uff.I’mnotgoingtoputthestoryonthe.”
Blomkvistprotested.Itwasthemiddleofthenight.Hecouldnotfacethinkingaboutthewholethingnow.Shewentonstubbornlysittingthereuntilhegaveitothebathroomandwashedhisfadputthecoffeepoton.ThenhecamebacktothebedandtoldherabouthowhisoldschoolfriendRobertLindberg,inayellowM?r-30intheguestmarinainArholma,hadarousedhiscuriosity.
“Youmeanthatyourbuddywaslying?”
“No,notatall.Hetoldmeexactlywhatheknew,andIcouldverifyeadeverywordindotsfromtheauditatSIB.IeveoPondandphotographedthesheet-metalshackwherethishugebigMinospanywashoused.Iinterviewedseveralofthepeoplewhohadbeenemployedatthepany.Theyallsaidexactlythesamething.”
“Ido.”
Blomkvistsighed.Itwasawhilebeforehespokeagain.
“Ihadadamnedgoodstory.Istillhadn’tfrontedWer?mhimself,butthestorywasairtight;ifIhadpublisheditatthatmomentIreallywouldhaveshookhimup.Itmightnothaveledtoaninditforfraud—thedealhadalreadybeenapprovedbytheauditors—butIwouldhavedamagedhisreputation.”
“rong?”
“SomewherealongthewaysomebodyheardaboutwhatIokingmyo,andWer?mwasmadeawareofmyexistendallofasuddenawholebunchethingsstartedhappening.FirstIwasthreatened.Anonymouscallsfromcardtelephohatwereimpossibletotrace.Erikawasalsothreatewastheusualnonsense:liedownorelsewe’regoingtonailyoutoabarndoor,andsoon.She,ofcourse,wasmadasahellcat.”
HetookacigarettefromSander.
“Thehiremelyunpleasanthappened.LateonenightwheheofficeIwasattackedbytwomenwhojustwalkeduptomeandgavemeacoupleofpunches.Igotafatlipandfelldownireet.Icouldn’tidentifythem,butohemlookedlikeanoldbiker.”
“So,…”
“Allthesegoings-on,ofcourse,onlyhadtheeffeakingErikaverycrossindeed,andIgotstubborn.WebeefedupsecurityatMillennium.Theproblemwasthattheharassmentwasoutofallproportiontothetentofthestory.Wecouldn’tfathomwhyallthisening.”
“Butthestoryyoupublishedwassomethingquitedifferent.”
“Exactly.Suddenlywemadeabreakthrough.Wefoundasource,aDeepThroatinWer?m’scircle.Thissourcewasliterallyscaredtodeath,andwewereonlyallowedtomeethiminhotelrooms.HetoldusthatthemoneyfromtheMinosaffairhadbeenusedforonsdealsinthewarinYugosvia.Wer?mhadbeenmakingdealswiththeright-wingUstasheinCroatia.Notonlythat,thesourcewasabletogiveuscopiesofdotstobackitup.”
“Youbelievedhim?”
“Hewasclever.Heonlyevergaveusenoughrmationtoleadustothesource,whowouldfirmthestory.WewereevengivenaphotographofoneofWer?m’sclosestcolleaguesshakinghandswiththebuyer.Itwasdetailedblockbustermaterial,ahingseemedverifiable.Sowepublished.”
“Anditwasafake.”
“Itwasalfakefrombeginnihedotswereskilfulferies.Wer?m’swyerwasabletoprovethatthephotographofWer?m’ssubordiheUstasheleaderwasamowodifferentimages.”
“Fasating,”Sandersaid.
“Inhindsightitwasveryeasytoseehowwehadbeenmaniputed.inalstoryreallyhaddamagedWer?m.Nowthatstorywasdrownedinacleverfery.WepublishedastorythatWer?mcouldpickapartpointbypointandprovehisinnoce.”
“Youcouldn’tbackdownahetruth?YouhadabsolutelynoproofthatWer?mhadmittedthefalsification?”
“IfwehadtriedtotellthetruthandausedWer?mofbeingbehindthewholething,nobodywouldhavebelievedus.Itwouldhavelookedlikeadesperateattempttoshiftthebmefromourstupidityontoanileaderofindustry.”
“Isee.”
“Wer?mhadtwoyersofprote.Ifthefakehadbeenrevealed,hewouldhavebeeocimthatitwasoneofhiseryingtosnderhim.AMillenniumwouldonceagaiallcredibility,sincewefellforsomethingthatturtobefalse.”
“Soyouchosenottodefendyourselfandtaketheprisoence.”
“Ideservedit,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ihadmittedlibel.Nowyouknow.Igobacktosleepnow?”
Heturnedoffthempandshuthiseyes.Sanderydowohim.
“Wer?misagangster.”
“Iknow.”
“No,Imean,Iknowthathe’sagangster.HeworkswitheverybodyfromtheRussianmafiatothebiandrugcartels.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“WhenIturneditoFrodehegavemearaassig.Heaskedmetotrytofindoutwhatreallyhappehetrial.IhadjuststartedwonitwhenhecalledArmanskyandcelledthejob.”
“Iwonderwhy.”
“IassumethattheyscrappedtheiigationassoonasyouaeptedHenrikVanger’sassig.Itwouldnolongerhavebeenofimmediatei.”
“And?”
“Well,Idon’tlikeleavingthingsunresolved.Ihadafewweeks…freestspringwhenArmanskydidn’thaveanyjobsforme,soIdidsomediggingintoWer?mforfun.”
BlomkvistsatupandturhempandlookedatSander.Hemethereyes.Sheactuallylookedguilty.
“Didyoufindoutanything?”
“Ihavehisentireharddiskonmyputer.Youhaveasmuchproofasyouhathe’sagangster.”
CHAPTER28
Tuesday,July29–Friday,October24
BlomkvisthadbeenpoverSander’sputerprintoutsforthreedays—boxesfullofpapers.Theproblemwasthatthesubjectskeptgingallthetime.AnoptiondealinLondon.AcurrencydealinParisthrougha.Apanyost-officeboxinGibraltar.AsuddendoublingoffundsinanaountattheChaseManhattanBankinNewYork.
Andthenallthosepuzzliionmarks:atradingpanywith200,000kronorinanuntouchedaisteredfiveyearsearlierinSantiago,Chile—oneofnearlythirtysuiesintwelvedifferenttries—andnotahintofeofactivitywasinvolved.Adormantpany?Waitingforwhat?Afrontforsomeotherkindofactivity?TheputergavenoclueastowhatwasgoingoninWer?m’smindorwhatmayhavebeenperfectlyobvioustohimandsowasneverformutedironient.
Sanderersuadedthatmostofthesequestionswouldneverbeanswered.Theycouldseethemessage,butwithoutakeytheywouldneverbeabletointerpretthemeaning.Wer?m’sempirewaslikeanonionfromwhieyerafteranothercouldberemoved;abyrinthofenterprisesownedbyoher.panies,aounts,funds,securities.Theyreedthatnobody—perhapsnotevenWer?mhimself—couldhaveapleteoverview.Wer?m’sempirehadalifeofitsown.
Butthereattern,oratleastahintofapattern.Abyrinthofenterprisesownedbyeachother.Wer?m’sempirewasvariouslyvaluedatbetween100and400billionkronor,dependingonwhomyouaskedandhowitwascalcuted.Butifpaniesowneachother’sassets—whatthenwouldbetheirvalue?
TheyhadleftHedebyIsndihasteearlyinthemafterSanderdroppedthebombthatwasnowoupyingeverywakingmomentofBlomkvist’slife.TheydrovetoSander’spdspenttwodaysinfrontofherputerwhilesheguidedhimthroughWer?m’suniverse.Hehadplentyofquestions.Ohemurecuriosity.
“Lisbeth,howareyouabletooperatehisputer,fromapurelypracticalpointofview?”
“It’salittleiionthatmyfriendPguecameupwith.Wer?mhasanIBMptopthatheworkson,bothathomeandattheoffice.Thatmeansthatallthermationisonasingleharddrive.Hehasabroadbandetohispropertyathome.Pgueiedatypeofcuffthatyoufastenaroundthebroadbandcable,andI’mtestingitoutforhim.EverythingthatWer?mseesisregisteredbythecuff,whichforwardsthedatatoaserversomewhereelse.”
“Doesn’thehaveafirewall?”
Sandersmiled.
“Ofcoursehehasafirewall.Butthepointisthatthecuffalsofunsasatypeoffirewall.Ittakesawhiletohacktheputerthisway.Let’ssaythatWer?mgetsanemail;itgoesfirsttoPgue’scuffandwereaditbeforeitevenpassesthroughhisfirewall.Buttheingeniouspartisthattheemailisrewrittenaesofsourcecodeareadded.Thisisrepeatedeverytimehedownloadsanythingtohisputer.Picturesareeveer.Hedoesalotonthe.Eachtimehepicksupapornpictureoropensanewhomepage,weaddseveralrowsofsourcecode.Afterawhile,inseveralhoursorseveraldays,dependingonhowmuchheusestheputer,Wer?mhasdownloadedaireprogrammeofapproximatelythreemegabytesinwhicheachbitislihebit.”
“And?”
“WhebitsareiheprogrammeisiedwithhisInterbrowser.Tohimitwilllookasthoughhisputerhaslockedup,aorestartit.Duriartawholenewsoftrogrammeisinstalled.HeusesInterExplorer.TheimehestartsExplorer,he’sreallystartingawholedifferentprogrammethat’sinvisibleonhisdesktopandlooksandfunsjustlikeExplorer,butitalsodoesalotofotherthings.Firstittakestrolofhisfirewalndmakessurethateverythingisw.Thenitstartstostheputerandtransmitsbitsofrmatioimeheclicksthemousewhilehe’ssurfing.Afterawhile,againdependingonhowmuchhesurfs,we’veaumutedapletemirreofthetentsofhisharddriveonaserversomewhere.A’stimefortheHT.”
“HT?”
“SuecallsittheHT.HostileTakeover.”
“Isee.”
“Thereallysubtlethingispe.Wheructureisready,Wer?mhastwopleteharddrives,oneonhisownmaeandoneonourserver.Theimehebootsuphisputer,it’sactuallythemirroredputerthat’sstarting.He’snolongerwonhisownputer;iyhe’swonourserver.Hisputerwillrunalittleslower,butit’svirtuallynotnoticeable.AndwhenI’mectedtotheserver,Itaphisputeriime.EachtimeWer?mpressesakeyonhisputerIseeitonmine.”
“Yourfriendisalsoahacker?”
“HewastheonewhedthetelephoapinLondon.He’salittleoutofitsocially,butonthehe’salegend.”
“OK,”Blomkvistsaid,givingheraresignedsmile.“Questionwo:whydidn’tyoutellmeaboutWer?mearlier?”
“Youneveraskedme.”
“AndifIneverdidaskyou—let’ssupposethatIyou—youwouldhavesathereknowingthatWer?mwasagangsterwhileMillenniumwentbankrupt?”
“NobodyaskedmetoexposeWer?mforwhatheis,”Sanderrepliedinaknow-it-allvoice.
“Yes,butwhatif?”
“Ididtellyou,”shesaid.
Blomkvistdroppedthesubject.
SanderburhetentsofWer?m’sharddrive—aboutfivegigabytes—ontotenCDs,aasifshehadmoreorlessmovedintoBlomkvist’sapartment.Shewaitedpatiently,answeringallthequestionsheasked.
“I’tuandhowhebesofugdimtoputallhisdirtyundryononeharddrive,”hesaid.“Ifitevergotintothehandsofthepolice…”
“Peoplearen’tveryrational.Hehastobelievethatthepolicewouldhinkoffisghisputer.”
“Abovesuspi.Iagreethathe’sanarrogantbastard,buthemusthavesecuritysultantstellinghimhowtohandlehisputer.There’smaterialonthismaegoingallthewaybackto1993.”
“Theputeritselfisretivelywasmanufacturedayearago,butheseemstohavetransferredallhisoldcorrespondendeverythingelseontotheharddriveinsteadofstitonCDs.Butatleasthe’susinganencryptiramme.”
“Whichistotallyuselessifyou’reinsidehisputerandreadingthepasswordseverytimehetypesthemin.”
Afterthey’dbeenbaStoforfourdays,MalmcalledonBlomkvist’smobileat3:00inthem.
“HenryCortezwasatabarwithhisgirlfriendtonight.”
“Uh-huh,”Blomkvistsaid,sleepily.
“Onthewayhometheyendedupattralen’sbar.”
“Notaverygoodpceforasedu.”
“Listen.Dahlmanisonholiday.Henrydiscoveredhimsittingatatablewithsomeguy.”
“And?”
“Henryreisedthemanfromhisbylinepic.KristerS?der.”
“Idon’tthinkIreisethe…”
“HeworksforMonopolyFinancialMagazine,whichisowheWer?mGroup.”
Blomkvistsatupstraightinbed.
“Areyouthere?”
“I’mhere.Thatmightnotmeananything.S?derisajournalist,andhemightbeanoldfriend.”
“MaybeI’mbeingparanoid.ButawhileagoMillenniumboughtastoryfromafreeheweekbeforeweweregoingtopublishit,S?derrananexposéthatwasalmostidentical.Itwasthestoryaboutthemobiletelephonemanufacturerandthedefectivepo.”
“Ihearwhatyou’resaying.Butthatsortofthingdoeshappen.HaveyoutalkedtoErika?”
“No,she’snotbatilweek.”
“Don’tdoanything.I’llcallyoubackter,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Problems?”Sanderasked.
“Millennium,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ihavetogothere.Wanttoealong?”
Theeditorialofficesweredeserted.IttookSahreemiocrackthepasswordproteonDahlman’sputer,andawomirastentstoBlomkvist’si.
MostofDahlman’semailswereprobablyonhisownptop,andtheydidnothaveaesstoit.ButthroughhisdesktopputeratMillennium,SanderwasabletodiscoverthatDahlmanhadaHotmaiountinadditiontohismillenniukhersixmiocrackthecodeanddownloadhiscorrespondenthepastyear.FivemierBlomkvisthadevideDahlmanhadleakedrmationaboutthesituationatMillenniumaheeditorofMonopolyFinancialMagazineupdatedonwhichstoriesBergernningforwhichissues.Thespyinghadbeengoingosihepreviousautumn.
Theyturnedofftheputersabaikael’sapartmenttosleepforafewhours.HecalledChristerMalmat10:00a.m.
“IhaveproofthatDahlmaniswforWer?m.”
“Ik.Great,I’mgoingtofirethatfugpigtoday.”
“No,don’t.Don’tdoanythingatall.”
“Nothing?”
“Christer,trustme.IsDahlmanstillonholiday?”
“Yes,he’sbaonday.”
“Howmaheofficetoday?”
“Well,abouthalf.”
“youcalmeetingfor2:00?Don’tsaywhatit’sabout.I’mingover.”
Thereweresixpeoplearoundthefereable.Malmlookedtired.Cortezlookedlikesomeonenewlyihewaythatonlytwenty-four-year-oldslook.Nilssonlookedonedge—Malmhadnottoldathemeetingwasabout,butshehadbeenwiththepanylongenoughtoknowthatsomethingoutoftheordinarywasgoingon,andshewasahatshehadbeeoutoftheloop.Theonlyonewholookedthesameasusualwasthepart-timerIngeOskarsson,whoworkedtwodaysaweekdealingwithsimpleadministrativetasks,thesubscriberlistandthelike;shehadnotlookedtrulyrexedsinceshebecameamothertwo.Theotherpart-timerwasthefreeerLottaKarim,whohadatractsimirtoCortez’sandhadjuststartedbacktoworkafterherholiday.MalmhadalsomaogetMagnussontoein,althoughhewasstillonholiday.
Blomkvistbeganbygreetingeveryonewarmlyandapologisingforbeingsolongabsent.
“Whatwe’regoingtodiscusstodayissomethingthatChristerandIhaven’ttakenupwithErika,butIassureyouthatinthiscaseIspeakforhertoo.Todaywe’regoingtodetermineMillennium’sfuture.”
Hepausedtoletthewordssinkin.No-oneaskedaions.
“Thepastyearhasbeenrough.I’msurprisedandproudthatnoneofyouhasresideredandfoundajobsomewhereelse.Ihavetoassumethateitheryou’restarkravingmadorwonderfullyloyandactuallyenjonthismagazihat’swhyI’mgoingtoythecardsoableandaskyouforoeffort.”
“Oeffort?”Nilssonsaid.“Thatsoundsasifyou’rethinkingofshuttingdownthemagazine.”
“Exactly,Monika,”Blomkvistsaid.“Andthankyouforthat.WhesbackErikaisgoingtogatherusalltogetherfloomyeditorialmeetingandtotellusthatMillenniumwillfoldatChristmasandthatyou’reallfired.”
Nanspreadingthroughthegroup.EvenMalmthoughtforamomentthatBlomkvistwasserious.Thentheyallnoticedhisbroadsmile.
“Whatyouhavetodothisautumnispyadoublegame.Thedisagreeablefactisthatourdearmanagior,JanneDahlman,ismoonlightingasanrmerforHans-ErikWer?m.Thismeansthattheenemyisbeirmedofexactlywhat’sgoingoniorialoffices.Thisexpinsanumberofsetbackswe’veexperienced.Youespecially,Sonny,wheiserswhoseemedpositivepulledoutwithoutwarning.”
Dahlmanhadneverbeenpopurintheoffidtherevetionarentlynotashocktoanyone.Blomkvistcutshortthemurmuringthatstartedup.
“ThereasonthatI’mtellingyouthisisbecauseIhaveabsolutefidenallofyou.Iknowthatyou’veallgotyourheadsscrewedht.That’swhyIalsoknowthatyou’llpyalongwithwhattakespcethisautumn.It’sveryimportantthatWer?mbelievesthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpse.Itwillbeyourjobtomakesurehedoes.”
“What’sourrealsituation?”Cortezsaid.
“OK,hereitis:byalountsMillenniumshouldbeonitswaytothegrave.Igiveyoumywordthatthat’snotgoingtohappen.Millenniumisstroodaythanitwasayearago.Whenthismeetingisover,I’mgoingtodisappearagarabouttwomonths.TowardstheendofOctoberI’llbeback.Thenwe’regoingtoclipWer?m’swings.”
“Hoingtodothat?”Nilssonsaid.
“Sorry,Monika.Idon’twanttogiveyouthedetails,butI’mwritiory,andthistimewe’regoingtodht.I’mthinkingofhavingroastWer?mfortheChristmaspartyandvariouscriticsfordessert.”
Themoodturnedcheerful.Blomkvistwonderedhowhewouldhavefeltifhewereohemsittinglisteningtoallthis.Dubious?Mostlikely.Butapparentlyhestillhadsome“trustcapital”amongMillennium’ssmallgroupofemployees.Hehelduphishand.
“Ifthisisgoingtowork,it’simportantthatWer?mbelievesthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpsebecauseIdon’twanthimtostartsomesortofretaliationoriridoftheevidencewhichwemeantoexpose.Soingtostartwritingascriptthatyou’llfolltheingmonths.Firstofall,it’simportantthatnothingwediscussheretodayiswrittendownorisreferredtoinemails.Wedon’tknowtowhatifaentDahlmanhasbeendiggingaroundinourputers,andI’vebeeawarethatit’sarminglysimpletoreadcoworkers’privateemail.So—we’regoingtodothisorally.Ifyoufeeltheoairanything,goandseeChristerathome.Verydiscreetly.”
Blomkvistwrote“noemail”oeboard.
“Sed,Iwantyoutostartsquabblingamongyourselves,piningaboutmewhenDahlmanisaround.Don’texaggerate.Justgiveyournaturalbitchyselvesfullrein.Christer,IwantyouandErikatohaveaseriousdisagreement.Useyinationandbesecretiveaboutthecause.”
Hewrote“startbitg”oeboard.
“Third,whenErikaeshome,herjobwillbetoseetoitthatJanneDahlmanthinksreementwiththeVangerCorporation—whichisinfactgivingusitsfullsupport—hasfallenthroughbecauseHenrikVangerisseriouslyilndMartinVangerdiedinacarcrash.”
Hewrotetheword“disrmation.”
“Buttheagreementreallyissolid?”Nilssonsaid.
“Believeme,”Blomkvistsaid,“theVangerCorporationwillgotogreatlengthstoeMillenniumsurvives.Inafewweeks,let’ssayattheendofAugust,Erikawillcalmeetingtowarnyouaboutyoffs.Youallknowthatit’sascam,andthattheonlyonewho’sgoingtobeleavingisDahlman.ButstarttalkingaboutlookingfornewjobsandsaywhatalousyrefereistohaveMillenniumonyourC.V.”
“AndyoureallythinkthatthisgamewillendupsavingMillennium?”Magnussonsaid.
“Iknowitwill.AndSonny,Iwantyoutoputtogetherafakereporteathshowingfallingadvertisingsalesandshowingthatthenumberofsubscribershasalsodropped.”
“Thissoundsfun,”Nilssonsaid.“Shouldwekeepitinternalhereintheoffice,orshouldweleakittoothermediatoo?”
“Keepitinternal.Ifthestoryshowsupanywhere,we’llknowwhoputitthere.Inaveryfewmonths,ifanyoneasksusaboutit,we’llbeabletotellthem:you’vebeenlisteningtobaselessrumours,andwe’veneversideredclosingMillenniumdowthingthatcouldhappenisforDahlmantogooutandtipofftheothermassmedia.Ifyou’reabletogiveDahlmanatipaboutapusiblebutfuallyidioticstory,somuchthebetter.”
Theyspentanhourcogascriptanddividingupthevariousroles.
AfterthemeetingBlomkvisthadcoffeewithMalmatJavaatspu.
“Christer,it’sreallyimportantthatyoupickupErikaattheairportandfillherin.Youhavetoviopyalongwiththegame.IfIknowher,she’llwanttofrontDahlmaninstantly—butthat’thappen.Idon’twantWer?mtohearanykindofbuzzandthenmaoburytheevidence.”
“Willdo.”
“AthatErikastaysawayfromheremailuntilsheinstallsthePGPencryptirammeandlearnshowtouseit.It’sprettylikelythatthroughDahlman,Wer?misabletoreadeverythingweemailtoeachother.IwantyouandeveryoneelseiorialofficestoinstallPGP.Doitinanaturalway.Getthenameofaputersultanttotadhavehimeovertoiheworkandalltheputersintheoffice.Lethiminstallthesoftwareasifiterfeaturalpartoftheservice.”
“I’lldomybest.ButMikael—whatareyon?”
“Wer?m.”
“Whatexactly?”
“Forthetimebeing,thathastoremai.”
Malmlookedunfortable.“I’vealwaystrustedyou,Mikael.Doesthismeanthatyoudon’ttrustme?”
Blomkvistughed.
“OfcourseItrustyou.ButrightnowI’minvolvedinratherseriouscriminactivitiesthatcouldgetmetwoyearsinprison.It’sthenatureofmyresearchthat’salittledubious…I’mpyingwiththesameunderhahodsasWer?muses.Idon’twantyouorErikaoranyoneelseatMillenniumtobeinvolvedinanyway.”
“You’remakingmeawfullynervous.”
“Staycool,Christer,andtellErikathatthestoingtobeabigone.Reallybig.”
“Erikawillinsistonknowingwhatyou’rewon…”
Mikaelthoughtforased.Thenhesmiled.
“TellherthatshemadeitverycleartomeinthespringwhenshesignedatractwithHenrikVangerbehindmybackthatI’mnowjustanordinarymortalfreencerwhonolosontheboardandhasnoinfluenillenniumpolicy.WhichmeansthatInolongerhaveanyobligationtokeepherrmed.ButIpromisethatifshebehavesherself,I’llgiveherfirstoptionoory.”
“She’sgoingtoghtheroof,”Malmsaidcheerfully.
BlomkvistkhathehadnotbeeirelyhowithMalhemostnaturalthingwouldhavebeentotactheratoellheraboutthermationinhispossession.Buthedidnotwanttotalktoher.Adozentimeshehadstoodwithhismobileinhishand,startingtocallher.Eachtimehegedhismind.
Heknewwhattheproblemwas.Hecouldnotlookherintheeyes.
Thecover-upinwhichhehadparticipatediadwasunfivablefromaprofessionalpointofview.Hehadnoideahowhecouldexpinittoherwithoutlying,andiftherewasohinghehadhoughtofdoing,itwaslyingtoErikaBerger.
Aboveall,hedidnothavetheeodealwiththatproblematthesametimeashewastagWer?m.Soheputoffseeiurnedoffhismobile,andavoidedtalkingtoher.Buthekhatthereprievecouldoemporary.
Rightaftertheeditorialmeeting,MikaelmovedouttohisinSandhamn;hehadhereinoverayear.HisbaggageincludedtwoboxesofprintoutsahatSanderhadgivenhim.Hestockeduponfood,lockedthedoor,openedhisi,andstartedwriting.Eachdayhetookashortwalk,boughttheneers,andshoppedfroceries.Theguestmarinawasstillfilledwithyachts,andyoungpeoplewhohadborrowedtheirfather’sboatwereusuallysittingintheDivers’Bar,drinkingthemselvessilly.Blomkvistscarcelytookinhissurroundings.Hesatinfrontofhisputermoreorlessfromthemomentheopenedhiseyesuntilhefellinight,exhausted.
Encryptedemailfromeditoriopublisheronleaveofabsence:Mikael.Iwanttoknowwhat’sgoingon—goodgrief,I’veebaholidaytototalchaos.ThenewsaboutJanneDahlmanandthisdoublegameyou’veeupwith.MartinVangerdead.HarrietVangeralive.What’sgoingoninHedeby?Whereareyou?Isthereastory?Whydon’tyouansweryourmobile?/E.
P.S.IuoodtheinsinuationthatChristerreyedwithsuchglee.Yoingtohavetoeatyourwords.Areyouseriouslycrosswithme?
P.P.S.Iamtrustingyouforthetimebeing,butyoingtohavetogiveproof—youremember,thestuffthatstandsupincourt—onJ.D.
From
To:
HiRiod’ssake,I’mnotcross.Fivemefornotkeepingyouupdated,butthepastfewmonthsofmylifehavebeentopsy-turvy.I’lltellyoueverythingwhenweseeeachother,butnotbyemail.I’matSandhamn.Thereisastory,butthestoryisnotHarrietVanger.I’mgoingtobegluedtomyputerhereforawhile.Thenit’llbeover.Trustme.Hugsandkisses.M.
From
To:
Sandhamn?I’mingtoseeyouimmediately.
From
To:
Nhtnow.leofweeks,atleastuntilI’vegotthestoryanised.Besides,I’mexpegpany.
From
To:
Inthatcase,ofcourseI’llstayaway.ButIhavetoknowwhat’sgoingon.HenrikVangerhasbeeCEOagain,andhedoesn’tanswermycalls.IfthedealwithVangerisoff,Iabsolutelyoknow.Ricky
P.S.Whoisshe?
From
To
Firstofall:ionofHenrikpullingout.Butheisstillwonlyashortday,andI’mguessingthatthechaosafterMartihandHarriet’sresurreistakingitstollonhisstrength.
Seillenniumwillsurvive.I’mwoimportaofourlives,andwhenwepublishit,it’sgoingtosinkWer?mondforall.
Third:Mylifeisupanddhtnow,butasforyouandmeandMillennium—nothinghasged.Trustme.Kisses/Mikael.
P.S.I’llintroduceyouassoonasanopportunitypresentsitself.
WhenSanderwentouttoSandhamnshefoundanunshavenandhollow-eyedBlomkvist,whogaveheraquickhugandaskedhertomakesomecoffeeandwaitwhilehefinishedwhathewaswriting.
Sanderlookedaroundhisanddecidedalmostatoshelikedit.Itwasrightoajetty,withthewaterthreepacesfromthedoor.Itwasonlyfifteeeeithadsuchahighceilingthatthereaceforasleepingloft.Shecouldstandupstraightthere,just.Blomkvistwouldhavetostoop.Thebedwaswideenoughforbothofthem.
Thehadewindowfagthewater,rightothefrontdoor.Thatwaswherehiskittablestood,doublingashisdesk.OnthewallhedeskwasashelfyerandabigcolleofElvisandhardrock,whichwasnotSander’sfirstchoice.
Inaerwasawoodstovemadeofsoapstohagzedfront.Therestofthesparsefurnishingssistedewardrobeforclothesandlinenandasinkthatalsofunedasawashingalcovebehindashowercurtaihesinkwasasmallwindowononesideofthe.UhespiralstairstotheloftBlomkvisthadbuiltaseparatespaceforapostingtoilet.Thewholewasarrangedliketheonaboat,withclevercubbyholesforstowingthings.
DuringherpersonaliigationofMikaelBlomkvist,Sanderhadfoundoutthathehadremodelledtheandbuiltthefurniturehimself—aclusiondrawnfromthementsofanacquaintancewhohadsentMikaenemaiftervisitingSandhamnandressedbyhishandiwork.Everythingwas,uious,andsimple,bonspartan.ShecouldseewhyhelovedthisinSandhamnsomuch.
AftertwohoursshemaodistractMikaelenoughthatheturnedoffhisputerinfrustration,shaved,andtookheroutfuidedtour.Itwasrainingandwindy,andtheyquicklyretreatedtotheinn.Blomkvisttoldherwhathewaswriting,andSandergavehimaCDwithupdatesfromWer?m’sputer.
Theookhimuptotheloftandmaogethisclothesoffanddistracthimevenfurther.Shewokeuptethatnighttofindherselfalone.Shepeereddownfromtheloftandsawhimsittinghunchedoverhisputer.Sheythereforalongtime,leaningononehand,watghim.Heseemedhappy,aoofeltstrangelytentwithlife.
SaayedonlyfivedaysbeforeshewentbacktoStotodoajobforArmansky.Shespentelevendaysontheassig,madeherreport,auroSandhamackofprintedpagesoMikael’siwasgrowing.
Thistimeshestayedforfourweeks.Theyfellintoaroutiheygotupat8:00,atebreakfast,aanhether.ThenMikaelworkedilyuntilteiernooheytookawalkandtalked.Sanderspentmostofthedaysinbed,eitherreadingstheusingBlomkvist’sADSLmodeheyatediherteandonlythendidSaaketheinitiativeandforcehimuptothesleepingloft,whereshesawtoitthathedevotedallhisattentiontoher.
Itwasasifshewereontheveryfirstholidayofherlife.
Encryptedemailfrom
To:
HiM.It’snowofficial.JanneDahlmanhasresignedandstartswatMonopolyFinancialMagazihreeweeks.I’vedoneasyouaskedandsaidnothing,andeveryoneisgoingaroundpyingmonkeygames.E.
P.S.Theyseemtobehavingfun.HenryandLottahadafightandstartedthrowingthingsateachotheracoupleofdaysago.They’vebeenmessingwithDahlman’sheadsobtantlythatI’tuandhowhemissseeingthatit’salput-upjob.
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Wishhimgoodlue,willyou,ahimghtaway.Butlockupthesilverware.Hugsandkisses/M.
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Ihavenomanagiortwoweeksbefotopress,andmyiigativereporterissittingoutinSandhamnrefusingtotalktome.Micke,I’monmyknees.youein?/Erika.
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Holdoutanothercoupleofweeks,thenwe’llbehomefree.AndstartpnningforaDecemberissuethat’sgoingtobeuhingwe’veeverdohepiecewilltakeup40pages.M.
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40PAGES!!!Areyououtofyourmind?
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It’sgoingtobeaspecialissue.Ihreemoreweeks.Couldyoudothefollowing:findagoodprihatproduceapaperbackquicklyandcheaply.Andbytheway,we’regoingtoneedcapitaltoprintourfirst.Kisses/Mikael
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Specialissue.publisher.Money.Yes,master.AnythingelseIdoforyou?DanakedatSlusspn?/E.
P.S.Iassumeyouknowwhatyou’redoing.ButwhatdoIdoaboutDahlman?
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Don’tdoanythingaboutDahlman.Tellhimhe’sfreethtawayandyouaren’tsureyoupayhiswagesanyway.Monopolyisn’tgoingtosurvivef.Bringinmorefreeerialforthisissue.Andhireanewmanagior,fod’ssake./M.
P.S.Slusspn?It’sadate.
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Slusspn—inyourdreams.Butwe’vealwaysdohehiringtogether./Ricky.
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Andwe’vealwaysagreedaboutwhoweshouldhire.Wewillthistimetoo,nomatterwhoyouchoose.We’regoingtoscupperWer?m.That’sthewholestory.Justletmefinishthisinpeace./M.
InearlyOctoberSanderreadanartitheIionoftheHedestadCourier.ShetoldBlomkvistaboutit.IsabelVangerhaddiedafterashortillness.Shewasmournedbyherdaughter,HarrietVaelyreturnedfromAustralia.
Encryptedemailfrom
To:
HiMikael.
HarrietVangercametoseemeattheofficetoday.Shecalledfiveminutesbeforeshearrived,andIwastotallyunprepared.Abeautifulwomaclothesandacoolgaze.
Shecametotellmethatshe’llberepgMartinVangerasHenrik’srepresentativeonourboard.SheoliteandfriendlyandassuredmethattheVangerCorporationhadnopnstobackoutoftheagreement.Orary,thefamilystandsfullybehindHenrik’sobligationstothemagazine.Sheaskedforatouroftheeditorialoffices,aedtoknowhowIseethesituation.
Itoldherthetruth.ThatitfeelsasifIdon’thavesolidgroundundermyfeet,thatyouhaveforbiddeoSandhamn,andthatIdon’tknowwhatyou’rewon,otherthanthatyouarepnningtosinkWer?m.SheraisedaneyebrowandsmiledandaskedifIhaddoubtsthatyou’dsueed.WhatwasIsupposedtosaytothat?IsaidthatIwouldsleepalittleeasierifIklywhatyouwerewriting.Jeez,ofcourseItrustyou.Butyou’redrivingmecrazy.
Iaskedherifsheknewwhatyouwerewon.Shedebutsaidthatitwasherimpressionthatyouwereextremelyresourceful,withaninnovativewayofthinking.
IsaidthatIalsogatheredthatsomethingdramatichadhappenedupiadandthatIwaseversoslightlycuriousaboutthestardingHarrietVangerherself.Inshort,Ifeltlikeanidiot.Sheaskedmewhetheryoureallyhadn’ttoldmeanything.ShesaidthatsheuoodthatyouandIhaveaspecialretionshipandthatyouwouldundoubtedlytellmethestorywhenyouhadtime.Thensheaskedifshecouldtrustme.WhatwasIsupposedtosay?She’sontheMillenniumboard,andyou’veleftmeheretotallyinthedark.
Thenshesaidsomethingodd.Sheaskedmenottojudgeeitherheroryoutooharshly.Shesaidsheowedyousomesortofdebtofgratitude,andshewouldreallylikeitifsheandIcouldalsobefriends.Thenshepromisedtotellmethestorysomedayifyoucouldn’tdoit.Halfanhosheleft,andI’mstillinadaze.IthinkIlikeher,butwhoisthisperson?/Erika
P.S.Imissyou.Ihaveafeelingthatsomethingnastyhappenediad.Christersaysthatyouhaveastrangemarkonyourneck.
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HiRicky.ThestoryaboutHarrietissomiserablyawfulthatyou’tevenimagi.Itwouldbegreatifshecouldtellyouaboutitherself.Ihardlybringmyselftothinkaboutit.
Bytheway,youtrusther.Shewastellihwhenshesaidthatsheowesadebtofgratitudetome—andbelieveme,shewillneverdoanythingtoharmMillennium.Beherfriendifyoulikeher.Shedeservesrespedshe’sahellofabusinesswoman./M.
ThedayMikaelreceivedanotheremail.
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HiMikael.I’vebeentryingtofindtimetowritetoyouforseveralweeksnow,butitseemsthereareneverenoughhoursintheday.YouleftsosuddenlyfromHedebythatIneverhadacetosaygoodbye.
SincemyreturntoSweden,mydayshavebeenfilledwithbewilderingimpressionsandhardwork.TheVangerCorporationisinchaos,andalongwithHenrikI’vebeenwhardtoputitsaffairsinorder.YesterdayIvisitedtheMillenniumoffices;I’llbeHenrik’srepresentativeontheboard.Henrikhasfilledmeinonallthedetailsofthemagazine’ssituationandyours.
Ihopethatyouwilepthavingmeshowuplikethis.Ifyoudon’twaheboard,I’lluand,butIdoassureyouthatI’lldoallItosupportMillennium.Iamidebttoyou,andIwillwayshavethebestofiionsinthisregard.
ImetyourcolleagueErikaBerger.I’mnotsurewhatshethoughtofme,andIwassurprisedtohearthatyouhadn’ttoldheraboutpened.
Iwouldverymuchliketobeyourfriend.IfyoustandtohaveanythingmoretodowiththeVangerfamily.Bestregards,Harriet
P.S.IuoodfromErikathatyou’repnningtotackleWer?magain.DirchFrodetoldmehowHenrikpulledaswiftyonyou,astheysayinAustralia.WhatIsay?I’msorry.Ifthere’sanythingIdo,letmeknow.
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HiHarriet.IleftHedebyinabighurryandamnonwhatIreallyshouldhavebeenspendingmytimeonthisyear.You’llbeadvisediyoftimebeforethearticlegoestopress,butIthinkIsaythattheproblemsofthepastyearwillsoonbeover.
IhopeyouandErikawillbefriends,and,ofcourse,IhavenoproblemwithyoubeingonMillennium’sboard.I’lltellErikaaboutpened,ifyouthinkthat’swise.Henrikwantedmeosayanythingtoa’ssee,butrightnowIdon’thavethetimeortheenergyandIneedalittledistancefirst.
Let’skeepintouch.Best/Mikael
SanderwasnotespeciallyiedinwhatMikaelwaswriting.ShelookedupfromherwhenBlomkvistsaidsomething,butatfirstshecouldnotmakeitout.
“Sorry.Iwastalkingaloud.Isaidthatthisishorrible.”
“What’shorrible?”
“Wer?mhadanaffairwithatwenty-two-year-oldwaitressaherpregnant.Haveyoureadhiscorrespondehhiswyer?”
“MydearMikael—youhavetenyearsofcorrespondence,emails,agreements,traverras,andGodknowswhatonthatharddrive.Idon’tfindWer?msofasatingthatI’dcramsixgigseintomyhead.Ireadthroughafraofit,mostlytosatisfymycuriosity,andthatwasenoughtotellmethathe’sagangster.”
“OK.Hegnantin1997.Wheedpensation,hiswyergotsomeootrytoviohaveanabortion.Iassumetheiionwastoofferherasumofmoney,butshewasn’tied.ThenthepersuadingendedupwiththeheavyholdingheruerinabathuntilsheagreedtoleaveWer?minpeadWer?m’sidiotwritesallthistothewyerinanemail—ofcourseencrypted,butevenso…Itdoesn’tsaymuchfortheIQofthisbunch.”
“pehegirl?”
“Shehadanabortion,andWer?mleased.”
Sandersaidnothingfortenminutes.Hereyeshadsuddenlyturneddark.
“Onemoremanwhohateswomen,”shemutteredatst.
SheborrowedthedspefewdaysreadingthroughWer?m’semailsandotherdots.WhileBlomkvistkeptw,SanderinthesleepingloftwithherPoweronherknees,pWer?m’speculiarempire.
Anideahadourredtoherandshecouldgo.Mostofallshewonderedwhyithadnotourredtohersooner.
IoberMikaelturnedoffhisputerwhenitwasonly11:00inthem.HeclimbeduptothesleepingloftandhandedSanderwhathehadwritten.Thenhefelsleep.Shewokehimthateveningandgavehimheropinionofthearticle.
Justafter2:00inthem,Blomkvistmadethestbackupofhiswork.
Thedayheclosedtheshuttersonthewindowsandlockedup.Sander’sholidaywasover.TheywentbacktoStotogether.
HebroughtupthesubjectastheyweredrinkingcoffeefrompapercupsontheVaxholmferry.
“WhatthetwoofusodecideiswhattotellErika.She’sgoingtorefusetopublishthisifI’texpinhowIgotholdofthematerial.”
ErikaBerger.Blomkvist’seditorinchiefandlong-timelover.Sanderhadherandwasnotsurethatshewaoeither.Bergerseemedlikesomeindefiurbanherlife.
“Whatdoessheknowaboutme?”
“Nothing.”Hesighed.“ThefactisthatI’vebeenavoidinghereversihesummer.She’sveryfrustratedaboutthefactthatIcouldn’ttellherpenediad.Sheknows,ofcourse,thatI’vebeenstayingoutatSandhamnandwritingthisstory,butshedoesn’tknowwhatit’sabout.”
“Hmm.”
“Inacoupleofhoursshe’llhavethemanuscript.Thenshe’sgoingtogivemethethirddegree.Thequestionis,whatshouldItellher?”
“Whatdoyouwanttotellher?”
“I’dliketotellherthetruth.”
Sanderfrowned.
“Lisbeth,ErikaandIarguealmostallthetime.Itseemstobepartofhowwemunicate.Butshe’sabsolutelytrustworthy.You’reasource.Shewouldratherdiethanrevealwhoyouare.”
“Howmanyotherswouldyouhavetotell?”
“Absolutelyno-owillgotothegravewithmeandErika.ButIwon’ttellheryoursecretifyoudon’twao.Oherhand,it’snotanoptionformetolietoErika,makeupsomesourcethatdoes.”
SahoughtaboutituntiltheydockedbytheGrandHotel.Analysisofsequences.RelutlyshefinallygaveBlomkvistpermissiontointroducehertoErika.Heswitchedonhismobileandmadethecall.
BergerwaslungwithMalinEriksson,whomshewassideringhiringasmanagior.Erikssonwastwenty-nineyearsoldandhadbeenwasatempforfiveyears.Shehadneverheldapermajobandhadstartedtodoubtthatsheeverwould.BergercalledherontheverydaythatMaliempjobeoaskifshewouldliketoapplyfortheMillenniumposition.
“It’satemporarypostforthreemonths,”Bergersaid.“Butifthingsworkout,itcouldbeperma.”
“I’veheardrumoursthatMillenniumishavingadifficulttime.”
Bergersmiled.
“Youshouldn’tbelieverumours.”
“ThisDahlmanthatIwouldberepg…”Erikssoated.“He’sgoingtoworkatamagazineownedbyHans-ErikWer?m…”
Bergernodded.“It’shardlyatradesecretthatwe’reinflictwithWer?m.Hedoesn’tlikepeoplewhoworkforMillennium.”
“SoifItakethejobatMillennium,Iwouldendupinthatcategorytoo.”
“It’sverylikely,yes.”
“ButDahlmangotajobwithMonopolyFinancialMagazine,didn’the?”
“Youmightsaythatit’sWer?m’sayingforservicesrendered.Areyoustillied?”
Erikssonnodded.
“Whendoyouwaart?”
That’swhenBlomkvistcalled.
Sheusedherowoopenthedoortohisapartment.ItwasthefirsttimesincehisbriefvisittotheofficeatMidsummerthatshewasmeetinghimfacetoface.Shewentintothelivingroomandfoundananorexicallythingirlsittingonthesofa,wearingaworherjacketandwithherfeetproppeduponthecoffeetable.Atfirstshethoughtthegirlwasaboutfifteen,butthatwasbeforeshelookedintohereyes.ShewasstilllookingatthiscreaturewhenBlomkvistcameinwithacoffeepotandcoffeecake.
“Fivemeforbeielyimpossible,”hesaid.
Bergertiltedherhead.Therewassomethingdifferentabouthim.Helookedhaggard,thihansheremembered.Hiseyeshadashamedexpression,andforamomentheavoidedhergaze.Sheghisneck.Shesaaleredline,clearlydistinguishable.
“I’vebeenavoidingyou.It’saverylongstory,andI’mnotproudofmyroleinit.Butwe’lltalkaboutthatter…NowIwanttointroduceyoutothisyoungwoman.Erika,thisisLisbethSander.Lisbeth,ErikaBerger,editorinchiefofMillenniumandmybestfriend.”
SaudiedBerger’selegantclothesandself-fidentmanneranddecidedaftertensedsthatshewasmostlikelynotgoingtobeherbestfriend.
Theirmeetingstedfivehours.Bergertwicemadecallstocelothermeetings.ShespentanhourreadingpartsofthemanuscriptthatBlomkvistputinherhands.Shehadathousaionsbutrealisedthatitwouldtakeweeksbeforeshegotthemanswered.Theimportantthingwasthemanuscript,whichshefinallyputdown.Ifevenafraofthesecimswereaurate,awholeuationhademerged.
BergerlookedatBlomkvist.Shehadneverdoubtedthathewasaperson,butnowshefeltdizzyandwonderedwhethertheWer?maffairhadbrokenhim—thatwhathehadbeenwonwasalfigmentofhisimagination.Blomkvistwasatthatmomentunpagtwoboxesofprinted-outsourcematerial.Bergerbnched.Shewanted,ofcourse,toknowhowithadeintohispossession.
Ittookawhiletovihatthisoddgirl,whohadsaidnotonewordduriing,hadunlimitedaesstoWer?m’sputer.Andnotjusthis—shehadalsohackedintotheputersofseveralofhiswyersandcloseassociates.
Berge
Blomkvistprotested.Itwasthemiddleofthenight.Hecouldnotfacethinkingaboutthewholethingnow.Shewentonstubbornlysittingthereuntilhegaveitothebathroomandwashedhisfadputthecoffeepoton.ThenhecamebacktothebedandtoldherabouthowhisoldschoolfriendRobertLindberg,inayellowM?r-30intheguestmarinainArholma,hadarousedhiscuriosity.
“Youmeanthatyourbuddywaslying?”
“No,notatall.Hetoldmeexactlywhatheknew,andIcouldverifyeadeverywordindotsfromtheauditatSIB.IeveoPondandphotographedthesheet-metalshackwherethishugebigMinospanywashoused.Iinterviewedseveralofthepeoplewhohadbeenemployedatthepany.Theyallsaidexactlythesamething.”
“Ido.”
Blomkvistsighed.Itwasawhilebeforehespokeagain.
“Ihadadamnedgoodstory.Istillhadn’tfrontedWer?mhimself,butthestorywasairtight;ifIhadpublisheditatthatmomentIreallywouldhaveshookhimup.Itmightnothaveledtoaninditforfraud—thedealhadalreadybeenapprovedbytheauditors—butIwouldhavedamagedhisreputation.”
“rong?”
“SomewherealongthewaysomebodyheardaboutwhatIokingmyo,andWer?mwasmadeawareofmyexistendallofasuddenawholebunchethingsstartedhappening.FirstIwasthreatened.Anonymouscallsfromcardtelephohatwereimpossibletotrace.Erikawasalsothreatewastheusualnonsense:liedownorelsewe’regoingtonailyoutoabarndoor,andsoon.She,ofcourse,wasmadasahellcat.”
HetookacigarettefromSander.
“Thehiremelyunpleasanthappened.LateonenightwheheofficeIwasattackedbytwomenwhojustwalkeduptomeandgavemeacoupleofpunches.Igotafatlipandfelldownireet.Icouldn’tidentifythem,butohemlookedlikeanoldbiker.”
“So,…”
“Allthesegoings-on,ofcourse,onlyhadtheeffeakingErikaverycrossindeed,andIgotstubborn.WebeefedupsecurityatMillennium.Theproblemwasthattheharassmentwasoutofallproportiontothetentofthestory.Wecouldn’tfathomwhyallthisening.”
“Butthestoryyoupublishedwassomethingquitedifferent.”
“Exactly.Suddenlywemadeabreakthrough.Wefoundasource,aDeepThroatinWer?m’scircle.Thissourcewasliterallyscaredtodeath,andwewereonlyallowedtomeethiminhotelrooms.HetoldusthatthemoneyfromtheMinosaffairhadbeenusedforonsdealsinthewarinYugosvia.Wer?mhadbeenmakingdealswiththeright-wingUstasheinCroatia.Notonlythat,thesourcewasabletogiveuscopiesofdotstobackitup.”
“Youbelievedhim?”
“Hewasclever.Heonlyevergaveusenoughrmationtoleadustothesource,whowouldfirmthestory.WewereevengivenaphotographofoneofWer?m’sclosestcolleaguesshakinghandswiththebuyer.Itwasdetailedblockbustermaterial,ahingseemedverifiable.Sowepublished.”
“Anditwasafake.”
“Itwasalfakefrombeginnihedotswereskilfulferies.Wer?m’swyerwasabletoprovethatthephotographofWer?m’ssubordiheUstasheleaderwasamowodifferentimages.”
“Fasating,”Sandersaid.
“Inhindsightitwasveryeasytoseehowwehadbeenmaniputed.inalstoryreallyhaddamagedWer?m.Nowthatstorywasdrownedinacleverfery.WepublishedastorythatWer?mcouldpickapartpointbypointandprovehisinnoce.”
“Youcouldn’tbackdownahetruth?YouhadabsolutelynoproofthatWer?mhadmittedthefalsification?”
“IfwehadtriedtotellthetruthandausedWer?mofbeingbehindthewholething,nobodywouldhavebelievedus.Itwouldhavelookedlikeadesperateattempttoshiftthebmefromourstupidityontoanileaderofindustry.”
“Isee.”
“Wer?mhadtwoyersofprote.Ifthefakehadbeenrevealed,hewouldhavebeeocimthatitwasoneofhiseryingtosnderhim.AMillenniumwouldonceagaiallcredibility,sincewefellforsomethingthatturtobefalse.”
“Soyouchosenottodefendyourselfandtaketheprisoence.”
“Ideservedit,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ihadmittedlibel.Nowyouknow.Igobacktosleepnow?”
Heturnedoffthempandshuthiseyes.Sanderydowohim.
“Wer?misagangster.”
“Iknow.”
“No,Imean,Iknowthathe’sagangster.HeworkswitheverybodyfromtheRussianmafiatothebiandrugcartels.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“WhenIturneditoFrodehegavemearaassig.Heaskedmetotrytofindoutwhatreallyhappehetrial.IhadjuststartedwonitwhenhecalledArmanskyandcelledthejob.”
“Iwonderwhy.”
“IassumethattheyscrappedtheiigationassoonasyouaeptedHenrikVanger’sassig.Itwouldnolongerhavebeenofimmediatei.”
“And?”
“Well,Idon’tlikeleavingthingsunresolved.Ihadafewweeks…freestspringwhenArmanskydidn’thaveanyjobsforme,soIdidsomediggingintoWer?mforfun.”
BlomkvistsatupandturhempandlookedatSander.Hemethereyes.Sheactuallylookedguilty.
“Didyoufindoutanything?”
“Ihavehisentireharddiskonmyputer.Youhaveasmuchproofasyouhathe’sagangster.”
CHAPTER28
Tuesday,July29–Friday,October24
BlomkvisthadbeenpoverSander’sputerprintoutsforthreedays—boxesfullofpapers.Theproblemwasthatthesubjectskeptgingallthetime.AnoptiondealinLondon.AcurrencydealinParisthrougha.Apanyost-officeboxinGibraltar.AsuddendoublingoffundsinanaountattheChaseManhattanBankinNewYork.
Andthenallthosepuzzliionmarks:atradingpanywith200,000kronorinanuntouchedaisteredfiveyearsearlierinSantiago,Chile—oneofnearlythirtysuiesintwelvedifferenttries—andnotahintofeofactivitywasinvolved.Adormantpany?Waitingforwhat?Afrontforsomeotherkindofactivity?TheputergavenoclueastowhatwasgoingoninWer?m’smindorwhatmayhavebeenperfectlyobvioustohimandsowasneverformutedironient.
Sanderersuadedthatmostofthesequestionswouldneverbeanswered.Theycouldseethemessage,butwithoutakeytheywouldneverbeabletointerpretthemeaning.Wer?m’sempirewaslikeanonionfromwhieyerafteranothercouldberemoved;abyrinthofenterprisesownedbyoher.panies,aounts,funds,securities.Theyreedthatnobody—perhapsnotevenWer?mhimself—couldhaveapleteoverview.Wer?m’sempirehadalifeofitsown.
Butthereattern,oratleastahintofapattern.Abyrinthofenterprisesownedbyeachother.Wer?m’sempirewasvariouslyvaluedatbetween100and400billionkronor,dependingonwhomyouaskedandhowitwascalcuted.Butifpaniesowneachother’sassets—whatthenwouldbetheirvalue?
TheyhadleftHedebyIsndihasteearlyinthemafterSanderdroppedthebombthatwasnowoupyingeverywakingmomentofBlomkvist’slife.TheydrovetoSander’spdspenttwodaysinfrontofherputerwhilesheguidedhimthroughWer?m’suniverse.Hehadplentyofquestions.Ohemurecuriosity.
“Lisbeth,howareyouabletooperatehisputer,fromapurelypracticalpointofview?”
“It’salittleiionthatmyfriendPguecameupwith.Wer?mhasanIBMptopthatheworkson,bothathomeandattheoffice.Thatmeansthatallthermationisonasingleharddrive.Hehasabroadbandetohispropertyathome.Pgueiedatypeofcuffthatyoufastenaroundthebroadbandcable,andI’mtestingitoutforhim.EverythingthatWer?mseesisregisteredbythecuff,whichforwardsthedatatoaserversomewhereelse.”
“Doesn’thehaveafirewall?”
Sandersmiled.
“Ofcoursehehasafirewall.Butthepointisthatthecuffalsofunsasatypeoffirewall.Ittakesawhiletohacktheputerthisway.Let’ssaythatWer?mgetsanemail;itgoesfirsttoPgue’scuffandwereaditbeforeitevenpassesthroughhisfirewall.Buttheingeniouspartisthattheemailisrewrittenaesofsourcecodeareadded.Thisisrepeatedeverytimehedownloadsanythingtohisputer.Picturesareeveer.Hedoesalotonthe.Eachtimehepicksupapornpictureoropensanewhomepage,weaddseveralrowsofsourcecode.Afterawhile,inseveralhoursorseveraldays,dependingonhowmuchheusestheputer,Wer?mhasdownloadedaireprogrammeofapproximatelythreemegabytesinwhicheachbitislihebit.”
“And?”
“WhebitsareiheprogrammeisiedwithhisInterbrowser.Tohimitwilllookasthoughhisputerhaslockedup,aorestartit.Duriartawholenewsoftrogrammeisinstalled.HeusesInterExplorer.TheimehestartsExplorer,he’sreallystartingawholedifferentprogrammethat’sinvisibleonhisdesktopandlooksandfunsjustlikeExplorer,butitalsodoesalotofotherthings.Firstittakestrolofhisfirewalndmakessurethateverythingisw.Thenitstartstostheputerandtransmitsbitsofrmatioimeheclicksthemousewhilehe’ssurfing.Afterawhile,againdependingonhowmuchhesurfs,we’veaumutedapletemirreofthetentsofhisharddriveonaserversomewhere.A’stimefortheHT.”
“HT?”
“SuecallsittheHT.HostileTakeover.”
“Isee.”
“Thereallysubtlethingispe.Wheructureisready,Wer?mhastwopleteharddrives,oneonhisownmaeandoneonourserver.Theimehebootsuphisputer,it’sactuallythemirroredputerthat’sstarting.He’snolongerwonhisownputer;iyhe’swonourserver.Hisputerwillrunalittleslower,butit’svirtuallynotnoticeable.AndwhenI’mectedtotheserver,Itaphisputeriime.EachtimeWer?mpressesakeyonhisputerIseeitonmine.”
“Yourfriendisalsoahacker?”
“HewastheonewhedthetelephoapinLondon.He’salittleoutofitsocially,butonthehe’salegend.”
“OK,”Blomkvistsaid,givingheraresignedsmile.“Questionwo:whydidn’tyoutellmeaboutWer?mearlier?”
“Youneveraskedme.”
“AndifIneverdidaskyou—let’ssupposethatIyou—youwouldhavesathereknowingthatWer?mwasagangsterwhileMillenniumwentbankrupt?”
“NobodyaskedmetoexposeWer?mforwhatheis,”Sanderrepliedinaknow-it-allvoice.
“Yes,butwhatif?”
“Ididtellyou,”shesaid.
Blomkvistdroppedthesubject.
SanderburhetentsofWer?m’sharddrive—aboutfivegigabytes—ontotenCDs,aasifshehadmoreorlessmovedintoBlomkvist’sapartment.Shewaitedpatiently,answeringallthequestionsheasked.
“I’tuandhowhebesofugdimtoputallhisdirtyundryononeharddrive,”hesaid.“Ifitevergotintothehandsofthepolice…”
“Peoplearen’tveryrational.Hehastobelievethatthepolicewouldhinkoffisghisputer.”
“Abovesuspi.Iagreethathe’sanarrogantbastard,buthemusthavesecuritysultantstellinghimhowtohandlehisputer.There’smaterialonthismaegoingallthewaybackto1993.”
“Theputeritselfisretivelywasmanufacturedayearago,butheseemstohavetransferredallhisoldcorrespondendeverythingelseontotheharddriveinsteadofstitonCDs.Butatleasthe’susinganencryptiramme.”
“Whichistotallyuselessifyou’reinsidehisputerandreadingthepasswordseverytimehetypesthemin.”
Afterthey’dbeenbaStoforfourdays,MalmcalledonBlomkvist’smobileat3:00inthem.
“HenryCortezwasatabarwithhisgirlfriendtonight.”
“Uh-huh,”Blomkvistsaid,sleepily.
“Onthewayhometheyendedupattralen’sbar.”
“Notaverygoodpceforasedu.”
“Listen.Dahlmanisonholiday.Henrydiscoveredhimsittingatatablewithsomeguy.”
“And?”
“Henryreisedthemanfromhisbylinepic.KristerS?der.”
“Idon’tthinkIreisethe…”
“HeworksforMonopolyFinancialMagazine,whichisowheWer?mGroup.”
Blomkvistsatupstraightinbed.
“Areyouthere?”
“I’mhere.Thatmightnotmeananything.S?derisajournalist,andhemightbeanoldfriend.”
“MaybeI’mbeingparanoid.ButawhileagoMillenniumboughtastoryfromafreeheweekbeforeweweregoingtopublishit,S?derrananexposéthatwasalmostidentical.Itwasthestoryaboutthemobiletelephonemanufacturerandthedefectivepo.”
“Ihearwhatyou’resaying.Butthatsortofthingdoeshappen.HaveyoutalkedtoErika?”
“No,she’snotbatilweek.”
“Don’tdoanything.I’llcallyoubackter,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Problems?”Sanderasked.
“Millennium,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ihavetogothere.Wanttoealong?”
Theeditorialofficesweredeserted.IttookSahreemiocrackthepasswordproteonDahlman’sputer,andawomirastentstoBlomkvist’si.
MostofDahlman’semailswereprobablyonhisownptop,andtheydidnothaveaesstoit.ButthroughhisdesktopputeratMillennium,SanderwasabletodiscoverthatDahlmanhadaHotmaiountinadditiontohismillenniukhersixmiocrackthecodeanddownloadhiscorrespondenthepastyear.FivemierBlomkvisthadevideDahlmanhadleakedrmationaboutthesituationatMillenniumaheeditorofMonopolyFinancialMagazineupdatedonwhichstoriesBergernningforwhichissues.Thespyinghadbeengoingosihepreviousautumn.
Theyturnedofftheputersabaikael’sapartmenttosleepforafewhours.HecalledChristerMalmat10:00a.m.
“IhaveproofthatDahlmaniswforWer?m.”
“Ik.Great,I’mgoingtofirethatfugpigtoday.”
“No,don’t.Don’tdoanythingatall.”
“Nothing?”
“Christer,trustme.IsDahlmanstillonholiday?”
“Yes,he’sbaonday.”
“Howmaheofficetoday?”
“Well,abouthalf.”
“youcalmeetingfor2:00?Don’tsaywhatit’sabout.I’mingover.”
Thereweresixpeoplearoundthefereable.Malmlookedtired.Cortezlookedlikesomeonenewlyihewaythatonlytwenty-four-year-oldslook.Nilssonlookedonedge—Malmhadnottoldathemeetingwasabout,butshehadbeenwiththepanylongenoughtoknowthatsomethingoutoftheordinarywasgoingon,andshewasahatshehadbeeoutoftheloop.Theonlyonewholookedthesameasusualwasthepart-timerIngeOskarsson,whoworkedtwodaysaweekdealingwithsimpleadministrativetasks,thesubscriberlistandthelike;shehadnotlookedtrulyrexedsinceshebecameamothertwo.Theotherpart-timerwasthefreeerLottaKarim,whohadatractsimirtoCortez’sandhadjuststartedbacktoworkafterherholiday.MalmhadalsomaogetMagnussontoein,althoughhewasstillonholiday.
Blomkvistbeganbygreetingeveryonewarmlyandapologisingforbeingsolongabsent.
“Whatwe’regoingtodiscusstodayissomethingthatChristerandIhaven’ttakenupwithErika,butIassureyouthatinthiscaseIspeakforhertoo.Todaywe’regoingtodetermineMillennium’sfuture.”
Hepausedtoletthewordssinkin.No-oneaskedaions.
“Thepastyearhasbeenrough.I’msurprisedandproudthatnoneofyouhasresideredandfoundajobsomewhereelse.Ihavetoassumethateitheryou’restarkravingmadorwonderfullyloyandactuallyenjonthismagazihat’swhyI’mgoingtoythecardsoableandaskyouforoeffort.”
“Oeffort?”Nilssonsaid.“Thatsoundsasifyou’rethinkingofshuttingdownthemagazine.”
“Exactly,Monika,”Blomkvistsaid.“Andthankyouforthat.WhesbackErikaisgoingtogatherusalltogetherfloomyeditorialmeetingandtotellusthatMillenniumwillfoldatChristmasandthatyou’reallfired.”
Nanspreadingthroughthegroup.EvenMalmthoughtforamomentthatBlomkvistwasserious.Thentheyallnoticedhisbroadsmile.
“Whatyouhavetodothisautumnispyadoublegame.Thedisagreeablefactisthatourdearmanagior,JanneDahlman,ismoonlightingasanrmerforHans-ErikWer?m.Thismeansthattheenemyisbeirmedofexactlywhat’sgoingoniorialoffices.Thisexpinsanumberofsetbackswe’veexperienced.Youespecially,Sonny,wheiserswhoseemedpositivepulledoutwithoutwarning.”
Dahlmanhadneverbeenpopurintheoffidtherevetionarentlynotashocktoanyone.Blomkvistcutshortthemurmuringthatstartedup.
“ThereasonthatI’mtellingyouthisisbecauseIhaveabsolutefidenallofyou.Iknowthatyou’veallgotyourheadsscrewedht.That’swhyIalsoknowthatyou’llpyalongwithwhattakespcethisautumn.It’sveryimportantthatWer?mbelievesthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpse.Itwillbeyourjobtomakesurehedoes.”
“What’sourrealsituation?”Cortezsaid.
“OK,hereitis:byalountsMillenniumshouldbeonitswaytothegrave.Igiveyoumywordthatthat’snotgoingtohappen.Millenniumisstroodaythanitwasayearago.Whenthismeetingisover,I’mgoingtodisappearagarabouttwomonths.TowardstheendofOctoberI’llbeback.Thenwe’regoingtoclipWer?m’swings.”
“Hoingtodothat?”Nilssonsaid.
“Sorry,Monika.Idon’twanttogiveyouthedetails,butI’mwritiory,andthistimewe’regoingtodht.I’mthinkingofhavingroastWer?mfortheChristmaspartyandvariouscriticsfordessert.”
Themoodturnedcheerful.Blomkvistwonderedhowhewouldhavefeltifhewereohemsittinglisteningtoallthis.Dubious?Mostlikely.Butapparentlyhestillhadsome“trustcapital”amongMillennium’ssmallgroupofemployees.Hehelduphishand.
“Ifthisisgoingtowork,it’simportantthatWer?mbelievesthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpsebecauseIdon’twanthimtostartsomesortofretaliationoriridoftheevidencewhichwemeantoexpose.Soingtostartwritingascriptthatyou’llfolltheingmonths.Firstofall,it’simportantthatnothingwediscussheretodayiswrittendownorisreferredtoinemails.Wedon’tknowtowhatifaentDahlmanhasbeendiggingaroundinourputers,andI’vebeeawarethatit’sarminglysimpletoreadcoworkers’privateemail.So—we’regoingtodothisorally.Ifyoufeeltheoairanything,goandseeChristerathome.Verydiscreetly.”
Blomkvistwrote“noemail”oeboard.
“Sed,Iwantyoutostartsquabblingamongyourselves,piningaboutmewhenDahlmanisaround.Don’texaggerate.Justgiveyournaturalbitchyselvesfullrein.Christer,IwantyouandErikatohaveaseriousdisagreement.Useyinationandbesecretiveaboutthecause.”
Hewrote“startbitg”oeboard.
“Third,whenErikaeshome,herjobwillbetoseetoitthatJanneDahlmanthinksreementwiththeVangerCorporation—whichisinfactgivingusitsfullsupport—hasfallenthroughbecauseHenrikVangerisseriouslyilndMartinVangerdiedinacarcrash.”
Hewrotetheword“disrmation.”
“Buttheagreementreallyissolid?”Nilssonsaid.
“Believeme,”Blomkvistsaid,“theVangerCorporationwillgotogreatlengthstoeMillenniumsurvives.Inafewweeks,let’ssayattheendofAugust,Erikawillcalmeetingtowarnyouaboutyoffs.Youallknowthatit’sascam,andthattheonlyonewho’sgoingtobeleavingisDahlman.ButstarttalkingaboutlookingfornewjobsandsaywhatalousyrefereistohaveMillenniumonyourC.V.”
“AndyoureallythinkthatthisgamewillendupsavingMillennium?”Magnussonsaid.
“Iknowitwill.AndSonny,Iwantyoutoputtogetherafakereporteathshowingfallingadvertisingsalesandshowingthatthenumberofsubscribershasalsodropped.”
“Thissoundsfun,”Nilssonsaid.“Shouldwekeepitinternalhereintheoffice,orshouldweleakittoothermediatoo?”
“Keepitinternal.Ifthestoryshowsupanywhere,we’llknowwhoputitthere.Inaveryfewmonths,ifanyoneasksusaboutit,we’llbeabletotellthem:you’vebeenlisteningtobaselessrumours,andwe’veneversideredclosingMillenniumdowthingthatcouldhappenisforDahlmantogooutandtipofftheothermassmedia.Ifyou’reabletogiveDahlmanatipaboutapusiblebutfuallyidioticstory,somuchthebetter.”
Theyspentanhourcogascriptanddividingupthevariousroles.
AfterthemeetingBlomkvisthadcoffeewithMalmatJavaatspu.
“Christer,it’sreallyimportantthatyoupickupErikaattheairportandfillherin.Youhavetoviopyalongwiththegame.IfIknowher,she’llwanttofrontDahlmaninstantly—butthat’thappen.Idon’twantWer?mtohearanykindofbuzzandthenmaoburytheevidence.”
“Willdo.”
“AthatErikastaysawayfromheremailuntilsheinstallsthePGPencryptirammeandlearnshowtouseit.It’sprettylikelythatthroughDahlman,Wer?misabletoreadeverythingweemailtoeachother.IwantyouandeveryoneelseiorialofficestoinstallPGP.Doitinanaturalway.Getthenameofaputersultanttotadhavehimeovertoiheworkandalltheputersintheoffice.Lethiminstallthesoftwareasifiterfeaturalpartoftheservice.”
“I’lldomybest.ButMikael—whatareyon?”
“Wer?m.”
“Whatexactly?”
“Forthetimebeing,thathastoremai.”
Malmlookedunfortable.“I’vealwaystrustedyou,Mikael.Doesthismeanthatyoudon’ttrustme?”
Blomkvistughed.
“OfcourseItrustyou.ButrightnowI’minvolvedinratherseriouscriminactivitiesthatcouldgetmetwoyearsinprison.It’sthenatureofmyresearchthat’salittledubious…I’mpyingwiththesameunderhahodsasWer?muses.Idon’twantyouorErikaoranyoneelseatMillenniumtobeinvolvedinanyway.”
“You’remakingmeawfullynervous.”
“Staycool,Christer,andtellErikathatthestoingtobeabigone.Reallybig.”
“Erikawillinsistonknowingwhatyou’rewon…”
Mikaelthoughtforased.Thenhesmiled.
“TellherthatshemadeitverycleartomeinthespringwhenshesignedatractwithHenrikVangerbehindmybackthatI’mnowjustanordinarymortalfreencerwhonolosontheboardandhasnoinfluenillenniumpolicy.WhichmeansthatInolongerhaveanyobligationtokeepherrmed.ButIpromisethatifshebehavesherself,I’llgiveherfirstoptionoory.”
“She’sgoingtoghtheroof,”Malmsaidcheerfully.
BlomkvistkhathehadnotbeeirelyhowithMalhemostnaturalthingwouldhavebeentotactheratoellheraboutthermationinhispossession.Buthedidnotwanttotalktoher.Adozentimeshehadstoodwithhismobileinhishand,startingtocallher.Eachtimehegedhismind.
Heknewwhattheproblemwas.Hecouldnotlookherintheeyes.
Thecover-upinwhichhehadparticipatediadwasunfivablefromaprofessionalpointofview.Hehadnoideahowhecouldexpinittoherwithoutlying,andiftherewasohinghehadhoughtofdoing,itwaslyingtoErikaBerger.
Aboveall,hedidnothavetheeodealwiththatproblematthesametimeashewastagWer?m.Soheputoffseeiurnedoffhismobile,andavoidedtalkingtoher.Buthekhatthereprievecouldoemporary.
Rightaftertheeditorialmeeting,MikaelmovedouttohisinSandhamn;hehadhereinoverayear.HisbaggageincludedtwoboxesofprintoutsahatSanderhadgivenhim.Hestockeduponfood,lockedthedoor,openedhisi,andstartedwriting.Eachdayhetookashortwalk,boughttheneers,andshoppedfroceries.Theguestmarinawasstillfilledwithyachts,andyoungpeoplewhohadborrowedtheirfather’sboatwereusuallysittingintheDivers’Bar,drinkingthemselvessilly.Blomkvistscarcelytookinhissurroundings.Hesatinfrontofhisputermoreorlessfromthemomentheopenedhiseyesuntilhefellinight,exhausted.
Encryptedemailfromeditoriopublisheronleaveofabsence:Mikael.Iwanttoknowwhat’sgoingon—goodgrief,I’veebaholidaytototalchaos.ThenewsaboutJanneDahlmanandthisdoublegameyou’veeupwith.MartinVangerdead.HarrietVangeralive.What’sgoingoninHedeby?Whereareyou?Isthereastory?Whydon’tyouansweryourmobile?/E.
P.S.IuoodtheinsinuationthatChristerreyedwithsuchglee.Yoingtohavetoeatyourwords.Areyouseriouslycrosswithme?
P.P.S.Iamtrustingyouforthetimebeing,butyoingtohavetogiveproof—youremember,thestuffthatstandsupincourt—onJ.D.
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HiRiod’ssake,I’mnotcross.Fivemefornotkeepingyouupdated,butthepastfewmonthsofmylifehavebeentopsy-turvy.I’lltellyoueverythingwhenweseeeachother,butnotbyemail.I’matSandhamn.Thereisastory,butthestoryisnotHarrietVanger.I’mgoingtobegluedtomyputerhereforawhile.Thenit’llbeover.Trustme.Hugsandkisses.M.
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Sandhamn?I’mingtoseeyouimmediately.
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Nhtnow.leofweeks,atleastuntilI’vegotthestoryanised.Besides,I’mexpegpany.
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Inthatcase,ofcourseI’llstayaway.ButIhavetoknowwhat’sgoingon.HenrikVangerhasbeeCEOagain,andhedoesn’tanswermycalls.IfthedealwithVangerisoff,Iabsolutelyoknow.Ricky
P.S.Whoisshe?
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Firstofall:ionofHenrikpullingout.Butheisstillwonlyashortday,andI’mguessingthatthechaosafterMartihandHarriet’sresurreistakingitstollonhisstrength.
Seillenniumwillsurvive.I’mwoimportaofourlives,andwhenwepublishit,it’sgoingtosinkWer?mondforall.
Third:Mylifeisupanddhtnow,butasforyouandmeandMillennium—nothinghasged.Trustme.Kisses/Mikael.
P.S.I’llintroduceyouassoonasanopportunitypresentsitself.
WhenSanderwentouttoSandhamnshefoundanunshavenandhollow-eyedBlomkvist,whogaveheraquickhugandaskedhertomakesomecoffeeandwaitwhilehefinishedwhathewaswriting.
Sanderlookedaroundhisanddecidedalmostatoshelikedit.Itwasrightoajetty,withthewaterthreepacesfromthedoor.Itwasonlyfifteeeeithadsuchahighceilingthatthereaceforasleepingloft.Shecouldstandupstraightthere,just.Blomkvistwouldhavetostoop.Thebedwaswideenoughforbothofthem.
Thehadewindowfagthewater,rightothefrontdoor.Thatwaswherehiskittablestood,doublingashisdesk.OnthewallhedeskwasashelfyerandabigcolleofElvisandhardrock,whichwasnotSander’sfirstchoice.
Inaerwasawoodstovemadeofsoapstohagzedfront.Therestofthesparsefurnishingssistedewardrobeforclothesandlinenandasinkthatalsofunedasawashingalcovebehindashowercurtaihesinkwasasmallwindowononesideofthe.UhespiralstairstotheloftBlomkvisthadbuiltaseparatespaceforapostingtoilet.Thewholewasarrangedliketheonaboat,withclevercubbyholesforstowingthings.
DuringherpersonaliigationofMikaelBlomkvist,Sanderhadfoundoutthathehadremodelledtheandbuiltthefurniturehimself—aclusiondrawnfromthementsofanacquaintancewhohadsentMikaenemaiftervisitingSandhamnandressedbyhishandiwork.Everythingwas,uious,andsimple,bonspartan.ShecouldseewhyhelovedthisinSandhamnsomuch.
AftertwohoursshemaodistractMikaelenoughthatheturnedoffhisputerinfrustration,shaved,andtookheroutfuidedtour.Itwasrainingandwindy,andtheyquicklyretreatedtotheinn.Blomkvisttoldherwhathewaswriting,andSandergavehimaCDwithupdatesfromWer?m’sputer.
Theookhimuptotheloftandmaogethisclothesoffanddistracthimevenfurther.Shewokeuptethatnighttofindherselfalone.Shepeereddownfromtheloftandsawhimsittinghunchedoverhisputer.Sheythereforalongtime,leaningononehand,watghim.Heseemedhappy,aoofeltstrangelytentwithlife.
SaayedonlyfivedaysbeforeshewentbacktoStotodoajobforArmansky.Shespentelevendaysontheassig,madeherreport,auroSandhamackofprintedpagesoMikael’siwasgrowing.
Thistimeshestayedforfourweeks.Theyfellintoaroutiheygotupat8:00,atebreakfast,aanhether.ThenMikaelworkedilyuntilteiernooheytookawalkandtalked.Sanderspentmostofthedaysinbed,eitherreadingstheusingBlomkvist’sADSLmodeheyatediherteandonlythendidSaaketheinitiativeandforcehimuptothesleepingloft,whereshesawtoitthathedevotedallhisattentiontoher.
Itwasasifshewereontheveryfirstholidayofherlife.
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HiM.It’snowofficial.JanneDahlmanhasresignedandstartswatMonopolyFinancialMagazihreeweeks.I’vedoneasyouaskedandsaidnothing,andeveryoneisgoingaroundpyingmonkeygames.E.
P.S.Theyseemtobehavingfun.HenryandLottahadafightandstartedthrowingthingsateachotheracoupleofdaysago.They’vebeenmessingwithDahlman’sheadsobtantlythatI’tuandhowhemissseeingthatit’salput-upjob.
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Wishhimgoodlue,willyou,ahimghtaway.Butlockupthesilverware.Hugsandkisses/M.
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Ihavenomanagiortwoweeksbefotopress,andmyiigativereporterissittingoutinSandhamnrefusingtotalktome.Micke,I’monmyknees.youein?/Erika.
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Holdoutanothercoupleofweeks,thenwe’llbehomefree.AndstartpnningforaDecemberissuethat’sgoingtobeuhingwe’veeverdohepiecewilltakeup40pages.M.
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40PAGES!!!Areyououtofyourmind?
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It’sgoingtobeaspecialissue.Ihreemoreweeks.Couldyoudothefollowing:findagoodprihatproduceapaperbackquicklyandcheaply.Andbytheway,we’regoingtoneedcapitaltoprintourfirst.Kisses/Mikael
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Specialissue.publisher.Money.Yes,master.AnythingelseIdoforyou?DanakedatSlusspn?/E.
P.S.Iassumeyouknowwhatyou’redoing.ButwhatdoIdoaboutDahlman?
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Don’tdoanythingaboutDahlman.Tellhimhe’sfreethtawayandyouaren’tsureyoupayhiswagesanyway.Monopolyisn’tgoingtosurvivef.Bringinmorefreeerialforthisissue.Andhireanewmanagior,fod’ssake./M.
P.S.Slusspn?It’sadate.
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Slusspn—inyourdreams.Butwe’vealwaysdohehiringtogether./Ricky.
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Andwe’vealwaysagreedaboutwhoweshouldhire.Wewillthistimetoo,nomatterwhoyouchoose.We’regoingtoscupperWer?m.That’sthewholestory.Justletmefinishthisinpeace./M.
InearlyOctoberSanderreadanartitheIionoftheHedestadCourier.ShetoldBlomkvistaboutit.IsabelVangerhaddiedafterashortillness.Shewasmournedbyherdaughter,HarrietVaelyreturnedfromAustralia.
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HiMikael.
HarrietVangercametoseemeattheofficetoday.Shecalledfiveminutesbeforeshearrived,andIwastotallyunprepared.Abeautifulwomaclothesandacoolgaze.
Shecametotellmethatshe’llberepgMartinVangerasHenrik’srepresentativeonourboard.SheoliteandfriendlyandassuredmethattheVangerCorporationhadnopnstobackoutoftheagreement.Orary,thefamilystandsfullybehindHenrik’sobligationstothemagazine.Sheaskedforatouroftheeditorialoffices,aedtoknowhowIseethesituation.
Itoldherthetruth.ThatitfeelsasifIdon’thavesolidgroundundermyfeet,thatyouhaveforbiddeoSandhamn,andthatIdon’tknowwhatyou’rewon,otherthanthatyouarepnningtosinkWer?m.SheraisedaneyebrowandsmiledandaskedifIhaddoubtsthatyou’dsueed.WhatwasIsupposedtosaytothat?IsaidthatIwouldsleepalittleeasierifIklywhatyouwerewriting.Jeez,ofcourseItrustyou.Butyou’redrivingmecrazy.
Iaskedherifsheknewwhatyouwerewon.Shedebutsaidthatitwasherimpressionthatyouwereextremelyresourceful,withaninnovativewayofthinking.
IsaidthatIalsogatheredthatsomethingdramatichadhappenedupiadandthatIwaseversoslightlycuriousaboutthestardingHarrietVangerherself.Inshort,Ifeltlikeanidiot.Sheaskedmewhetheryoureallyhadn’ttoldmeanything.ShesaidthatsheuoodthatyouandIhaveaspecialretionshipandthatyouwouldundoubtedlytellmethestorywhenyouhadtime.Thensheaskedifshecouldtrustme.WhatwasIsupposedtosay?She’sontheMillenniumboard,andyou’veleftmeheretotallyinthedark.
Thenshesaidsomethingodd.Sheaskedmenottojudgeeitherheroryoutooharshly.Shesaidsheowedyousomesortofdebtofgratitude,andshewouldreallylikeitifsheandIcouldalsobefriends.Thenshepromisedtotellmethestorysomedayifyoucouldn’tdoit.Halfanhosheleft,andI’mstillinadaze.IthinkIlikeher,butwhoisthisperson?/Erika
P.S.Imissyou.Ihaveafeelingthatsomethingnastyhappenediad.Christersaysthatyouhaveastrangemarkonyourneck.
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HiRicky.ThestoryaboutHarrietissomiserablyawfulthatyou’tevenimagi.Itwouldbegreatifshecouldtellyouaboutitherself.Ihardlybringmyselftothinkaboutit.
Bytheway,youtrusther.Shewastellihwhenshesaidthatsheowesadebtofgratitudetome—andbelieveme,shewillneverdoanythingtoharmMillennium.Beherfriendifyoulikeher.Shedeservesrespedshe’sahellofabusinesswoman./M.
ThedayMikaelreceivedanotheremail.
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HiMikael.I’vebeentryingtofindtimetowritetoyouforseveralweeksnow,butitseemsthereareneverenoughhoursintheday.YouleftsosuddenlyfromHedebythatIneverhadacetosaygoodbye.
SincemyreturntoSweden,mydayshavebeenfilledwithbewilderingimpressionsandhardwork.TheVangerCorporationisinchaos,andalongwithHenrikI’vebeenwhardtoputitsaffairsinorder.YesterdayIvisitedtheMillenniumoffices;I’llbeHenrik’srepresentativeontheboard.Henrikhasfilledmeinonallthedetailsofthemagazine’ssituationandyours.
Ihopethatyouwilepthavingmeshowuplikethis.Ifyoudon’twaheboard,I’lluand,butIdoassureyouthatI’lldoallItosupportMillennium.Iamidebttoyou,andIwillwayshavethebestofiionsinthisregard.
ImetyourcolleagueErikaBerger.I’mnotsurewhatshethoughtofme,andIwassurprisedtohearthatyouhadn’ttoldheraboutpened.
Iwouldverymuchliketobeyourfriend.IfyoustandtohaveanythingmoretodowiththeVangerfamily.Bestregards,Harriet
P.S.IuoodfromErikathatyou’repnningtotackleWer?magain.DirchFrodetoldmehowHenrikpulledaswiftyonyou,astheysayinAustralia.WhatIsay?I’msorry.Ifthere’sanythingIdo,letmeknow.
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HiHarriet.IleftHedebyinabighurryandamnonwhatIreallyshouldhavebeenspendingmytimeonthisyear.You’llbeadvisediyoftimebeforethearticlegoestopress,butIthinkIsaythattheproblemsofthepastyearwillsoonbeover.
IhopeyouandErikawillbefriends,and,ofcourse,IhavenoproblemwithyoubeingonMillennium’sboard.I’lltellErikaaboutpened,ifyouthinkthat’swise.Henrikwantedmeosayanythingtoa’ssee,butrightnowIdon’thavethetimeortheenergyandIneedalittledistancefirst.
Let’skeepintouch.Best/Mikael
SanderwasnotespeciallyiedinwhatMikaelwaswriting.ShelookedupfromherwhenBlomkvistsaidsomething,butatfirstshecouldnotmakeitout.
“Sorry.Iwastalkingaloud.Isaidthatthisishorrible.”
“What’shorrible?”
“Wer?mhadanaffairwithatwenty-two-year-oldwaitressaherpregnant.Haveyoureadhiscorrespondehhiswyer?”
“MydearMikael—youhavetenyearsofcorrespondence,emails,agreements,traverras,andGodknowswhatonthatharddrive.Idon’tfindWer?msofasatingthatI’dcramsixgigseintomyhead.Ireadthroughafraofit,mostlytosatisfymycuriosity,andthatwasenoughtotellmethathe’sagangster.”
“OK.Hegnantin1997.Wheedpensation,hiswyergotsomeootrytoviohaveanabortion.Iassumetheiionwastoofferherasumofmoney,butshewasn’tied.ThenthepersuadingendedupwiththeheavyholdingheruerinabathuntilsheagreedtoleaveWer?minpeadWer?m’sidiotwritesallthistothewyerinanemail—ofcourseencrypted,butevenso…Itdoesn’tsaymuchfortheIQofthisbunch.”
“pehegirl?”
“Shehadanabortion,andWer?mleased.”
Sandersaidnothingfortenminutes.Hereyeshadsuddenlyturneddark.
“Onemoremanwhohateswomen,”shemutteredatst.
SheborrowedthedspefewdaysreadingthroughWer?m’semailsandotherdots.WhileBlomkvistkeptw,SanderinthesleepingloftwithherPoweronherknees,pWer?m’speculiarempire.
Anideahadourredtoherandshecouldgo.Mostofallshewonderedwhyithadnotourredtohersooner.
IoberMikaelturnedoffhisputerwhenitwasonly11:00inthem.HeclimbeduptothesleepingloftandhandedSanderwhathehadwritten.Thenhefelsleep.Shewokehimthateveningandgavehimheropinionofthearticle.
Justafter2:00inthem,Blomkvistmadethestbackupofhiswork.
Thedayheclosedtheshuttersonthewindowsandlockedup.Sander’sholidaywasover.TheywentbacktoStotogether.
HebroughtupthesubjectastheyweredrinkingcoffeefrompapercupsontheVaxholmferry.
“WhatthetwoofusodecideiswhattotellErika.She’sgoingtorefusetopublishthisifI’texpinhowIgotholdofthematerial.”
ErikaBerger.Blomkvist’seditorinchiefandlong-timelover.Sanderhadherandwasnotsurethatshewaoeither.Bergerseemedlikesomeindefiurbanherlife.
“Whatdoessheknowaboutme?”
“Nothing.”Hesighed.“ThefactisthatI’vebeenavoidinghereversihesummer.She’sveryfrustratedaboutthefactthatIcouldn’ttellherpenediad.Sheknows,ofcourse,thatI’vebeenstayingoutatSandhamnandwritingthisstory,butshedoesn’tknowwhatit’sabout.”
“Hmm.”
“Inacoupleofhoursshe’llhavethemanuscript.Thenshe’sgoingtogivemethethirddegree.Thequestionis,whatshouldItellher?”
“Whatdoyouwanttotellher?”
“I’dliketotellherthetruth.”
Sanderfrowned.
“Lisbeth,ErikaandIarguealmostallthetime.Itseemstobepartofhowwemunicate.Butshe’sabsolutelytrustworthy.You’reasource.Shewouldratherdiethanrevealwhoyouare.”
“Howmanyotherswouldyouhavetotell?”
“Absolutelyno-owillgotothegravewithmeandErika.ButIwon’ttellheryoursecretifyoudon’twao.Oherhand,it’snotanoptionformetolietoErika,makeupsomesourcethatdoes.”
SahoughtaboutituntiltheydockedbytheGrandHotel.Analysisofsequences.RelutlyshefinallygaveBlomkvistpermissiontointroducehertoErika.Heswitchedonhismobileandmadethecall.
BergerwaslungwithMalinEriksson,whomshewassideringhiringasmanagior.Erikssonwastwenty-nineyearsoldandhadbeenwasatempforfiveyears.Shehadneverheldapermajobandhadstartedtodoubtthatsheeverwould.BergercalledherontheverydaythatMaliempjobeoaskifshewouldliketoapplyfortheMillenniumposition.
“It’satemporarypostforthreemonths,”Bergersaid.“Butifthingsworkout,itcouldbeperma.”
“I’veheardrumoursthatMillenniumishavingadifficulttime.”
Bergersmiled.
“Youshouldn’tbelieverumours.”
“ThisDahlmanthatIwouldberepg…”Erikssoated.“He’sgoingtoworkatamagazineownedbyHans-ErikWer?m…”
Bergernodded.“It’shardlyatradesecretthatwe’reinflictwithWer?m.Hedoesn’tlikepeoplewhoworkforMillennium.”
“SoifItakethejobatMillennium,Iwouldendupinthatcategorytoo.”
“It’sverylikely,yes.”
“ButDahlmangotajobwithMonopolyFinancialMagazine,didn’the?”
“Youmightsaythatit’sWer?m’sayingforservicesrendered.Areyoustillied?”
Erikssonnodded.
“Whendoyouwaart?”
That’swhenBlomkvistcalled.
Sheusedherowoopenthedoortohisapartment.ItwasthefirsttimesincehisbriefvisittotheofficeatMidsummerthatshewasmeetinghimfacetoface.Shewentintothelivingroomandfoundananorexicallythingirlsittingonthesofa,wearingaworherjacketandwithherfeetproppeduponthecoffeetable.Atfirstshethoughtthegirlwasaboutfifteen,butthatwasbeforeshelookedintohereyes.ShewasstilllookingatthiscreaturewhenBlomkvistcameinwithacoffeepotandcoffeecake.
“Fivemeforbeielyimpossible,”hesaid.
Bergertiltedherhead.Therewassomethingdifferentabouthim.Helookedhaggard,thihansheremembered.Hiseyeshadashamedexpression,andforamomentheavoidedhergaze.Sheghisneck.Shesaaleredline,clearlydistinguishable.
“I’vebeenavoidingyou.It’saverylongstory,andI’mnotproudofmyroleinit.Butwe’lltalkaboutthatter…NowIwanttointroduceyoutothisyoungwoman.Erika,thisisLisbethSander.Lisbeth,ErikaBerger,editorinchiefofMillenniumandmybestfriend.”
SaudiedBerger’selegantclothesandself-fidentmanneranddecidedaftertensedsthatshewasmostlikelynotgoingtobeherbestfriend.
Theirmeetingstedfivehours.Bergertwicemadecallstocelothermeetings.ShespentanhourreadingpartsofthemanuscriptthatBlomkvistputinherhands.Shehadathousaionsbutrealisedthatitwouldtakeweeksbeforeshegotthemanswered.Theimportantthingwasthemanuscript,whichshefinallyputdown.Ifevenafraofthesecimswereaurate,awholeuationhademerged.
BergerlookedatBlomkvist.Shehadneverdoubtedthathewasaperson,butnowshefeltdizzyandwonderedwhethertheWer?maffairhadbrokenhim—thatwhathehadbeenwonwasalfigmentofhisimagination.Blomkvistwasatthatmomentunpagtwoboxesofprinted-outsourcematerial.Bergerbnched.Shewanted,ofcourse,toknowhowithadeintohispossession.
Ittookawhiletovihatthisoddgirl,whohadsaidnotonewordduriing,hadunlimitedaesstoWer?m’sputer.Andnotjusthis—shehadalsohackedintotheputersofseveralofhiswyersandcloseassociates.
Berge