rarrivediophimkillingme.”
Harriet’seyessuddenlyburned.
“Ithinkyou’dbettertellmethestoryfromthebeginning.”
Ittookmorethananhour.Hetoldherwhohewasandwhathewaswon.HedescribedhowhecametobegiventheassigbyHenrikVanger.Heexpinedhowthepolice’siigatiooadeadend,aoldherofHenrik’slongiigation,andfinallyhetoldherhohotographofherwithfriendsinJ?rnv?gsgataadhadledtotheuncofthesorrowsbehieryofherdisappearanditsappallingsequel,whichhadehMartinVanger’ssuicide.
Ashetalked,dusksetin.Themenquitworkfortheday,fireswerestarted,andpotsbegantosimmer.BlomkvistnoticedthatJeffstayedclosetohisbossaawatchfuleyeonhiheyeachhadanotherbeer.WhenhewasfinishedHarrietsatforalongtimeinsilence.
Atlengthshesaid:“Iwassohappythatmyfatherwasdeadandtheviolencewasover.ItneverourredtomethatMartin…I’mgdhe’sdead.”
“Iderstandthat.”
“Yourstorydoesn’texpinhowyoukhatIwasalive.”
“Afterwerealisedwhathadhappewasn’tsodifficulttoworkouttherest.Todisappear,youneededhelp.Anitawasyourfidaheonlyoneyoucouldevensider.Youwerefriends,andshehadspentthesummerwithyou.Youstayedoutatyourfather’s.Iftherewasanyoneyouhadfidedin,ithadtobeher—andalsoshehadjustgotherdriver’slice.”
Harrietlookedathimwithanunreadableexpression.
“SonowthatyouknowI’malive,whatareyougoingtodo?”
“IhavetotellHenrik.Hedeservestoknow.”
“Andthen?You’reajournalist.”
“I’mnotthinkingofexposingyou.I’vealreadybreachedsomanyrulesofprofessionalduthiswholedismalmessthattheJournalistsAssociationwouldundoubtedlyexpelmeiftheyknewaboutit.”Hewastryingtomakelightofit.“Onemorewon’tmakeanydifferendIdon’twanttomakemyoldbabysitterangry.”
Shewasnotamused.
“Hoeopleknowthetruth?”
“Thatyou’realive?Rightnow,youandmeandAnitaandmypartner.Henrik’swyerknowsabouttwo-thirdsofthestory,buthestillthinksyoudiediies.”
HarrietVangerseemedtobethinkingsomethingover.Shestaredoutatthedark.Mikaelonceagainhadanuneasyfeelingthathewasinavulnerablesituation,andheremindedhimselfthatHarrietVanger’sownriflewasonacampbedthreepacesaway.Thenheshookhimselfandstoppedimaginingthings.Hegedthesubject.
“ButhowdidyouetobeasheepfarmerinAustralia?IalreadyknowthatAnitasmuggledyouoffHedebyIsnd,presumablyiofhercarwhenthebridgere-opehedayaftertheaident.”
“Actually,Iyonthefloorofthebackseatwithaboverme.Butno-onewaslooking.IwenttoAnitawhenshearrivedontheisndandtoldherthatIhadtoescape.YouguessedrightthatIfidedinher.Shehelpedme,andshe’sbeenaloyalfriendalltheseyears.”
“WhyAustralia?”
“IstayedinAnita’sroominStoforafewweeks.Anitahadherownmoney,whichshegenerouslylentme.Shealsogavemeherpassport.Welookedalmostexactlylikeeachother,andallIhadtodowasdyemyhairblonde.ForfouryearsIlivedinaventinItaly—Iwasn’tanun.Thereareventswhereyourentaroomcheap,tohavepeadquiettothink.TheSpencerCo.Hewassomeyearsolder;he’djustfinishedhisdegreeinEngndandwashitchhikingaroundEurope.Ifellinlove.Hedidtoo.That’salltherewastoit.‘Anita’Vangermarriedhimin1971.I’veneverhadas.Hewasawonderfulman.Verysadly,hediedeightyearsago,andIbecametheowhestation.”
“Butyourpassport—surelysomeoneshouldhavediscoveredthatthereweretwoAnitaVangers?”
“No,whyshouldthey?ASwedishgirlnamedAnitaVangerwho’smarriedtoSpencerCo.WhethershelivesinLondonorAustraliamakesnodiffereheoneinLondonhasbeenSpencerCo’sestrangedwife.TheoneinAustraliawashisverymuchpresentwife.Theydon’tmatchupputerfilesbetweenberraandLondon.Besides,IsoongotanAustralianpassportundermymarriedhearrafunedperfectly.TheonlythingthatcouldhaveupsetthestorywasifAnitaherselfwaogetmarried.MymarriagehadtisteredintheSwedishnatiistrationfiles.”
“Butsheneverdid.”
“ShecimsthatsheneverfoundaIknowthatshediditformysake.She’sbeenatruefriend.”
“Whatwasshedoinginyourroom?”
“Iwasn’tveryrationalthatday.IwasafraidofMartin,butaslongashewasinUppsa,Icouldpushtheproblemoutofmymind.Thentherehewasiad,andIrealisedthatI’dneverbesafetherestofmylife.IwentbadforthbetweenwantingtotellUncleHenrikandwantingtoflee.WhenHenrikdidn’thavetimetotalktome,Ijustwanderedrestlesslyaroundthevilge.OfcourseIknowthattheaidentonthebridgeovershadowedeverythingelseforeveryonotforme.Ihadmyownproblems,andIwashardlyevenawareoftheaident.EverythingseemeduhenIranintoAnita,whowasstayingicottageinthepoundwithGerdaandAlexahatwaswhenImadeupmymind.Istayedwithherthewholetimeanddidn’tdaregooutside.ButtherewasohingIhadtotakewithme—Ihadwrittendowhingthathappenedinadiary,andIneededafewclothes.Anitagotthemforme.”
“Isupposeshecouldthetemptationtolookoutattheaidentse.”Blomkvistthoughtforamoment.“WhatIdon’tuandiswhyyoudidn’tjustgotoHenrik,asyouhadintended.”
“Whydoyouthink?”
“Ireallydon’tknortinwouldhavebeenremovedimmediately—probablysenttoAustraliaforsomesortoftherapyortreatment.”
“Youhaven’tuoodpened.”
UptothispointBlomkvisthadonlyreferredtoGottfried’ssexuassaultonMartin,leavingHarriet’sroleoutofit.
“GottfriedmolestedMartin,”hesaidcautiously.“Isuspectthathealsomolestedyou.”
HarrietVangerdidnotmoveamuscle.Theookadeepbreathandburiedherfaherhands.IttookfivesedsbeforeJeffwasbesideher,askingifeverythingwasallright.Harrietlookedathimandgavehimafaintsmile.TheonishedBlomkvistbystandingupandgiviudsmanagerahugandakissonthecheek.SheturoBlomkvistwithherarmaroundJeff’sshoulder.
“Jeff,thisisMikael,anold…friendfromthepast.He’sbroughtproblemsandbadnews,butwe’renotgoingtoshootthemessenger.Mikael,thisisJeffCo,myoldestson.Ialsohaveanothersonandadaughter.”
BlomkviststooduptoshakehandswithJeff,sayingthathewassorrytohavebroughtbadnewswhichhadupsethismother.HarrietexgedafewwordswithJeffandthehimaway.Shesatdownagainaohavemadeadecision.
“Nomorelies.Iaeptthatit’sallover.InsomesenseI’vebeenwaitingforthisdaysince1966.ForyearsIwasterrifiedthatsomeonemighteuptomeandsaymyyouknowwhat?AllofasuddenIdon’tcareanymore.Mycrimefallsoutsidethestatuteoflimitations.AndIdon’tgiveashiteoplethinkaboutme.”
“Crime?”saidMikael.
Shegavehimalook,buthestilldidn’tuandwhatshewastalkingabout.
“Iwassixteen.Iwasscared.Iwasashamed.Iwasdesperate.IwasalloheonlyoneswhokhetruthwereAnitaandMartin.IhadtoldAnitaaboutthesexuassaults,butIdidn’thavethecetotellherthatmyfatherwasalsoaninsanekillerofwomen.Anitahadneverknownaboutthat.ButIdidtellheraboutthecrimethatImittedmyself.Itwassohorriblethatwhenitcamedowntoit,Ididn’tdaretellHenrik.IprayedtoGodtofiveme.AndIhidinsideaventforseveralyears.”
“Harriet,yourfatheristandamurderer.Itwasn’tyourfault.”
“Iknowthat.Myfathermolestedmeforayear.Idideverythingtoavoid…buthewasmyfatherandIcouldn’trefusetohaveanythingtodowithhimwithoutgivinghimsomeexpnation.SoIliedandpyedaroleandtriedtopretendthateverythingwasOK.AndImadesurethatsomeoneelsewasalwaysaroundwhenIsawhim.Mymotherknewwhathewasdoing,ofcourse,butshedidn’tcare.”
“Isabelknew?”
Harriet’svoicetookonanewharshness.
“Ofcoursesheknew.NothingeverhappenedinourfamilywithoutIsabelknowing.Butsheignoredeverythingthatleasantorshowedherinabadlight.Myfathercouldhaverapedmeinthemiddleofthelivingrhtbeforehereyesandshewouldn’thavenoticed.Shewasincapableofaowledgingthatanythingwaswronginherlifeormine.”
“I’vemether.She’snotmyfavouriteinthefamily.”
“She’sbeeherwholelife.I’veoftenwonderedaboutmyparents’retionship.IrealisedthattheyrarelyormaybeneverhadsexwitheachotherafterIwasborn.Myfatherhadwomen,butforsomestrangereasonhewasafraidofIsabel.Hestayedawayfromher,buthecouldadivorce.”
“No-oheVangerfamily.”
Sheughedforthefirsttime.
“No,theydon’t.ButthepointisthatIcouldn’tbringmyselftosayanything.Thewholeworldwouldhavefoundout.Mysates,allmyretives…”
“Harriet,I’msosorry.”
“Iwasfourteenwhenherapedmethefirsttime.Andduriyearhewouldtakemeouttohis.ManytimesMartincamealong.HeforeandMartintodothingswithhim.AndheheldmyarmswhileMartin…hadhiswaywithme.Whenmyfatherdied,Martinwasreadytotakeoverhisrole.HeexpectedmetobeehisloverahoughtiterfeaturalformetosubmittohiwasforcedtodowhatMartinsaid.Iwasridofoormentoronlytondichesofanother,andtheonlythingIcoulddowastomakesuretherewasneveranoasionwhenIwasalohhim…”
“Henrikwouldhave…”
“Youstilldon’tuand.”
Sheraisedhervoice.Blomkvistsawthatseveralofthemenattheentwerelookingathim.Sheloweredhervoiceagainandleaowardshim.
“Allthecardsareoable.You’llhavetoworkouttherest.”
Shestoodupandgottwomorebeers.Whenshecameback,Mikaelsaidasinglewordtoher.
“Gottfried.”
Shenodded.
“OnAugust7,1965,myfatherforcedmetogoouttohis.Henrikwasaway.Myfatherwasdrinking,ariedtoforcehimselfohecouldupandheflewintoadrunkenrage.Hewasalways…roughandviolenttowardsmeerealothistimehecrossedtheline.Heurinatedoheartedtellihewasgoingtodotome.Thatnighthetoldmeaboutthewomenhehadkilled.Hewasbraggingaboutit.HequotedfromtheBible.Thiswentonforanhour.Ididn’tuandhalfofwhathewassaying,butIrealisedthathewastotally,absolutelysick.”
Shetookagulpofherbeer.
“Sometimearoundmidnighthehadafit.Hewastotallyinsane.Wewereupinthesleepingloft.HeputaT-shirtaroundmynedpulleditastightashecould.Ibckedout.Idon’thavetheslightestdoubtthathereallywastryingtokillme,andforthefirsttimethatnighthemaopletetherape.”
HarrietlookedatBlomkvist.Hereyeseedhimtouand.
“ButhewassodrunkthatsomehowImaogetaway.Ijumpeddownfromtheloftandfled.IwasnakedandIranwithoutthinking,andendedupoybythewater.Hecamestaggeringafterme.”
Blomkvistsuddenlywishedthatshewouldnottellhimanythingmore.
“Iwasstrongenoughtoshoveanolddrunkintothewater.Iusedanoartoholdhimuilhewasn’tstrugglinganymore.Itdidn’ttakelong.”
Wheopped,thesilencewasdeafening.
“AndwhenIlookedup,therestoodMartin.Helookedterrified,butatthesametimehewasgrinning.Idon’tknowhowlonghewasoutsidethe,spyingonus.FromthatmomentIwasathismercy.Hecameuptome,grabbedmebythehair,andledmebacktothe—toGottfried’sbed.Hetiedmeupandrapedmewhileourfatherwasstillfloatingier.AndIcouldn’tevenofferaance.”
Blomkvistclosedhiseyes.HewasterriblyashamedandwishedthathehadleftHarrietVangerinpeace.Buthervoicehadtakenonanewforce.
“Fromthatdayon,Iwasinhispower.Ididwhathetoldmetodo.Ifeltparalysed,andtheonlythingthatsavedmysanitywasthatIsabel—ormaybeitwasUncleHenrik—decidedthatMartinneededageofseryafterhisfather’stragicdeath,soshesenthimtoUppsa.Ofcoursethiswasbecausesheknewwhathewasdoingtome,anditwasherwayofsolvingtheproblem.YoubetthatMartinwasdisappointed.DuriyearhewashomeonlyfortheChristmasholiday.Imaokeepawayfromhim.IwentwithHenrikonatriptohageweenChristmasandNewYear’s.Andduringthesummerholiday,Anitawasthere.Ifidedinher,aayedwithmethewholetime,makingsurethathedidn’tenearme.”
“Untilyousawhimsgatan.”
“Iwastoldthathewouldothefamilygathering,thathewasstayinginUppsa.Butobviouslyhegedhismind,andsuddenlytherehewasohersideofthestreet,staringatme.Hesmiledatme.Itfeltlikeahideousdream.Ihadmurderedmyfather,andIrealisedthatIwouldneverbefreeofmybrother.Upuntilthen,Ihadthoughtaboutkillingmyself.Ichoseioflee.”ShegaveBlomkvistwhatwasalmostalookofrelief.“Itfeelsfantastictotellthetruth.Sonowyouknow.”
CHAPTER27
Saturday,July26–Monday,July28
BlomkvistpickedupSanderbyherfrontdooronLundagatanat10:00anddrovehertotheNorracrematorium.Hestayedathersideduringtheceremony.Foralongtimetheyweretheonlymournersalongwiththepastor,butwhenthefuneralbeganArmanskyslippedin.HenoddedcurtlytoBlomkvistandstoodbehindSander,gentlyputtingahandonhershoulder.Shehoutlookingathim,asifshekneasstandihensheighemboth.
Sanderhadtoldhimnothingabouthermother,butthepastorhadapparentlyspokentosomeohenursinghomewhereshedied,andBlomkvistuoodthatthecauseofdeathwasacerebralhaeme.Sanderdidnotsayawordduringtheceremony.Thepastorlosthertrainofthoughttwicewheurneddirectlytoher.Sanderlookedherstraightintheeyewithoutexpressiowasoversheturnedonherheewithoutsayingthankyoodbye.BlomkvistandArmanskytookadeepbreathandlookedateachother.
“She’sfeelingreallybad,”Armanskysaid.
“Iknowthat,”Blomkvistsaid.“Itwasgoodofyoutoe.”
“I’mnotsosureaboutthat.”
ArmanskyfixedBlomkvistwithhisgaze.
“Ifyoutwoaredrivingbaorth,keepaneyeonher.”
Hepromisedtodothat.Theysaidgoodbye,andtothepastor,atthechurchdoor.Sanderwasalreadyinthecar,waiting.
ShehadtogobackwithhimtoHedestadtogethermotorcydtheequipmentshehadborrowedfromMiltonSecurity.NotuntiltheyhadpassedUppsadidshebreakhersilendaskhowthetriptoAustraliahadgone.BlomkvisthadArhenightbeforeandhadsleptonlyafewhours.DuringthedrivehetoldherHarrietVanger’sstory.Sainsilenceforhalfanhourbeforesheopenedhermouth.
“Bitch,”shesaid.
“Who?”
“HarrietFugVanger.Ifshehaddonesomethingin1966,MartinVangercouldn’thavekeptkillingandrapingforthirty-sevenyears.”
“Harrietknewaboutherfathermurderingwomen,butshehadhatMartinhadanythingtodowithit.Shefledfromabrotheredherahreateorevealthatshehaddrowherifshedidn’tdowhathesaid.”
“Bullshit.”
AfterthattheysatinsilehewaytoHedestad.BlomkvistwasteforhisappoianddroppedherattheturnofftoHedebyIsnd;heaskedifshewouldpleasebetherewhenhecameback.
“Areyouthinkingofstayinght?”shesaid.
“Ithinkso.”
“Doyouwaobehere?”
Heclimbedoutofthedwentaroundandputhisarmsaroundher.Shepushedhimaway,almostviolently.Blomkvisttookastepback.
“Lisbeth,you’remyfriend.”
“Doyouwaayheresoyou’llhavesomebodytofuight?”
Blomkvistgaveheralonglook.Theurnedandgotintothedstartedtheengine.Hewounddownthewindow.Herhostilityable.
“Iwanttobeyourfriend,”hesaid.“Ifyouwantotherwise,thenyoudoobeherewhehome.”
HenrikVangerwassittingup,dressed,whenDirchFrodelethimintothehospitalroom.
“They’rethinkingoflettiforMartin’sfuomorrow.”
“HowmuchhasDirchtoldyou?”
Henriklookeddownatthefloor.
“HetoldmeaboutwhatMartinandGotupto.Thisisfar,farworsethanIcouldhaveimagined.”
“IknopeoHarriet.”
“Tellme:howdidshedie?”
“Shedidn’tdie.She’sstillive.Andifyoulike,shereallywantstoseeyou.”
Bothmenstaredathimasiftheirworldhadjustbeenturnedupsidedown.
“Ittookawhiletovioe,butshe’salive,she’sdoingfine,andshe’shereiad.Shearrivedthismandbehereinanhour.Ifyouwanttoseeher,thatis.”
Blomkvisthadtotellthestoryfrombeginningtoend.AcoupleoftimesHenrikinterruptedwithaquestionoraskedhimtorepeatsomething.Frodesaidnotaword.
Wheorywasdone,Henriksatinsilence.Blomkvisthadbeenafraidthatitwouldbetoomuchfortheoldman,butHenrikshowednosigion,exceptthathisvoicemighthavebeenabitthickerwhenhebrokehissilence
“Poor,poorHarriet.Ifonlyshehadetome.”
Blomkvistgheclock.Itwasfivemiofour.
“Doyouwanttoseeher?She’sstilfraidthatyouwon’twanttoafteryoufoundoutwhatshedid.”
“Whatabouttheflowers?”Henriksaid.
“Iaskedherthatonthepneinghome.Therewasonepersoninthefamily,apartfromAnita,whomsheloved,andthatwasyou.She,ofcourse,wastheonewhosenttheflowers.ShesaidthatshehopedyouwoulduandthatshewasaliveandthatshewasdoingfihouthavingtomakeanappearasinceheronlyelofrmationwasAnita,whomovedabroadassoonasshefinishedherstudiesandnevervisitedHedestad,Harriet’sawarenessaboutwhatwentonherewaslimited.Sheneverknewhowterriblyyousufferedorthatyouthoughtitwashermurderertauntingyou.”
“IassumeitwasAnitawhopostedtheflowers.”
“Sheworkedforanairlineandflewallovertheworld.Shepostedthemfromwherevershehappeobe.”
“ButhowdidyouknowAnitawastheonewhohelpedher?”
“ShewastheoneinHarriet’swindow.”
“Butshecouldhavebeenmixedupin…shecouldhavebeenthemurdererinstead.HowdidyoufindoutthatHarrietwasalive?”
BlomkvistgaveHenrikalonglook.ThenhesmiledforthefirsttimesincehehadreturoHedestad.
“AnitawasinvolvedinHarriet’sdisappearashecouldn’thavekilledher.”
“Howcouldyoubesureofthat?”
“Becausethisisn’tsomedamnedlocked-roommysterynovel.IfAnitahadmurderedHarriet,youwouldhavefoundthebodyyearsago.SotheonlylogicalthingwasthatshehelpedHarrietescapeandhide.Doyouwanttoseeher?”
“OfcourseIwanttoseeher.”
BlomkvistfoundHarrietbytheliftinthelobby.Atfirsthedidnniseher.SiheyhadpartedatArndaAirportthenightbeforeshehaddyedherhairbrownagain.Shewasdressedinbcktrousers,awhiteblouse,andagreyjacket.Shelookedradiant,andBlomkvistbentdowntogiveheranencinghug.
HenrikgotupfromhischairwhenMikaelopehedoor.Shetookadeepbreath.
“Hi,Henrik,”shesaid.
Theoldmanscrutinisedherfromtoptotoe.ThenHarrietwentoverandkissedhim.BlomkvistoFrodeandclosedthedoor.
SanderwasnotiagewhenBlomkvistreturoHedebyIsnd.Thevideoequipmentaorcycleweregone,aswelsthebagwithherextraclothesandherspongebag.Thecottagefeltempty.Itsuddenlyseemedalienandunreal.Helookedatthestacksofpaperintheoffice,whichhewouldhavetopackupinboxesandcarrybacktoHenrik’shouse.Buthecouldnotfacestartingtheprocess.HedrovetoKonsumandboughtbread,milk,cheese,andsomethingforsupper.Wheuronwaterforcoffee,satinthegarden,aheeveningpaperswithoutthinkingofanythingelse.
At5:30ataxidroveacrossthebridge.Afterthreemiwentbackthewayitcame.BlomkvistcaughtaglimpseofIsabelVahebackseat.
Around7:00hehaddozedoffinthegardenchairwhenFrodewokehimup.
“How’sitgoingwithHenrikandHarriet?”hesaid.
“Thisunhappycloudhasitssilverlining,”Frodesaidwitharestrainedsmile.“Isabel,wouldyoubelieve,camerushingintoHenrik’shospitalroom.She’dobviouslyseenthatyou’debadletelybesideherself.ShescreamedathimthattherehadtobeaothiseousfussaboutherHarriet,addingthatyouweretheonewhodrovehersontohisdeathwithyoursnooping.”
“Well,she’sright,inaway.”
“ShemandedHenriktodismissyouforthwithandrunyouoffthepropertyfood.Andwouldhe,ondforall,stopseargfhosts.”
“Wow!”
“Shedidn’tevehewomansittingbesidethebedtalkingtoHenrik.Shemusthavethoughtitwasohestaff.IwillthemomentwhenHarrietstoodupandsaid,‘Hello,Mamma.’”
“pened?”
“WehadtocaldoctortocheckIsabel’svitalsigns.Rightnowshe’srefusingtobelievethatit’sHarriet.Youareausedinginanimpostor.”
FrodewasonhiswaytovisitCeciliaandAlexaogivethemthehatHarriethadrisenfromthedead.Hehurriedaway,leavingBlomkvisttohissolitarymusings.
SaoppedandfilledhertankatapetrolstationnorthofUppsa.Shehadbeenridingdoggedly,staringstraightahead.Shepaidquicklyandgotbaherbike.Shestarteditupandrodetotheexit,whereshestopped,undecided.
Shewasstillinaterriblemood.ShewasfuriouswheHedeby,butherragehadslowlydissolvedduringtheride.ShecouldnotmakeuphermindwhyshewassoangrywithBlomkvist,oreveheoneshewasangrywith.
ShethoughtofMartinVangerandHarrietFugVangerandDirchFugFrodeandthewholedamnedVangersittingiadreigniheirlittleempireandplottingagainsteachother.Theyhadneededherhelp.Normallytheywouldn’tevenhavesaidhellotoherireet,letalorustherwiththeirrepelles.
Fugriff-raff.
Shetookadeepbreathandthoughtabouthermother,whomshehadsigoashesthatverym.Shewouldneverbeabletomendthings.Hermother’sdeathmeantthatthewoundwouldneverheal,sinceshewouldneveranahequestionsshehadwaoask.
ShethoughtaboutArmanskystandingbehihecrematoriustgivenhimsomesignthatshekhere.Butifshedidthat,hewouldhavetakenitasapretextftostructureherlife.Ifshegavehimherlittlefingerhe’dtakeherwholearm.Andhewouldneveruand.
Shethoughtaboutthewyer,Bjurman,whowasstillherguardianandwho,atleastforthetimebeing,hadbeeralisedandwasdoingashewastold.
Shefeltanimpcablehatredandchedherteeth.
AhoughtaboutMikaelBlomkvistandwonderedwhathewouldsaywhenhefoundoutthatshewasawardofthecourtandthatherentirelifewasafugrats’.
Itcametoherthatshereallywasnotangrywithhim.Hewasjustthepersononwhomshehadventedherangerwhenwhatshehadwantedmostofallwastomurdersomebody,severalpeople.Beingangrywithhimointless.
Shefeltstrangelyambivalenttowardshim.
Hestuckhisherpeople’sbusinessandpokedaroundinherlifeand…but…shehadalsoenjoyedwwithhim.Eventhatwasanoddfeeling—toworkwithsomebody.Shewasn’tusedtothat,butithadbeenuedlypainless.Hedidnotmesswithher.Hedidnottrytotellherhowtoliveherlife.
Shewastheonewhohadseducedhim,notviceversa.
Andbesides,ithadbeensatisfying.
Sowhydidshefeesifshewaokickhimintheface?
Shesighedandunhappilyraisedhereyestoseeaninter-tialroarpastontheE4.
Blomkvistwasstillinthegardenat8:00whenhewasrousedbytherattleofthemotorcyclecrossingthebridgeandsawSanderridingtowardsthecottage.Sheputherbikeonitsstandandtookoffherhelmet.Shecameuptothegardentableahecoffeepot,whichtyandcold.Blomkviststoodup,gazingatherinsurprise.Shetookthecoffeepotaintothekit.WhenshecamebackoutshehadtakenoffherleathersandsatdowninjeansandaT-shirtwiththesloganIBEAREGULARBITCH.JUSTTRYME.
“Ithoughtyou’dbeinStobynow,”hesaid.
“IturnedroundinUppsa.”
“Quitearide.”
“I’msore.”
“Whydidyouturnaround?”
Noanswer.Hewaitedheroutwhiletheydrankcoffee.Aftertenminutesshesaid,relutly,“Ilikeyourpany.”
Thosewerewordsthathadneverbeforepassedherlips.
“Itwas…iingtoworkwithyouonthiscase.”
“Ienjoyedwwithyoutoo,”hesaid.
“Hmm.”
“Thefactis,I’veneverworkedwithsuchabrilliantresearcher.OK,Iknowyou’reahackerandhangoutinsuspectcirclesinwhichyousetupanillegalwiretapinLondoniy-fourhours,butyougetresults.”
Shelookedathimforthefirsttimesinceshehadsatatthetable.Heknewsomanyofhersecrets.
“That’sjusthowitis.Iknowputers.I’veneverhadaproblemwithreadiandabswhatitsaid.”
“Yourphotographicmemory,”hesaidsoftly.
“Iadmitit.Ijusthavenoideahowitworks.It’snotonlyputersandtelephoneworks,butthemotorinmybikeandTVsetsandvacuumersandchemicalprocessesandformueinastrophysics.I’manutcase,Iadmitit:afreak.”
Blomkvistfrowned.Hesatquietlyforalongtime.
Asperger’ssyndrome,hethought.Orsomethinglikethat.Atalentforseeingpatternsanduandingabstractreasoniherpeopleperceiveonlywhitenoise.
Sanderwasstaringdownatthetable.
“Mostpeoplewouldgiveahtohavesuchagift.”
“Idon’twanttotalkaboutit.”
“We’lldropit.Areyougdyoucameback?”
“Idon’tknow.Maybeitwasamistake.”
“Lisbeth,youdefihewordfriendshipforme?”
“It’swhenyoulikesomebody.”
“Sure,butwhatisitthatmakesyoulikesomebody?”
Sheshrugged.
“Friendship—mydefinition—isbuiltontwothings,”hesaid.“Respedtrust.Bothelementshavetobethere.Andithastobemutual.Youhaverespeeoifyoudon’thavetrust,thefriendshipwillcrumble.”
Shewasstillsilent.
“Iuandthatyoudon’twanttodiscussyourselfwithme,butsomedayyoingtohavetodecidewhetheryoutrustmeornot.Iwantustobefriends,butI’tdoitallbymyself.”
“Ilikehavihyou.”
“Sexhasnothingtodowithfriendship.Sure,friendshavesex,butifIhadtochoosebetweensexandfriendshipwheoyou,there’snodoubtwhichIwouldpick.”
“Ido.Doyouwanttohavesexwithmeornot?”
“Youshouldn’thavesexwithpeopleyou’rewwith,”hemuttered.“Itjustleadstotrouble.”
“DidImisssomethinghere,orisn’tittruethatyouandErikaBergerfuckeverytimeyougetthedshe’smarried.”
“ErikaandI…haveahistorythatstartedlongbeforewestartedwtogether.Thefactthatshe’smarriedisnoneofyourbusiness.”
“Oh,Isee,allofasuddenyou’retheonewhodoesn’twanttotalkaboutyourself.AndthereIwas,learningthatfriendshipisamatteroftrust.”
“WhatImeanisthatIdon’tdiscussafriendbehindherback.I’dbebreakirust.Iwouldn’tdiscussyouwithErikabehindyourbackeither.”
Sahoughtaboutthat.Thishadbeeanawkwardversation.Shedidnotlikeawkwardversations.
“Idolikehavihyou,”shesaid.
“Ilikeittoo…butI’mstilloldenoughtobeyourfather.”
“Idon’tgiveashitaboutye.”
“No,you’tignoreediffere’snosortofbasisforastiionship.”
“Whosaidanythingaboutsting?”Sandersaid.“Wejustfinishedupacaseinwhiwithfucked-upsexualitypyedapromirole.IfIhadtodecide,mewouldbeexterminated,everystohem.”
“Well,atleastyoudon’tpromise.”
“No,”shesaid,givinghimhercrookednon-smile.“Butatleastyou’renotlikethem.”Shegotup.“NowI’mgoingintotakeashower,ahinkI’llgetintoyourbednaked.Ifyouthinkyou’retooold,you’llhavetogoandsleeponthecampbed.”
Whateverhang-upsSanderhad,modestycertainlywasnotohefterawhilehewashedupthecoffeethingsaintothebedroom.
Theygotupat10:00,tookashether,andatebreakfastoutinthegarden.At11:00DirchFrodecalledandsaidthatthefuneralwouldtakepceat2:00iernoon,andheaskediftheywerepnningtoattend.
“Ishouldn’tthinkso,”saidMikael.
Frodeaskedifhecouldeoveraround6:00foratalk.Mikaelsaidthatwouldbefine.
HespentafewhourssthepapersintothepagcratesandcarryingthemovertoHenrik’soffice.FinallyhewasleftwithonlyhisownnotesawobindersabouttheHans-ErikWer?maffairthathehadn’topenedinsixmonths.Hesighedandstuffedthemintohisbag.
Frtosayhewasrunningteanddidhecottageuntil8:00.HewasstillinhisfuneralsuitandlookedharriedwhedownobendgratefullyaeptedthecupofcoffeethatSanderofferedhim.ShesatatthesidetablewithherputerwhileBlomkvistaskedhowHarriet’sreappearancehadbeenreceivedbythefamilyasawhole.
“YoumightsaythatithasovershadowedMartin’sdemise.Nowthemediahavefoundoutabouthertoo.”
“Andhowareyouexpiniuation?”
“HarriettalkedorterfromtheCourier.Herstoryisthatsheranawayfromhomebecauseshedidalongwithherfamily,butthatsheobviouslyhasdonewellintheworldsinceshe’stheheadofaverysubstantialenterprise.”
Blomkvistwhistled.
“IdiscoveredthattherewasmoneyinAustraliansheep,butIdidn’tknowthestationwasdoingthatwell.”
“Hersheepstationisgoingsuperbly,butthatisn’theronlysourceofiheCoCorporationisinmining,opals,manufacturing,transport,eleidalotofotherthingstoo.”
“hat’sgoingtohappennow?”
“Holy,Idon’tknow.Peoplehavebeenturningupallday,andthefamilyhasbeeherforthefirsttimeinyears.They’reherefrombothFredrikandJohanVanger’ssides,andquiteafewfromtheyoungergeiontoo—theoheirtwentiesandup.ThereareprobablyaroundfortyVangersiadthisevening.HalfofthemareatthehospitalwearingoutHenrik;theotherhalfareattheGrandHoteltalkingtoHarriet.”
“Harrietmustbethebigsensation.HowmanyofthemknowaboutMartin?”
“Sofarit’sjustme,Henrik,andHarriet.Wehadalongtalktogether.Martinand…youruncofhisunspeakablelife,it’sovershadowingjustabouteverythingforusatthemoment.Ithasbroughtanenormouscrisisforthepanytoahead.”
“Iderstandthat.”
“Thereisnonaturalheir,butHarrietisstayingiadforawhile.Thefamilywillworkouthat,howtheiaobedividedandsoouallyhasashareofitthatwouldhavebeenquitergeifshehadbeehewholetime.It’sanightmare.”
Mikaelughed.Frodewasnotughingatall.
“Isabelhadacolpseatthefuneral.She’sinthehospitalnow.Henriksayshewon’tvisither.”
“GoodforHenrik.”
“However,AnitaisingoverfromLondon.Iamtocalfamilymeetingforweek.Itwillbethefirsttimeiy-fiveyearsthatshe’sparticipated.”
“WhowillbethenewCEO?”
“Birgerisafterthejob,buthe’soutofthequestion.What’sgoingtohappenisthatHenrikwillstepinasCEOprotemfromhissickbeduntilwehireeithersomeonefromoutsideorsomeonefromwithinthefamily…”
Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrows.
“Harriet?You’tbeserious.”
“Whynot?We’retalkingaboutaionallypetentandrespectedbusinesswoman.”
“ShehasapanyinAustraliatolookafter.”
“True,buthersonJeffCoismindioreinherabsence.”
“He’sthestudsmanageronasheepranch.IfIuoodthemattercorrectly,heseestoitthatthecorrectsheepmatewitheachother.”
“HealsohasadegreeineiOxfordandawdegreefromMelbourne.”
Blomkvistthoughtaboutthesweaty,muscurmanwithhisshirtoffwhohaddrivenhimintoandthroughtheraviriedtoimaginehiminapinstripesuit.Whynot?
“Allofthiswilltaketimetoworkout,”Frodesaid.“ButshewouldbeaperfectCEO.Withtherightsupportteamshecouldrepresentawholenewdealforthepany.”
“Shedoesn’thavetheexperience…”
“That’strue.She’tjustpopupoutofmoreorlessnowhereandstartmianagingthepany.ButtheVangerCorporationisiional,andwecouldcertainlyhaveanAmeriCEOwhodoesn’tspeakawordofSwedish…it’sonlybusiness,whenall’ssaidanddone.”
“SooeryoingtohavetofaceuptotheproblemofMartin’sbasement.”
“Iknow.Butwe’tsayanythingwithoutdestroyingHarriet…I’mgdI’mnottheonewhohastomakethedecisionaboutthis.”
“Damnit,Dirch,youwon’tbeabletoburythefactthatMartinwasaserialkiller.”
“Mikael,I’mina…veryunfortableposition.”
“Tellme.”
“IhaveamessagefromHenrik.Hethanksyoufortheoutstandingworkyoudidandsaysthathesidersthetractfulfilled.Thatmeansheisreleasingyoufromanyfurtherobligationsandthatyounolongerhavetoliveorworkhereiad,etc.So,takingeffectimmediately,youmovebacktoStoaeyourselftoyourotherpursuits.”
“Hewaovanishfromthese,isthatthegistofit?”
“Absolutelynot.Hewantsyoutovisithimforaversationaboutthefuture.HesayshehopesthathisinvolvementontheboardofMillenniumproceedwithoutrestris.But…”
Frodelookedevenmoreunfortable,ifthatossible.
“Don’ttellme,Dirch…henolongerwaowriteahistoryoftheVangerfamily.”
DirchFrodenodded.Hepickedupanote,ope,andpusheditovertoMikael.
“Hewroteyouthisletter.”
DearMikael,
Ihavenothingbutrespectforyouriy,andIdon’tioinsultyoubytryingtotellyouwhattowrite.Youmaywriteandpublishwhateveryoulike,andIwoanypressureonyouwhatsoever.
Ourtractremainsvalid,ifyouwanttotinue.YouhaveenoughmaterialtofinishtheicleoftheVangerfamily.
Mikael,I’veneverbeggedanyoneforanythingiirelife.I’vealwaysthoughtthatapersonshouldfollowhismoralsandhisvis.ThistimeIhavenochoice.
Iam,withthisletter,beggingyou,bothasafriendandaspartownerofMillennium,torefrainfrompublishihaboutGottfriedandMartin.Iknowthat’swrong,butIseenowayoutofthisdarkness.Ihavetochoosebetweentwoevils,andinthiscasetherearenowinners.
IbegyounottowriteanythingthatwouldfurtherhurtHarriet.Youknowfirst-handwhatit’sliketobethesubjeediacampaign.Thecampaignagainstyouwasofquitemodestproportions.YousurelyimagiitwouldbelikeforHarrietifthetruthweretoeout.Shehasbeentormentedforfortyyearsandshouldn’thavetosufferanymoreforthedeedsthatherbrotherahermitted.AndIbegyoutothinkthroughthesequehissththaveforthethousandsofemployeesinthepany.Thiscouldcrushherandannihiteus.
Henrik
“Henrikalsosaysthatifyourequirepensationforfinanciallossesthatmayarisefromyourrefrainingfrompublishiory,heisentirelyopentodiscussion.Yousetanyfinancialdemandsyouthinkfit.”
“HenrikVaryingtoshutmeup.TellhimthatIwishhehadnevergivehisoffer.”
“ThesituationisjustastroublesomeforHenrikasitisforyou.Helikesyouverymudsidersyouhisfriend.”
“HenrikVangerisacleverbastard,”Blomkvistsaid.Hewassuddenlyfurious.“Hewantstohushupthestory.He’spyingoionsandheknowsIlikehimtoo.Andwhathe’salsosayingisthatIhaveafreehandtopublish,andifIdosohewouldhavetorevisehisattitudetowardsMillennium.”
“EverythinggedwhenHarrietsteppedontothestage.”
“AndnowHenrikisfeelingoutricetagmightbe.Idon’tiohangHarrietouttodry,butsomebodyhastosaysomethingaboutthewomenwhodiedinMartin’sbasement.Dirch,wedon’tevenknowhowmanywomeuredandsughtered.Whoisgoingtospeakupontheirbehalf?”
Sanderlookedupfromherputer.HervoicewasalmostinaudibleasshesaidtoFrode,“Isn’tthereanyoneinyourpanywho’sgoingtotrytoshutmeup?”
Frodelookedastonished.Onceagainhehadmaoignoreherexistence.
“IfMartinVangerwerealiveatthismoment,Iwouldhavehunghimouttodry,”shewenton.“WhateveragreementMikaelmadewithyou,Iwouldhavesenteverydetaibouthimtotheeveningpaper.AndifIcould,Iwouldhavestuckhimdowninhisowntortureholeandtiedhimtothattableandstueedlesthroughhisballs.Unfortunatelyhe’sdead.”
SheturoBlomkvist.
“I’msatisfiedwiththesolution.NothingwedorepairtheharmthatMartinVangerdidtohisvictims.Butaingsituationhaseup.You’reinapositionwhereyoutioharmiwomen—especiallythatHarrietwhomyousowarmlydefehethehere.Somyquestiontoyouis:whichisworse—thefactthatMartinVangerrapedheroutintheorthatyoingtodoitinprint?Youhaveafinedilemma.MaybetheethicsmitteeoftheJournalistsAssociationgiveyousomeguidance.”
Shepaused.Blomkvistcouldhergaze.Hestareddownatthetable.
“ButI’mnotajournalist,”shesaidatst.
“Whatdoyouwant?”DirchFrodeasked.
“Martiapedhisvictims.Iwantyoutodoyourdamoidentifyasmanyasyoudseetoitthattheirfamiliesreceivesuitablepensation.AndthenIwanttheVangerCorporationtodonate2millionkronorannuallyandiuitytotheNationanisationforWomen’sCrisistresandGirls’CrisistresinSweden.”
Frodeweighedthepricetagforamihenhenodded.
“youlivewiththat,Mikael?”Sandersaid.
Blomkvistfeltonlydespair.Hisprofessionallifehehaddevotedtouncthingswhichotherpeoplehadtriedtohide,andhecouldytothecupoftheappallingcrimesmittedinMartinVanger’sbasement.Hewhohadmbastedhiscolleaguesfornotpublishih,herehesat,discussiiatihemostmacabrecover-uphehadeverheardof.
Hesatinsilenceforalongtime.Thenhenoddedhisassent.
“Sobeit,”Frodesaid.“AndwithregardtoHenrik’sofferforfinancialpensation…”
“Heshoveituphisbackside,andDirch,Iwantyoutoleavenow.Iuandyourposition,butrightnowI’msofuriouswithyouandHenrikandHarrietthatifyoustayanylongerwemightnotbefriendsanymore.”
Frodemadenomovetogo.
“I’tleaveyet.I’mnotdone.Ihaveanothermessagetodeliver,andyou’renotgoingtolikethisoher.HenrikisinsistingthatItellyoutonight.Yougouptothehospitandfyhimtomorrifyouwish.”
Blomkvistlookedupandstaredathim.
Frodewenton.“ThishasgottobethehardestthingI’veeverdoneinmylife.ButIthinkthatonlypletedourwithallthecardsoablesavethesituationnow.”
“Soit’sdouratst,isit?”
“WhenHenrikvincedyoutotakethejobstChristmas,”Dirchsaid,ignhissarcasm,“herhenorIthoughtthatanythingwouldeofit.Thatwasexactlywhathesaid,buthewaogiveitory.Hehadanalysedyoursituation,particurlywiththehelpofthereportthatFr?kenSatogether.Hepyedonyourisotion,heoodpay,andheusedtherightbait.”
“Wer?m.”
Frodenodded.
“Youwerebluffing?”
“No,no,”Frodesaid.
Sanderraisedaneyebrowwithi.
“Henrikisgoingtomakegoodohinghepromised.He’sarranginganinterviewandisgoingpublicwithadirectassaultonWer?m.Youhaveallthedetailster,butroughlythesituationisthis:whenWer?mloyedinthefinamentoftheVangerCorporation,hespentseveralmillionkronorspegncurrency.Thiswaslongbeforefnexgefuturesbecametherage.Hedidthiswithoutauthority.Oeranotherwentbad,andhewassittingtherewithalossofsevenmillionkronorthathetriedtocoverup.Partlybycookingthesandpartlybyspegevenharder.Itiablycametolightandhewassacked.”
“Didhemakeanyprofithimself?”
“Ohyes,hemadeoffwithabouthalfamillionkronor,whichironicallyenoughbecametheseedmoneyfortheWer?mGroup.Wehavedotationforallofthis.Youusethermationhoweveryoulike,andHenrikwillbackuptheausationspublicly.But…”
“But,andit’sabigbut,Dirch,thermationisworthless,”Blomkvistsaid,smminghisfistoable.“Itallhappehirty-plusyearsagoandit’saclosed.”
“You’llgetfirmationthatWer?misacrook.”
“ThatwilnnoyWer?mwhe,butitwon’tdamagehimanymorethanadirecthitfromapeashooter.He’sgoingtoshufflethedeckbyputtingoutapressreleasesayingthatHenrikVangerisanoldhas-beenwho’sstilltryingtostealsomebusinessfromhim,andthenhe’llprobablycimthathewasagonordersfromHenrik.Evenifhe’tprovehisinnoce,heydownenoughsmokessthatno-onewilltakethestoryseriously.”
Frodelookedunhappy.
“Youedme,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Thatwasn’touriion.”
“Ibmemyself.Iwasgraspingatstraws,andIshouldhaverealiseditwassomethinglikethat.”Heughedabruptly.“Henrikisanoldshark.HewassellingaprodudtoldmewhatIwaohear.It’stimeyouwent,Dirch.”
“Mikael…I’msorrythat…”
“Dirch.Go.”
SanderdidnotknowwhethertogoovertoBlomkvistortoleavehiminpeace.Hesolvedtheproblemforherbypiguphisjacketwithoutawordandsmmingthedoorbehindhim.
Formorethananhourshewaitedrestlesslyi.Shefeltsobadthatsheclearedthetableandwashedthedishes—arolesheusuallylefttoBlomkvist.Shewentregurlytothewindowtoseeiftherewasanysignofhim.Finallyshewassonervousthatsheputonherjacketaouttolookforhim.
Firstshewalkedtothemarina,wherelightswerestilloninthes,buttherewasnosignofhirtinVanger’shousewasdarkandalreadylookedabandoned.Shewentouttotherocksatthepoiheyhadoftensattalking,andthebae.Hestillhadurned.
Shewenttothechurch.Stillnosign.Shewasatalosstoknowwhattodo.Thebaotorcydgotafshlightfromthesaddlebagaoffaloeragain.Ittookherawhiletowindherwayalongthehalf-rownroad,andevenloofihtoGottfried’s.Itloomedoutofthedarknessbehindsometreeswhenshehadalmostreachedit.Hewasnotonthepordthedoorwaslocked.
Shehadturowardsthevilgewheoppedaback,allthewayouttothepoint.ShecaughtsightofBlomkvist’ssilhouetteinthedarknessontheendofthejettywhereHarrietVangerhaddrowher.Shesighedwithrelief.
Heheardherasshecameoutontothejetty,aurnedaround.Shesatdowohimwithoutaword.Atsthebrokethesilence.
“Fiveme.Ihadtobealoneforawhile.”
“Iknow.”
Shelittwocigarettesandgavehimone.Blomkvistlookedather.Sanderwasthemostasocialhumanbeinghehadevermet.Usuallysheignoredanyattemptonhisparttotalkaboutanythingpersonal,andshehadneveraeptedasingleexpressionofsympathy.Shehadsavedhislife,andnowshehadtrackedhimouthereinthenight.Heputanarmaroundher.
“NowIknoriceis,”hesaid.“We’veforsakenthosegirls.They’regoingtoburythewholestory.EverythinginMartin’sbasementwillbevacuumedintooblivion.”
Sanderdidnotanswer.
“Erikawasright,”hesaid.“IwouldhavedonemoodifI’dgooSparamonthandthenehomerefreshedandtakenonWer?m.I’vewastedallthesemonths.”
“Ifyou’dgooSpain,MartinVangerwouldstillbeoperatinginhisbasement.”
Theysattogetherforalongtimebeforehesuggestedthattheygohome.
BlomkvistfelsleepbeforeSander.Sheyawakelisteningtohimbreathe.Afterawhileshewenttothekitandsatinthedarkobench,smokingseveralcigarettesasshebrooded.ShehadtakenitfrahatVangerandFrodemight.Itwasintheirnature.ButitwasBlomkvist’sproblem,nothers.Orwasit?
Atstshemadeadecisioubbedouthercigaretteaintothebedroom,turhemp,andshookMikaewake.Itwas2:30inthem.
“What?”
“I’vegotaquestion.Situp.”
Blomkvistsatup,drunkwithsleep.
“Whenyouwereindicted,whydidn’tyoudefendyourself?”
Blomkvistrubbedhiseyes.Helookedattheclock.
“It’salongstory,Lisbeth.”
“I’vegottime.Tellme.”
Hesatforalongwhile,pwhatheshouldsay.Finallyhedecidedoh.
“Ihadnodefehermationiiclewaswrong.”
“WhenIhackedyourputerandreadyouremailexgewithBerger,therewereplentyofrefereheWer?maffair,butyoutwokeptdiscussingpracticaldetailsaboutthetriandnothingaboutwhatactuallyhappened.Whatwasitthatwentwrong?”
“Lisbeth,I’tlettherealstetout.Ifellintoatrap.ErikaandIarequiteclearthatitwoulddamageourcredibilityevenfurtherifwetoldareallyhappened.”
“Listen,KalleBlomkvist,yesterdayafternoonyousatherepreagaboutfriendshipandtrustandst
Harriet’seyessuddenlyburned.
“Ithinkyou’dbettertellmethestoryfromthebeginning.”
Ittookmorethananhour.Hetoldherwhohewasandwhathewaswon.HedescribedhowhecametobegiventheassigbyHenrikVanger.Heexpinedhowthepolice’siigatiooadeadend,aoldherofHenrik’slongiigation,andfinallyhetoldherhohotographofherwithfriendsinJ?rnv?gsgataadhadledtotheuncofthesorrowsbehieryofherdisappearanditsappallingsequel,whichhadehMartinVanger’ssuicide.
Ashetalked,dusksetin.Themenquitworkfortheday,fireswerestarted,andpotsbegantosimmer.BlomkvistnoticedthatJeffstayedclosetohisbossaawatchfuleyeonhiheyeachhadanotherbeer.WhenhewasfinishedHarrietsatforalongtimeinsilence.
Atlengthshesaid:“Iwassohappythatmyfatherwasdeadandtheviolencewasover.ItneverourredtomethatMartin…I’mgdhe’sdead.”
“Iderstandthat.”
“Yourstorydoesn’texpinhowyoukhatIwasalive.”
“Afterwerealisedwhathadhappewasn’tsodifficulttoworkouttherest.Todisappear,youneededhelp.Anitawasyourfidaheonlyoneyoucouldevensider.Youwerefriends,andshehadspentthesummerwithyou.Youstayedoutatyourfather’s.Iftherewasanyoneyouhadfidedin,ithadtobeher—andalsoshehadjustgotherdriver’slice.”
Harrietlookedathimwithanunreadableexpression.
“SonowthatyouknowI’malive,whatareyougoingtodo?”
“IhavetotellHenrik.Hedeservestoknow.”
“Andthen?You’reajournalist.”
“I’mnotthinkingofexposingyou.I’vealreadybreachedsomanyrulesofprofessionalduthiswholedismalmessthattheJournalistsAssociationwouldundoubtedlyexpelmeiftheyknewaboutit.”Hewastryingtomakelightofit.“Onemorewon’tmakeanydifferendIdon’twanttomakemyoldbabysitterangry.”
Shewasnotamused.
“Hoeopleknowthetruth?”
“Thatyou’realive?Rightnow,youandmeandAnitaandmypartner.Henrik’swyerknowsabouttwo-thirdsofthestory,buthestillthinksyoudiediies.”
HarrietVangerseemedtobethinkingsomethingover.Shestaredoutatthedark.Mikaelonceagainhadanuneasyfeelingthathewasinavulnerablesituation,andheremindedhimselfthatHarrietVanger’sownriflewasonacampbedthreepacesaway.Thenheshookhimselfandstoppedimaginingthings.Hegedthesubject.
“ButhowdidyouetobeasheepfarmerinAustralia?IalreadyknowthatAnitasmuggledyouoffHedebyIsnd,presumablyiofhercarwhenthebridgere-opehedayaftertheaident.”
“Actually,Iyonthefloorofthebackseatwithaboverme.Butno-onewaslooking.IwenttoAnitawhenshearrivedontheisndandtoldherthatIhadtoescape.YouguessedrightthatIfidedinher.Shehelpedme,andshe’sbeenaloyalfriendalltheseyears.”
“WhyAustralia?”
“IstayedinAnita’sroominStoforafewweeks.Anitahadherownmoney,whichshegenerouslylentme.Shealsogavemeherpassport.Welookedalmostexactlylikeeachother,andallIhadtodowasdyemyhairblonde.ForfouryearsIlivedinaventinItaly—Iwasn’tanun.Thereareventswhereyourentaroomcheap,tohavepeadquiettothink.TheSpencerCo.Hewassomeyearsolder;he’djustfinishedhisdegreeinEngndandwashitchhikingaroundEurope.Ifellinlove.Hedidtoo.That’salltherewastoit.‘Anita’Vangermarriedhimin1971.I’veneverhadas.Hewasawonderfulman.Verysadly,hediedeightyearsago,andIbecametheowhestation.”
“Butyourpassport—surelysomeoneshouldhavediscoveredthatthereweretwoAnitaVangers?”
“No,whyshouldthey?ASwedishgirlnamedAnitaVangerwho’smarriedtoSpencerCo.WhethershelivesinLondonorAustraliamakesnodiffereheoneinLondonhasbeenSpencerCo’sestrangedwife.TheoneinAustraliawashisverymuchpresentwife.Theydon’tmatchupputerfilesbetweenberraandLondon.Besides,IsoongotanAustralianpassportundermymarriedhearrafunedperfectly.TheonlythingthatcouldhaveupsetthestorywasifAnitaherselfwaogetmarried.MymarriagehadtisteredintheSwedishnatiistrationfiles.”
“Butsheneverdid.”
“ShecimsthatsheneverfoundaIknowthatshediditformysake.She’sbeenatruefriend.”
“Whatwasshedoinginyourroom?”
“Iwasn’tveryrationalthatday.IwasafraidofMartin,butaslongashewasinUppsa,Icouldpushtheproblemoutofmymind.Thentherehewasiad,andIrealisedthatI’dneverbesafetherestofmylife.IwentbadforthbetweenwantingtotellUncleHenrikandwantingtoflee.WhenHenrikdidn’thavetimetotalktome,Ijustwanderedrestlesslyaroundthevilge.OfcourseIknowthattheaidentonthebridgeovershadowedeverythingelseforeveryonotforme.Ihadmyownproblems,andIwashardlyevenawareoftheaident.EverythingseemeduhenIranintoAnita,whowasstayingicottageinthepoundwithGerdaandAlexahatwaswhenImadeupmymind.Istayedwithherthewholetimeanddidn’tdaregooutside.ButtherewasohingIhadtotakewithme—Ihadwrittendowhingthathappenedinadiary,andIneededafewclothes.Anitagotthemforme.”
“Isupposeshecouldthetemptationtolookoutattheaidentse.”Blomkvistthoughtforamoment.“WhatIdon’tuandiswhyyoudidn’tjustgotoHenrik,asyouhadintended.”
“Whydoyouthink?”
“Ireallydon’tknortinwouldhavebeenremovedimmediately—probablysenttoAustraliaforsomesortoftherapyortreatment.”
“Youhaven’tuoodpened.”
UptothispointBlomkvisthadonlyreferredtoGottfried’ssexuassaultonMartin,leavingHarriet’sroleoutofit.
“GottfriedmolestedMartin,”hesaidcautiously.“Isuspectthathealsomolestedyou.”
HarrietVangerdidnotmoveamuscle.Theookadeepbreathandburiedherfaherhands.IttookfivesedsbeforeJeffwasbesideher,askingifeverythingwasallright.Harrietlookedathimandgavehimafaintsmile.TheonishedBlomkvistbystandingupandgiviudsmanagerahugandakissonthecheek.SheturoBlomkvistwithherarmaroundJeff’sshoulder.
“Jeff,thisisMikael,anold…friendfromthepast.He’sbroughtproblemsandbadnews,butwe’renotgoingtoshootthemessenger.Mikael,thisisJeffCo,myoldestson.Ialsohaveanothersonandadaughter.”
BlomkviststooduptoshakehandswithJeff,sayingthathewassorrytohavebroughtbadnewswhichhadupsethismother.HarrietexgedafewwordswithJeffandthehimaway.Shesatdownagainaohavemadeadecision.
“Nomorelies.Iaeptthatit’sallover.InsomesenseI’vebeenwaitingforthisdaysince1966.ForyearsIwasterrifiedthatsomeonemighteuptomeandsaymyyouknowwhat?AllofasuddenIdon’tcareanymore.Mycrimefallsoutsidethestatuteoflimitations.AndIdon’tgiveashiteoplethinkaboutme.”
“Crime?”saidMikael.
Shegavehimalook,buthestilldidn’tuandwhatshewastalkingabout.
“Iwassixteen.Iwasscared.Iwasashamed.Iwasdesperate.IwasalloheonlyoneswhokhetruthwereAnitaandMartin.IhadtoldAnitaaboutthesexuassaults,butIdidn’thavethecetotellherthatmyfatherwasalsoaninsanekillerofwomen.Anitahadneverknownaboutthat.ButIdidtellheraboutthecrimethatImittedmyself.Itwassohorriblethatwhenitcamedowntoit,Ididn’tdaretellHenrik.IprayedtoGodtofiveme.AndIhidinsideaventforseveralyears.”
“Harriet,yourfatheristandamurderer.Itwasn’tyourfault.”
“Iknowthat.Myfathermolestedmeforayear.Idideverythingtoavoid…buthewasmyfatherandIcouldn’trefusetohaveanythingtodowithhimwithoutgivinghimsomeexpnation.SoIliedandpyedaroleandtriedtopretendthateverythingwasOK.AndImadesurethatsomeoneelsewasalwaysaroundwhenIsawhim.Mymotherknewwhathewasdoing,ofcourse,butshedidn’tcare.”
“Isabelknew?”
Harriet’svoicetookonanewharshness.
“Ofcoursesheknew.NothingeverhappenedinourfamilywithoutIsabelknowing.Butsheignoredeverythingthatleasantorshowedherinabadlight.Myfathercouldhaverapedmeinthemiddleofthelivingrhtbeforehereyesandshewouldn’thavenoticed.Shewasincapableofaowledgingthatanythingwaswronginherlifeormine.”
“I’vemether.She’snotmyfavouriteinthefamily.”
“She’sbeeherwholelife.I’veoftenwonderedaboutmyparents’retionship.IrealisedthattheyrarelyormaybeneverhadsexwitheachotherafterIwasborn.Myfatherhadwomen,butforsomestrangereasonhewasafraidofIsabel.Hestayedawayfromher,buthecouldadivorce.”
“No-oheVangerfamily.”
Sheughedforthefirsttime.
“No,theydon’t.ButthepointisthatIcouldn’tbringmyselftosayanything.Thewholeworldwouldhavefoundout.Mysates,allmyretives…”
“Harriet,I’msosorry.”
“Iwasfourteenwhenherapedmethefirsttime.Andduriyearhewouldtakemeouttohis.ManytimesMartincamealong.HeforeandMartintodothingswithhim.AndheheldmyarmswhileMartin…hadhiswaywithme.Whenmyfatherdied,Martinwasreadytotakeoverhisrole.HeexpectedmetobeehisloverahoughtiterfeaturalformetosubmittohiwasforcedtodowhatMartinsaid.Iwasridofoormentoronlytondichesofanother,andtheonlythingIcoulddowastomakesuretherewasneveranoasionwhenIwasalohhim…”
“Henrikwouldhave…”
“Youstilldon’tuand.”
Sheraisedhervoice.Blomkvistsawthatseveralofthemenattheentwerelookingathim.Sheloweredhervoiceagainandleaowardshim.
“Allthecardsareoable.You’llhavetoworkouttherest.”
Shestoodupandgottwomorebeers.Whenshecameback,Mikaelsaidasinglewordtoher.
“Gottfried.”
Shenodded.
“OnAugust7,1965,myfatherforcedmetogoouttohis.Henrikwasaway.Myfatherwasdrinking,ariedtoforcehimselfohecouldupandheflewintoadrunkenrage.Hewasalways…roughandviolenttowardsmeerealothistimehecrossedtheline.Heurinatedoheartedtellihewasgoingtodotome.Thatnighthetoldmeaboutthewomenhehadkilled.Hewasbraggingaboutit.HequotedfromtheBible.Thiswentonforanhour.Ididn’tuandhalfofwhathewassaying,butIrealisedthathewastotally,absolutelysick.”
Shetookagulpofherbeer.
“Sometimearoundmidnighthehadafit.Hewastotallyinsane.Wewereupinthesleepingloft.HeputaT-shirtaroundmynedpulleditastightashecould.Ibckedout.Idon’thavetheslightestdoubtthathereallywastryingtokillme,andforthefirsttimethatnighthemaopletetherape.”
HarrietlookedatBlomkvist.Hereyeseedhimtouand.
“ButhewassodrunkthatsomehowImaogetaway.Ijumpeddownfromtheloftandfled.IwasnakedandIranwithoutthinking,andendedupoybythewater.Hecamestaggeringafterme.”
Blomkvistsuddenlywishedthatshewouldnottellhimanythingmore.
“Iwasstrongenoughtoshoveanolddrunkintothewater.Iusedanoartoholdhimuilhewasn’tstrugglinganymore.Itdidn’ttakelong.”
Wheopped,thesilencewasdeafening.
“AndwhenIlookedup,therestoodMartin.Helookedterrified,butatthesametimehewasgrinning.Idon’tknowhowlonghewasoutsidethe,spyingonus.FromthatmomentIwasathismercy.Hecameuptome,grabbedmebythehair,andledmebacktothe—toGottfried’sbed.Hetiedmeupandrapedmewhileourfatherwasstillfloatingier.AndIcouldn’tevenofferaance.”
Blomkvistclosedhiseyes.HewasterriblyashamedandwishedthathehadleftHarrietVangerinpeace.Buthervoicehadtakenonanewforce.
“Fromthatdayon,Iwasinhispower.Ididwhathetoldmetodo.Ifeltparalysed,andtheonlythingthatsavedmysanitywasthatIsabel—ormaybeitwasUncleHenrik—decidedthatMartinneededageofseryafterhisfather’stragicdeath,soshesenthimtoUppsa.Ofcoursethiswasbecausesheknewwhathewasdoingtome,anditwasherwayofsolvingtheproblem.YoubetthatMartinwasdisappointed.DuriyearhewashomeonlyfortheChristmasholiday.Imaokeepawayfromhim.IwentwithHenrikonatriptohageweenChristmasandNewYear’s.Andduringthesummerholiday,Anitawasthere.Ifidedinher,aayedwithmethewholetime,makingsurethathedidn’tenearme.”
“Untilyousawhimsgatan.”
“Iwastoldthathewouldothefamilygathering,thathewasstayinginUppsa.Butobviouslyhegedhismind,andsuddenlytherehewasohersideofthestreet,staringatme.Hesmiledatme.Itfeltlikeahideousdream.Ihadmurderedmyfather,andIrealisedthatIwouldneverbefreeofmybrother.Upuntilthen,Ihadthoughtaboutkillingmyself.Ichoseioflee.”ShegaveBlomkvistwhatwasalmostalookofrelief.“Itfeelsfantastictotellthetruth.Sonowyouknow.”
CHAPTER27
Saturday,July26–Monday,July28
BlomkvistpickedupSanderbyherfrontdooronLundagatanat10:00anddrovehertotheNorracrematorium.Hestayedathersideduringtheceremony.Foralongtimetheyweretheonlymournersalongwiththepastor,butwhenthefuneralbeganArmanskyslippedin.HenoddedcurtlytoBlomkvistandstoodbehindSander,gentlyputtingahandonhershoulder.Shehoutlookingathim,asifshekneasstandihensheighemboth.
Sanderhadtoldhimnothingabouthermother,butthepastorhadapparentlyspokentosomeohenursinghomewhereshedied,andBlomkvistuoodthatthecauseofdeathwasacerebralhaeme.Sanderdidnotsayawordduringtheceremony.Thepastorlosthertrainofthoughttwicewheurneddirectlytoher.Sanderlookedherstraightintheeyewithoutexpressiowasoversheturnedonherheewithoutsayingthankyoodbye.BlomkvistandArmanskytookadeepbreathandlookedateachother.
“She’sfeelingreallybad,”Armanskysaid.
“Iknowthat,”Blomkvistsaid.“Itwasgoodofyoutoe.”
“I’mnotsosureaboutthat.”
ArmanskyfixedBlomkvistwithhisgaze.
“Ifyoutwoaredrivingbaorth,keepaneyeonher.”
Hepromisedtodothat.Theysaidgoodbye,andtothepastor,atthechurchdoor.Sanderwasalreadyinthecar,waiting.
ShehadtogobackwithhimtoHedestadtogethermotorcydtheequipmentshehadborrowedfromMiltonSecurity.NotuntiltheyhadpassedUppsadidshebreakhersilendaskhowthetriptoAustraliahadgone.BlomkvisthadArhenightbeforeandhadsleptonlyafewhours.DuringthedrivehetoldherHarrietVanger’sstory.Sainsilenceforhalfanhourbeforesheopenedhermouth.
“Bitch,”shesaid.
“Who?”
“HarrietFugVanger.Ifshehaddonesomethingin1966,MartinVangercouldn’thavekeptkillingandrapingforthirty-sevenyears.”
“Harrietknewaboutherfathermurderingwomen,butshehadhatMartinhadanythingtodowithit.Shefledfromabrotheredherahreateorevealthatshehaddrowherifshedidn’tdowhathesaid.”
“Bullshit.”
AfterthattheysatinsilehewaytoHedestad.BlomkvistwasteforhisappoianddroppedherattheturnofftoHedebyIsnd;heaskedifshewouldpleasebetherewhenhecameback.
“Areyouthinkingofstayinght?”shesaid.
“Ithinkso.”
“Doyouwaobehere?”
Heclimbedoutofthedwentaroundandputhisarmsaroundher.Shepushedhimaway,almostviolently.Blomkvisttookastepback.
“Lisbeth,you’remyfriend.”
“Doyouwaayheresoyou’llhavesomebodytofuight?”
Blomkvistgaveheralonglook.Theurnedandgotintothedstartedtheengine.Hewounddownthewindow.Herhostilityable.
“Iwanttobeyourfriend,”hesaid.“Ifyouwantotherwise,thenyoudoobeherewhehome.”
HenrikVangerwassittingup,dressed,whenDirchFrodelethimintothehospitalroom.
“They’rethinkingoflettiforMartin’sfuomorrow.”
“HowmuchhasDirchtoldyou?”
Henriklookeddownatthefloor.
“HetoldmeaboutwhatMartinandGotupto.Thisisfar,farworsethanIcouldhaveimagined.”
“IknopeoHarriet.”
“Tellme:howdidshedie?”
“Shedidn’tdie.She’sstillive.Andifyoulike,shereallywantstoseeyou.”
Bothmenstaredathimasiftheirworldhadjustbeenturnedupsidedown.
“Ittookawhiletovioe,butshe’salive,she’sdoingfine,andshe’shereiad.Shearrivedthismandbehereinanhour.Ifyouwanttoseeher,thatis.”
Blomkvisthadtotellthestoryfrombeginningtoend.AcoupleoftimesHenrikinterruptedwithaquestionoraskedhimtorepeatsomething.Frodesaidnotaword.
Wheorywasdone,Henriksatinsilence.Blomkvisthadbeenafraidthatitwouldbetoomuchfortheoldman,butHenrikshowednosigion,exceptthathisvoicemighthavebeenabitthickerwhenhebrokehissilence
“Poor,poorHarriet.Ifonlyshehadetome.”
Blomkvistgheclock.Itwasfivemiofour.
“Doyouwanttoseeher?She’sstilfraidthatyouwon’twanttoafteryoufoundoutwhatshedid.”
“Whatabouttheflowers?”Henriksaid.
“Iaskedherthatonthepneinghome.Therewasonepersoninthefamily,apartfromAnita,whomsheloved,andthatwasyou.She,ofcourse,wastheonewhosenttheflowers.ShesaidthatshehopedyouwoulduandthatshewasaliveandthatshewasdoingfihouthavingtomakeanappearasinceheronlyelofrmationwasAnita,whomovedabroadassoonasshefinishedherstudiesandnevervisitedHedestad,Harriet’sawarenessaboutwhatwentonherewaslimited.Sheneverknewhowterriblyyousufferedorthatyouthoughtitwashermurderertauntingyou.”
“IassumeitwasAnitawhopostedtheflowers.”
“Sheworkedforanairlineandflewallovertheworld.Shepostedthemfromwherevershehappeobe.”
“ButhowdidyouknowAnitawastheonewhohelpedher?”
“ShewastheoneinHarriet’swindow.”
“Butshecouldhavebeenmixedupin…shecouldhavebeenthemurdererinstead.HowdidyoufindoutthatHarrietwasalive?”
BlomkvistgaveHenrikalonglook.ThenhesmiledforthefirsttimesincehehadreturoHedestad.
“AnitawasinvolvedinHarriet’sdisappearashecouldn’thavekilledher.”
“Howcouldyoubesureofthat?”
“Becausethisisn’tsomedamnedlocked-roommysterynovel.IfAnitahadmurderedHarriet,youwouldhavefoundthebodyyearsago.SotheonlylogicalthingwasthatshehelpedHarrietescapeandhide.Doyouwanttoseeher?”
“OfcourseIwanttoseeher.”
BlomkvistfoundHarrietbytheliftinthelobby.Atfirsthedidnniseher.SiheyhadpartedatArndaAirportthenightbeforeshehaddyedherhairbrownagain.Shewasdressedinbcktrousers,awhiteblouse,andagreyjacket.Shelookedradiant,andBlomkvistbentdowntogiveheranencinghug.
HenrikgotupfromhischairwhenMikaelopehedoor.Shetookadeepbreath.
“Hi,Henrik,”shesaid.
Theoldmanscrutinisedherfromtoptotoe.ThenHarrietwentoverandkissedhim.BlomkvistoFrodeandclosedthedoor.
SanderwasnotiagewhenBlomkvistreturoHedebyIsnd.Thevideoequipmentaorcycleweregone,aswelsthebagwithherextraclothesandherspongebag.Thecottagefeltempty.Itsuddenlyseemedalienandunreal.Helookedatthestacksofpaperintheoffice,whichhewouldhavetopackupinboxesandcarrybacktoHenrik’shouse.Buthecouldnotfacestartingtheprocess.HedrovetoKonsumandboughtbread,milk,cheese,andsomethingforsupper.Wheuronwaterforcoffee,satinthegarden,aheeveningpaperswithoutthinkingofanythingelse.
At5:30ataxidroveacrossthebridge.Afterthreemiwentbackthewayitcame.BlomkvistcaughtaglimpseofIsabelVahebackseat.
Around7:00hehaddozedoffinthegardenchairwhenFrodewokehimup.
“How’sitgoingwithHenrikandHarriet?”hesaid.
“Thisunhappycloudhasitssilverlining,”Frodesaidwitharestrainedsmile.“Isabel,wouldyoubelieve,camerushingintoHenrik’shospitalroom.She’dobviouslyseenthatyou’debadletelybesideherself.ShescreamedathimthattherehadtobeaothiseousfussaboutherHarriet,addingthatyouweretheonewhodrovehersontohisdeathwithyoursnooping.”
“Well,she’sright,inaway.”
“ShemandedHenriktodismissyouforthwithandrunyouoffthepropertyfood.Andwouldhe,ondforall,stopseargfhosts.”
“Wow!”
“Shedidn’tevehewomansittingbesidethebedtalkingtoHenrik.Shemusthavethoughtitwasohestaff.IwillthemomentwhenHarrietstoodupandsaid,‘Hello,Mamma.’”
“pened?”
“WehadtocaldoctortocheckIsabel’svitalsigns.Rightnowshe’srefusingtobelievethatit’sHarriet.Youareausedinginanimpostor.”
FrodewasonhiswaytovisitCeciliaandAlexaogivethemthehatHarriethadrisenfromthedead.Hehurriedaway,leavingBlomkvisttohissolitarymusings.
SaoppedandfilledhertankatapetrolstationnorthofUppsa.Shehadbeenridingdoggedly,staringstraightahead.Shepaidquicklyandgotbaherbike.Shestarteditupandrodetotheexit,whereshestopped,undecided.
Shewasstillinaterriblemood.ShewasfuriouswheHedeby,butherragehadslowlydissolvedduringtheride.ShecouldnotmakeuphermindwhyshewassoangrywithBlomkvist,oreveheoneshewasangrywith.
ShethoughtofMartinVangerandHarrietFugVangerandDirchFugFrodeandthewholedamnedVangersittingiadreigniheirlittleempireandplottingagainsteachother.Theyhadneededherhelp.Normallytheywouldn’tevenhavesaidhellotoherireet,letalorustherwiththeirrepelles.
Fugriff-raff.
Shetookadeepbreathandthoughtabouthermother,whomshehadsigoashesthatverym.Shewouldneverbeabletomendthings.Hermother’sdeathmeantthatthewoundwouldneverheal,sinceshewouldneveranahequestionsshehadwaoask.
ShethoughtaboutArmanskystandingbehihecrematoriustgivenhimsomesignthatshekhere.Butifshedidthat,hewouldhavetakenitasapretextftostructureherlife.Ifshegavehimherlittlefingerhe’dtakeherwholearm.Andhewouldneveruand.
Shethoughtaboutthewyer,Bjurman,whowasstillherguardianandwho,atleastforthetimebeing,hadbeeralisedandwasdoingashewastold.
Shefeltanimpcablehatredandchedherteeth.
AhoughtaboutMikaelBlomkvistandwonderedwhathewouldsaywhenhefoundoutthatshewasawardofthecourtandthatherentirelifewasafugrats’.
Itcametoherthatshereallywasnotangrywithhim.Hewasjustthepersononwhomshehadventedherangerwhenwhatshehadwantedmostofallwastomurdersomebody,severalpeople.Beingangrywithhimointless.
Shefeltstrangelyambivalenttowardshim.
Hestuckhisherpeople’sbusinessandpokedaroundinherlifeand…but…shehadalsoenjoyedwwithhim.Eventhatwasanoddfeeling—toworkwithsomebody.Shewasn’tusedtothat,butithadbeenuedlypainless.Hedidnotmesswithher.Hedidnottrytotellherhowtoliveherlife.
Shewastheonewhohadseducedhim,notviceversa.
Andbesides,ithadbeensatisfying.
Sowhydidshefeesifshewaokickhimintheface?
Shesighedandunhappilyraisedhereyestoseeaninter-tialroarpastontheE4.
Blomkvistwasstillinthegardenat8:00whenhewasrousedbytherattleofthemotorcyclecrossingthebridgeandsawSanderridingtowardsthecottage.Sheputherbikeonitsstandandtookoffherhelmet.Shecameuptothegardentableahecoffeepot,whichtyandcold.Blomkviststoodup,gazingatherinsurprise.Shetookthecoffeepotaintothekit.WhenshecamebackoutshehadtakenoffherleathersandsatdowninjeansandaT-shirtwiththesloganIBEAREGULARBITCH.JUSTTRYME.
“Ithoughtyou’dbeinStobynow,”hesaid.
“IturnedroundinUppsa.”
“Quitearide.”
“I’msore.”
“Whydidyouturnaround?”
Noanswer.Hewaitedheroutwhiletheydrankcoffee.Aftertenminutesshesaid,relutly,“Ilikeyourpany.”
Thosewerewordsthathadneverbeforepassedherlips.
“Itwas…iingtoworkwithyouonthiscase.”
“Ienjoyedwwithyoutoo,”hesaid.
“Hmm.”
“Thefactis,I’veneverworkedwithsuchabrilliantresearcher.OK,Iknowyou’reahackerandhangoutinsuspectcirclesinwhichyousetupanillegalwiretapinLondoniy-fourhours,butyougetresults.”
Shelookedathimforthefirsttimesinceshehadsatatthetable.Heknewsomanyofhersecrets.
“That’sjusthowitis.Iknowputers.I’veneverhadaproblemwithreadiandabswhatitsaid.”
“Yourphotographicmemory,”hesaidsoftly.
“Iadmitit.Ijusthavenoideahowitworks.It’snotonlyputersandtelephoneworks,butthemotorinmybikeandTVsetsandvacuumersandchemicalprocessesandformueinastrophysics.I’manutcase,Iadmitit:afreak.”
Blomkvistfrowned.Hesatquietlyforalongtime.
Asperger’ssyndrome,hethought.Orsomethinglikethat.Atalentforseeingpatternsanduandingabstractreasoniherpeopleperceiveonlywhitenoise.
Sanderwasstaringdownatthetable.
“Mostpeoplewouldgiveahtohavesuchagift.”
“Idon’twanttotalkaboutit.”
“We’lldropit.Areyougdyoucameback?”
“Idon’tknow.Maybeitwasamistake.”
“Lisbeth,youdefihewordfriendshipforme?”
“It’swhenyoulikesomebody.”
“Sure,butwhatisitthatmakesyoulikesomebody?”
Sheshrugged.
“Friendship—mydefinition—isbuiltontwothings,”hesaid.“Respedtrust.Bothelementshavetobethere.Andithastobemutual.Youhaverespeeoifyoudon’thavetrust,thefriendshipwillcrumble.”
Shewasstillsilent.
“Iuandthatyoudon’twanttodiscussyourselfwithme,butsomedayyoingtohavetodecidewhetheryoutrustmeornot.Iwantustobefriends,butI’tdoitallbymyself.”
“Ilikehavihyou.”
“Sexhasnothingtodowithfriendship.Sure,friendshavesex,butifIhadtochoosebetweensexandfriendshipwheoyou,there’snodoubtwhichIwouldpick.”
“Ido.Doyouwanttohavesexwithmeornot?”
“Youshouldn’thavesexwithpeopleyou’rewwith,”hemuttered.“Itjustleadstotrouble.”
“DidImisssomethinghere,orisn’tittruethatyouandErikaBergerfuckeverytimeyougetthedshe’smarried.”
“ErikaandI…haveahistorythatstartedlongbeforewestartedwtogether.Thefactthatshe’smarriedisnoneofyourbusiness.”
“Oh,Isee,allofasuddenyou’retheonewhodoesn’twanttotalkaboutyourself.AndthereIwas,learningthatfriendshipisamatteroftrust.”
“WhatImeanisthatIdon’tdiscussafriendbehindherback.I’dbebreakirust.Iwouldn’tdiscussyouwithErikabehindyourbackeither.”
Sahoughtaboutthat.Thishadbeeanawkwardversation.Shedidnotlikeawkwardversations.
“Idolikehavihyou,”shesaid.
“Ilikeittoo…butI’mstilloldenoughtobeyourfather.”
“Idon’tgiveashitaboutye.”
“No,you’tignoreediffere’snosortofbasisforastiionship.”
“Whosaidanythingaboutsting?”Sandersaid.“Wejustfinishedupacaseinwhiwithfucked-upsexualitypyedapromirole.IfIhadtodecide,mewouldbeexterminated,everystohem.”
“Well,atleastyoudon’tpromise.”
“No,”shesaid,givinghimhercrookednon-smile.“Butatleastyou’renotlikethem.”Shegotup.“NowI’mgoingintotakeashower,ahinkI’llgetintoyourbednaked.Ifyouthinkyou’retooold,you’llhavetogoandsleeponthecampbed.”
Whateverhang-upsSanderhad,modestycertainlywasnotohefterawhilehewashedupthecoffeethingsaintothebedroom.
Theygotupat10:00,tookashether,andatebreakfastoutinthegarden.At11:00DirchFrodecalledandsaidthatthefuneralwouldtakepceat2:00iernoon,andheaskediftheywerepnningtoattend.
“Ishouldn’tthinkso,”saidMikael.
Frodeaskedifhecouldeoveraround6:00foratalk.Mikaelsaidthatwouldbefine.
HespentafewhourssthepapersintothepagcratesandcarryingthemovertoHenrik’soffice.FinallyhewasleftwithonlyhisownnotesawobindersabouttheHans-ErikWer?maffairthathehadn’topenedinsixmonths.Hesighedandstuffedthemintohisbag.
Frtosayhewasrunningteanddidhecottageuntil8:00.HewasstillinhisfuneralsuitandlookedharriedwhedownobendgratefullyaeptedthecupofcoffeethatSanderofferedhim.ShesatatthesidetablewithherputerwhileBlomkvistaskedhowHarriet’sreappearancehadbeenreceivedbythefamilyasawhole.
“YoumightsaythatithasovershadowedMartin’sdemise.Nowthemediahavefoundoutabouthertoo.”
“Andhowareyouexpiniuation?”
“HarriettalkedorterfromtheCourier.Herstoryisthatsheranawayfromhomebecauseshedidalongwithherfamily,butthatsheobviouslyhasdonewellintheworldsinceshe’stheheadofaverysubstantialenterprise.”
Blomkvistwhistled.
“IdiscoveredthattherewasmoneyinAustraliansheep,butIdidn’tknowthestationwasdoingthatwell.”
“Hersheepstationisgoingsuperbly,butthatisn’theronlysourceofiheCoCorporationisinmining,opals,manufacturing,transport,eleidalotofotherthingstoo.”
“hat’sgoingtohappennow?”
“Holy,Idon’tknow.Peoplehavebeenturningupallday,andthefamilyhasbeeherforthefirsttimeinyears.They’reherefrombothFredrikandJohanVanger’ssides,andquiteafewfromtheyoungergeiontoo—theoheirtwentiesandup.ThereareprobablyaroundfortyVangersiadthisevening.HalfofthemareatthehospitalwearingoutHenrik;theotherhalfareattheGrandHoteltalkingtoHarriet.”
“Harrietmustbethebigsensation.HowmanyofthemknowaboutMartin?”
“Sofarit’sjustme,Henrik,andHarriet.Wehadalongtalktogether.Martinand…youruncofhisunspeakablelife,it’sovershadowingjustabouteverythingforusatthemoment.Ithasbroughtanenormouscrisisforthepanytoahead.”
“Iderstandthat.”
“Thereisnonaturalheir,butHarrietisstayingiadforawhile.Thefamilywillworkouthat,howtheiaobedividedandsoouallyhasashareofitthatwouldhavebeenquitergeifshehadbeehewholetime.It’sanightmare.”
Mikaelughed.Frodewasnotughingatall.
“Isabelhadacolpseatthefuneral.She’sinthehospitalnow.Henriksayshewon’tvisither.”
“GoodforHenrik.”
“However,AnitaisingoverfromLondon.Iamtocalfamilymeetingforweek.Itwillbethefirsttimeiy-fiveyearsthatshe’sparticipated.”
“WhowillbethenewCEO?”
“Birgerisafterthejob,buthe’soutofthequestion.What’sgoingtohappenisthatHenrikwillstepinasCEOprotemfromhissickbeduntilwehireeithersomeonefromoutsideorsomeonefromwithinthefamily…”
Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrows.
“Harriet?You’tbeserious.”
“Whynot?We’retalkingaboutaionallypetentandrespectedbusinesswoman.”
“ShehasapanyinAustraliatolookafter.”
“True,buthersonJeffCoismindioreinherabsence.”
“He’sthestudsmanageronasheepranch.IfIuoodthemattercorrectly,heseestoitthatthecorrectsheepmatewitheachother.”
“HealsohasadegreeineiOxfordandawdegreefromMelbourne.”
Blomkvistthoughtaboutthesweaty,muscurmanwithhisshirtoffwhohaddrivenhimintoandthroughtheraviriedtoimaginehiminapinstripesuit.Whynot?
“Allofthiswilltaketimetoworkout,”Frodesaid.“ButshewouldbeaperfectCEO.Withtherightsupportteamshecouldrepresentawholenewdealforthepany.”
“Shedoesn’thavetheexperience…”
“That’strue.She’tjustpopupoutofmoreorlessnowhereandstartmianagingthepany.ButtheVangerCorporationisiional,andwecouldcertainlyhaveanAmeriCEOwhodoesn’tspeakawordofSwedish…it’sonlybusiness,whenall’ssaidanddone.”
“SooeryoingtohavetofaceuptotheproblemofMartin’sbasement.”
“Iknow.Butwe’tsayanythingwithoutdestroyingHarriet…I’mgdI’mnottheonewhohastomakethedecisionaboutthis.”
“Damnit,Dirch,youwon’tbeabletoburythefactthatMartinwasaserialkiller.”
“Mikael,I’mina…veryunfortableposition.”
“Tellme.”
“IhaveamessagefromHenrik.Hethanksyoufortheoutstandingworkyoudidandsaysthathesidersthetractfulfilled.Thatmeansheisreleasingyoufromanyfurtherobligationsandthatyounolongerhavetoliveorworkhereiad,etc.So,takingeffectimmediately,youmovebacktoStoaeyourselftoyourotherpursuits.”
“Hewaovanishfromthese,isthatthegistofit?”
“Absolutelynot.Hewantsyoutovisithimforaversationaboutthefuture.HesayshehopesthathisinvolvementontheboardofMillenniumproceedwithoutrestris.But…”
Frodelookedevenmoreunfortable,ifthatossible.
“Don’ttellme,Dirch…henolongerwaowriteahistoryoftheVangerfamily.”
DirchFrodenodded.Hepickedupanote,ope,andpusheditovertoMikael.
“Hewroteyouthisletter.”
DearMikael,
Ihavenothingbutrespectforyouriy,andIdon’tioinsultyoubytryingtotellyouwhattowrite.Youmaywriteandpublishwhateveryoulike,andIwoanypressureonyouwhatsoever.
Ourtractremainsvalid,ifyouwanttotinue.YouhaveenoughmaterialtofinishtheicleoftheVangerfamily.
Mikael,I’veneverbeggedanyoneforanythingiirelife.I’vealwaysthoughtthatapersonshouldfollowhismoralsandhisvis.ThistimeIhavenochoice.
Iam,withthisletter,beggingyou,bothasafriendandaspartownerofMillennium,torefrainfrompublishihaboutGottfriedandMartin.Iknowthat’swrong,butIseenowayoutofthisdarkness.Ihavetochoosebetweentwoevils,andinthiscasetherearenowinners.
IbegyounottowriteanythingthatwouldfurtherhurtHarriet.Youknowfirst-handwhatit’sliketobethesubjeediacampaign.Thecampaignagainstyouwasofquitemodestproportions.YousurelyimagiitwouldbelikeforHarrietifthetruthweretoeout.Shehasbeentormentedforfortyyearsandshouldn’thavetosufferanymoreforthedeedsthatherbrotherahermitted.AndIbegyoutothinkthroughthesequehissththaveforthethousandsofemployeesinthepany.Thiscouldcrushherandannihiteus.
Henrik
“Henrikalsosaysthatifyourequirepensationforfinanciallossesthatmayarisefromyourrefrainingfrompublishiory,heisentirelyopentodiscussion.Yousetanyfinancialdemandsyouthinkfit.”
“HenrikVaryingtoshutmeup.TellhimthatIwishhehadnevergivehisoffer.”
“ThesituationisjustastroublesomeforHenrikasitisforyou.Helikesyouverymudsidersyouhisfriend.”
“HenrikVangerisacleverbastard,”Blomkvistsaid.Hewassuddenlyfurious.“Hewantstohushupthestory.He’spyingoionsandheknowsIlikehimtoo.Andwhathe’salsosayingisthatIhaveafreehandtopublish,andifIdosohewouldhavetorevisehisattitudetowardsMillennium.”
“EverythinggedwhenHarrietsteppedontothestage.”
“AndnowHenrikisfeelingoutricetagmightbe.Idon’tiohangHarrietouttodry,butsomebodyhastosaysomethingaboutthewomenwhodiedinMartin’sbasement.Dirch,wedon’tevenknowhowmanywomeuredandsughtered.Whoisgoingtospeakupontheirbehalf?”
Sanderlookedupfromherputer.HervoicewasalmostinaudibleasshesaidtoFrode,“Isn’tthereanyoneinyourpanywho’sgoingtotrytoshutmeup?”
Frodelookedastonished.Onceagainhehadmaoignoreherexistence.
“IfMartinVangerwerealiveatthismoment,Iwouldhavehunghimouttodry,”shewenton.“WhateveragreementMikaelmadewithyou,Iwouldhavesenteverydetaibouthimtotheeveningpaper.AndifIcould,Iwouldhavestuckhimdowninhisowntortureholeandtiedhimtothattableandstueedlesthroughhisballs.Unfortunatelyhe’sdead.”
SheturoBlomkvist.
“I’msatisfiedwiththesolution.NothingwedorepairtheharmthatMartinVangerdidtohisvictims.Butaingsituationhaseup.You’reinapositionwhereyoutioharmiwomen—especiallythatHarrietwhomyousowarmlydefehethehere.Somyquestiontoyouis:whichisworse—thefactthatMartinVangerrapedheroutintheorthatyoingtodoitinprint?Youhaveafinedilemma.MaybetheethicsmitteeoftheJournalistsAssociationgiveyousomeguidance.”
Shepaused.Blomkvistcouldhergaze.Hestareddownatthetable.
“ButI’mnotajournalist,”shesaidatst.
“Whatdoyouwant?”DirchFrodeasked.
“Martiapedhisvictims.Iwantyoutodoyourdamoidentifyasmanyasyoudseetoitthattheirfamiliesreceivesuitablepensation.AndthenIwanttheVangerCorporationtodonate2millionkronorannuallyandiuitytotheNationanisationforWomen’sCrisistresandGirls’CrisistresinSweden.”
Frodeweighedthepricetagforamihenhenodded.
“youlivewiththat,Mikael?”Sandersaid.
Blomkvistfeltonlydespair.Hisprofessionallifehehaddevotedtouncthingswhichotherpeoplehadtriedtohide,andhecouldytothecupoftheappallingcrimesmittedinMartinVanger’sbasement.Hewhohadmbastedhiscolleaguesfornotpublishih,herehesat,discussiiatihemostmacabrecover-uphehadeverheardof.
Hesatinsilenceforalongtime.Thenhenoddedhisassent.
“Sobeit,”Frodesaid.“AndwithregardtoHenrik’sofferforfinancialpensation…”
“Heshoveituphisbackside,andDirch,Iwantyoutoleavenow.Iuandyourposition,butrightnowI’msofuriouswithyouandHenrikandHarrietthatifyoustayanylongerwemightnotbefriendsanymore.”
Frodemadenomovetogo.
“I’tleaveyet.I’mnotdone.Ihaveanothermessagetodeliver,andyou’renotgoingtolikethisoher.HenrikisinsistingthatItellyoutonight.Yougouptothehospitandfyhimtomorrifyouwish.”
Blomkvistlookedupandstaredathim.
Frodewenton.“ThishasgottobethehardestthingI’veeverdoneinmylife.ButIthinkthatonlypletedourwithallthecardsoablesavethesituationnow.”
“Soit’sdouratst,isit?”
“WhenHenrikvincedyoutotakethejobstChristmas,”Dirchsaid,ignhissarcasm,“herhenorIthoughtthatanythingwouldeofit.Thatwasexactlywhathesaid,buthewaogiveitory.Hehadanalysedyoursituation,particurlywiththehelpofthereportthatFr?kenSatogether.Hepyedonyourisotion,heoodpay,andheusedtherightbait.”
“Wer?m.”
Frodenodded.
“Youwerebluffing?”
“No,no,”Frodesaid.
Sanderraisedaneyebrowwithi.
“Henrikisgoingtomakegoodohinghepromised.He’sarranginganinterviewandisgoingpublicwithadirectassaultonWer?m.Youhaveallthedetailster,butroughlythesituationisthis:whenWer?mloyedinthefinamentoftheVangerCorporation,hespentseveralmillionkronorspegncurrency.Thiswaslongbeforefnexgefuturesbecametherage.Hedidthiswithoutauthority.Oeranotherwentbad,andhewassittingtherewithalossofsevenmillionkronorthathetriedtocoverup.Partlybycookingthesandpartlybyspegevenharder.Itiablycametolightandhewassacked.”
“Didhemakeanyprofithimself?”
“Ohyes,hemadeoffwithabouthalfamillionkronor,whichironicallyenoughbecametheseedmoneyfortheWer?mGroup.Wehavedotationforallofthis.Youusethermationhoweveryoulike,andHenrikwillbackuptheausationspublicly.But…”
“But,andit’sabigbut,Dirch,thermationisworthless,”Blomkvistsaid,smminghisfistoable.“Itallhappehirty-plusyearsagoandit’saclosed.”
“You’llgetfirmationthatWer?misacrook.”
“ThatwilnnoyWer?mwhe,butitwon’tdamagehimanymorethanadirecthitfromapeashooter.He’sgoingtoshufflethedeckbyputtingoutapressreleasesayingthatHenrikVangerisanoldhas-beenwho’sstilltryingtostealsomebusinessfromhim,andthenhe’llprobablycimthathewasagonordersfromHenrik.Evenifhe’tprovehisinnoce,heydownenoughsmokessthatno-onewilltakethestoryseriously.”
Frodelookedunhappy.
“Youedme,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Thatwasn’touriion.”
“Ibmemyself.Iwasgraspingatstraws,andIshouldhaverealiseditwassomethinglikethat.”Heughedabruptly.“Henrikisanoldshark.HewassellingaprodudtoldmewhatIwaohear.It’stimeyouwent,Dirch.”
“Mikael…I’msorrythat…”
“Dirch.Go.”
SanderdidnotknowwhethertogoovertoBlomkvistortoleavehiminpeace.Hesolvedtheproblemforherbypiguphisjacketwithoutawordandsmmingthedoorbehindhim.
Formorethananhourshewaitedrestlesslyi.Shefeltsobadthatsheclearedthetableandwashedthedishes—arolesheusuallylefttoBlomkvist.Shewentregurlytothewindowtoseeiftherewasanysignofhim.Finallyshewassonervousthatsheputonherjacketaouttolookforhim.
Firstshewalkedtothemarina,wherelightswerestilloninthes,buttherewasnosignofhirtinVanger’shousewasdarkandalreadylookedabandoned.Shewentouttotherocksatthepoiheyhadoftensattalking,andthebae.Hestillhadurned.
Shewenttothechurch.Stillnosign.Shewasatalosstoknowwhattodo.Thebaotorcydgotafshlightfromthesaddlebagaoffaloeragain.Ittookherawhiletowindherwayalongthehalf-rownroad,andevenloofihtoGottfried’s.Itloomedoutofthedarknessbehindsometreeswhenshehadalmostreachedit.Hewasnotonthepordthedoorwaslocked.
Shehadturowardsthevilgewheoppedaback,allthewayouttothepoint.ShecaughtsightofBlomkvist’ssilhouetteinthedarknessontheendofthejettywhereHarrietVangerhaddrowher.Shesighedwithrelief.
Heheardherasshecameoutontothejetty,aurnedaround.Shesatdowohimwithoutaword.Atsthebrokethesilence.
“Fiveme.Ihadtobealoneforawhile.”
“Iknow.”
Shelittwocigarettesandgavehimone.Blomkvistlookedather.Sanderwasthemostasocialhumanbeinghehadevermet.Usuallysheignoredanyattemptonhisparttotalkaboutanythingpersonal,andshehadneveraeptedasingleexpressionofsympathy.Shehadsavedhislife,andnowshehadtrackedhimouthereinthenight.Heputanarmaroundher.
“NowIknoriceis,”hesaid.“We’veforsakenthosegirls.They’regoingtoburythewholestory.EverythinginMartin’sbasementwillbevacuumedintooblivion.”
Sanderdidnotanswer.
“Erikawasright,”hesaid.“IwouldhavedonemoodifI’dgooSparamonthandthenehomerefreshedandtakenonWer?m.I’vewastedallthesemonths.”
“Ifyou’dgooSpain,MartinVangerwouldstillbeoperatinginhisbasement.”
Theysattogetherforalongtimebeforehesuggestedthattheygohome.
BlomkvistfelsleepbeforeSander.Sheyawakelisteningtohimbreathe.Afterawhileshewenttothekitandsatinthedarkobench,smokingseveralcigarettesasshebrooded.ShehadtakenitfrahatVangerandFrodemight.Itwasintheirnature.ButitwasBlomkvist’sproblem,nothers.Orwasit?
Atstshemadeadecisioubbedouthercigaretteaintothebedroom,turhemp,andshookMikaewake.Itwas2:30inthem.
“What?”
“I’vegotaquestion.Situp.”
Blomkvistsatup,drunkwithsleep.
“Whenyouwereindicted,whydidn’tyoudefendyourself?”
Blomkvistrubbedhiseyes.Helookedattheclock.
“It’salongstory,Lisbeth.”
“I’vegottime.Tellme.”
Hesatforalongwhile,pwhatheshouldsay.Finallyhedecidedoh.
“Ihadnodefehermationiiclewaswrong.”
“WhenIhackedyourputerandreadyouremailexgewithBerger,therewereplentyofrefereheWer?maffair,butyoutwokeptdiscussingpracticaldetailsaboutthetriandnothingaboutwhatactuallyhappened.Whatwasitthatwentwrong?”
“Lisbeth,I’tlettherealstetout.Ifellintoatrap.ErikaandIarequiteclearthatitwoulddamageourcredibilityevenfurtherifwetoldareallyhappened.”
“Listen,KalleBlomkvist,yesterdayafternoonyousatherepreagaboutfriendshipandtrustandst