveandfshitslights,butthecollisionwasunavoidable.MartinVangerdrovestraightintothetrudthesoundofthecrashwasterrible.
Sanderbraked.Shesawthetrailerstarttojaifeacrossherhespeedshewasgoing,ittooktwosedsforhertocoverthedistaotheaidentsite.Sheaeleratedandsteeredontothehardshoulder,avoidilingbackofthetruckbytwoyardsassheflewpast.Outoftheerofhereyeshesawfmesingfromthefrontofthetruck.
Sherodeon,brakingandthinking,foranother150yardsbeforeshestoppedandturnedaround.Shesawthedriverofthetruckclimboutofhisthepassengerside.Thensheaeleratedagain.At?kerby,aboutamilesouth,sheturandtooktheoldroadbaorth,paralleltotheE4.Shewentupahillpasttheseofthecrash.Twocarshadstopped.BigfmeswereboilingoutofthewreckageofMartin’scar,whichwaswedgedunderhetruck.Amanrayingthefmeswithasmallfireextinguisher.
Shewassoonrollingacrossthebridgeatalowspeed.SheparkedoutsidethecottageandwalkedbaartinVanger’shouse.
Mikaelwasstillfumblingwiththehandcuffs.Hishandsweresonumbthathecouldagriponthekey.Sanderunlockedthecuffsforhimandheldhimtightasthebloodbegantocircuteinhishandsagain.
“Martin?”hesaidinahoarsevoice.
“Dead.HedrovespintothefrontofatruckacoupleofmilessouthontheE4.”
Blomkviststaredather.Shehadonlybeengoneafewminutes.
“Wehaveto…callthepolice,”hewhispered.Hebegancoughinghard.
“Why?”Sandersaid.
FortenminutesBlomkvistwasincapableofstandingup.Hewasstillonthefloor,naked,leaningagainstthewall.Hemassagedhisnedliftedthewaterbottlewithclumsyfingers.Sanderwaitedpatientlyuntilhisseouchstartedtoreturn.Shespeimethinking.
“Putyourtrouserson.”
SheusedBlomkvist’scut-upT-shirttowipefingerprintsfromthehandcuffs,theknife,andthegolfclub.ShepickedupherPETbottle.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Getdressedandhurryup.It’sgettinglightoutside.”
Blomkviststoodonshakylegsandmaopullonhisboxersandjeans.Heslippedonhistrainers.Sauffedhissotoherjacketpocketaoppedhim.
“Whatexactlydidyoutouchdownhere?”
Blomkvistlookedarouriedtoremember.Atsthesaidthathehadtouothingexceptthedoorandthekeys.SanderfoundthekeysinMartinVanger’sjacket,whichhehadhuhechair.Shewipedthedoorhaheswitdturnedoffthelight.ShehelpedBlomkvistupthebasementstairsandtoldhimtowaitinthepassagewaywhilesheputthegolfclubbaitsproperpce.WhenshecamebackshewascarryingadarkT-shirtthatbelooMartinVanger.
“Putthison.Idon’twantanyooseeyouscamperingaboutwithabarechesttonight.”
Blomkvistrealisedthathewasinastateofshock.Sanderhadtakencharge,andpassivelyheobeyedherinstrus.SheledhimoutofMartin’shouse.Sheheldontohimthewholetime.Assoonastheysteppedihecottage,shestoppedhim.
“Ifanyoneseesusandaskseredoingoutsidetonight,youaouttothepointfhttimewalk,andwehadsexoutthere.”
“Lisbeth,I’t…”
“Getintheshower.Now.”
Shehelpedhimoffwithhisclothesandpropelledhimtothebathroom.Theonwaterforcoffeeandmadehalfadozenthidwichesonryebreadwithcheeseandliversausageanddillpickles.Shesatdownatthekittableandwasthinkinghardwhenhecamelimpingbatotheroohenoosehadbeensotightthathehadadarkredmarkaroundhisnedtheknifehadmadeabloodygashinhisskinoside.
“Getintobed,”shesaid.
Sheimprovisedbandagesandcoveredthewoundwithamakeshiftpress.Thenshepouredthecoffeeandhandedhimasandwich.
“I’mreallynothungry,”hesaid.
“Idon’tgiveadamnifyou’rehungry.Justeat,”Sandermaakingabigbiteofherowncheesesandwich.
Blomkvistclosedhiseyesforamoment,theupandtookabite.Histhroathurtsomuchthathecouldscarcelyswallow.
SaookoffherleatherjacketandfromthebathrhtajarofTigerBalmfromherspongebag.
“Letthecoffeecoolforawhile.Liefacedown.”
Shespentfiveminutesmassaginghisbadrubbinghimwiththeliheurnedhimavehimthesametreatmentonthefront.
“Yoingtohavesomeseriousbruisesforawhile.”
“Lisbeth,wehavetocallthepolice.”
“No,”sherepliedwithsuchvehemeBlomkvistopenedhiseyesinsurprise.“Ifyoucallthepolice,I’mleaving.Idon’twanttohaveanythingtodowiththem.MartinVangerisdead.Hediedinacaraident.Hewasalohecar.Therearewitnesses.Letthepolieoneelsediscoverthatfugtorturechamber.YouandIarejustasignorantaboutitsexistenceaseveryoneelseinthisvilge.”
“Why?”
Sheignoredhimandstartedmassaginghisagthighs.
“Lisbeth,we’tjust…”
“Ifyougoonnagging,I’lldragyoubaartin’sgrottoandyouupagain.”
Asshesaidthis,Blomkvistfelsleep,assuddenlyasifhehadfainted.
CHAPTER25
Saturday,July12–Monday,July14
Blomkvistwokewithastartat5:00inthem,scrabblingathisogetridofthenoose.Sandercameinandtookholdofhishands,keepinghimstill.Heopenedhiseyesandlookedatherblearily.
“Ididn’tknowthatyoupyedgolf,”hesaid,closinghiseyesagaiwithhimforacoupleofmiilshewassurehewasasleep.Whileheslept,SanderhadgonebaartinVanger’sbasementtoexamineandphotographthecrimese.Inadditiontothetortureinstruments,shehadfoundacolleofviolentpraphicmagazinesandargenumberofPoroidphotographspastedintoalbums.
Therewasnodiary.Oherhand,shedidfindtwoA4binderswithpassportphotographsandhandwrittennotesaboutthewomehebindersinanylonbagalongwithMartin’sDellPCptop,whichshefoundonthehalltableupstairs.WhileBlomkvistsleptshetinuedherexaminationofMartin’sputerandbinders.Itwasafter6:00bythetimesheturnedofftheputer.Shelitacigarette.
TogetherwithMikaelBlomkvistshehadtakenupthehuntforwhattheythoughtwasaserialkillerfromthepast.Theyhadfoundsomethingappallinglydifferent.ShecouldhardlyimagihehorrorsthatmusthavepyedoutinMartinVanger’sbasement,inthemidstofthiswell-ordered,idyllicspot.
Shetriedtouand.
MartinVangerhadbeenkillingwomensihesixties,durififteenyearsowovictimsperyear.Thekillinghadbeendonesodiscreetlyandwassowellphatno-onewasevenawarethataserialkillerwasatwork.Howwasthatpossible?
Thebindersprovidedapartianswer.
Hisvictimswereoftennewarrivals,immigrantgirlswhohadnofriendsorsocialtaSweden.Thererostitutesandsocialoutcasts,withdrugabuseorotherproblemsintheirbackground.
Fromherownstudiesofthepsychologyofsexualsadism,Sanderhadlearhatthistypeofmurdererusuallycollectedsouvenirsfromhisvictims.Thesesouvenirsfunedasremihatthekillercouldusetore-createsomeofthepleasurehehadexperienced.MartinVangerhaddevelopedthispeculiaritybykeepinga“death.”Hehadcataloguedandgradedhisvictims.Hehaddescribedtheirsuffering.Hehaddotedhiskillingswithvideotapesandphotographs.
Theviolehekillihegoal,butSandercludedthatitwasthehuntthatwasMartinVanger’sprimaryi.Inhisptophehadcreatedadatabasewithalistofmorethanahundredwomen.TherewereemployeesfromtheVangerCorporation,waitressesiaurantswhereheregurlyate,receptionstaffinhotels,clerksatthesocialsecurityoffice,thesecretariesofbusinessassociates,andmanyotherwomen.ItseemedasifMartinhadpigeonholedpracticallyeverywomanhehadevereintotactwith.
Hehadkilledonlyafraofthesewomen,buteverywomananywherenearhimotentialvictim.Thecataloguinghadthemarkofapassionatehobby,ahavedevotedtlesshourstoit.
Isshemarriedle?Doesshehavechildrenandfamily?Wheredoesshework?Wheredoesshelive?Whatkindofcardoesshedrive?Whatsortofeducationdoesshehave?Haircolour?Skincure?
ThegatheringofpersonalrmationaboutpotentialvictimsmusthavebeenasignifitpartofMartinVanger’ssexualfantasies.Hewasfirstofalstalker,andseurderer.
Whenshehadfinishedreading,shediscoveredasmallenvelopeihebinders.ShepulledouttwomudledandfadedPoroidpictures.Inthefirstpictureadark-hairedgirlwassittingatatable.Thegirlhadondarkjeansandhadabaretorsowithtiny,pointedbreasts.Shehadturnedherfaceawayfromthecameraandwasintheprocessofliftingonearmiureofdefence,almostasifthephotographerhadsurprisedher.Inthesedpicturesheletelynaked.Shewaslyingoomaabluebedspread.Herfacewasstillturnedawayfromthecamera.
Sauffedtheenvelopewiththepicturesintoherjacketpocket.Afterthatshecarriedthebindersovertothewoodstoveandstruckamatch.Whenshewasdohthefire,shestirredtheashes.Itdownwithrainwheookashortwalkand,kneelingasiftotieashoece,discreetlydroppedMartinVanger’sptopintothewateruhebridge.
WhenFrodemarchedthroughtheopendoorat7:30thatm,Sanderwasatthekittablesmokingacigaretteanddrinkingcoffee.Frode’sfacewasashen,andhelookedasifhehadhadacruewakening.
“Where’sMikael?”hesaid.
“He’sstilsleep.”
Frodesatdownheavilyonakitchair.Sanderpouredcoffeeandpushedthecupovertohim.
“Martin…IjustfoundoutthatMartinwaskilledinacaraidentstnight.”
“That’ssad,”Sandersaid,takingasipofherowncoffee.
Frodelookedup.Atfirsthestaredather,unprehending.Thenhiseyesopenedwide.
“What…?”
“Hecrashed.Howannoying.”
“Whatdoyouknowaboutthis?”
“Hedrovehiscarrightintothefrontofatruck.Hemittedsuicide.Thepress,thestress,aflounderingfinancialempire,dot,dot,dot,toomu.Atleastthat’swhatIsupposeitwillsayonthepcards.”
Frodelookedasifhewereabouttohaveacerebralhaeme.Hestoodupswiftlyandwalkedunsteadilytothebedroom.
“Lethimsleep,”Sandersnapped.
Frodelookedatthesleepingfigure.HesawthebdbluemarksonBlomkvist’sfadthetusionsonhischest.Thehefminglihenoosehadbeen.Saouchedhisarmandclosedthedoor.Frodebackedoutandsankontothekitbench.
LisbethSaoldhimsuinctlywhathadhappenedduringthenight.ShetoldhimwhatMartinVanger’schamberofhorrorslookedlikeandhowshehadfoundMikaelwithanoosearoundhisnedtheCEOoftheVangerCorporationstandinginfrontofhisnakedbody.Shetoldhimwhatshehadfoundinthepany’sarchivesthedaybeforeandhowshehadestablishedapossibleliweenMartin’sfatherandthemurdersofatleastsevenwomen.
Frodeinterruptedherrecitationonlyonce.Wheoppedtalkimutelyforseveralminutesbeforehetookadeepbreathandsaid:“Whatarewegoingtodo?”
“That’snotformetosay,”Sandersaid.
“But…”
“AsIseeit,I’vefootiad.”
“Idon’tuand.”
“UndernocircumstancesdoIwantmynameinanypolicereport.Idoinewithanyofthis.Ifmynameismentionedinewiththisstory,I’lldenythatI’veeverbeenhere,andI’llrefusetoanswerasinglequestion.”
Frodegaveherasearglook.
“Idon’tuand.”
“Youdoouand.”
“ThenwhatshouldIdo?”
“You’llhavetoworkthatoutforyourself.OnlyleavemeandMikaeloutofit.”
Frodewasdeathlypale.
“Lookatitthisway:theonlythingyouknowisthatMartinVangerdiedinatrafficaident.Youhavehathewasalsoaninsane,ingserialkiller,andyou’veneverheardabouttheroominhisbasement.”
Sheputthekeyoablebetweenthem.
“You’vegottime—beforeanyoneisgoingtooutMartin’shouseanddiscoverthebasement.”
“Wehavetogotothepoliceaboutthis.”
“Notwe.Yougotothepoliceifyoulike.It’syourdecision.”
“This’tbebrushedunderacarpet.”
“I’mnotsuggestingthatitshouldbebrushedanywhere,justthatyouleavemeandMikaeloutofit.Whenyoudiscovertheroom,youdrawyourownclusionsanddecideforyourselfwhoyouwanttotell.”
“Ifwhatyousayistrue,itmeansthatMartinhaskidnappedandmurderedwomen…theremustbefamiliesthataredesperatebecausetheydon’tknowwheretheirchildrenare.We’tjust…”
“That’sright.Butthere’sjustoneprobleybeyou’llfindpassportsorIDcardsinsomedrawer.Maybesomeofthevictimsbeidentifiedfromthevideotapes.Butyoudoodecidetoday.Thinkitover.”
Frodelookedpanic-stri.
“Oh,dearGod.Thiswillbethedeathblowforthepany.ThinkofhowmanyfamilieswilllosetheirlivelihoodifitgetsoutthatMartin…”
Froderockedbadforth,jugglingwithamoraldilemma.
“That’soneissue.IfIsabelVaoi,youmaythinkitwouldbeinappropriateifshewerethefirstoolightuponherson’shobby.”
“Ihavetogoandsee…”
“Ithinkyoushouldstayawayfromthatroomtoday,”Sandersaidsharply.“Youhavealotofthingstotakecareof.YouhavetogoandtellHenrik,andyouhavetocalspecialmeetingoftheboardanddoallthosethingsyouchapsdowhenyourCEOdies.”
Frodethoughtaboutwhatshewassaying.Hisheartwasthumpiheoldattorneyandproblem-solverectedtohaveapomeetauality,yethefeltpowerlesstoact.Itsuddenlydawnedonhimthatherehewas,takingordersfromachild.Shehadsomehowseizedtrolofthesituationandgivenhimtheguidelihathehimselfwasuoformute.
“AndHarriet…?”
“MikaendIarenotfi.ButyoutellHerrVahatIthinknowthatwe’regoingtosolveit.”
MartinVanger’sueddemisewasthetopstoryonthe9:00newsontheradiowhenBlomkvistwokeup.Nothingortedaboutthenight’seventsotherthantosaythattheindustrialisthadinexplicablyandathighspeedcrossedtothewrongsideoftheE4,travellingsouth.Hehadbeenalohecar.
ThelocalradioranastorythatdealtwithforthefutureoftheVangerCorporationandthesequehatthisdeathwouldiablyhaveforthepany.
AhastilyposedlunchtimeupdatefromtheTTwireservicehadtheheadliOWNINSHOditsummeduptheproblemsoftheVangerCorporation.Itescapedno-one’snoticethatiadalonemorethan3,000ofthetown’s21,000inhabitantswereemployedbytheVangerCorporatioherwisedepeontheprosperityofthepany.Thefirm’sCEOwasdead,andtheformerCEOwasseriouslyilfteraheartattack.Therewasnonaturalheir.Allthisatatimesideredtobeamocritithepany’shistory.
BlomkvisthadhadtheoptionofgoingtothepoliHedestadandtellingthemwhathadhappehatnight,butSanderhadalreadysetacertainprocessinmotion.Sincehehadnotimmediatelycalledthepolice,itbecamehardertodosowitheachhourthatpassed.Hespentthemingloomysiletingobench,watgtherainoutside.Around10:00therewasanothercloudburst,butbylunchtimetherainhadstoppedandthewindhaddieddownabit.Hewentoutandwipedoffthegardenfurnitureatherewithamugofcoffee.Hewaswearingashirtwiththecolrturnedup.
Martihcastashadow,ofcourse,overthedailylifeofHedeby.CarsbeganparkingoutsideIsabelVanger’shouseasthegatheredtoofferdolences.Sanderobservedtheprocessionwithoutemotion.
“Howareyoufeeling?”shesaidatst.
“IthinkI’mstillinshock,”hesaid.“Iwashelpless.ForseveralhoursIwasvihatIwasgoingtodie.Ifeltthefearofdeathandtherewasn’tathingIcoulddo.”
Hestretchedouthishandaonherknee.
“Thankyou,”hesaid.“Butforyou,Iwouldbedead.”
Sandersmiledhercrookedsmile.
“Allthesame…Idon’tuandhowyoucouldbesuidiotastotacklehimonyourown.Iwasedtothefloordownthere,prayingthatyou’dseethepictureandputtwoandtwotogetherandcallthepolice.”
“IfI’dwaitedforthepolice,youwouldn’thavesurvived.Iwasn’tgoingtoletthatmotherfuckerkillyou.”
“Whydon’tyouwanttotalktothepolice?”
“Ialktotheauthorities.”
“Whynot?”
“That’smybusiness.Butinyourcase,Idon’tthinkitwouldbeaterrifiareermovetobehungouttodryasthejournalistwhowasstrippednakedbyMartinVahefamousserialkiller.Ifyoudon’tlike‘KalleBlomkvist,’youthinkupawholehet.Justdon’ttakeitoutofthischapterofyourheroiclife.”
Blomkvistgaveherasearglookanddroppedthesubject.
“Wedostillhaveaproblem,”shesaid.
Blomkvistnodded.“peoHarriet.Yes.”
SahetwoPoroidpicturesoableinfrontofhim.Sheexpinedwhereshe’dfoundthem.Mikaelstudiedthepicturesilyforawhilebeforehelookedup.
“Itmightbeher,”hesaidatst.“Iwouldn’tsweartoit,buttheshapeofherbodyandthehairremihepicturesI’veseen.”
Theysatinthegardenforanhour,piegtogetherthedetails.Theydiscoveredthateachofthem,indepelyandfromdifferentdires,hadidentifiedMartinVahemissinglink.
SanderneverdidfiographthatBlomkvisthadleftotable.ShehadetotheclusionthatBlomkvisthaddonesomethingstupidafterstudyiuresfromthesurveilncecameras.ShehadgooMartinVanger’shousebywayoftheshoreandlookedinallthewindowsandseenno-one.Shehadtriedallthedoorsandwindowsonthegroundfloor.Finallyshehadclimbedinthroughanopenbalydoorupstairs.Ithadtakenalongtime,andshehadmovedextremelycautiouslyasshesearchedthehouse,roombyroortinhadbeencareless.Heleftthedoortohischamberofhorrorsajar,andshewasabletoformaclearimpressionofthesituation.
BlomkvistaskedherhowmuchshehadheardofwhatMartinsaid.
“Notmuch.IgottherewhenhewasaskingyouaboutpeoHarriet,justbeforehehungyouupbythenoose.Ileftforafewmiogobadfindaon.”
“MartinhadnoideapeoHarriet,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Doyoubelievethat?”
“Yes,”Blomkvistsaidwithouthesitation.“Martinwasdafterthanasyphiliticpolecat—wheredoIgetthesemetaphorsfrom?—buthefessedtoallthecrimeshehadmitted.Ithinkthathewaoimpressme.ButwhenitcametoHarriet,hewasasdesperateasHenrikVaofindoutpened.”
“So…wheredoesthattakeus?”
“WeknowthatGottfriedwasresponsibleforthefirstseriesofmurders,between1949and1965.”
“OK.AndhebroughtonlittleMartin.”
“Talkaboutadysfunalfamily,”Blomkvistsaid.“Martinreallydidn’thaveace.”
Sandergavehimastrangelook.
“WhatMartintoldme—eventhoughitwasrambling—wasthathisfatherstartedhisapprenticeshipafterhereachedpuberty.HewasthereatthemurderofLeainUddevalin1962.Hewasfourteen,fod’ssake.HewasthereatthemurderofSarain1964andthattimehetookanactivepart.Hewassixteen.”
“And?”
“Hesaidthathehadouchedanotherman—excepthisfather.Thatmademethinkthat…well,theonlypossibleclusionisthathisfatherrapedhim.Martincalledit‘hisduty.’Thesexuassaultsmusthavegoneonforalongtime.Hewasraisedbyhisfather,sotospeak.”
“Bullshit,”Sandersaid,hervoiceashardasflint.
Blomkviststaredatherinastonishment.Shehadastubbornlookinhereyes.Therewasnotanounpathyinit.
“Martilythesameopportunityasanyoostrikeback.Hekilledandherapedbecausehelikeddoingit.”
“I’mnotsayingotherwise.ButMartinressedboyanduheinfluenceofhisfather,justasGottfriedwascowedbyhisfather,theNazi.”
“Soyou’reassumingthatMartinhadnowillofhisownandthatpeoplebeewhateverthey’vebeenbroughtuptobe.”
Blomkvistsmiledcautiously.“Isthisasensitiveissue?”
Sander’seyesbzedwithfury.Blomkvistquicklywenton.
“I’monlysayingthatIthinkthataperson’supbringingdoespyarole.Gottfried’sfatherbeathimmercilesslyforyears.Thatleavesitsmark.”
“Bullshit,”Sandersaidagain.“Gottfriedisn’ttheonlykidwhowasevermistreated.Thatdoesn’tgivehimtherighttomurderwomen.Hemadethatchoicehimself.AndthesameistrueofMartin.”
Blomkvisthelduphishand.
“wenue?”
“I’mnuing.Ijustthinkthatit’spatheticthatcreepsalwayshavetohavesomeoobme.”
“Theyhaveapersonalresponsibility.We’llworkitalloutter.WhatmattersisthatMartinwasseventeetfrieddied,andhedidn’thaveanyooguidehim.Hetriedtotinueinhisfather’sfootsteps.InFebruary1966,inUppsa.”
BlomkvistreachedforoneofSander’scigarettes.
“Iwon’tspecuteaboutulsesGottfriedwastryingtosatisfyorhowhehimselfinterpretedwhathewasdoing.There’ssomesortofBiblicalgibberishthatapsychiatristmightbeabletofigureout,somethingtodowithpunishmentandpurificationinafigurativesedoesn’tmatterwhatitwas.Hewasaddriedserialkiller.
“Gottfriedwaokillwomenandclothehisasiofpseudiouscp-trap.Martindidn’teveendtohaveanexcuse.Hewasanisedanddidhiskillingsystematically.Healsohadmooputintohishobby.Andhewasshrewderthanhisfather.EverytimeGottfriedleftabodybehind,itledtoapolivestigationandtheriskthatsomeonemighttrackhimdown,oratleastlinktogetherthevariousmurders.”
“MartinVangerbuilthishouseintheseventies,”Sandersaidpensively.
“IthinkHenrikmentiowasin1978.Presumablyheorderedasaferoomputrimportantfilesorsomesuchpurpose.Hegotasoundproofed,windowlessroomwithasteeldoor.”
“He’shadthatroomfortwenty-fiveyears.”
TheyfellsilentforawhileasBlomkvistthoughtaboutwhatatrocitiesmusthavetakehereforaquarterofatury.Sanderdidothinkaboutthematter;shehadseenthevideotapes.ShenoticedthatBlomkvistwasunsciouslytoughisneck.
“Gottfriedhatedwomenandtaughthissontohatewomenatthesametimeasheinghim.Butthere’salsosomesortofuohinkGottfriedfantasisedthathischildrenwouldsharehis,toputitmildly,pervertedworldview.WhenIaskedaboutHarriet,hisownsister,Martinsaid:‘Wetriedtotalktoher.Butshewasjustanordinaryt.ShenningtotellHenrik.’”
“IheardhidthatmeansthatweknowwhatherabortedversationwithHenrikwastohavebeenabout.”
Blomkvistfrowned.“Notreally.Thinkoftheology.Wedon’tknowwhenGottfriedfirstrapedhisson,buthetookMartinwithhimwhenhemurderedLeaPerssoninUddevalin1962.Hedrownedin1965.Beforethat,heandMartialktoHarriet.Wheredoesthatleadus?”
“Martinwasn’ttheonlyohatGottfriedassaulted.HealsoassaultedHarriet.”
“Gottfriedwastheteacher.Martinwasthepupil.Harrietwaswhat?Theirpything?”
“GottfriedtaughtMartintoscrewhissister.”SanderpoihePoroidprints.“It’shardtodetermiitudefromthesetwopicturesbecausewe’tseeherface,butshe’stryingtohidefromthecamera.”
“Let’ssaythatitstartedwhenshewasfourteen,in1964.Shedefendedherself—could,asMartinputit.ThatwaswhatshewasthreateningtotellHenrikabout.Martinundoubtedlyhadnothingtosayinthise;hejustdidwhathisfathertoldhim.ButheandGottfriedhadformedsomesortof…padtheytriedtoinitiateHarrietintoittoo.”
Sandersaid:“InyournotesyouwrotethatHenrikhadletHarrietmoveintohishouseierof1964.”
“Henrikcouldseetherewassomethingwronginherfamily.HethoughtitwasthebickeringandfribetweenGottfriedandIsabelthatwasthecause,aookherinsothatshecouldhavesomepeadquietandtrateoudies.”
“AnunforeseenobstaclefottfriedandMartin.Theycouldheirhandsonheraseasilyortrolherlife.Buteventually…Wheredidtheassaulttakepce?”
“ItmusthavebeenatGottfried’s.I’malmostpositivethatthesepicturesweretakenthere—itshouldbepossibletocheck.Theisinaperfectlocation,isotedandfarfromthevilge.ThenGotdruimeanddiedinamostbanalway.”
“SoHarriet’sfatherhadattemptedtohavesexwithher,butmyguessisthathedidn’tinitiateherintothekilling.”
Blomkvistrealisedthatthiswasaoint.HarriethadmadehenamesofGottfried’svictims,pairingthemupwithBiblequotes,butheriintheBibledidnotemergeuntilthestyear,andbythenGottfriedwasalreadydead.Hepaused,tryingtoeupwithalogicalexpnation.
“SometimealongthewayHarrietdiscoveredthatGottfriedhadnotonlymittedi,buthewasalsoaserialsexmurderer,”hesaid.
“Wedon’tknowwhenshefoundoutaboutthemurders.Itcouldhavebeenrightbefottfrieddrowmightalsohavebeenafterhedrowned,ifhehadadiaryorhadsavedpresscuttingsaboutthem.Somethingputheronhistrack.”
“Butthatwasn’twhatshewasthreateningtotellHenrik,”Blomkvistsaid.
“ItwasMartin,”Sandersaid.“Herfatherwasdead,butMartinwasgoingonabusingher.”
“Exactly.”
“Butitwasayearbeforeshetookanya.”
“Whatwouldyoudoifyoufoundoutthatyourfatherwasamurdererwhohadbeenrapingyourbrother?”
“I’dkillthefucker,”SandersaidinsuchasobertohatBlomkvistbelievedher.HerememberedherfaceasshewasattagMartinVanger.Hesmiledjoylessly.
“OK,butHarrietwasn’tlikeyou.Gottfrieddiedbeforeshemaodoanything.Thatalsomakessense.WhenGottfrieddied,IsabelsentMartintoUppsa.HemighthaveehomeforChristmasorotherholidays,butduringthatfollowingyearhedidn’tseeHarrietveryoften.Shewasabletogetsomedistan.”
“AartedstudyingtheBible.”
“Andinlightofknow,itdidn’thavetobeforanyreligiousreasons.Maybeshesimplywaoknowwhatherfatherhadbeenupto.ShebroodedoverituntiltheChildren’sDaycelebrationin1966.Thensuddenlysheseesherbrothersgatanandrealisesthathe’sback.Wedon’tknowiftheytalkedtoeachotherorifhesaidanything.Butnomatterpened,HarriethadaoghthomeandtalktoHenrik.”
“Andthenshedisappeared.”
Aftertheyhadgoheofevents,itwasnothardtouandwhattherestofthepuzzlemusthavelookedlike.BlomkvistandSanderpackedtheirbags.Beforetheyleft,BlomkvistcalledFrodeandtoldhimthatheandSanderhadtogoawayforawhile,butthatheabsolutelywaoseeHenrikVangerbeforetheyleft.
BlomkvistoknowwhatFrodehadtoldHenrik.ThemansoundedsostressedoelephohatBlomkvistfeltedforhim.FrodesaidthathehadonlytoldhimthatMartinhaddiedinacaraident.
ItwasthunderingagainwhenBlomkvistparkedoutsideHedestadHospital,andtheskywasfilledoncemorewithheavyrainclouds.Hehurriedacrossthecarparkjustasitstartedtorain.
Vangerwaswearingabathrobe,sittingatatablebythewindowofhisroom.Hisillnesshadleftitsmark,butVangerhadregainedsomecolourinhisfadlookedasifhewereohtorecovery.Theyshookhands.Blomkvistaskedtheoleavethemaloneforafewminutes.
“You’vebeenavoidingme,”Vangersaid.
Mikaelnodded.“Onpurpose.Yourfamilydidn’twaoeatall,buttodayeveryoneisoveratIsabel’shouse.”
“PoorMartin,”Vangersaid.
“Henrik.YougavemeanassigodigupthetruthaboutpeoHarriet.Didyouexpectthetruthtobepainless?”
Theoldmanlookedathim.Thenhiseyeswidened.
“Martin?”
“He’spartofthestory.”
Henrikclosedhiseyes.
“NowIhavegotaquestionforyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Tellme.”
“Doyoustillwanttoknopened?Evenifitturnsouttobepainfuhetruthisworsethanyouimagined?”
HenrikgaveBlomkvistalonglook.Thenhesaid,“Iwanttoknow.Thatwasthepointofyourassig.”
“OK.IthinkIknopeoHarriet.Butthere’sopieceofthepuzzlemissingbeforeI’msure.”
“Tellme.”
“No.Nottoday.WhatIwantyouthtnowistorest.Thedoctorssaythatthecrisisisoverandthatyettier.”
“Don’tyoutreatmelikeachild,youngman.”
“Ihaven’tworkeditalloutyet.WhatIhaveisatheory.Iamgoingouttofipieceofthepuzzle.Theimeyouseeme,I’lltellyouthewholestory.Itmaytakeawhile,butIwantyoutoknowthatI’mingbadthatyou’llknowthetruth.”
Sanderpulledatarpaulinoverhermotorcydleftitontheshadysideofthe.TheintoBlomkvist’sborrowedcar.ThethuormhadreturhrenewedfordjustsouthofG?vletherewassuchafiercedownpourthatBlomkvistcouldhardlyseetheroad.Justtobesafe,hepulledintoapetrolstation.Theywaitedfortheraiup,sotheydidnotarriveinStountil7:00thatevening.BlomkvistgaveSahesecuritycodetohisbuildinganddroppedheroffatthetraltunnelbana.Hisapartmentseemedunfamiliar.
HevacuumedanddustedwhileSanderwenttoseePgueinSundbyberg.ShearrivedatBlomkvist’sapartmentataroundmidnightaenminutesexaminingeverynookandyofit.Theoodatthewindowforalongtime,lookingattheviewfagtheSlussenlocks.
Theygotundresseda.
AtnoodaytheyLondon’sGatort.Theyweremetwithrain.BlomkvisthadedaroomattheHotelJamesnearHydePark,anexcellenthotelparedtoalltheoarpBayswaterwherehehadalwaysendeduponhisprevioustripstoLondon.
At5:00p.m.theywerestandingatthebarwhenayoungishmaowardsthem.Hewasalmostbald,withablondbeard,andhewaswearingjeansandajacketthatwastoobigforhim.
“?”
“Trinity?”shesaid.Theyoeachother.HedidnotaskforBlomkvist’sname.
Trinity’spartnerwasintroducedasBobtheDog.HewasinanoldVWvanaroundtheer.Theyclimbedinthroughtheslidingdoorsandsatdownonfoldingchairsfastehesides.WhileBobnavigatedthroughtheLondontraffic,andTrinitytalked.
“Pguesaidthishadtodowithsomecrash-bangjob.”
“Telephoappingandchegemailsinaputer.Itmightgofast,oritcouldtakeacoupleofdays,dependingonhowmuchpressureheapplies.”LisbethgesturedtowardsBlomkvistwithherthumb.“youdoit?”
“Dodogshavefleas?”Trinitysaid.
AnitaVangerlivedinaterracehouseiractivesuburbofSt.Albans,aboutanhour’sdrivenorth.Fromthevantheysawherarrivehomeandunlockthedoorsometimeafter7:30thatevening.Theywaiteduntilshehadsettled,hadhersupper,andwassittinginfrontoftheTVbeforeBlomkvistrangthedoorbell.
AnalmostidenticalcopyofCeciliaVangeropehedoor,herexpressionpolitelyquestioning.
“Hi,Anita.MynameisMikaelBlomkvist.HenrikVangeraskedmetoeandseeyou.Iassumethatyou’veheardthenewsaboutMartin.”
Herexpressiongedfromsurprisetowariness.SheklywhoMikaelBlomkvistwas.ButHenrik’snamemeantthatshewasforcedtoopenthedoor.SheshowedBlomkvistintoherlivingroowasaltogetheracharmingroom.
“Fivemeforbyououtoftheblue,butIhappeobeinSt.Albans,andItriedtocallytheday.”
“Iuand.Pleasetellmewhatthisisabout?”
“Areyoupnningtobeatthefuneral?”
“No,asamatteroffact,I’mnot.MartinandIweren’tclose,andanyway,I’tgetawayatthemoment.”
AnitaVangerhadstayedawayfromHedestadforthirtyyears.AfterherfathermovedbacktoHedebyIsnd,shehadhardlysetfootthere.
“IwanttoknopeoHarrietVanger,Anita.It’stimeforthetruth.”
“Harriet?Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
Blomkvistsmiledatherfeignedsurprise.
“YouwereHarriet’sclosestfriendinthefamily.Youweretheourowithherhorriblestory.”
“I’tthinkwhatyou’retalkingabout,”Anitasaid.
“Anita,youwereinHarriet’sroomthatday.Ihavephotographicproofofit,inspiteofwhatyousaidtoIorMorell.InafewdaysI’mgoingtoreporttoHenrik,aakeitfromthere.Itwouldbebettertotellmepened.”
AnitaVaoodup.
“Getoutofmyhousethisminute.”
Blomkvistgotup.
“Sooeryoingtohavetotalktome.”
“Ihavenothingnow,noreverwillhave,anythingtosaytoyou.”
“Martinisdead,”Blomkvistsaid.“YouneverlikedMartin.IthinkthatyoumovedtoLondonnotonlytoavoidseeingyourfatherbutalsosothatyouwouldn’thavetoseeMartin.ThatmeansthatyoualsoknewaboutMartin,andtheonlyonewhocouldhavetoldyouwasHarriet.Thequestionis:whatdidyoudowiththatknowledge?”
AnitaVangersmmedherfrontdoorinhisface.
Sandersmiledwithsatisfaassheunfastehemicrophonefromunderhisshirt.
“Shepickedupthetelephoneabouttwentysedsaftershenearlytookthedooroffitshinges,”shesaid.
“ThetrycodeisAustralia,”Trinitysaid,puttingdowntheearphohelittledeskinthevan.“Iochecktheareacode.”Heswitchedonhisptop.“OK,shecalledthefollowingnumber,whichisatelephoowncalledTennantCreek,northofAliceSpringsiherory.Doyouwanttoheartheversation?”
Blomkvistnodded.“WhattimeisitinAustraliarightnow?”
“About5:00inthem.”Trinitystartedthedigitalpyerandattachedaspeaker.MikaeltedeightringsbeforesomeonepickedupthetelephoheversationtookpEnglish.
“Hi.It’sme.”
“Hmm,IknowI’mampersonbut…”
“Ithoughtofcallingyouyesterday…Martinisdead.Heseemstohavedrivenhistoatruckthedaybeforeyesterday.”
Silehenwhatsoundedlikesomeoneclearihroat,butitmighthavebeen:“Good.”
“Butwehavegotaproblem.AdisgustingjournalistthatHenrikdugupfromsomewherehasjustknoydoor,hereinSt.Albans.He’saskiionsaboutpenedin1966.Heknowssomething.”
Againsilehenamandingvoice.
“Anita.Putdowelephhtnow.We’thaveanytactforawhile.”
“But…”
“Writealetter.Tellmewhat’sgoingon.”Thentheversationwasover.
“Sharpchick,”Sandersaid.
Theyreturheirhoteljustbefore11:00.ThefrontdeskmanagerhelpedthemtoreserveseatsoavaibleflighttoAustralia.Soontheyhadreservationsonapneleavingat7:05thefollowingeveniinationMelbourne,ginginSingapore.
ThiswasSander’sfirstvisittoLondon.TheyspentthemwalkingfromtGardenthroughSoho.TheystoppedtohaveacaffetteonOldpto.Around3:00theywerebackatthehoteltocollecttheirluggage.WhileBlomkvistpaidthebill,Saurnedonhermobile.Shehadatextmessage.
“Armanskysaystocaltonce.”
Sheusedatelephohelobby.Blomkvist,whowasstandingashortdistanceaway,noticedSaurntohimwithafrozenexpressiononherface.Hewasathersideatonce.
“Whatisit?”
“Mymotherdied.Ihavetogohome.”
Sanderlookedsounhappythatheputhisarmsaroundher.Shepushedhimaway.
Theysatielbar.WhenBlomkvistsaidthathewouldcelthereservationstoAustraliaandgobacktoStowithher,sheshookherhead.
“No,”shesaid.“We’tscrewupthejobnow.You’llhavetogobyyourself.”
Theypartedoutsidethehotel,eachofthemmakingforadifferentairport.
CHAPTER26
Tuesday,July15–Thursday,July17
BlomkvistflewfromMelbouroAliceSprings.Afterthathehadtochooseeithertocharteraporentacarfortheremaining250-miletripnorth.Hechosetogobycar.
AnunknownpersonwiththebiblicalsignatureofJoshua,artofPgue’sorpossiblyTrinity’smysteriousiionalwork,hadleftanenvelopeforhimatthetralrmatioMelbourneairport.
ThehatAnitahadcalledbelooapcecalledCoFarrticlepulledofftheIntergaveasnapshotguide.
Australia:poputionof18million;sheepfarmers,53,000;approx.120millionheadofsheep.Theexportofwoopprox.3.5billiondolrsannually.Australiaexports700milliontonsofmuttonandmb,plusskinsforclothing.biandwoolproduohetry’smostimportantindustries…
CoFarm,founded1891byJeremyCo,Australia’sfifthrgestagriculturalenterprise,approx60,000Merihestationalsoraisedcattle,pigs,andchis.CoFarmhadimpressiveannualexportstotheU.S.A.,Japan,a,andEurope.
Thepersonalbiographieswerefasating.
In1972CoFarmpasseddownfromRaymondCotoSpencerCo,educ.Oxford.Spencerd.in1994,andfarmrunbywidow.Blomkvistfoundherinablurry,low-resolutionphotographdownloadedfromtheCoFarmwebsite.Itshowedawomanwithshortblondehair,herfacepartiallyhidden,shearingasheep.
AtoJoshua’shecouplehadmarriedinItalyin1971.
HernamewasAnitaCo.
Blomkviststoppedhtinadried-upholeofatownwiththehopefulnameofWannado.Atthelocalpubheateroastmuttonanddowhreepintsalongwithsomelocalswhoallcalledhim“mate.”
LastthingbeforehewenttobedhecalledBergerinNewYork.
“I’msorry,Ricky,butI’vebeensobusythatIhaven’thadtimetocall.”
“Whatthehellisgoingon?”sheexploded.“ChristercalledandtoldmethatMartinVangerhadbeenkilledinacaraident.”
“It’salongstory.”
“Andwhydon’tyouansweryourtelephone?I’vebeencallinglikecrazyfortwodays.”
“Itdoesn’tworkhere.”
“Whereishere?”
“RightnowI’maboutonehuwenty-fivemilesnorthofAliceSprings.InAustralia,thatis.”
MikaelhadrarelymaosurpriseBerger.Thistimeshewassilentfornearlytenseds.
“AndwhatareyoudoinginAustralia?IfImightask.”
“I’mfinishingupthejob.I’llbebaafewdays.IjustcalledtotellyouthatmyworkforHenrikVangerisalmostdone.”
HearrivedatCoFarmaroundnoonthefollowingday,tobetoldthatAnitaCowasatasheepstationnearapcecalledMakawakaseventy-fivemilesfartherwest.
Itwas4:00iernoonbythetimeMikaelfoundhiswaythereondustybackroads.HestoppedatagatewheresomesheepranchersweregatheredaroundthehoodofaJeephavingcoffee.BlomkvistgotoutandexpihathewaslookingforAnitaCo.Theyallturowardsamusan,clearlythedeakerofthegroup.HewasbarechestedandverybrowforthepartsnormallycoveredbyhisT-shirt.Hewaswearingawide-brimmedhat.
“Thebossisabouteighteenmilesoffinthatdire,”hesaid,pointingwithhisthumb.
HecastascepticeatBlomkvist’svehidsaidthatitmightnotbesuchagoodideatogooninthatJapaoycar.FinallythetahletesaidthathewasheadingthatwayandwoulddriveBlomkvistinhisJeep.Blomkvistthankedhimandtookalonghisputercase.
ThemanintroducedhimselfasJeffandsaidthathewasthe“studsmathestation.Blomkvistaskedhimtoexpinwhatthatmeant.JeffgavehimasidelonglookandcludedthatBlomkvistwasnotfromtheseparts.Heexpihatastudsmanagerwasrathertheequivalentofafinancialmanagerinabank,althoughheadministeredsheep,andthata“station”wastheAustralianwordforranch.
TheytioverseasJeffcheerfullysteeredtheJeepatabouttenkilometresanhourdownintoaravih0°slope.Blomkvistthankedhisluckystarsthathehadnotattemptedthedriveinhisrentalcar.Heaskedwhatwasdownintheravineandwastoldthatitwasthepasturendfor700headofsheep.
“AsIuandit,CoFarmisohebiggerranches.”
“We’reohergestinallofAustralia,”Jeffsaidwithacertainprideinhisvoice.“Werunabout9,000sheephereintheMakawakadistrict,butwehavestationsinbothNewSouthWalesaernAustralia.Wehave60,000plushead.”
Theycameoutfromtheravioahillybutgentlerndscape.Blomkvistsuddenlyheardshots.Hesawsheepcadavers,bigbonfires,andadozenrands.Severalmeobecarryingrifles.Theyarentlysughteringsheep.
Involuntarily,hethoughtofthebiblicalsacrificialmbs.
Thenhesawawomanwithshortblondehairwearingjeansandared-and-whitecheckedshirt.Jeffstoppedafewyardsawayfromher.
“Hi,Boss.We’vegotatourist,”hesaid.
BlomkvistgotoutoftheJeepandlookedather.Shelookedbackwithaninquisitiveexpression.
“Hi,Harriet.It’sbeenalongtime,”hesaidinSwedish.
hemenwhoworkedforAnitaCouoodwhathesaid,buttheyallsawherrea.Shetookastepback,lookingshocked.Themensawherrespooppedtheirjoking,andstraightenedup,readytointerveneagainstthisoddstranger.Jeff’sfriendlinesssuddenlyevaporatedandheadvaowardBlomkvist.
Blomkvistwaskeenlyawarehowvulnerablehewas.AwordfromAnitaCoandhewouldbedonefor.
Thenthemomentpassed.HarrietVangerwavedherhandinapeacefulgestureandthemenmovedback.ShecameovertoBlomkvistahisgaze.Herfacewassweatyanddirty.Herblondehairhaddarkerroots.Herfacewasolderandthinner,butshehadgrownintothebeautifulwomanthatherfirmationportraithadpromised.
“Havewemetbefore?”shesaid.
“Yes,wehave.IamMikaelBlomkvist.YouweremybabysitteronesummerwhenIwasthreeyearsold.Youweretwelveorthirteenatthetime.”
Ittookafewsedsforherpuzzledexpressiontoclear,andthehatsheremembered.Shelookedsurprised.
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Harriet,I’mnotyourenemy.I’momaketroubleforyou.ButIalkwithyou.”
SheturoJeffandtoldhimtotakeover,thensigoBlomkvisttofollowher.Theywalkedafewhundredfeetroupofwhitevastentsinagroveoftrees.Shemotionedhimtoacampstootaricketytableandpouredwaterintoabasin.Sherinsedherface,driedit,aienttogehershirt.Shegottwobeersoutofacooler.
“So.Talk.”
“Whyareyoushootingthesheep?”
“Wehaveatagiousepidemic.Mostofthesesheepareprobablyhealthy,butwe’triskitspreading.We’regoingtohavetosughtermorethansixhuheingweek.SoI’mnotinaverygoodmood.”
Blomkvistsaid:“Yourbrothercrashedhistoatruckafewdaysago.Hemusthavediedinstantaneously.”
“Iheardthat.”
“FromAnita,whocalledyou.”
Shescrutinisedhimforalongmoment.Thenshenodded.Shekhatitoiode.
“Howdidyoufindme?”
“edAnita’stelephone.”Blomkvistdidnotthinktherewasanyreasontolie.“Isawyourbrotherafewminutesbeforehedied.”
HarrietVangerfrowned.Hemethergaze.Theookofftheridiculousscarfhewaswearing,turneddownhiscolr,andshowedherthestripeleftfromthewasstillredandinfmed,andhewouldprobablyalwayshaveasindhimofMartinVanger.
“Yourbrotherhadhungmefromahook,butbythegraceofGodmypartne
Hetriedtoshouttohertowait,buthemanagedonlyaraspingsoundandbythenshehadvanished.
SanderhadnotfottenthatMartinVangerhadariflesomewhere,aopped,holdiolreadytofireinfrontofher,asshecameupstairstothepassagewaybetweenthegaragea.Shelistened,butshecouldhearnosoundtellingherwhereherpreywas.Shemovedstealthilytowardsthekit,andshewasalmosttherewhensheheardacarstartingupinthecourtyard.
FromthedriveshesaairoftaillightspassingHenrikVanger’shouseandturningdowntothebridge,andsheranasfastasherlegscouldcarryher.Shestuffedthepistolinherjacketpocketanddidnotbotherwiththehelmetasshestartedhermotorcycle.Sedstershewascrossingthebridge.
Hehadmaybeaniy-sedstartwhenshecameintotheroundaboutattheentraheE4.Shecouldnotseehiscar.Shebrakedandturnedoffthemotortolisten.
Theskywasfilledwithheavyclouds.Onthehorizonshesawahintofthedawn.ThensheheardthesoundofanengineandcaughtaglimpseoftaillightsontheE4,goingsouth.Sanderkickedthemotorcycle,putitintogear,andradertheviaduct.Shewasdoing40milesperhourasshetookthecurveoftheentranceramp.Shesawnotraffidaeleratedtofullspeedandflewforward.Whentheroadbegantocurveale,shewasdoing90mph,whichwasaboutthefastesthersouped-uplightweightbikeanagegoingdownhill.Aftertwominutesshesawthelightsabout650yardsahead.
Analysesequences.WhatdoIdonow?
Shedeceleratedtoamorereasonableseventy-fiveapacewithhihentheycameontoalongstraight;shewasonlytwohundredyardsbehindhim.
Hemusthaveseentheheadlightfromhermotorcycle,andhespedupwheookalongcurve.Sheaeleratedagainbutlostgroundonthebends.
Shesawtheheadlightsofatruckapproag.MartinVangerdidtoo.Heincreasedhisspeedagainanddrovestraightintotheoningne.Sandersawthetruckswerveandfshitslights,butthecollisionwasunavoidable.MartinVangerdrovestraightintothetrudthesoundofthecrashwasterrible.
Sanderbraked.Shesawthetrailerstarttojaifeacrossherhespeedshewasgoing,ittooktwosedsforhertocoverthedistaotheaidentsite.Sheaeleratedandsteeredontothehardshoulder,avoidilingbackofthetruckbytwoyardsassheflewpast.Outoftheerofhereyeshesawfmesingfromthefrontofthetruck.
Sherodeon,brakingandthinking,foranother150yardsbeforeshestoppedandturnedaround.Shesawthedriverofthetruckclimboutofhisthepassengerside.Thensheaeleratedagain.At?kerby,aboutamilesouth,sheturandtooktheoldroadbaorth,paralleltotheE4.Shewentupahillpasttheseofthecrash.Twocarshadstopped.BigfmeswereboilingoutofthewreckageofMartin’scar,whichwaswedgedunderhetruck.Amanrayingthefmeswithasmallfireextinguisher.
Shewassoonrollingacrossthebridgeatalowspeed.SheparkedoutsidethecottageandwalkedbaartinVanger’shouse.
Mikaelwasstillfumblingwiththehandcuffs.Hishandsweresonumbthathecouldagriponthekey.Sanderunlockedthecuffsforhimandheldhimtightasthebloodbegantocircuteinhishandsagain.
“Martin?”hesaidinahoarsevoice.
“Dead.HedrovespintothefrontofatruckacoupleofmilessouthontheE4.”
Blomkviststaredather.Shehadonlybeengoneafewminutes.
“Wehaveto…callthepolice,”hewhispered.Hebegancoughinghard.
“Why?”Sandersaid.
FortenminutesBlomkvistwasincapableofstandingup.Hewasstillonthefloor,naked,leaningagainstthewall.Hemassagedhisnedliftedthewaterbottlewithclumsyfingers.Sanderwaitedpatientlyuntilhisseouchstartedtoreturn.Shespeimethinking.
“Putyourtrouserson.”
SheusedBlomkvist’scut-upT-shirttowipefingerprintsfromthehandcuffs,theknife,andthegolfclub.ShepickedupherPETbottle.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Getdressedandhurryup.It’sgettinglightoutside.”
Blomkviststoodonshakylegsandmaopullonhisboxersandjeans.Heslippedonhistrainers.Sauffedhissotoherjacketpocketaoppedhim.
“Whatexactlydidyoutouchdownhere?”
Blomkvistlookedarouriedtoremember.Atsthesaidthathehadtouothingexceptthedoorandthekeys.SanderfoundthekeysinMartinVanger’sjacket,whichhehadhuhechair.Shewipedthedoorhaheswitdturnedoffthelight.ShehelpedBlomkvistupthebasementstairsandtoldhimtowaitinthepassagewaywhilesheputthegolfclubbaitsproperpce.WhenshecamebackshewascarryingadarkT-shirtthatbelooMartinVanger.
“Putthison.Idon’twantanyooseeyouscamperingaboutwithabarechesttonight.”
Blomkvistrealisedthathewasinastateofshock.Sanderhadtakencharge,andpassivelyheobeyedherinstrus.SheledhimoutofMartin’shouse.Sheheldontohimthewholetime.Assoonastheysteppedihecottage,shestoppedhim.
“Ifanyoneseesusandaskseredoingoutsidetonight,youaouttothepointfhttimewalk,andwehadsexoutthere.”
“Lisbeth,I’t…”
“Getintheshower.Now.”
Shehelpedhimoffwithhisclothesandpropelledhimtothebathroom.Theonwaterforcoffeeandmadehalfadozenthidwichesonryebreadwithcheeseandliversausageanddillpickles.Shesatdownatthekittableandwasthinkinghardwhenhecamelimpingbatotheroohenoosehadbeensotightthathehadadarkredmarkaroundhisnedtheknifehadmadeabloodygashinhisskinoside.
“Getintobed,”shesaid.
Sheimprovisedbandagesandcoveredthewoundwithamakeshiftpress.Thenshepouredthecoffeeandhandedhimasandwich.
“I’mreallynothungry,”hesaid.
“Idon’tgiveadamnifyou’rehungry.Justeat,”Sandermaakingabigbiteofherowncheesesandwich.
Blomkvistclosedhiseyesforamoment,theupandtookabite.Histhroathurtsomuchthathecouldscarcelyswallow.
SaookoffherleatherjacketandfromthebathrhtajarofTigerBalmfromherspongebag.
“Letthecoffeecoolforawhile.Liefacedown.”
Shespentfiveminutesmassaginghisbadrubbinghimwiththeliheurnedhimavehimthesametreatmentonthefront.
“Yoingtohavesomeseriousbruisesforawhile.”
“Lisbeth,wehavetocallthepolice.”
“No,”sherepliedwithsuchvehemeBlomkvistopenedhiseyesinsurprise.“Ifyoucallthepolice,I’mleaving.Idon’twanttohaveanythingtodowiththem.MartinVangerisdead.Hediedinacaraident.Hewasalohecar.Therearewitnesses.Letthepolieoneelsediscoverthatfugtorturechamber.YouandIarejustasignorantaboutitsexistenceaseveryoneelseinthisvilge.”
“Why?”
Sheignoredhimandstartedmassaginghisagthighs.
“Lisbeth,we’tjust…”
“Ifyougoonnagging,I’lldragyoubaartin’sgrottoandyouupagain.”
Asshesaidthis,Blomkvistfelsleep,assuddenlyasifhehadfainted.
CHAPTER25
Saturday,July12–Monday,July14
Blomkvistwokewithastartat5:00inthem,scrabblingathisogetridofthenoose.Sandercameinandtookholdofhishands,keepinghimstill.Heopenedhiseyesandlookedatherblearily.
“Ididn’tknowthatyoupyedgolf,”hesaid,closinghiseyesagaiwithhimforacoupleofmiilshewassurehewasasleep.Whileheslept,SanderhadgonebaartinVanger’sbasementtoexamineandphotographthecrimese.Inadditiontothetortureinstruments,shehadfoundacolleofviolentpraphicmagazinesandargenumberofPoroidphotographspastedintoalbums.
Therewasnodiary.Oherhand,shedidfindtwoA4binderswithpassportphotographsandhandwrittennotesaboutthewomehebindersinanylonbagalongwithMartin’sDellPCptop,whichshefoundonthehalltableupstairs.WhileBlomkvistsleptshetinuedherexaminationofMartin’sputerandbinders.Itwasafter6:00bythetimesheturnedofftheputer.Shelitacigarette.
TogetherwithMikaelBlomkvistshehadtakenupthehuntforwhattheythoughtwasaserialkillerfromthepast.Theyhadfoundsomethingappallinglydifferent.ShecouldhardlyimagihehorrorsthatmusthavepyedoutinMartinVanger’sbasement,inthemidstofthiswell-ordered,idyllicspot.
Shetriedtouand.
MartinVangerhadbeenkillingwomensihesixties,durififteenyearsowovictimsperyear.Thekillinghadbeendonesodiscreetlyandwassowellphatno-onewasevenawarethataserialkillerwasatwork.Howwasthatpossible?
Thebindersprovidedapartianswer.
Hisvictimswereoftennewarrivals,immigrantgirlswhohadnofriendsorsocialtaSweden.Thererostitutesandsocialoutcasts,withdrugabuseorotherproblemsintheirbackground.
Fromherownstudiesofthepsychologyofsexualsadism,Sanderhadlearhatthistypeofmurdererusuallycollectedsouvenirsfromhisvictims.Thesesouvenirsfunedasremihatthekillercouldusetore-createsomeofthepleasurehehadexperienced.MartinVangerhaddevelopedthispeculiaritybykeepinga“death.”Hehadcataloguedandgradedhisvictims.Hehaddescribedtheirsuffering.Hehaddotedhiskillingswithvideotapesandphotographs.
Theviolehekillihegoal,butSandercludedthatitwasthehuntthatwasMartinVanger’sprimaryi.Inhisptophehadcreatedadatabasewithalistofmorethanahundredwomen.TherewereemployeesfromtheVangerCorporation,waitressesiaurantswhereheregurlyate,receptionstaffinhotels,clerksatthesocialsecurityoffice,thesecretariesofbusinessassociates,andmanyotherwomen.ItseemedasifMartinhadpigeonholedpracticallyeverywomanhehadevereintotactwith.
Hehadkilledonlyafraofthesewomen,buteverywomananywherenearhimotentialvictim.Thecataloguinghadthemarkofapassionatehobby,ahavedevotedtlesshourstoit.
Isshemarriedle?Doesshehavechildrenandfamily?Wheredoesshework?Wheredoesshelive?Whatkindofcardoesshedrive?Whatsortofeducationdoesshehave?Haircolour?Skincure?
ThegatheringofpersonalrmationaboutpotentialvictimsmusthavebeenasignifitpartofMartinVanger’ssexualfantasies.Hewasfirstofalstalker,andseurderer.
Whenshehadfinishedreading,shediscoveredasmallenvelopeihebinders.ShepulledouttwomudledandfadedPoroidpictures.Inthefirstpictureadark-hairedgirlwassittingatatable.Thegirlhadondarkjeansandhadabaretorsowithtiny,pointedbreasts.Shehadturnedherfaceawayfromthecameraandwasintheprocessofliftingonearmiureofdefence,almostasifthephotographerhadsurprisedher.Inthesedpicturesheletelynaked.Shewaslyingoomaabluebedspread.Herfacewasstillturnedawayfromthecamera.
Sauffedtheenvelopewiththepicturesintoherjacketpocket.Afterthatshecarriedthebindersovertothewoodstoveandstruckamatch.Whenshewasdohthefire,shestirredtheashes.Itdownwithrainwheookashortwalkand,kneelingasiftotieashoece,discreetlydroppedMartinVanger’sptopintothewateruhebridge.
WhenFrodemarchedthroughtheopendoorat7:30thatm,Sanderwasatthekittablesmokingacigaretteanddrinkingcoffee.Frode’sfacewasashen,andhelookedasifhehadhadacruewakening.
“Where’sMikael?”hesaid.
“He’sstilsleep.”
Frodesatdownheavilyonakitchair.Sanderpouredcoffeeandpushedthecupovertohim.
“Martin…IjustfoundoutthatMartinwaskilledinacaraidentstnight.”
“That’ssad,”Sandersaid,takingasipofherowncoffee.
Frodelookedup.Atfirsthestaredather,unprehending.Thenhiseyesopenedwide.
“What…?”
“Hecrashed.Howannoying.”
“Whatdoyouknowaboutthis?”
“Hedrovehiscarrightintothefrontofatruck.Hemittedsuicide.Thepress,thestress,aflounderingfinancialempire,dot,dot,dot,toomu.Atleastthat’swhatIsupposeitwillsayonthepcards.”
Frodelookedasifhewereabouttohaveacerebralhaeme.Hestoodupswiftlyandwalkedunsteadilytothebedroom.
“Lethimsleep,”Sandersnapped.
Frodelookedatthesleepingfigure.HesawthebdbluemarksonBlomkvist’sfadthetusionsonhischest.Thehefminglihenoosehadbeen.Saouchedhisarmandclosedthedoor.Frodebackedoutandsankontothekitbench.
LisbethSaoldhimsuinctlywhathadhappenedduringthenight.ShetoldhimwhatMartinVanger’schamberofhorrorslookedlikeandhowshehadfoundMikaelwithanoosearoundhisnedtheCEOoftheVangerCorporationstandinginfrontofhisnakedbody.Shetoldhimwhatshehadfoundinthepany’sarchivesthedaybeforeandhowshehadestablishedapossibleliweenMartin’sfatherandthemurdersofatleastsevenwomen.
Frodeinterruptedherrecitationonlyonce.Wheoppedtalkimutelyforseveralminutesbeforehetookadeepbreathandsaid:“Whatarewegoingtodo?”
“That’snotformetosay,”Sandersaid.
“But…”
“AsIseeit,I’vefootiad.”
“Idon’tuand.”
“UndernocircumstancesdoIwantmynameinanypolicereport.Idoinewithanyofthis.Ifmynameismentionedinewiththisstory,I’lldenythatI’veeverbeenhere,andI’llrefusetoanswerasinglequestion.”
Frodegaveherasearglook.
“Idon’tuand.”
“Youdoouand.”
“ThenwhatshouldIdo?”
“You’llhavetoworkthatoutforyourself.OnlyleavemeandMikaeloutofit.”
Frodewasdeathlypale.
“Lookatitthisway:theonlythingyouknowisthatMartinVangerdiedinatrafficaident.Youhavehathewasalsoaninsane,ingserialkiller,andyou’veneverheardabouttheroominhisbasement.”
Sheputthekeyoablebetweenthem.
“You’vegottime—beforeanyoneisgoingtooutMartin’shouseanddiscoverthebasement.”
“Wehavetogotothepoliceaboutthis.”
“Notwe.Yougotothepoliceifyoulike.It’syourdecision.”
“This’tbebrushedunderacarpet.”
“I’mnotsuggestingthatitshouldbebrushedanywhere,justthatyouleavemeandMikaeloutofit.Whenyoudiscovertheroom,youdrawyourownclusionsanddecideforyourselfwhoyouwanttotell.”
“Ifwhatyousayistrue,itmeansthatMartinhaskidnappedandmurderedwomen…theremustbefamiliesthataredesperatebecausetheydon’tknowwheretheirchildrenare.We’tjust…”
“That’sright.Butthere’sjustoneprobleybeyou’llfindpassportsorIDcardsinsomedrawer.Maybesomeofthevictimsbeidentifiedfromthevideotapes.Butyoudoodecidetoday.Thinkitover.”
Frodelookedpanic-stri.
“Oh,dearGod.Thiswillbethedeathblowforthepany.ThinkofhowmanyfamilieswilllosetheirlivelihoodifitgetsoutthatMartin…”
Froderockedbadforth,jugglingwithamoraldilemma.
“That’soneissue.IfIsabelVaoi,youmaythinkitwouldbeinappropriateifshewerethefirstoolightuponherson’shobby.”
“Ihavetogoandsee…”
“Ithinkyoushouldstayawayfromthatroomtoday,”Sandersaidsharply.“Youhavealotofthingstotakecareof.YouhavetogoandtellHenrik,andyouhavetocalspecialmeetingoftheboardanddoallthosethingsyouchapsdowhenyourCEOdies.”
Frodethoughtaboutwhatshewassaying.Hisheartwasthumpiheoldattorneyandproblem-solverectedtohaveapomeetauality,yethefeltpowerlesstoact.Itsuddenlydawnedonhimthatherehewas,takingordersfromachild.Shehadsomehowseizedtrolofthesituationandgivenhimtheguidelihathehimselfwasuoformute.
“AndHarriet…?”
“MikaendIarenotfi.ButyoutellHerrVahatIthinknowthatwe’regoingtosolveit.”
MartinVanger’sueddemisewasthetopstoryonthe9:00newsontheradiowhenBlomkvistwokeup.Nothingortedaboutthenight’seventsotherthantosaythattheindustrialisthadinexplicablyandathighspeedcrossedtothewrongsideoftheE4,travellingsouth.Hehadbeenalohecar.
ThelocalradioranastorythatdealtwithforthefutureoftheVangerCorporationandthesequehatthisdeathwouldiablyhaveforthepany.
AhastilyposedlunchtimeupdatefromtheTTwireservicehadtheheadliOWNINSHOditsummeduptheproblemsoftheVangerCorporation.Itescapedno-one’snoticethatiadalonemorethan3,000ofthetown’s21,000inhabitantswereemployedbytheVangerCorporatioherwisedepeontheprosperityofthepany.Thefirm’sCEOwasdead,andtheformerCEOwasseriouslyilfteraheartattack.Therewasnonaturalheir.Allthisatatimesideredtobeamocritithepany’shistory.
BlomkvisthadhadtheoptionofgoingtothepoliHedestadandtellingthemwhathadhappehatnight,butSanderhadalreadysetacertainprocessinmotion.Sincehehadnotimmediatelycalledthepolice,itbecamehardertodosowitheachhourthatpassed.Hespentthemingloomysiletingobench,watgtherainoutside.Around10:00therewasanothercloudburst,butbylunchtimetherainhadstoppedandthewindhaddieddownabit.Hewentoutandwipedoffthegardenfurnitureatherewithamugofcoffee.Hewaswearingashirtwiththecolrturnedup.
Martihcastashadow,ofcourse,overthedailylifeofHedeby.CarsbeganparkingoutsideIsabelVanger’shouseasthegatheredtoofferdolences.Sanderobservedtheprocessionwithoutemotion.
“Howareyoufeeling?”shesaidatst.
“IthinkI’mstillinshock,”hesaid.“Iwashelpless.ForseveralhoursIwasvihatIwasgoingtodie.Ifeltthefearofdeathandtherewasn’tathingIcoulddo.”
Hestretchedouthishandaonherknee.
“Thankyou,”hesaid.“Butforyou,Iwouldbedead.”
Sandersmiledhercrookedsmile.
“Allthesame…Idon’tuandhowyoucouldbesuidiotastotacklehimonyourown.Iwasedtothefloordownthere,prayingthatyou’dseethepictureandputtwoandtwotogetherandcallthepolice.”
“IfI’dwaitedforthepolice,youwouldn’thavesurvived.Iwasn’tgoingtoletthatmotherfuckerkillyou.”
“Whydon’tyouwanttotalktothepolice?”
“Ialktotheauthorities.”
“Whynot?”
“That’smybusiness.Butinyourcase,Idon’tthinkitwouldbeaterrifiareermovetobehungouttodryasthejournalistwhowasstrippednakedbyMartinVahefamousserialkiller.Ifyoudon’tlike‘KalleBlomkvist,’youthinkupawholehet.Justdon’ttakeitoutofthischapterofyourheroiclife.”
Blomkvistgaveherasearglookanddroppedthesubject.
“Wedostillhaveaproblem,”shesaid.
Blomkvistnodded.“peoHarriet.Yes.”
SahetwoPoroidpicturesoableinfrontofhim.Sheexpinedwhereshe’dfoundthem.Mikaelstudiedthepicturesilyforawhilebeforehelookedup.
“Itmightbeher,”hesaidatst.“Iwouldn’tsweartoit,buttheshapeofherbodyandthehairremihepicturesI’veseen.”
Theysatinthegardenforanhour,piegtogetherthedetails.Theydiscoveredthateachofthem,indepelyandfromdifferentdires,hadidentifiedMartinVahemissinglink.
SanderneverdidfiographthatBlomkvisthadleftotable.ShehadetotheclusionthatBlomkvisthaddonesomethingstupidafterstudyiuresfromthesurveilncecameras.ShehadgooMartinVanger’shousebywayoftheshoreandlookedinallthewindowsandseenno-one.Shehadtriedallthedoorsandwindowsonthegroundfloor.Finallyshehadclimbedinthroughanopenbalydoorupstairs.Ithadtakenalongtime,andshehadmovedextremelycautiouslyasshesearchedthehouse,roombyroortinhadbeencareless.Heleftthedoortohischamberofhorrorsajar,andshewasabletoformaclearimpressionofthesituation.
BlomkvistaskedherhowmuchshehadheardofwhatMartinsaid.
“Notmuch.IgottherewhenhewasaskingyouaboutpeoHarriet,justbeforehehungyouupbythenoose.Ileftforafewmiogobadfindaon.”
“MartinhadnoideapeoHarriet,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Doyoubelievethat?”
“Yes,”Blomkvistsaidwithouthesitation.“Martinwasdafterthanasyphiliticpolecat—wheredoIgetthesemetaphorsfrom?—buthefessedtoallthecrimeshehadmitted.Ithinkthathewaoimpressme.ButwhenitcametoHarriet,hewasasdesperateasHenrikVaofindoutpened.”
“So…wheredoesthattakeus?”
“WeknowthatGottfriedwasresponsibleforthefirstseriesofmurders,between1949and1965.”
“OK.AndhebroughtonlittleMartin.”
“Talkaboutadysfunalfamily,”Blomkvistsaid.“Martinreallydidn’thaveace.”
Sandergavehimastrangelook.
“WhatMartintoldme—eventhoughitwasrambling—wasthathisfatherstartedhisapprenticeshipafterhereachedpuberty.HewasthereatthemurderofLeainUddevalin1962.Hewasfourteen,fod’ssake.HewasthereatthemurderofSarain1964andthattimehetookanactivepart.Hewassixteen.”
“And?”
“Hesaidthathehadouchedanotherman—excepthisfather.Thatmademethinkthat…well,theonlypossibleclusionisthathisfatherrapedhim.Martincalledit‘hisduty.’Thesexuassaultsmusthavegoneonforalongtime.Hewasraisedbyhisfather,sotospeak.”
“Bullshit,”Sandersaid,hervoiceashardasflint.
Blomkviststaredatherinastonishment.Shehadastubbornlookinhereyes.Therewasnotanounpathyinit.
“Martilythesameopportunityasanyoostrikeback.Hekilledandherapedbecausehelikeddoingit.”
“I’mnotsayingotherwise.ButMartinressedboyanduheinfluenceofhisfather,justasGottfriedwascowedbyhisfather,theNazi.”
“Soyou’reassumingthatMartinhadnowillofhisownandthatpeoplebeewhateverthey’vebeenbroughtuptobe.”
Blomkvistsmiledcautiously.“Isthisasensitiveissue?”
Sander’seyesbzedwithfury.Blomkvistquicklywenton.
“I’monlysayingthatIthinkthataperson’supbringingdoespyarole.Gottfried’sfatherbeathimmercilesslyforyears.Thatleavesitsmark.”
“Bullshit,”Sandersaidagain.“Gottfriedisn’ttheonlykidwhowasevermistreated.Thatdoesn’tgivehimtherighttomurderwomen.Hemadethatchoicehimself.AndthesameistrueofMartin.”
Blomkvisthelduphishand.
“wenue?”
“I’mnuing.Ijustthinkthatit’spatheticthatcreepsalwayshavetohavesomeoobme.”
“Theyhaveapersonalresponsibility.We’llworkitalloutter.WhatmattersisthatMartinwasseventeetfrieddied,andhedidn’thaveanyooguidehim.Hetriedtotinueinhisfather’sfootsteps.InFebruary1966,inUppsa.”
BlomkvistreachedforoneofSander’scigarettes.
“Iwon’tspecuteaboutulsesGottfriedwastryingtosatisfyorhowhehimselfinterpretedwhathewasdoing.There’ssomesortofBiblicalgibberishthatapsychiatristmightbeabletofigureout,somethingtodowithpunishmentandpurificationinafigurativesedoesn’tmatterwhatitwas.Hewasaddriedserialkiller.
“Gottfriedwaokillwomenandclothehisasiofpseudiouscp-trap.Martindidn’teveendtohaveanexcuse.Hewasanisedanddidhiskillingsystematically.Healsohadmooputintohishobby.Andhewasshrewderthanhisfather.EverytimeGottfriedleftabodybehind,itledtoapolivestigationandtheriskthatsomeonemighttrackhimdown,oratleastlinktogetherthevariousmurders.”
“MartinVangerbuilthishouseintheseventies,”Sandersaidpensively.
“IthinkHenrikmentiowasin1978.Presumablyheorderedasaferoomputrimportantfilesorsomesuchpurpose.Hegotasoundproofed,windowlessroomwithasteeldoor.”
“He’shadthatroomfortwenty-fiveyears.”
TheyfellsilentforawhileasBlomkvistthoughtaboutwhatatrocitiesmusthavetakehereforaquarterofatury.Sanderdidothinkaboutthematter;shehadseenthevideotapes.ShenoticedthatBlomkvistwasunsciouslytoughisneck.
“Gottfriedhatedwomenandtaughthissontohatewomenatthesametimeasheinghim.Butthere’salsosomesortofuohinkGottfriedfantasisedthathischildrenwouldsharehis,toputitmildly,pervertedworldview.WhenIaskedaboutHarriet,hisownsister,Martinsaid:‘Wetriedtotalktoher.Butshewasjustanordinaryt.ShenningtotellHenrik.’”
“IheardhidthatmeansthatweknowwhatherabortedversationwithHenrikwastohavebeenabout.”
Blomkvistfrowned.“Notreally.Thinkoftheology.Wedon’tknowwhenGottfriedfirstrapedhisson,buthetookMartinwithhimwhenhemurderedLeaPerssoninUddevalin1962.Hedrownedin1965.Beforethat,heandMartialktoHarriet.Wheredoesthatleadus?”
“Martinwasn’ttheonlyohatGottfriedassaulted.HealsoassaultedHarriet.”
“Gottfriedwastheteacher.Martinwasthepupil.Harrietwaswhat?Theirpything?”
“GottfriedtaughtMartintoscrewhissister.”SanderpoihePoroidprints.“It’shardtodetermiitudefromthesetwopicturesbecausewe’tseeherface,butshe’stryingtohidefromthecamera.”
“Let’ssaythatitstartedwhenshewasfourteen,in1964.Shedefendedherself—could,asMartinputit.ThatwaswhatshewasthreateningtotellHenrikabout.Martinundoubtedlyhadnothingtosayinthise;hejustdidwhathisfathertoldhim.ButheandGottfriedhadformedsomesortof…padtheytriedtoinitiateHarrietintoittoo.”
Sandersaid:“InyournotesyouwrotethatHenrikhadletHarrietmoveintohishouseierof1964.”
“Henrikcouldseetherewassomethingwronginherfamily.HethoughtitwasthebickeringandfribetweenGottfriedandIsabelthatwasthecause,aookherinsothatshecouldhavesomepeadquietandtrateoudies.”
“AnunforeseenobstaclefottfriedandMartin.Theycouldheirhandsonheraseasilyortrolherlife.Buteventually…Wheredidtheassaulttakepce?”
“ItmusthavebeenatGottfried’s.I’malmostpositivethatthesepicturesweretakenthere—itshouldbepossibletocheck.Theisinaperfectlocation,isotedandfarfromthevilge.ThenGotdruimeanddiedinamostbanalway.”
“SoHarriet’sfatherhadattemptedtohavesexwithher,butmyguessisthathedidn’tinitiateherintothekilling.”
Blomkvistrealisedthatthiswasaoint.HarriethadmadehenamesofGottfried’svictims,pairingthemupwithBiblequotes,butheriintheBibledidnotemergeuntilthestyear,andbythenGottfriedwasalreadydead.Hepaused,tryingtoeupwithalogicalexpnation.
“SometimealongthewayHarrietdiscoveredthatGottfriedhadnotonlymittedi,buthewasalsoaserialsexmurderer,”hesaid.
“Wedon’tknowwhenshefoundoutaboutthemurders.Itcouldhavebeenrightbefottfrieddrowmightalsohavebeenafterhedrowned,ifhehadadiaryorhadsavedpresscuttingsaboutthem.Somethingputheronhistrack.”
“Butthatwasn’twhatshewasthreateningtotellHenrik,”Blomkvistsaid.
“ItwasMartin,”Sandersaid.“Herfatherwasdead,butMartinwasgoingonabusingher.”
“Exactly.”
“Butitwasayearbeforeshetookanya.”
“Whatwouldyoudoifyoufoundoutthatyourfatherwasamurdererwhohadbeenrapingyourbrother?”
“I’dkillthefucker,”SandersaidinsuchasobertohatBlomkvistbelievedher.HerememberedherfaceasshewasattagMartinVanger.Hesmiledjoylessly.
“OK,butHarrietwasn’tlikeyou.Gottfrieddiedbeforeshemaodoanything.Thatalsomakessense.WhenGottfrieddied,IsabelsentMartintoUppsa.HemighthaveehomeforChristmasorotherholidays,butduringthatfollowingyearhedidn’tseeHarrietveryoften.Shewasabletogetsomedistan.”
“AartedstudyingtheBible.”
“Andinlightofknow,itdidn’thavetobeforanyreligiousreasons.Maybeshesimplywaoknowwhatherfatherhadbeenupto.ShebroodedoverituntiltheChildren’sDaycelebrationin1966.Thensuddenlysheseesherbrothersgatanandrealisesthathe’sback.Wedon’tknowiftheytalkedtoeachotherorifhesaidanything.Butnomatterpened,HarriethadaoghthomeandtalktoHenrik.”
“Andthenshedisappeared.”
Aftertheyhadgoheofevents,itwasnothardtouandwhattherestofthepuzzlemusthavelookedlike.BlomkvistandSanderpackedtheirbags.Beforetheyleft,BlomkvistcalledFrodeandtoldhimthatheandSanderhadtogoawayforawhile,butthatheabsolutelywaoseeHenrikVangerbeforetheyleft.
BlomkvistoknowwhatFrodehadtoldHenrik.ThemansoundedsostressedoelephohatBlomkvistfeltedforhim.FrodesaidthathehadonlytoldhimthatMartinhaddiedinacaraident.
ItwasthunderingagainwhenBlomkvistparkedoutsideHedestadHospital,andtheskywasfilledoncemorewithheavyrainclouds.Hehurriedacrossthecarparkjustasitstartedtorain.
Vangerwaswearingabathrobe,sittingatatablebythewindowofhisroom.Hisillnesshadleftitsmark,butVangerhadregainedsomecolourinhisfadlookedasifhewereohtorecovery.Theyshookhands.Blomkvistaskedtheoleavethemaloneforafewminutes.
“You’vebeenavoidingme,”Vangersaid.
Mikaelnodded.“Onpurpose.Yourfamilydidn’twaoeatall,buttodayeveryoneisoveratIsabel’shouse.”
“PoorMartin,”Vangersaid.
“Henrik.YougavemeanassigodigupthetruthaboutpeoHarriet.Didyouexpectthetruthtobepainless?”
Theoldmanlookedathim.Thenhiseyeswidened.
“Martin?”
“He’spartofthestory.”
Henrikclosedhiseyes.
“NowIhavegotaquestionforyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Tellme.”
“Doyoustillwanttoknopened?Evenifitturnsouttobepainfuhetruthisworsethanyouimagined?”
HenrikgaveBlomkvistalonglook.Thenhesaid,“Iwanttoknow.Thatwasthepointofyourassig.”
“OK.IthinkIknopeoHarriet.Butthere’sopieceofthepuzzlemissingbeforeI’msure.”
“Tellme.”
“No.Nottoday.WhatIwantyouthtnowistorest.Thedoctorssaythatthecrisisisoverandthatyettier.”
“Don’tyoutreatmelikeachild,youngman.”
“Ihaven’tworkeditalloutyet.WhatIhaveisatheory.Iamgoingouttofipieceofthepuzzle.Theimeyouseeme,I’lltellyouthewholestory.Itmaytakeawhile,butIwantyoutoknowthatI’mingbadthatyou’llknowthetruth.”
Sanderpulledatarpaulinoverhermotorcydleftitontheshadysideofthe.TheintoBlomkvist’sborrowedcar.ThethuormhadreturhrenewedfordjustsouthofG?vletherewassuchafiercedownpourthatBlomkvistcouldhardlyseetheroad.Justtobesafe,hepulledintoapetrolstation.Theywaitedfortheraiup,sotheydidnotarriveinStountil7:00thatevening.BlomkvistgaveSahesecuritycodetohisbuildinganddroppedheroffatthetraltunnelbana.Hisapartmentseemedunfamiliar.
HevacuumedanddustedwhileSanderwenttoseePgueinSundbyberg.ShearrivedatBlomkvist’sapartmentataroundmidnightaenminutesexaminingeverynookandyofit.Theoodatthewindowforalongtime,lookingattheviewfagtheSlussenlocks.
Theygotundresseda.
AtnoodaytheyLondon’sGatort.Theyweremetwithrain.BlomkvisthadedaroomattheHotelJamesnearHydePark,anexcellenthotelparedtoalltheoarpBayswaterwherehehadalwaysendeduponhisprevioustripstoLondon.
At5:00p.m.theywerestandingatthebarwhenayoungishmaowardsthem.Hewasalmostbald,withablondbeard,andhewaswearingjeansandajacketthatwastoobigforhim.
“?”
“Trinity?”shesaid.Theyoeachother.HedidnotaskforBlomkvist’sname.
Trinity’spartnerwasintroducedasBobtheDog.HewasinanoldVWvanaroundtheer.Theyclimbedinthroughtheslidingdoorsandsatdownonfoldingchairsfastehesides.WhileBobnavigatedthroughtheLondontraffic,andTrinitytalked.
“Pguesaidthishadtodowithsomecrash-bangjob.”
“Telephoappingandchegemailsinaputer.Itmightgofast,oritcouldtakeacoupleofdays,dependingonhowmuchpressureheapplies.”LisbethgesturedtowardsBlomkvistwithherthumb.“youdoit?”
“Dodogshavefleas?”Trinitysaid.
AnitaVangerlivedinaterracehouseiractivesuburbofSt.Albans,aboutanhour’sdrivenorth.Fromthevantheysawherarrivehomeandunlockthedoorsometimeafter7:30thatevening.Theywaiteduntilshehadsettled,hadhersupper,andwassittinginfrontoftheTVbeforeBlomkvistrangthedoorbell.
AnalmostidenticalcopyofCeciliaVangeropehedoor,herexpressionpolitelyquestioning.
“Hi,Anita.MynameisMikaelBlomkvist.HenrikVangeraskedmetoeandseeyou.Iassumethatyou’veheardthenewsaboutMartin.”
Herexpressiongedfromsurprisetowariness.SheklywhoMikaelBlomkvistwas.ButHenrik’snamemeantthatshewasforcedtoopenthedoor.SheshowedBlomkvistintoherlivingroowasaltogetheracharmingroom.
“Fivemeforbyououtoftheblue,butIhappeobeinSt.Albans,andItriedtocallytheday.”
“Iuand.Pleasetellmewhatthisisabout?”
“Areyoupnningtobeatthefuneral?”
“No,asamatteroffact,I’mnot.MartinandIweren’tclose,andanyway,I’tgetawayatthemoment.”
AnitaVangerhadstayedawayfromHedestadforthirtyyears.AfterherfathermovedbacktoHedebyIsnd,shehadhardlysetfootthere.
“IwanttoknopeoHarrietVanger,Anita.It’stimeforthetruth.”
“Harriet?Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
Blomkvistsmiledatherfeignedsurprise.
“YouwereHarriet’sclosestfriendinthefamily.Youweretheourowithherhorriblestory.”
“I’tthinkwhatyou’retalkingabout,”Anitasaid.
“Anita,youwereinHarriet’sroomthatday.Ihavephotographicproofofit,inspiteofwhatyousaidtoIorMorell.InafewdaysI’mgoingtoreporttoHenrik,aakeitfromthere.Itwouldbebettertotellmepened.”
AnitaVaoodup.
“Getoutofmyhousethisminute.”
Blomkvistgotup.
“Sooeryoingtohavetotalktome.”
“Ihavenothingnow,noreverwillhave,anythingtosaytoyou.”
“Martinisdead,”Blomkvistsaid.“YouneverlikedMartin.IthinkthatyoumovedtoLondonnotonlytoavoidseeingyourfatherbutalsosothatyouwouldn’thavetoseeMartin.ThatmeansthatyoualsoknewaboutMartin,andtheonlyonewhocouldhavetoldyouwasHarriet.Thequestionis:whatdidyoudowiththatknowledge?”
AnitaVangersmmedherfrontdoorinhisface.
Sandersmiledwithsatisfaassheunfastehemicrophonefromunderhisshirt.
“Shepickedupthetelephoneabouttwentysedsaftershenearlytookthedooroffitshinges,”shesaid.
“ThetrycodeisAustralia,”Trinitysaid,puttingdowntheearphohelittledeskinthevan.“Iochecktheareacode.”Heswitchedonhisptop.“OK,shecalledthefollowingnumber,whichisatelephoowncalledTennantCreek,northofAliceSpringsiherory.Doyouwanttoheartheversation?”
Blomkvistnodded.“WhattimeisitinAustraliarightnow?”
“About5:00inthem.”Trinitystartedthedigitalpyerandattachedaspeaker.MikaeltedeightringsbeforesomeonepickedupthetelephoheversationtookpEnglish.
“Hi.It’sme.”
“Hmm,IknowI’mampersonbut…”
“Ithoughtofcallingyouyesterday…Martinisdead.Heseemstohavedrivenhistoatruckthedaybeforeyesterday.”
Silehenwhatsoundedlikesomeoneclearihroat,butitmighthavebeen:“Good.”
“Butwehavegotaproblem.AdisgustingjournalistthatHenrikdugupfromsomewherehasjustknoydoor,hereinSt.Albans.He’saskiionsaboutpenedin1966.Heknowssomething.”
Againsilehenamandingvoice.
“Anita.Putdowelephhtnow.We’thaveanytactforawhile.”
“But…”
“Writealetter.Tellmewhat’sgoingon.”Thentheversationwasover.
“Sharpchick,”Sandersaid.
Theyreturheirhoteljustbefore11:00.ThefrontdeskmanagerhelpedthemtoreserveseatsoavaibleflighttoAustralia.Soontheyhadreservationsonapneleavingat7:05thefollowingeveniinationMelbourne,ginginSingapore.
ThiswasSander’sfirstvisittoLondon.TheyspentthemwalkingfromtGardenthroughSoho.TheystoppedtohaveacaffetteonOldpto.Around3:00theywerebackatthehoteltocollecttheirluggage.WhileBlomkvistpaidthebill,Saurnedonhermobile.Shehadatextmessage.
“Armanskysaystocaltonce.”
Sheusedatelephohelobby.Blomkvist,whowasstandingashortdistanceaway,noticedSaurntohimwithafrozenexpressiononherface.Hewasathersideatonce.
“Whatisit?”
“Mymotherdied.Ihavetogohome.”
Sanderlookedsounhappythatheputhisarmsaroundher.Shepushedhimaway.
Theysatielbar.WhenBlomkvistsaidthathewouldcelthereservationstoAustraliaandgobacktoStowithher,sheshookherhead.
“No,”shesaid.“We’tscrewupthejobnow.You’llhavetogobyyourself.”
Theypartedoutsidethehotel,eachofthemmakingforadifferentairport.
CHAPTER26
Tuesday,July15–Thursday,July17
BlomkvistflewfromMelbouroAliceSprings.Afterthathehadtochooseeithertocharteraporentacarfortheremaining250-miletripnorth.Hechosetogobycar.
AnunknownpersonwiththebiblicalsignatureofJoshua,artofPgue’sorpossiblyTrinity’smysteriousiionalwork,hadleftanenvelopeforhimatthetralrmatioMelbourneairport.
ThehatAnitahadcalledbelooapcecalledCoFarrticlepulledofftheIntergaveasnapshotguide.
Australia:poputionof18million;sheepfarmers,53,000;approx.120millionheadofsheep.Theexportofwoopprox.3.5billiondolrsannually.Australiaexports700milliontonsofmuttonandmb,plusskinsforclothing.biandwoolproduohetry’smostimportantindustries…
CoFarm,founded1891byJeremyCo,Australia’sfifthrgestagriculturalenterprise,approx60,000Merihestationalsoraisedcattle,pigs,andchis.CoFarmhadimpressiveannualexportstotheU.S.A.,Japan,a,andEurope.
Thepersonalbiographieswerefasating.
In1972CoFarmpasseddownfromRaymondCotoSpencerCo,educ.Oxford.Spencerd.in1994,andfarmrunbywidow.Blomkvistfoundherinablurry,low-resolutionphotographdownloadedfromtheCoFarmwebsite.Itshowedawomanwithshortblondehair,herfacepartiallyhidden,shearingasheep.
AtoJoshua’shecouplehadmarriedinItalyin1971.
HernamewasAnitaCo.
Blomkviststoppedhtinadried-upholeofatownwiththehopefulnameofWannado.Atthelocalpubheateroastmuttonanddowhreepintsalongwithsomelocalswhoallcalledhim“mate.”
LastthingbeforehewenttobedhecalledBergerinNewYork.
“I’msorry,Ricky,butI’vebeensobusythatIhaven’thadtimetocall.”
“Whatthehellisgoingon?”sheexploded.“ChristercalledandtoldmethatMartinVangerhadbeenkilledinacaraident.”
“It’salongstory.”
“Andwhydon’tyouansweryourtelephone?I’vebeencallinglikecrazyfortwodays.”
“Itdoesn’tworkhere.”
“Whereishere?”
“RightnowI’maboutonehuwenty-fivemilesnorthofAliceSprings.InAustralia,thatis.”
MikaelhadrarelymaosurpriseBerger.Thistimeshewassilentfornearlytenseds.
“AndwhatareyoudoinginAustralia?IfImightask.”
“I’mfinishingupthejob.I’llbebaafewdays.IjustcalledtotellyouthatmyworkforHenrikVangerisalmostdone.”
HearrivedatCoFarmaroundnoonthefollowingday,tobetoldthatAnitaCowasatasheepstationnearapcecalledMakawakaseventy-fivemilesfartherwest.
Itwas4:00iernoonbythetimeMikaelfoundhiswaythereondustybackroads.HestoppedatagatewheresomesheepranchersweregatheredaroundthehoodofaJeephavingcoffee.BlomkvistgotoutandexpihathewaslookingforAnitaCo.Theyallturowardsamusan,clearlythedeakerofthegroup.HewasbarechestedandverybrowforthepartsnormallycoveredbyhisT-shirt.Hewaswearingawide-brimmedhat.
“Thebossisabouteighteenmilesoffinthatdire,”hesaid,pointingwithhisthumb.
HecastascepticeatBlomkvist’svehidsaidthatitmightnotbesuchagoodideatogooninthatJapaoycar.FinallythetahletesaidthathewasheadingthatwayandwoulddriveBlomkvistinhisJeep.Blomkvistthankedhimandtookalonghisputercase.
ThemanintroducedhimselfasJeffandsaidthathewasthe“studsmathestation.Blomkvistaskedhimtoexpinwhatthatmeant.JeffgavehimasidelonglookandcludedthatBlomkvistwasnotfromtheseparts.Heexpihatastudsmanagerwasrathertheequivalentofafinancialmanagerinabank,althoughheadministeredsheep,andthata“station”wastheAustralianwordforranch.
TheytioverseasJeffcheerfullysteeredtheJeepatabouttenkilometresanhourdownintoaravih0°slope.Blomkvistthankedhisluckystarsthathehadnotattemptedthedriveinhisrentalcar.Heaskedwhatwasdownintheravineandwastoldthatitwasthepasturendfor700headofsheep.
“AsIuandit,CoFarmisohebiggerranches.”
“We’reohergestinallofAustralia,”Jeffsaidwithacertainprideinhisvoice.“Werunabout9,000sheephereintheMakawakadistrict,butwehavestationsinbothNewSouthWalesaernAustralia.Wehave60,000plushead.”
Theycameoutfromtheravioahillybutgentlerndscape.Blomkvistsuddenlyheardshots.Hesawsheepcadavers,bigbonfires,andadozenrands.Severalmeobecarryingrifles.Theyarentlysughteringsheep.
Involuntarily,hethoughtofthebiblicalsacrificialmbs.
Thenhesawawomanwithshortblondehairwearingjeansandared-and-whitecheckedshirt.Jeffstoppedafewyardsawayfromher.
“Hi,Boss.We’vegotatourist,”hesaid.
BlomkvistgotoutoftheJeepandlookedather.Shelookedbackwithaninquisitiveexpression.
“Hi,Harriet.It’sbeenalongtime,”hesaidinSwedish.
hemenwhoworkedforAnitaCouoodwhathesaid,buttheyallsawherrea.Shetookastepback,lookingshocked.Themensawherrespooppedtheirjoking,andstraightenedup,readytointerveneagainstthisoddstranger.Jeff’sfriendlinesssuddenlyevaporatedandheadvaowardBlomkvist.
Blomkvistwaskeenlyawarehowvulnerablehewas.AwordfromAnitaCoandhewouldbedonefor.
Thenthemomentpassed.HarrietVangerwavedherhandinapeacefulgestureandthemenmovedback.ShecameovertoBlomkvistahisgaze.Herfacewassweatyanddirty.Herblondehairhaddarkerroots.Herfacewasolderandthinner,butshehadgrownintothebeautifulwomanthatherfirmationportraithadpromised.
“Havewemetbefore?”shesaid.
“Yes,wehave.IamMikaelBlomkvist.YouweremybabysitteronesummerwhenIwasthreeyearsold.Youweretwelveorthirteenatthetime.”
Ittookafewsedsforherpuzzledexpressiontoclear,andthehatsheremembered.Shelookedsurprised.
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Harriet,I’mnotyourenemy.I’momaketroubleforyou.ButIalkwithyou.”
SheturoJeffandtoldhimtotakeover,thensigoBlomkvisttofollowher.Theywalkedafewhundredfeetroupofwhitevastentsinagroveoftrees.Shemotionedhimtoacampstootaricketytableandpouredwaterintoabasin.Sherinsedherface,driedit,aienttogehershirt.Shegottwobeersoutofacooler.
“So.Talk.”
“Whyareyoushootingthesheep?”
“Wehaveatagiousepidemic.Mostofthesesheepareprobablyhealthy,butwe’triskitspreading.We’regoingtohavetosughtermorethansixhuheingweek.SoI’mnotinaverygoodmood.”
Blomkvistsaid:“Yourbrothercrashedhistoatruckafewdaysago.Hemusthavediedinstantaneously.”
“Iheardthat.”
“FromAnita,whocalledyou.”
Shescrutinisedhimforalongmoment.Thenshenodded.Shekhatitoiode.
“Howdidyoufindme?”
“edAnita’stelephone.”Blomkvistdidnotthinktherewasanyreasontolie.“Isawyourbrotherafewminutesbeforehedied.”
HarrietVangerfrowned.Hemethergaze.Theookofftheridiculousscarfhewaswearing,turneddownhiscolr,andshowedherthestripeleftfromthewasstillredandinfmed,andhewouldprobablyalwayshaveasindhimofMartinVanger.
“Yourbrotherhadhungmefromahook,butbythegraceofGodmypartne