dramathathadbeenpyingoutaroundMillennium.
Theyhadlunchtogether.BlomkviststoleasidelonggPernil.Hehadnotseenhisdaughtersiurovisithimiad.HerealisedthathehadfailedtodiscusshermaniaforthatseSkellefte?withhermother.Hecouldhemthatitwashisdaughter’sobviouslyprofoundknowledgeoftheBiblethathadsethimontherighttrackregardingHarrietVanger’sdisappearance.Hehadnottalkedtohisdaughtersihen.
Hewasnotagoodfather.
HekissedhisdaughtergoodbyeafterthelundmetSaSlussen.TheywentouttoSandhamn.TheyhadnotseenmuchofeachothersiheMillenniumbombexploded.TheyarrivedteonChristmasEveandstayedfortheholidays.
Blomkvistwaseainingpany,asalways,butSanderhadanuneasyfeelingthathewaslookingathereciallyoddexpressionwhenshepaidbacktheloanwithachequefor120,000kronor.
TheytookawalktoTrovilndback,hadChristmasdiheinn,abacktothewheretheylitafireinthewoodstove,putonanElvisddevotedthemselvestosomepinoldsex.WhenSanderfromtimetotimecameupforair,shetriedtoanalyseherfeelings.
ShehadnoproblemwithBlomkvistasalover.Therewasobviouslyaphysicattra.Andheriedtotutorher.
Herproblemwasthatshecouldnotinterpretherownfeelingsforhibequiteho,hehadatryingabilitytoperateherdefendtogethertotalkaboutpersonalmattersandprivatefeelihoughshehadenoughseoigofhisquestions,shetalkedaboutherselfinawaythatshewouldnever,evehreatofdeath,haveimagineddoingwithanyotherperson.Itfrightenedherandmadeherfeelnakedandvulnerabletohiswill.
Atthesametime—whenshelookeddownathisslumberingformandlisteohimsn—shefeltthatshehadneverbeforeinherlifehadsuchatrustinanotherhumanbeing.ShekhabsolutecertaintythatMikaelwouldneverusewhatheknewabouthertohurther.Itwasnotinhisnature.
Theonlythingtheyneverdiscussedwastheirretionshiptoeachother.Shedidnotdare,andBlomkvistneverbroachedthesubject.
Atsomepointonthemoftheseddayshecametoaterrifyingrealisation.Shehadnoideahopenedorhowsheposedtocopewithit.Shewasihefirsttimeinherlife.
Thathewasalmosttwiceheragedidnotbotherher.NordidthefactthatatthemomenthewasohemostnewsworthypeopleinSweden,andhispicturewasevenonthecoverofNewsweek—thatwasalljustsoapopera.ButBlomkvistwasitasyordaydreauldnotpossiblyworkout.Whatdidheneedherfor?Maybeshewasjustaassthetimewhilehewaitedforsomeonewhoselifewasnotafugrathole.
Whatshehadrealisedwasthatlovewasthatmomentwhenyourheartwasabouttoburst.
WhenBlomkvistwokeuptethatm,shehadmadecoffeeatobuybreakfastrolls.Hejoihetableandnoticedatosomethingiitudehadged—shewasabitmorereserved.Whenheaskedherifanythingwaswrong,shegavehimaral,unprehendinglook.
OnthefirstdaybetweenChristmasandNewYear’s,BlomkvisttookthetrainuptoHedestad.HewaswearinghiswarmestclothesandhisproperwintershoeswhenFrodemethimatthestationandquietlygratutedhimonthemediasuess.ItwasthefirsttimesinceAugustthathehadvisitedHedestad,anditwasalmostexactlyoneyearagosincehehadvisiteditforthefirsttime.Theychattedpolitely,buttherewasalsoagreatdealthathadgoneunsaidbetweenthem,andBlomkvistfeltunfortable.
Everythinghadbeenprepared,andthebusinesswithFrodetookonlyafewminutes.Frodeofferedtodepositthemoneyinavefnbankaount,butBlomkvistinsistedthatitshouldbepaidlikeanormal,legitimatefeetohispany.
“I’taffordanyothertypeofpayment,”hesaidcurtlywhenFrodepersisted.
Thepurposeofhisvisitwasnotsolelyfinancial.Blomkvisthadleftclothes,s,andanumberofhisownthingsiagewhenheandSanderhadabandonedHedebyihaste.
Vangerwasstillfraifterhisillness,buthewasathome.Hewasbeinglookedafterbyaprivatenurse,whorefusedtoallowhimtotakelongwalks,orstairs,ordiscussanythingthatmightupsethim.Duringtheholidayshehadalsoedownwithaslightcoldandwasorderedtobed.
“Besideswhich,she’sexpensive,”Vangerpined.
Blomkvistkhattheoldmancouldaffordanysuchexpense—sideringhowmanykronorhehadwrittenoffhistaxesallhislife.Vangergavehimasullenlookuntilhestartedughing.
“Whatthehell,youwerewortheverykrona.Iknewyouwouldbe.”
“Totellyouthetruth,IhoughtI’dsolveit.”
“Ihavenoiionofthankingyou,”Vangersaid.
“Ididn’texpectyouwould.I’mjustheretotellyouthatIsiderthejobdone.”
Vangercurledhislips.“Youhaven’tfihejob,”hesaid.
“Iknowthat.”
“Youhaven’twrittentheVangerfamilyicle,whichwasagreed.”
“Iknowthat.I’mnotgoingtowriteit.Infact,I’twriteit.I’twriteabouttheVangerfamilyandleaveoutthemosttraleventofthepastdecades.HowcouldIwriteachapteraboutMartin’speriodasdpretendthatIdon’tknowwhat’sinhisbasement?Ialso’twritethestorywithoutdestroyingHarriet’slifeallain.”
“Iuandyourdilemma,andI’mgratefulforthedecisionthatyou’vemade.”
“gratutions.You’vemaocorruptme.I’mgoingtodestroyallmynotesaaperecsI’vemadeofourversations.”
“Idon’tthinkthatyou’vebeencorrupted,”Vangersaid.
“That’swhatitfeelslike.AndIthinkthat’swhatitis.”
“Youhadtochoosebetweenyourroleasajournalistandyourroleasahumanbeing.IcouldneverhaveboughtyoursilendI’mquitecertainthatyouwouldhaveexposedusifHarriethadturiohavebeenimplicated,orifyouthoughtIwasacretin.”
Blomkvistdidnotreply.
“We’vetoldCeciliathewholestory.FrodeandIwillsoonbegone,andHarrietisgoingtoneedsupportfromsomeohefamily.Ceciliawillpyanactiveroleontheboard.SheandHarrietwillbeinchargeofthefirmfromnowon.”
“Howdidshetakeit?”
“Shewasveryshakeabroadforawhile.Iwasevenafraidshewouldn’teback.”
“Butshedid.”
“MartinwasohefewpeopleinourfamilythatCeciliaalwaysgotalongwith.Itwasveryhardforhertofindoutthetruthabouthim.Shealsoknohatyoudidforthefamily.”
Blomkvistshrugged.
“Sothankyou,Mikael,”Vangersaid.
“Besides,Icouldn’twritethestorybecauseI’vehadituptoherewiththeVangerfamily.Buttellme,howdoesitfeeltobeCEOagain?”
“It’sonlytemporary,but…IwishIwereyounger.I’monlywthreehoursaday.Allthemeetingsareheldinthisroom,andDirchhassteppedinagainasmyenforcerifasup.”
“Thejuniorexecutivesmustbequakingintheirboots.IttookmeawhiletorealisethatDirchwasn’tjustanoldsweetieofafinanciadviserbutalsosomeonewhosolvesproblemsforyou.”
“Exactly.ButalldecisionsaremadewithHarriet,aheonewho’sdoingthelegworkintheoffice.”
“Howarethingsgoingforher?”
“Sheiedbothherbrother’saher’sshares.Shetrolsabout33pertofthecorporation.”
“Isthatenough?”
“Idon’tknoxanderhasseenthathehasaakeanimpadhasalliedhimselfwithBirger.MybrotherHaraldhasdwon’tlivemuger.Hewastheonlyremainingpersonwithrgeshareholdingsof7pert,whichhischildrenwilli.CeciliaandAnitawillbeonHarriet’sside.”
“Theheryou’lltrol,what,45pert.”
“Thatkindofvotingcartelhasneverexistedwithinthefamilybefore.Plentyofshareholderswithowopertwillvoteagainstus.HarrietisgoingtosueedmeasFebruary.”
“Thatwon’tmakeherhappy.”
“No,butit’snecessary.Wehavetotakeinsomenewpartnersandnewblood.WealsohavethecetocolboratewithherpanyinAustralia.Therearepossibilities.”
“Where’sHarriettoday?”
“You’reoutofluck.She’sinLondon.Butshewouldverymuchliketoseeyou.”
“I’llseeheratourboardmeetinginJanuaryifshe’sgoingtotakeyourpce.”
“Iknow.”
“IthinkthatsherealisesthatIwillneverdiscusspehesixtieswithanyoneexceptforErikaBerger,andIdon’tseewhyErikaoknow.”
“Shedoes.You’reapersonwithmorals,Mikael.”
“ButalsotellherthateverythingshedoesfromnowoncouldendupinthemagaziheVangerCorporationwon’thaveafreepassfromscrutiny.”
“I’llwarnher.”
BlomkvistleftVangerwheartedtodozeoff.Hepackedhisbelongingsintotwosuitcases.Asheclosedthedoortothecottageforthesttime,hepausedandtheovertoCecilia’shouseandknocked.Shewasnothome.Hetookouthispocketdar,toreoutapage,andwrote:Iwishyouallthebest.Trytofiveme.Mikael.Heputthenoteiterbox.ArihristmasdleshohekitwindowofMartinVanger’semptyhouse.
HetookthesttrainbacktoSto.
DuringtheholidaysSautherestoftheworld.Shedidnotanswerhertelephoneandshedidnotturer.Shespenttwodayswashingundry,scrubbing,andingupherapartment.Year-oldpizzaboxesandneerswerebundledupandcarrieddownstairs.Shedraggedoutatotalofsixbckrubbishbagsaypaperbagsfullofneers.Shefeltasifshehaddecidedtostartanewlife.Shethoughtaboutbuyinganeartment—whenshefoundsomethingsuitable—butfornowheroldpcewouldbemoredazzlinglythanshecouldeverremember.
Theasifparalysed,thinking.Shehadneverinherlifefeltsuchalonging.ShewantedMikaelBlomkvisttthedoorbelnd…whatthen?Liftherofftheground,holdherinhisarms?Passioakeherintothebedroomandtearoffherclothes?No,shereallyjustwantedhispany.Shewaohearhimsaythathelikedherforwhoshewas.Thatshewassomeonespecialinhisworldandinhislife.Shewantedhimtogivehersomegestureoflove,notjustoffriendshipandpanionship.I’mflippingout,shethought.
Shehadnofaithinherself.Blomkvistlivedinaworldpoputedbypeoplewithrespectablejobs,peoplewithorderlylivesandlotsofgrown-uppoints.Hisfriendsdidthings,wentonTV,andshapedtheheadlines.Whatdoyouneedmefor?Sander’sgreatestfear,whichwassohugeandsobckthatithobicproportions,wasthatpeoplewouldughatherfeelings.Andallofasuddenallhercarefullystructedself-fidenceseemedtocrumble.
That’swhenshemadeuphermind.Ittookherseveralhourstomobilisethenecessaryce,butshehadtoseehimandtellhimhowshefelt.
Anythingelsewouldbeunbearable.
Sheneededsomeexcusetoknohisdoor.ShehadnotgivenhimanyChristmaspresent,butsheknewwhatshewasgoingtobuy.Inajunkshopshehadseenanumberofmetadvertisingsignsfromthefifties,withembossedimages.OhesignsshowedElvisPresleywithaguitaronhishipandacartoonballoonwiththewordsHEARTBREAKHOTEL.Shehadnosenseforinteriordesign,butevenshecouldtellthatthesignwouldbeperfectfortheinSandhamn.Itcost780kronor,andonprincipleshehaggledandgotthepriockeddownto700.Shehadited,putitunderherarm,andheadedovertohispBellmansgatan.
AtHatanshehappeogowardsKaffebarandsawBlomkvistingoutwithBergerintow.Hesaidsomething,andsheughed,puttingherarmaroundhiswaistandkissinghischeek.TheyturneddownBr?nnkyrkagataninthedireofBellmansgatan.Theirbodynguageleftnoroomformisinterpretations—itwasobviouswhattheyhadinmind.
ThepainwassoimmediateandsofiercethatLisbethstoppedinmid-stride,incapableofmovement.Partofherwaorushafterthem.ShewaakethemetalsignahesharpedgetocleaveBerger’sheadintwo.Shedidnothingasthoughtsswirledthroughhermind.Analysisofsequences.Finallyshecalmeddown.
“atheticfoolyouare,Sander,”shesaidoutloud.
Sheturnedonherheehometohernewlyspotlessapartment.AsshepassedZinkensdamm,itstartedtosnow.ShetossedElvisintoadumpster.
ANOTEABOUTTHEAUTHOR
StiegLarssonwastheeditoriheantiracistmagazineExpo,andfortwehegraphicseditorataSwedishnewsagency.Aleadingexpertonantidemocratic,right-wiremistandNazianizations,hediedin2004.
THISISABORZOI
PUBLISHEDBYALFREDA.KNOPF
Transtioncht?20Keend
Allrightsreserved.PublishediedStatesbyAlfredA.Knopf,adivisionofRandomHouse,InewYork.
aaknopf.
inallypublishedinSwedenasM?nSomHatarKvinnorbyNorstedts,Sto,in2005.PublishedwithagreementofNorstedtsAgency.Cht?2005byNorstedtsAgency.ThistranstiinallypublishediBritainbyMacLehosePress,animprintofQuercus,London.PublishedbyarrawithQuercusPublishingPLC.
Knopf,Borzois,andthecolophisteredtrademarksofRandomHouse,Inc.
LibraryofgressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Larsson,Stieg,1954–2004.
TheGirlwiththedragontattoo/byStiegLarsson;transtedfromtheSwedishbyRegKeend.
—1stAmeried.
p.cm.
inallypublished:Sto:Norstedt,2005.
eISBN:978-0-307-27211-9
I.Title.
PT9876.22.A6933M362008
839.73-8—dc222008017771
Thisisaworkoffi.Names,characters,pces,andiseitheraretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictiously.Anyresemboactualpersons,livingordead,events,orlocalesisentirelytal.
Theyhadlunchtogether.BlomkviststoleasidelonggPernil.Hehadnotseenhisdaughtersiurovisithimiad.HerealisedthathehadfailedtodiscusshermaniaforthatseSkellefte?withhermother.Hecouldhemthatitwashisdaughter’sobviouslyprofoundknowledgeoftheBiblethathadsethimontherighttrackregardingHarrietVanger’sdisappearance.Hehadnottalkedtohisdaughtersihen.
Hewasnotagoodfather.
HekissedhisdaughtergoodbyeafterthelundmetSaSlussen.TheywentouttoSandhamn.TheyhadnotseenmuchofeachothersiheMillenniumbombexploded.TheyarrivedteonChristmasEveandstayedfortheholidays.
Blomkvistwaseainingpany,asalways,butSanderhadanuneasyfeelingthathewaslookingathereciallyoddexpressionwhenshepaidbacktheloanwithachequefor120,000kronor.
TheytookawalktoTrovilndback,hadChristmasdiheinn,abacktothewheretheylitafireinthewoodstove,putonanElvisddevotedthemselvestosomepinoldsex.WhenSanderfromtimetotimecameupforair,shetriedtoanalyseherfeelings.
ShehadnoproblemwithBlomkvistasalover.Therewasobviouslyaphysicattra.Andheriedtotutorher.
Herproblemwasthatshecouldnotinterpretherownfeelingsforhibequiteho,hehadatryingabilitytoperateherdefendtogethertotalkaboutpersonalmattersandprivatefeelihoughshehadenoughseoigofhisquestions,shetalkedaboutherselfinawaythatshewouldnever,evehreatofdeath,haveimagineddoingwithanyotherperson.Itfrightenedherandmadeherfeelnakedandvulnerabletohiswill.
Atthesametime—whenshelookeddownathisslumberingformandlisteohimsn—shefeltthatshehadneverbeforeinherlifehadsuchatrustinanotherhumanbeing.ShekhabsolutecertaintythatMikaelwouldneverusewhatheknewabouthertohurther.Itwasnotinhisnature.
Theonlythingtheyneverdiscussedwastheirretionshiptoeachother.Shedidnotdare,andBlomkvistneverbroachedthesubject.
Atsomepointonthemoftheseddayshecametoaterrifyingrealisation.Shehadnoideahopenedorhowsheposedtocopewithit.Shewasihefirsttimeinherlife.
Thathewasalmosttwiceheragedidnotbotherher.NordidthefactthatatthemomenthewasohemostnewsworthypeopleinSweden,andhispicturewasevenonthecoverofNewsweek—thatwasalljustsoapopera.ButBlomkvistwasitasyordaydreauldnotpossiblyworkout.Whatdidheneedherfor?Maybeshewasjustaassthetimewhilehewaitedforsomeonewhoselifewasnotafugrathole.
Whatshehadrealisedwasthatlovewasthatmomentwhenyourheartwasabouttoburst.
WhenBlomkvistwokeuptethatm,shehadmadecoffeeatobuybreakfastrolls.Hejoihetableandnoticedatosomethingiitudehadged—shewasabitmorereserved.Whenheaskedherifanythingwaswrong,shegavehimaral,unprehendinglook.
OnthefirstdaybetweenChristmasandNewYear’s,BlomkvisttookthetrainuptoHedestad.HewaswearinghiswarmestclothesandhisproperwintershoeswhenFrodemethimatthestationandquietlygratutedhimonthemediasuess.ItwasthefirsttimesinceAugustthathehadvisitedHedestad,anditwasalmostexactlyoneyearagosincehehadvisiteditforthefirsttime.Theychattedpolitely,buttherewasalsoagreatdealthathadgoneunsaidbetweenthem,andBlomkvistfeltunfortable.
Everythinghadbeenprepared,andthebusinesswithFrodetookonlyafewminutes.Frodeofferedtodepositthemoneyinavefnbankaount,butBlomkvistinsistedthatitshouldbepaidlikeanormal,legitimatefeetohispany.
“I’taffordanyothertypeofpayment,”hesaidcurtlywhenFrodepersisted.
Thepurposeofhisvisitwasnotsolelyfinancial.Blomkvisthadleftclothes,s,andanumberofhisownthingsiagewhenheandSanderhadabandonedHedebyihaste.
Vangerwasstillfraifterhisillness,buthewasathome.Hewasbeinglookedafterbyaprivatenurse,whorefusedtoallowhimtotakelongwalks,orstairs,ordiscussanythingthatmightupsethim.Duringtheholidayshehadalsoedownwithaslightcoldandwasorderedtobed.
“Besideswhich,she’sexpensive,”Vangerpined.
Blomkvistkhattheoldmancouldaffordanysuchexpense—sideringhowmanykronorhehadwrittenoffhistaxesallhislife.Vangergavehimasullenlookuntilhestartedughing.
“Whatthehell,youwerewortheverykrona.Iknewyouwouldbe.”
“Totellyouthetruth,IhoughtI’dsolveit.”
“Ihavenoiionofthankingyou,”Vangersaid.
“Ididn’texpectyouwould.I’mjustheretotellyouthatIsiderthejobdone.”
Vangercurledhislips.“Youhaven’tfihejob,”hesaid.
“Iknowthat.”
“Youhaven’twrittentheVangerfamilyicle,whichwasagreed.”
“Iknowthat.I’mnotgoingtowriteit.Infact,I’twriteit.I’twriteabouttheVangerfamilyandleaveoutthemosttraleventofthepastdecades.HowcouldIwriteachapteraboutMartin’speriodasdpretendthatIdon’tknowwhat’sinhisbasement?Ialso’twritethestorywithoutdestroyingHarriet’slifeallain.”
“Iuandyourdilemma,andI’mgratefulforthedecisionthatyou’vemade.”
“gratutions.You’vemaocorruptme.I’mgoingtodestroyallmynotesaaperecsI’vemadeofourversations.”
“Idon’tthinkthatyou’vebeencorrupted,”Vangersaid.
“That’swhatitfeelslike.AndIthinkthat’swhatitis.”
“Youhadtochoosebetweenyourroleasajournalistandyourroleasahumanbeing.IcouldneverhaveboughtyoursilendI’mquitecertainthatyouwouldhaveexposedusifHarriethadturiohavebeenimplicated,orifyouthoughtIwasacretin.”
Blomkvistdidnotreply.
“We’vetoldCeciliathewholestory.FrodeandIwillsoonbegone,andHarrietisgoingtoneedsupportfromsomeohefamily.Ceciliawillpyanactiveroleontheboard.SheandHarrietwillbeinchargeofthefirmfromnowon.”
“Howdidshetakeit?”
“Shewasveryshakeabroadforawhile.Iwasevenafraidshewouldn’teback.”
“Butshedid.”
“MartinwasohefewpeopleinourfamilythatCeciliaalwaysgotalongwith.Itwasveryhardforhertofindoutthetruthabouthim.Shealsoknohatyoudidforthefamily.”
Blomkvistshrugged.
“Sothankyou,Mikael,”Vangersaid.
“Besides,Icouldn’twritethestorybecauseI’vehadituptoherewiththeVangerfamily.Buttellme,howdoesitfeeltobeCEOagain?”
“It’sonlytemporary,but…IwishIwereyounger.I’monlywthreehoursaday.Allthemeetingsareheldinthisroom,andDirchhassteppedinagainasmyenforcerifasup.”
“Thejuniorexecutivesmustbequakingintheirboots.IttookmeawhiletorealisethatDirchwasn’tjustanoldsweetieofafinanciadviserbutalsosomeonewhosolvesproblemsforyou.”
“Exactly.ButalldecisionsaremadewithHarriet,aheonewho’sdoingthelegworkintheoffice.”
“Howarethingsgoingforher?”
“Sheiedbothherbrother’saher’sshares.Shetrolsabout33pertofthecorporation.”
“Isthatenough?”
“Idon’tknoxanderhasseenthathehasaakeanimpadhasalliedhimselfwithBirger.MybrotherHaraldhasdwon’tlivemuger.Hewastheonlyremainingpersonwithrgeshareholdingsof7pert,whichhischildrenwilli.CeciliaandAnitawillbeonHarriet’sside.”
“Theheryou’lltrol,what,45pert.”
“Thatkindofvotingcartelhasneverexistedwithinthefamilybefore.Plentyofshareholderswithowopertwillvoteagainstus.HarrietisgoingtosueedmeasFebruary.”
“Thatwon’tmakeherhappy.”
“No,butit’snecessary.Wehavetotakeinsomenewpartnersandnewblood.WealsohavethecetocolboratewithherpanyinAustralia.Therearepossibilities.”
“Where’sHarriettoday?”
“You’reoutofluck.She’sinLondon.Butshewouldverymuchliketoseeyou.”
“I’llseeheratourboardmeetinginJanuaryifshe’sgoingtotakeyourpce.”
“Iknow.”
“IthinkthatsherealisesthatIwillneverdiscusspehesixtieswithanyoneexceptforErikaBerger,andIdon’tseewhyErikaoknow.”
“Shedoes.You’reapersonwithmorals,Mikael.”
“ButalsotellherthateverythingshedoesfromnowoncouldendupinthemagaziheVangerCorporationwon’thaveafreepassfromscrutiny.”
“I’llwarnher.”
BlomkvistleftVangerwheartedtodozeoff.Hepackedhisbelongingsintotwosuitcases.Asheclosedthedoortothecottageforthesttime,hepausedandtheovertoCecilia’shouseandknocked.Shewasnothome.Hetookouthispocketdar,toreoutapage,andwrote:Iwishyouallthebest.Trytofiveme.Mikael.Heputthenoteiterbox.ArihristmasdleshohekitwindowofMartinVanger’semptyhouse.
HetookthesttrainbacktoSto.
DuringtheholidaysSautherestoftheworld.Shedidnotanswerhertelephoneandshedidnotturer.Shespenttwodayswashingundry,scrubbing,andingupherapartment.Year-oldpizzaboxesandneerswerebundledupandcarrieddownstairs.Shedraggedoutatotalofsixbckrubbishbagsaypaperbagsfullofneers.Shefeltasifshehaddecidedtostartanewlife.Shethoughtaboutbuyinganeartment—whenshefoundsomethingsuitable—butfornowheroldpcewouldbemoredazzlinglythanshecouldeverremember.
Theasifparalysed,thinking.Shehadneverinherlifefeltsuchalonging.ShewantedMikaelBlomkvisttthedoorbelnd…whatthen?Liftherofftheground,holdherinhisarms?Passioakeherintothebedroomandtearoffherclothes?No,shereallyjustwantedhispany.Shewaohearhimsaythathelikedherforwhoshewas.Thatshewassomeonespecialinhisworldandinhislife.Shewantedhimtogivehersomegestureoflove,notjustoffriendshipandpanionship.I’mflippingout,shethought.
Shehadnofaithinherself.Blomkvistlivedinaworldpoputedbypeoplewithrespectablejobs,peoplewithorderlylivesandlotsofgrown-uppoints.Hisfriendsdidthings,wentonTV,andshapedtheheadlines.Whatdoyouneedmefor?Sander’sgreatestfear,whichwassohugeandsobckthatithobicproportions,wasthatpeoplewouldughatherfeelings.Andallofasuddenallhercarefullystructedself-fidenceseemedtocrumble.
That’swhenshemadeuphermind.Ittookherseveralhourstomobilisethenecessaryce,butshehadtoseehimandtellhimhowshefelt.
Anythingelsewouldbeunbearable.
Sheneededsomeexcusetoknohisdoor.ShehadnotgivenhimanyChristmaspresent,butsheknewwhatshewasgoingtobuy.Inajunkshopshehadseenanumberofmetadvertisingsignsfromthefifties,withembossedimages.OhesignsshowedElvisPresleywithaguitaronhishipandacartoonballoonwiththewordsHEARTBREAKHOTEL.Shehadnosenseforinteriordesign,butevenshecouldtellthatthesignwouldbeperfectfortheinSandhamn.Itcost780kronor,andonprincipleshehaggledandgotthepriockeddownto700.Shehadited,putitunderherarm,andheadedovertohispBellmansgatan.
AtHatanshehappeogowardsKaffebarandsawBlomkvistingoutwithBergerintow.Hesaidsomething,andsheughed,puttingherarmaroundhiswaistandkissinghischeek.TheyturneddownBr?nnkyrkagataninthedireofBellmansgatan.Theirbodynguageleftnoroomformisinterpretations—itwasobviouswhattheyhadinmind.
ThepainwassoimmediateandsofiercethatLisbethstoppedinmid-stride,incapableofmovement.Partofherwaorushafterthem.ShewaakethemetalsignahesharpedgetocleaveBerger’sheadintwo.Shedidnothingasthoughtsswirledthroughhermind.Analysisofsequences.Finallyshecalmeddown.
“atheticfoolyouare,Sander,”shesaidoutloud.
Sheturnedonherheehometohernewlyspotlessapartment.AsshepassedZinkensdamm,itstartedtosnow.ShetossedElvisintoadumpster.
ANOTEABOUTTHEAUTHOR
StiegLarssonwastheeditoriheantiracistmagazineExpo,andfortwehegraphicseditorataSwedishnewsagency.Aleadingexpertonantidemocratic,right-wiremistandNazianizations,hediedin2004.
THISISABORZOI
PUBLISHEDBYALFREDA.KNOPF
Transtioncht?20Keend
Allrightsreserved.PublishediedStatesbyAlfredA.Knopf,adivisionofRandomHouse,InewYork.
aaknopf.
inallypublishedinSwedenasM?nSomHatarKvinnorbyNorstedts,Sto,in2005.PublishedwithagreementofNorstedtsAgency.Cht?2005byNorstedtsAgency.ThistranstiinallypublishediBritainbyMacLehosePress,animprintofQuercus,London.PublishedbyarrawithQuercusPublishingPLC.
Knopf,Borzois,andthecolophisteredtrademarksofRandomHouse,Inc.
LibraryofgressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Larsson,Stieg,1954–2004.
TheGirlwiththedragontattoo/byStiegLarsson;transtedfromtheSwedishbyRegKeend.
—1stAmeried.
p.cm.
inallypublished:Sto:Norstedt,2005.
eISBN:978-0-307-27211-9
I.Title.
PT9876.22.A6933M362008
839.73-8—dc222008017771
Thisisaworkoffi.Names,characters,pces,andiseitheraretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictiously.Anyresemboactualpersons,livingordead,events,orlocalesisentirelytal.