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    timesoverintenyears.Latelyanewclientgrouphadarisen:affluentwomenseekingprotectionfromformerboyfriendsorhusbandsorfromstalkers.Inaddition,MiltonSecurityhadacooperativearrangementwithsimirfirmsofgoodreputeinEuropeandtheUnitedStates.ThepanyalsohandledsecurityformanyinternationalvisitorstoSweden,includinganAmericanactresswhowasshootingafilmfortwomonthsinTrollh?ttan.Heragentfeltthatherstatuswarrantedhavingbodyguardsacpanyherwhenevershetookherinfrequentwalksnearthehotel.
    Afourth,considerablysmallerareathatoupiedonlyafewemployeeswaswhatwascalledPIorP-In,ininternaljargonpinders,whichstoodforpersonalinvestigations.
    Armanskywasnotaltogetherenamouredofthispartoftheirbusiness.Itwastroublesomeandlesslucrative.Itputgreaterdemandsontheemployees’judgementandexperiencethanontheirknowledgeoftelemunicationstechnologyortheinstaltionofsurveilnceapparatus.Personalinvestigationswereaeptablewhenitwasamatterofcreditrmation,backgroundchecksbeforehiring,ortoinvestigatesuspicionsthatsomeemployeehadleakedpanyrmationorengagedincriminactivity.Insuchcasesthepinderswereanintegralpartoftheoperationactivity.Butnotinfrequentlyhisbusinessclientswoulddraginprivateproblemsthathadatendencytocreateunweleturmoil.Iwanttoknowwhatsortofcreepmydaughterisgoingoutwith…Ithinkmywifeisbeingunfaithful…TheguyisOKbuthe’smixedupwithbadpany…I’mbeingbckmailed…Armanskyoftengavethemastraightforwardno.Ifthedaughterwasanadult,shehadtherighttogooutwithanycreepshewantedto,andhethoughtinfidelitywassomethingthathusbandsandwivesoughttoworkoutontheirown.HiddeninallsuchinquiriesweretrapsthatcouldleadtoscandandcreatelegalproblemsforMiltonSecurity.WhichwaswhyDraganArmanskykeptaclosewatchontheseassignments,inspiteofhowmodesttherevenuewas.
    Themorning’stopicwasjustsuchapersonalinvestigation.Armanskystraightenedthecreaseinhistrousersbeforeheleanedbackinhisfortablechair.HegncedsuspiciouslyathiscolleagueLisbethSander,whowasthirty-twoyearshisjunior.Hethoughtforthethousandthtimethatnobodyseemedmoreoutofpceinaprestigioussecurityfirmthanshedid.Hismistrustwasbothwiseandirrational.InArmansky’seyes,Sanderwasbeyonddoubtthemostableinvestigatorhehadmetinallhisyearsinthebusiness.Duringthefouryearsshehadworkedforhimshehadneveroncefumbledajoborturnedinasinglemediocrereport.
    Onthecontrary,herreportswereinacssbythemselves.Armanskywasconvincedthatshepossessedauniquegift.Anybodycouldfindoutcreditrmationorrunacheckwithpolicerecords.ButSanderhadimagination,andshealwayscamebackwithsomethingdifferentfromwhatheexpected.Howshedidit,hehadneverunderstood.Sometimeshethoughtthatherabilitytogatherrmationwassheermagic.Sheknewthebureaucraticarchivesinsideout.Aboveall,shehadtheabilitytogetundertheskinofthepersonshewasinvestigating.Iftherewasanydirttobedugup,shewouldhomeinonitlikeacruisemissile.
    Somehowshehadalwayshadthisgift.
    Herreportscouldbeacatastrophefortheindividualwhondedinherradar.Armanskywouldneverfetthetimeheassignedhertodoaroutinecheckonaresearcherinthepharmaceuticalindustrybeforeacorporatebuyout.Thejobwasscheduledtotakeaweek,butitdraggedonforawhile.Afterfourweeks’silenceandseveralreminders,whichsheignored,Sandercamebackwithareportdocumentingthatthesubjectinquestionwasapaedophile.Ontwooasionshehadboughtsexfromathirteen-year-oldchildprostituteinTallinn,andtherewereindicationsthathehadanunhealthyinterestinthedaughterofthewomanwithwhomhewascurrentlyliving.
    SanderhadhabitsthatsometimesdroveArmanskytotheedgeofdespair.Inthecaseofthepaedophile,shedidnotpickupthetelephoneandcallArmanskyoreintohisofficewantingtotalktohim.No,withoutindicatingbyasinglewordthatthereportmightcontainexplosivematerial,sheiditonhisdeskoneevening,justasArmanskywasabouttoleavefortheday.Hereaditonlytethatevening,ashewasrexingoverabottleofwineinfrontoftheTVwithhiswifeintheirvilonLiding?.
    Thereportwas,asalways,almostscientificallyprecise,withfootnotes,quotations,andsourcereferences.Thefirstfewpagesgavethesubject’sbackground,education,career,andfinancialsituation.Notuntilpage24didSanderdropthebombshelboutthetripstoTallinn,inthesamedry-as-dusttonesheusedtoreportthathelivedinSollentunaanddroveadarkblueVolvo.Shereferredtodocumentationinanexhaustiveappendix,includingphotographsofthethirteen-year-oldgirlinthepanyofthesubject.ThepictureshadbeentakeninahotelcorridorinTallinn,andthemanhadhishandunderthegirl’ssweater.Sanderhadtrackeddownthegirlinquestionandshehadprovidedheraountontape.
    ThereporthadcreatedpreciselythechaosthatArmanskyhadwantedtoavoid.Firsthehadtoswallowafewulcertabletsprescribedbyhisdoctor.Thenhecalledintheclientforasombreemergencymeeting.Finally—overtheclient’sfierceobjections—hewasforcedtoreferthematerialtothepolice.ThismeantthatMiltonSecurityriskedbeingdrawnintoatangledweb.IfSander’sevidencecouldnotbesubstantiatedorthemanwasacquitted,thepanymightriskalibelsuit.Itwasanightmare.
    However,itwasnotLisbethSander’sastonishingckofemotionalinvolvementthatmostupsethim.Milton’simagewasoneofconservativestability.Sanderfittedintothispictureaboutaswelsabuffaloataboatshow.Armansky’sstarresearcherwasapale,anorexicyoungwomanwhohadhairasshortasafuse,andapiercednoseandeyebrows.Shehadawasptattooaboutaninchlongonherneck,atattooedlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarmandanotheraroundherleftankle.Onthoseoasionswhenshehadbeenwearingatanktop,Armanskyalsosawthatshehadadragontattooonherleftshoulderbde.Shewasanaturalredhead,butshedyedherhairravenbck.Shelookedasthoughshehadjustemergedfromaweek-longywithagangofhardrockers.
    Shedidnotinfacthaveaneatingdisorder,Armanskywassureofthat.Onthecontrary,sheseemedtoconsumeeverykindofjunkfood.Shehadsimplybeenbornthin,withslenderbonesthatmadeherlookgirlishandfine-limbedwithsmallhands,narrowwrists,andchildlikebreasts.Shewastwenty-four,butshesometimeslookedfourteen.
    Shehadawidemouth,asmallnose,andhighcheekbonesthatgaveheranalmostAsianlook.Hermovementswerequickandspidery,andwhenshewasworkingattheputerherfingersflewoverthekeys.Herextremeslendernesswouldhavemadeacareerinmodellingimpossible,butwiththerightmake-upherfacecouldhaveputheronanybillboardintheworld.Sometimessheworebcklipstick,andinspiteofthetattoosandthepiercednoseandeyebrowsshewas…well…attractive.Itwasinexplicable.
    ThefactthatSanderworkedforDraganArmanskyatallwasastonishing.Shewasnotthesortofwomanwithwhomhewouldnormallyeintocontact.
    Shehadbeenhiredasajill-of-all-trades.HolgerPalmgren,asemi-retiredwyerwholookedafteroldJ.F.Milton’spersonaffairs,hadtoldArmanskythatthisLisbethSanderwasaquick-wittedgirlwith“arathertryingattitude.”Palmgrenhadappealedtohimtogiveherachance,whichArmanskyhad,againsthisbetterjudgement,promisedtodo.Palmgrenwasthetypeofmanwhowouldonlytake“no”asanencouragementtoredoublehisefforts,soitwaseasiertosay“yes”rightaway.ArmanskyknewthatPalmgrendevotedhimselftotroubledkidsandothersocialmisfits,buthedidhavegoodjudgement.
    Hehadregrettedhisdecisiontohirethegirlthemomenthemether.Shedidnotjustseemdifficult—inhiseyesshewastheveryquintessenceofdifficult.Shehaddroppedoutofschoondhadnosortofhighereducation.
    Thefirstfewmonthsshehadworkedfulltime,well,almostfulltime.Sheturnedupattheofficenowandthen.Shemadecoffee,wenttothepostoffice,andtookcareofthecopying,butconventionalofficehoursorworkroutineswereanathematoher.Ontheotherhand,shehadatalentforirritatingtheotheremployees.Shebecameknownas“thegirlwithtwobraincells”—oneforbreathingandoneforstandingup.Shenevertalkedaboutherself.Colleagueswhotriedtotalktoherseldomgotaresponseandsoongaveup.Herattitudeencouragedneithertrustnorfriendship,andshequicklybecameanoutsiderwanderingthecorridorsofMiltonlikeastraycat.Shewasgenerallyconsideredahopelesscase.
    Afteramonthofnothingbuttrouble,Armanskysentforher,fullyintendingtolethergo.Shelistenedtohiscatalogueofheroffenceswithoutobjectionandwithoutevenraisinganeyebrow.Shedidnothavethe“rightattitude,”heconcluded,andwasabouttotellherthatitwouldprobablybeagoodideaifshelookedforemploymentwithanotherfirmthatcouldmakebetteruseofherskills.Onlythendidsheinterrupthim.
    “Youknow,ifyoujustwantanofficeserfyoucangetonefromthetempagency.Icanhandleanythingandanyoneyouwant,andifyoudon’thaveanybetteruseformethansortingpost,thenyou’reanidiot.”
    Armanskysatthere,stunnedandangry,andshewentonunperturbed.
    “Youhaveamanherewhospentthreeweekswritingapletelyuselessreportaboutthatyuppiethey’rethinkingofrecruitingforthatdot-pany.Icopiedthepieceofcrapforhimstnight,andIseeit’slyingonyourdesknow.”
    Armansky’seyeswenttothereport,andforachangeheraisedhisvoice.
    “You’renotsupposedtoreadconfidentialreports.”
    “Apparentlynot,butthesecurityroutinesinyourfirmhaveanumberofshortings.Aordingtoyourdirectivehe’ssupposedtocopysuchthingshimself,buthechuckedthereportatmebeforeheleftforthebaryesterday.Andbytheway,Ifoundhispreviousreportinthecanteen.”
    “Youdidwhat?”
    “Calmdown.Iputitinhisin-box.”
    “Didhegiveyouthebinationtohisdocumentsafe?”Armanskywasaghast.
    “Notexactly;hewroteitonapieceofpaperhekeptunderneathhisblotteralongwiththepasswordtohisputer.Butthepointisthatyourjokeofaprivatedetectivehasdoneaworthlesspersonalinvestigation.Hemissedthefactthattheguyhasoldgamblingdebtsandsnortscocainelikeavacuumcleaner.Orthathisgirlfriendhadtoseekhelpfromthewomen’scrisiscentreafterhebeattheshitoutofher.”
    Armanskysatforacoupleofminutesturningthepagesofthereport.Itwaspetentlysetout,writteninclearnguage,andfilledwithsourcereferencesaswelsstatementsfromthesubject’sfriendsandacquaintances.Finallyheraisedhiseyesandsaidtwowords:“Proveit.”
    “HowmuchtimehaveIgot?”
    “Threedays.Ifyoucan’tproveyourallegationsbyFridayafternoonyou’refired.”
    Threedaystershedeliveredareportwhich,withequallyexhaustivesourcereferences,transformedtheoutwardlypleasantyoungyuppieintoanunreliablebastard.Armanskyreadherreportovertheweekend,severaltimes,andspentpartofMondaydoingahalf-hearteddouble-checkofsomeofherassertions.Evenbeforehebeganheknewthatherrmationwouldprovetobeaurate.
    Armanskywasbewilderedandalsoangrywithhimselfforhavingsoobviouslymisjudgedher.Hehadtakenherforstupid,maybeevenretarded.Hehadnotexpectedthatagirlwhohadcutsomanycssesinschoolthatshedidnotgraduatecouldwriteareportsogrammaticallycorrect.Italsocontaineddetailedobservationsandrmation,andhequitesimplycouldnotprehendhowshecouldhaveacquiredsuchfacts.
    HecouldnotimagihatanyoneelseatMiltonSecuritywouldhaveliftedexcerptsfromtheconfidentialjournalofadoctoratawomen’scrisiscentre.Whenheaskedherhowshehadmanagedthat,shetoldhimthatshehadnointentionofburninghersources.ItbecameclearthatSanderwasnotgoingtodiscussherworkmethods,eitherwithhimorwithanyoneelse.Thisdisturbedhim—butnotenoughforhimtoresistthetemptationtotesther.
    Hethoughtaboutthematterforseveraldays.HerecalledHolgerPalmgren’ssayingwhenhehadsenthertohim,“Everyonedeservesachance.”HethoughtabouthisownMuslimupbringing,whichhadtaughthimthatitwashisdutytoGodtohelptheoutcasts.OfcoursehedidnotbelieveinGodandhadnotbeeninamosquesincehewasateenager,butherecognisedLisbethSanderasapersoninneedofresolutehelp.Hehadnotdonemuchalongtheselinesoverthepastfewdecades.
    InsteadofgivingSandertheboot,hesummonedherforameetinginwhichhetriedtoworkoutwhatmadethedifficultgirltick.Hisimpressionwasconfirmedthatshesufferedfromsomeseriousemotionalproblem,buthealsodiscoveredthatbehindhersullenfacadetherewasanunusualintelligence.Hefoundherpricklyandirksome,butmuchtohissurprisehebegantolikeher.
    OverthefollowingmonthsArmanskytookSanderunderhiswing.Intruth,hetookheronasasmallsocialproject.Hegaveherstraightforwardresearchtasksandtriedtogiveherguidelinesonhowtoproceed.Shewouldlistenpatientlyandthensetofftocarryouttheassignmentjustasshesawfit.HeaskedMilton’stechnicaldirectortogiveherabasiourseinITscience.Theysattogetheralfternoonuntilhereportedbackthatsheseemedtohaveabetterunderstandingofputersthanmostofthestaff.
    Butdespitedevelopmentdiscussions,offersofin-housetraining,andotherformsofenticement,itwasevidentthatSanderhadnointentionofadaptingtoMilton’sofficeroutines.ThisputArmanskyinadifficultspot.
    Hewouldnothaveputupwithanyotheremployeeingandgoingatwill,andundernormalcircumstanceshewouldhavedemandedthatshechangeorgo.ButhehadahunchthatifhegaveSanderanultimatumorthreatenedtofirehershewouldsimplyshrughershouldersandbegone.
    Amoreseriousproblemwasthathecouldnotbesureofhisownfeelingsfortheyoungwoman.Shewaslikeanaggingitch,repellentandatthesametimetempting.Itwasnotasexuattraction,atleasthedidnotthinkso.Thewomenhewasusuallyattractedtowereblondeandcurvaceous,withfulllipsthatarousedhisfantasies.Andbesides,hehadbeenmarriedfortwentyyearstoaFinnishwomannamedRitvawhostillmorethansatisfiedtheserequirements.Hehadneverbeenunfaithful,well…somethingmayhavehappenedjustonce,andhiswifemighthavemisunderstoodifshehadknownaboutit.ButthemarriagewashappyandhehadtwodaughtersofSander’sage.Inanycase,hewasnotinterestedinft-chestedgirlswhomightbemistakenforskinnyboysatadistance.Thatwasnothisstyle.
    Evenso,hehadcaughthimselfhavinginappropriatedaydreamsaboutLisbethSander,andherecognisedthathewasnotpletelyunaffectedbyher.Buttheattraction,Armanskythought,wasthatSanderwasaforeigncreaturetohim.HemightjustaswellhavefalleninlovewithapaintingofanymphoraGreekamphora.Sanderrepresentedalifethatwasnotrealforhim,thatfascinatedhimthoughhecouldnotshareit—andinanycasesheforbadehimfromsharingit.
    OnoneoasionArmanskywassittingatacaféonStortetinGamStanwhenSandercamesaunteringupandsatatatableashortdistanceaway.Shewaswiththreegirlsandaboy,alldressedinmuchthesameway.Armanskyhadwatchedherwithinterest.Sheseemedtobejustasreservedasshewasatwork,butshehadactuallyalmostsmiledatastorytoldbyoneofherpanions,agirlwithpurplehair.
    Armanskywonderedhowshewouldreactifonedayhecametoworkwithgreenhair,worn-outjeans,andaleatherjacketcoveredwithgraffitiandrivets.Sheprobablywouldjustsmirkathim.
    Shehadbeensittingwithherbacktohimanddidnotturnaroundonce,obviouslyunawarethathewasthere.Hefeltstrangelydisturbedbyherpresence.Whenatsthegotuptoslinkawayunnoticed,shesuddenlyturnedandstaredstraightathim,asthoughshehadbeenawareallthetimethathewassittingthereandhadhimonherradar.Hergazehadesosurprisinglythatitfeltlikeanattack,andhepretendednottoseeherandhurriedlyleftthecafé.Shehadnotsaidhelloeven,butshefollowedhimwithhereyes,hewassureofit,andnotuntilheturnedthecornerdidtheystopburningintohisneck.
    Sherarelyughed.ButovertimeArmanskythoughthenoticedasofteningofherattitude.Shehadadrysenseofhumour,toputitmildly,whichcouldpromptacrooked,ironicsmile.
    Armanskyfeltsoprovokedbyherckofemotionalresponsethatsometimeshewantedtograbholdofherandshakeher.Toforcehiswayintohershelndwinherfriendship,oratleastherrespect.
    Onlyonce,aftershehadbeenworkingforhimforninemonths,hadhetriedtodiscussthesefeelingswithher.ItwasatMiltonSecurity’sChristmaspartyoneeveninginDecember,andforoncehewasnotsober.Nothinginappropriatehadhappened—hehadjusttriedtotellherthatheactuallylikedher.Mostofallhewantedtoexpinthathefeltprotectivetowardsher,andifsheeverneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldnothesitatetoetohifriendliness,ofcourse.
    Shehadwriggledoutofhisclumsyembraceandlefttheparty.Afterthatshehadnotappearedattheofficeoransweredhermobile.Herabsencehadfeltliketorture—almostaformofpersonalpunishment.Hehadnobodytodiscusshisfeelingswith,andforthefirsttimeherealisedwithappallingcritywhatadestructiveholdshehadoverhim.
    Threeweekster,whenArmanskywasworkingteoneeveninggoingovertheyear-endkeeping,Sanderreappeared.Shecameintohisofficeassilentlyasaghost,andhebecameawarethatshewasstandingintheshadowsinsidethedoorway,watchinghim.Hehadnoideahowlongshehadbeenthere.
    “Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”sheasked.Shehandedhimacupfromtheespressomachineinthecanteen.Mutelyheaeptedit,feelingbothreliefandterrorwhensheshovedthedoorclosedwithherfoot.Shesatdownoppositehisdeskandlookedhimstraightintheeye.Thensheaskedthequestioninawaythatcouldneitherbeughedoffnoravoided.
    “Dragan,areyouattractedtome?”
    Armanskysatasifparalysed,whiledesperatelywonderinghowtoanswer.Hisfirstimpulsewastopretendtobeinsulted.Thenhesawherexpressionanditcametohimthatthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverutteredanysuchpersonalquestion.Itwasseriouslymeant,andifhetriedtoughitoffshewouldtakeitasanaffront.Shewantedtotalktohim,andhewonderedhowlongithadtakenhertogetupthecouragetoaskthatquestion.Heslowlyputdownhispenandleanedbackinhischair.Finallyherexed.
    “Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”hesaid.
    “Thewayyoulookatme,andthewayyoudon’tlookatme.Andthetimesyouwereabouttoreachoutyourhandandtouchmebutstoppedyourself.”
    Hesmiledather.“Ireckonyou’dbiteoffmyhandifIidafingeronyou.”
    Shedidnotsmile.Shewaswaiting.
    “Lisbeth,I’myourboss,andevenifIwereattractedtoyou,I’dneveractonit.”
    Shewasstillwaiting.
    “Betweenus—yes,therehavebeentimeswhenIhavefeltattractedtoyou.Ican’texpinit,butthat’sthewayitis.ForsomereasonIdon’treallyunderstand,Ilikeyoualot.Butit’snotaphysicalthing.”
    “That’sgood.Becauseit’llneverhappen.”
    Armanskyughed.Thefirsttimeshehadsaidsomethingpersonanditwasthemostdishearteningnewsamancouldimaginereceiving.Hestruggledtofindtherightwords.
    “Lisbeth,Iunderstandthatyou’renotinterestedinanoldmanoffiftyplus.”
    “I’mnotinterestedinanoldmanoffiftypluswho’smyboss.”Sheheldupahand.“Wait,letmespeak.You’resometimesstupidandmaddeninglybureaucratic,butyou’reactuallyanattractiveman,and…Icanalsofeel…Butyou’remybossandI’vemetyourwifeandIwanttokeepmyjobwithyou,andthemostidioticthingIcoulddoisgetinvolvedwithyou.”
    Armanskysaidnothing,hardlydaringtobreathe.
    “I’mawareofwhatyou’vedoneforme,andI’mnotungrateful.Iappreciatethatyouactuallyshowedyourselftobegreaterthanyourprejudicesandhavegivenmeachancehere.ButIdon’twantyouformylover,andyou’renotmyfather.”
    AfterawhileArmanskysighedhelplessly.“Whatexactlydoyouwantfromme?”
    “Iwanttocontinueworkingforyou.Ifthat’sOKwithyou.”
    Henoddedandthenansweredherashonestlyashecould.“Ireallydowantyoutoworkforme.ButIalsowantyoutofeelsomesortoffriendshipandtrustinme.”
    Shenodded.
    “You’renotapersonwhoencouragesfriendship,”hesaid.Sheseemedtowithdraw,buthewenton.“Iunderstandthatyoudon’twantanyoneinterferinginyourlife,andI’lltrynottodothat.ButisitallrightifIcontinuetolikeyou?”
    Sanderthoughtaboutitforalongtime.Thensherepliedbygettingup,walkingaroundthedesk,andgivinghimahug.Hewastotallyshocked.Onlywhenshereleasedhimdidhetakeherhand.
    “Wecanbefriends?”
    Shenoddedonce.
    Thatwastheonlytimesheevershowedhimanytenderness,andtheonlytimesheevertouchedhim.ItwasamomentthatArmanskyfondlyremembered.
    AfterfouryearsshehadstillvouchsafedhardlyadetaiboutherprivatelifeorherbackgroundtoArmansky.Onceheappliedhisownknowledgeofthepinder’sartonher.HealsohadalongtalkwithHolgerPalmgren—whodidnotseemsurprisedtoseehim—andwhathefinallyfoundoutdidnotincreasehistrustinher.Henevermentionedawordaboutthistoherorletherknowthathehadbeensnoopingintoherlife.Insteadhehidhisuneasinessandincreasedhiswatchfulness.
    Beforethatstrangeeveningwasover,ArmanskyandSanderhadetoanagreement.Infutureshewoulddoresearchprojectsforhimonafreencebasis.Shewouldreceiveasmallmonthlyinewhethershedidanyassignmentsornot.Therealmoneywouldbemadewhenshewaspaidperassignment.Shecouldworkthewayshewantedto;inreturnshepledgednevertodoanythingthatmightembarrasshimorrisksubjectingMiltonSecuritytoscandal.
    ForArmanskythiswasasolutionthatwasadvantageoustohim,thepany,andSanderherself.HecutthetroublesomePIdepartmentdowntoasinglefull-timeemployee,anoldercolleaguewhohandledroutinejobsperfectlywelndrancreditchecks.AllplicatedortrickyassignmentsheturnedovertoSanderandafewotherfreencerswho—inthestresort—wereindependentcontractorsforwhomMiltonSecurityhadactuallynoresponsibility.Sinceheregurlyengagedherservices,sheearnedagoodsary.Itcouldhavebeenmuchhigher,butSanderworkedonlywhenshefeltlikeit.
    Armanskyaeptedherasshewas,butshewasnotallowedtomeettheclients.Today’sassignmentwasanexception.
    SanderwasdressedforthedayinabckT-shirtwithapictureonitofE.T.withfangs,andthewordsIAMALSOANALIEN.Shehadonabckskirtthatwasfrayedatthehem,aworn-outbck,mid-lengthleatherjacket,rivetbelt,heavyDocMartenboots,andhorizontallystriped,green-and-redkneesocks.Shehadputonmake-upinacolourschemethatindicatedshemightbecolourblind.Inotherwords,shewasexceptionallydeckedout.
    Armanskysighedandshiftedhisgazetotheconservativelydressedguestwiththethickgsses.DirchFrode,awyer,hadinsistedonmeetingandbeingabletoaskquestionsoftheemployeewhopreparedthereport.Armanskyhaddoneallhecivillycouldtopreventthemeetingtakingpce,sayingthatSanderhadacold,wasaway,orwasswampedwithotherwork.Thewyerrepliedcalmlythatitmadenodifference—thematterwasnoturgentandhecouldeasilywaitacoupleofdays.Atsttherewasnowaytoavoidbringingthemtogether.NowFrode,whoseemedtobeinhistesixties,waslookingatLisbethSanderwithevidentfascination.Sandergloweredbackwithanexpressionthatdidnotindicateanywarmfeelings.
    ArmanskysighedandlookedoncemoreatthefoldershehadpcedonhisdeskbelledCARLMIKAELBLOMKVIST.Thenamewasfollowedbyasocialsecuritynumber,neatlyprintedonthecover.Hesaidthenameoutloud.HerrFrodesnappedoutofhisbewitchedstateandturnedtoArmansky.
    “SowhatcanyoutellmeaboutMikaelBlomkvist?”hesaid.
    “ThisisMs.Sander,whopreparedthereport.”Armanskyhesitatedasecondandthenwentonwithasmilethatwasintendedtoengenderconfidence,butwhichseemedhelplesslyapologetic.“Don’tbefooledbyheryouth.Sheisourabsolutebestresearcher.”
    “I’mpersuadedofthat,”Frodesaidinadrytohathintedattheopposite.“Tellmewhatshefoundout.”
    ItwasclearthatFrodehadnoideahowtoacttowardsSander.HeresortedtodirectingthequestiontoArmansky,asifshehadnotbeenintheroom.Sanderblewabigbubblewithhergum.BeforeArmanskycouldanswer,shesaid,“Couldyouasktheclientwhetherhewouldpreferthelongortheshortversion?”
    Therewasabrief,embarrassedsilencebeforeFrodefinallyturnedtoSanderandtriedtorepairthedamagebyassumingafriendly,avuncurtone.
    “Iwouldbegratefuliftheyoungdywouldgivemeaverbalsummaryoftheresults.”
    ForamomentherexpressionwassosurprisinglyhostilethatitsentacoldshiverdownFrode’sspine.ThenjustasquicklyherexpressionsoftenedandFrodewonderedwhetherhehadimaginedthatlook.Whenshebegantospeakshesoundedlikeacivilservant.
    “Allowmetosayfirstthatthiswasnotaveryplicatedassignment,apartfromthefactthatthedescriptionofthetaskitselfwassomewhatvague.Youwantedtoknow‘everythingthatcouldbedugup’abouthim,butgavenoindicationofwhethertherewereanythinginparticuryouwerelookingfor.Forthisreasonit’ssomethingofapotpourriofhislife.Thereportis193pageslong,but120pagesarecopiesofarticleshewroteorpressclippings.Blomkvistisapublicpersonwithfewsecretsandnotverymuchtohide.”
    “Buthedoeshavesomesecrets?”Frodesaid.
    “Everyonehassecrets,”sherepliedneutrally.“It’sjustamatteroffindingoutwhattheyare.”
    “Let’shear.”
    “MikaelBlomkvistwasbornonJanuary18,1960,whichmakeshimforty-twoyearsold.HewasborninBorl?ngebuthasneverlivedthere.Hisparents,KurtandAnitaBlomkvist,werearoundthirty-fivewhenthechildwasborn.Bothhavesincedied.Hisfatherwasamachineryinstallerandmovedaroundagooddeal.Hismother,asfarasIcouldsee,wasneveranythingbutahousewife.ThefamilymovedhousetoStockholmwhenMikaelstartedschool.HehasasisterthreeyearsyoungernamedAnnikawhoisawyer.Healsohassomecousins,bothmaleandfemale.Wereyoupnningtoservecoffee?”
    ThisstwasdirectedatArmansky,whohastilypumpedthreecupsofcoffeefromthethermoshehadorderedforthemeeting.HemotionedforSandertogoon.
    “Soin1966thefamilylivedinLilEssingen.BlomkvistwenttoschoolfirstinBlommaandthentoprepschoolonKungsholmen.Hehaddecentgraduatingmarks—therearecopiesinthefolder.DuringhisprepschooldayshestudiedmusicandpyedbassinarockbandnamedBootstrap,whichactuallyputoutasinglethatwaspyedontheradiointhesummerof1979.Afterprepschoolheworkedasaticketcollectorinthetunnelbana,savedsomemoney,andtravelledabroad.Hewasawayforayear,mostlybummingaroundAsia—India,Thaind—andaswingdowntoAustralia.HebeganstudyingtobeajournalistinStockholmwhenhewastwenty-one,butinterruptedhisstudiesafterthefirstyeartodohismilitaryserviceasariflemaninKirunainLapnd.Itwassomesortofmachounit,andheleftwithgoodmarks.Aftermilitaryservicehepletedhisjournalismdegreeandhasworkedinthefieldeversince.Howdetaileddoyouwantmetobe?”
    “Justtellwhatyouthinkisimportant.”
    “HeesoffalittlelikePracticalPiginTheThreeLittlePigs.Sofarhehasbeenanexcellentjournalist.Intheeightieshehadalotoftemporaryjobs,firstintheprovincialpressandtheninStockholm.There’salist.HisbreakthroughcamewiththestoryabouttheBearGang—thebankrobbersheidentified.”
    “KalleBlomkvist.”
    “Hehatesthenickname,whichisunderstandable.Somebody’dgetafatlipiftheyevercalledmePippiLongstockingonanewspaperpcard.”
    ShecastadarklookatArmansky,whoswallowedhard.OnmorethanoneoasionhehadthoughtofSanderaspreciselyPippiLongstocking.Hewavedforhertogetonwithit.
    “Onesourcedecresthatuptothenhewantedtobeacrimereporter—andheinternedasoneataneveningpaper.Buthehasbeeknownforhisworkasapoliticandfinancialreporter.Hehasprimarilybeenafreencer,withonefull-timepositionataneveningpaperintheteeighties.Heleftin1990whenhehelpedstartthemonthlymagazineMillennium.Themagazinebeganasarealoutsider,withoutanybigpublishingpanytoholditshand.Itscircutionhasgrownandtodayis21,000copiesmonthly.TheeditorialofficeisonG?tgatanonlyafewblocksfromhere.”
    “Aleft-wingmagazine.”
    “Thatdependsonhowyoudefiheconcept‘left-wing.’Millenniumisgenerallyviewedascriticalofsociety,butI’mguessingtheanarchiststhinkit’sawimpybourgeoiscrapmagazinealongthelinesofArenaorOrdfront,whiletheModerateStudentsAssociationprobablythinksthattheeditorsareallBolsheviks.ThereisnothingtoindicatethatBlomkvisthaseverbeenactivepolitically,evenduringtheleft-wingwavewhenhewasgoingtoprepschool.WhilehewaspluggingawayattheSchoolofJournalismhewaslivingwithagirlwhoatthetimewasactiveintheSyndicalistsandtodaysitsinParliamentasarepresentativeoftheLeftparty.Heseemstohavebeengiventheleft-wingstampprimarilybecauseasafinancialjournalisthespecialisesininvestigativereportingaboutcorruptionandshadytransactionsinthecorporateworld.Hehasdonesomedevastatingindividualportraitsofcaptainsofindustryandpoliticians—whichweremostlikelywelldeserved—andcausedanumberofresignationsandlegalrepercussions.Themostwell-knownwastheArbogaaffair,whichresultedintheforcedresignationofaConservativepoliticianandthesentencingofaformercouncillortoayearinprisonforembezzlement.Callingattentiontocrimescanhardlybeconsideredanindicationthatsomeoneisleft-wing.”
    “Iunderstandwhatyoumean.Whatelse?”
    “Hehaswrittentwos.OneabouttheArbogaaffairandoneaboutfinancialjournalismentitledTheKnightsTempr,whichcameoutthreeyearsago.Ihaven’treadthe,butjudgingfromthereviewsitseemstohavebeencontroversial.Itpromptedagooddealofdebateinthemedia.”
    “Money?”Frodesaid.
    “He’snotrich,buthe’snotstarving.Iaxreturnsareattachedtothereport.Hehasabout250,000SEKinthebank,inbotharetirementfundandasavingsaount.Hehasanaountofaround100,000kronorthatheusesascashforworkingexpenses,travendsuch.Heownsaco-opapartmentthat’spaidoff—700squarefeetonBellmansgatan—andhehasnoloansordebts.Hehasoneotherasset—somepropertyinSandhamnoutinthearchipego.It’sacottageof270squarefeet,furnishedasasummercabinandbythewater,rightinthemostattractivepartofthevilge.Apparentlyanuncleofhisboughtitintheforties,whensuchthingswerestillpossiblefornormalmortals,andthecabinendedupinBlomkvist’shands.Theydividedthingsupsothathissistergottheparents’apartmentinLilEssingenandBlomkvistgotthecabin.Ihavenoideawhatitmightbeworthtoday—certainlyafewmillion—butontheotherhandhedoesn’tseemtowanttosell,andhegoesouttoSandhamnfairlyoften.”
    “Ine?”
    “He’spartownerofMillennium,butheonlytakesoutabout12,000insaryeachmonth.Therestheearnsfromhisfreencejobs—thetotalvaries.Hehadabigyearthreeyearsagowhenhetookinaround450,000.Lastyearheonlymade120,000fromfreencejobs.”
    “Hehastopay150,000intaxesinadditiontowyer’sfees,etcetera,”Frodesaid.“Let’sassumethatthetotalisratherhigh.He’llsobelosingmoneywhileservinghisgaolterm.”
    “Whichmeansthathe’sgoingtobecleanedout,”Sandersaid.
    “Ishehonest?”
    “That’shistrustcapital,sotospeak.Hisimageistoappearastheguardianofrobustmoralityasopposedtothebusinessworld,andheisinvitedprettyregurlytopontificateontelevision.”
    “Thereprobablyisn’tmuchleftofthatcapitafterhisconvictiontoday,”Frodesaid.
    “Idon’twanttocimthatIknowexactlywhatdemandsaremadeonajournalist,butafterthissetbackitwillprobablybealongtimebeforeMasterDetectiveBlomkvistwinstheGrandPrizeforJournalism.He’sreallymadeafoolofhimselfthistime,”Sandersaid.“IfImaymakeapersonalment…”
    Armanskyopenedhiseyeswide.IntheyearsSanderhadworkedforhim,shehadnevermadeasinglepersonalmentinaninvestigationofanindividual.Bone-dryfactswereallthatmatteredtoher.
    “Itwasn’tpartofmyassignmenttolookatthequestionoffactintheWennerstr?maffair,butIdidfollowthetriandhavetoadmitthatIwasactuallyfbbergasted.Thethingfeltwrong,andit’stotally…outofcharacterforMikaelBlomkvisttopublishsomethingthatseemstobesooffthewall.”
    Sanderscratchedherneck.Frodelookedpatient.ArmanskywonderedwhetherhemightbemistakenorwhetherSanderreallywasunsurehowtocontinue.TheSanderheknewwasneverunsureorhesitant.Finallysheseemedtomakeuphermind.
    “Quiteofftherecord,sotospeak…Ihaven’tstudiedtheWennerstr?maffairproperly,butIreallythinkthatMikaelBlomkvistwassetup.Ithinkthere’ssomethingtotallydifferentinthisstorythanwhatthecourt’sverdictisindicating.”
    ThewyerscrutinisedSanderwithsearchingeyes,andArmanskynoticedthatforthefirsttimesinceshebeganherreport,theclientwasshowingmorethanapoliteinterest.HemadeamentalnotethattheWennerstr?maffairheldacertaininterestforFrode.Correction,Armanskythoughtatonce,FrodewasnotinterestedintheWennerstr?maffair—itwaswhenSanderhintedthatBlomkvistwassetupthatFrodereacted.
    “Howdoyoumean,exactly?”Frodesaid.
    “It’sspecutiononmypart,butI’mconvincedthatsomeorickedhim.”
    “Andwhatmakesyouthinkso?”
    “EverythinginBlomkvist’sbackgroundshowsthathe’saverycarefulreporter.Everycontroversialrevetionhepublishedbeforewasalwayswelldocumented.Iwenttocourtonedayandlistened.Heseemedtohavegivenupwithoutafight.Thatdoesn’taordwithhischaracteratall.Ifwearetobelievethecourt,hemadeupastoryaboutWennerstr?mwithoutashredofevidenceandpublisheditlikesomesortofjournalisticsuicidebomber.That’ssimplynotBlomkvist’sstyle.”
    “Sowhatdoyouthinkhappened?”
    “Icanonlyguess.Blomkvistbelievedinhisstory,butsomethinghappenedalongthewayandthermationturnedouttobefalse.Thisinturnmeansthatthesourcewassomeonehetrustedorthatsomeonedeliberatelyfedhimfalsermation—whichsoundsimprobablyplicated.Thealternativeisthathewassubjectedtosuchaseriousthreatthathethrewinthetowendwouldratherbeseenasaninpetentidiotthanfightback.ButI’mjustspecuting,asIsaid.”
    WhenSandermadeanattempttocontinueheraount,Frodehelduphishand.Hesatforamoment,drumminghisfingersonthearmrestofhischairbeforehehesitantlyturnedtoheragain.
    “IfweshoulddecidetoengageyoutounravelthetruthintheWennerstr?maffair…howmuchchanceistherethatyou’dfindoutanything?”
    “Ican’tanswerthat.Theremaynotbeanythingtofind.”
    “Butwouldyoubewillingtomakeanattempt?”
    Sheshrugged.“It’snotmypcetodecide.IworkforHerrArmansky,andhedecideswhatjobshewantstoassigntome.Andthenitdependswhatsortofrmationyou’relookingfor.”
    “Letmeputitthisway…andItakeitthatwe’respeakinginconfidence?”Armanskynodded.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthisparticurmatter,butIdoknowbeyondanydoubtthatinothersituationsWennerstr?mhasacteddishonestly.TheWennerstr?mcasehasseriouslyaffectedMikaelBlomkvist’slife,andIhaveaninterestindiscerningwhetherthere’sanythinginyourspecutions.”
    Theconversationhadtakenanunexpectedturn,andArmanskywasinstantlyonthealert.WhatFrodewasaskingwasforMiltonSecuritytopokearoundinacasethathadalreadybeenconcluded.AcaseinwhichtheremayhavebeensomesortofthreattothemanBlomkvist,andiftheytookthison,MiltonwouldriskcollidingwithWennerstr?m’sregimentofwyers.ArmanskywasnotintheleastfortedbythethoughtofturningSanderlooseinsuchasituation,likeacruisemissileoutofcontrol.
    Itwasnotmerelyamatterofconcernforthepany.SanderhadmadepinthatshedidnotwantArmanskytoactassomesortofworriedstepfather,andsincetheiragreementhehadbeencarefulnevertobehavelikeone,butinrealityhewouldneverstopworryingabouther.HesometimescaughthimselfparingSandertohisdaughters.Heconsideredhimselfagoodfatherwhodidnotinterfereunnecessarilyintheirlives.ButheknewthathewouldnottolerateitifhisdaughtersbehavedlikeSanderorlivedthelifesheled.
    InthedepthsofhisCroatian—orpossiblyBosnianorArmenian—hearthehadneverbeenabletoshedtheconvictionthatSander’slifewasheadingfordisaster.Sheseemedtheperfectvictimforanyonewhowishedherill,andhedreadedthemorninghewouldbeawakenedbythenewsthatsomeonehaddoneherharm.
    “Aninvestigationofthiskindcouldgetexpensive,”Armanskysaid,issuingawarningsoastogaugetheseriousnessofFrode’sinquiry.
    “Thenwe’llsetaceiling,”Frodesaid.“Idon’tdemandtheimpossible,butit’sobviousthatyourcolleague,justasyouassuredme,isexceedinglypetent.”
    “Sander?”Armanskysaid,turningtoherwitharaisedeyebrow.
    “I’mnotworkingonanythingelserightnow.”
    “OK.ButIwantustobeinagreementabouttheconstraintsofthejob.Let’sheartherestofyourreport.”
    “Thereisn’tmuchmoreapartfromhisprivatelife.In1986hemarriedMonicaAbrahamssonandthesameyeartheyhadadaughter,Pernil.Themarriagedidn’tst;theyweredivorcedin1991.Abrahamssonhasremarried,buttheyseemtobefriendsstill.Thedaughterliveswithhermotheranddoesn’tseeBlomkvistoften.”
    FrodeaskedformorecoffeeandthenturnedtoSander.
    “Yousaidthateveryonehassecrets.Didyoufindany?”
    “Imeantthatallpeoplehavethingstheyconsidertobeprivateandthattheydon’tgoaroundairinginpublic.Blomkvistisobviouslyabighitwithwomen.He’shadseveralloveaffairsandagreatmanycasualflings.Butonepersonhaskeptturningupinhislifeovertheyears,andit’sanunusualretionship.”
    “Inwhatway?”
    “ErikaBerger,editorinchiefofMillennium:upper-cssgirl,Swedishmother,BelgianfatherresidentinSweden.BergerandBlomkvistmetinjournalismschoondhavehadanon-and-offretionshipeversince.”
    “Thatmaynotbesounusual,”Frodesaid.
    “No,possiblynot.ButBergerhappenstobemarriedtotheartistGregerBeckman,aminorcelebritywhohasdonealotofterriblethingsinpublicvenues.”
    “Soshe’sunfaithful.”
    “Beckmanknowsabouttheirretionship.It’sasituationapparentlyaeptedbyallpartiesconcerned.SometimesshesleepsatBlomkvist’sandsometimesathome.Idon’tknowexactlyhowitworks,butitwasprobablyacontributingfactortothebreakupofBlomkvist’smarriagetoAbrahamsson.”
    CHAPTER3
    Friday,December20–Saturday,December21
    ErikaBergerlookedupquizzicallywhenanapparentlyfreezingBlomkvistcameintotheeditorialoffice.Millennium’sofficeswereinthecentreofthetrendysectionofG?tgatan,abovetheofficesofGreenpeace.Therentwasactuallyabittoosteepforthemagazine,buttheyhadalgreedtokeepthespace.
    Shegncedattheclock.Itwas5:10,anddarknesshadfallenoverStockholmlongbefore.Shehadbeenexpectinghimaroundlunchtime.
    “I’msorry,”hesaidbeforeshemanagedtosayanything.“ButIwasfeelingtheweightoftheverdictanddidn’tfeelliketalking.Iwentforalongwalktothinkthingsover.”
    “Iheardtheverdictontheradio.ShefromTV4calledandwantedament.”
    “What’dyousay?”
    “Somethingtotheeffectthatweweregoingtoreadthejudgementcarefullybeforewemakeanystatements.SoIsaidnothing.Andmyopinionstillholds:it’sthewrongstrategy.Weeofflookingweakwiththemedia.TheywillrunsomethingonTVthisevening.”
    Blomkvistlookedglum.
    “Howareyoudoing?”
    BlomkvistshruggedandploppeddowninhisfavouritearmchairnexttothewindowinErika’soffice.Thedecorwasspartan,withadeskandfunctionalcasesandcheapofficefurniture.AllofitwasfromIKEAapartfromthetwofortableandextravagantarmchairsandasmallendtable—aconcessiontomyupbringing,shelikedtosay.Shewouldsitreadinginoneofthearmchairswithherfeettuckedunderneathherwhenshewantedtogetawayfromthedesk.BlomkvistlookeddownonG?tgatan,wherepeoplewerehurryingbyinthedark.Christmasshoppingwasinfullswing.
    “Isupposeit’llpass,”hesaid.“ButrightnowitfeelsasifI’vegotmyselfaveryrawdeal.”
    “Yes,Icanimagine.It’sthesameforallofus.JanneDahlmanwenthomeearlytoday.”
    “Iassumehewasn’toverthemoonabouttheverdict.”
    “He’snotthemostpositivepersonanyway.”
    Mikaelshookhishead.ForthepastninemonthsDahlmanhadbeenmanagingeditor.HehadstartedtherejustastheWennerstr?maffairgotgoing,andhefoundhimselfonaneditorialstaffincrisismode.BlomkvisttriedtorememberwhattheirreasoninghadbeenwhenheandBergerdecidedtohirehim.Hewaspetent,ofcourse,andhadworkedattheTTnewsbureau,theeveningpapers,andEkoontheradio.Butheapparentlydidnotlikesailingagainstthewind.DuringthepastyearBlomkvisthadoftenregrettedthattheyhadhiredDahlman,whohadanenervatinghabitoflookingateverythinginasnegativealightaspossible.
    “HaveyouheardfromChrister?”Blomkvistaskedwithouttakinghiseyesoffthestreet.
    ChristerMalmwastheartdirectoranddesignerofMillennium.HewasalsopartownerofthemagaziogetherwithBergerandBlomkvist,buthewasonatripabroadwithhisboyfriend.
    “Hecalledtosayhello.”
    “He’llhavetobetheonewhotakesoveraspublisher.”
    “Layoff,Micke.Aspublisheryouhavetocountonbeingpunchedinthenoseeverysooften.It’spartofthejobdescription.”
    “You’rerightaboutthat.ButIwastheonewhowrotethearticlethatwaspublishedinamagazineofwhichIalsohappentobethepublisher.Thatmakeseverythinglookdifferentallofasudden.Thenit’samatterofbadjudgement.”
    Bergerfeltthatthedisquietshehadbeencarryingwithheralldaywasabouttoexplode.Intheweeksbeforethetrialstarted,Blomkvisthadbeenwalkingaroundunderabckcloud.Butshehadneverseenhimasgloomyanddejectedasheseemedtobenowinthehourofhisdefeat.Shewalkedtohissideofthedeskandsatonhisp,straddlinghim,andputherarmsroundhisneck.
    “Mikael,listentome.Webothknowexactlyhowithappened.I’masmuchtobmeasyouare.Wesimplyhavetorideoutthestorm.”
    “Thereisn’tanystormtorideout.Asfarasthemediaareconcerned,theverdictmeansthatI’vebeenshotinthebackofthehead.Ican’tstayonasthepublisherofMillennium.Thevitalthingistomaintainthemagazine’scredibility,tostopthebleeding.YouknowthataswelsIdo.”
    “IfyouthinkIintendtoletyoutaketherapallbyyourself,thenyouhaven’tlearnedadamnthingaboutmeintheyearswe’veworkedtogether.”
    “Iknowhowyouoperate,Ricky.You’re100percentloyaltoyourcolleagues.Ifyouhadtochoose,you’dkeepfightingagainstWennerstr?m’swyersuntilyourcredibilitywasgooo.Wehavetobesmarterthanthat.”
    “Andyouthinkit’ssmarttojumpshipandmakeitlookasifIsackedyou?”
    “IfMillenniumisgoingtosurvive,itdependsonyounow.Christerisgreat,buthe’sjustaniceguywhoknowsaboutimagesandyoutanddoesn’thaveaclueaboutstreetfightingwithbillionaires.It’sjustnothisthing.I’mgoingtohavetodisappearforawhile,aspublisher,reporter,andboardmember.Wennerstr?mknowsthatIknowwhathedid,andI’mabsolutelysurethataslongasI’manywherenearMillenniumhe’sgoingtotrytoruinus.”
    “Sowhynotpublisheverythingweknow?Sinkorswim?”
    “Becausewecan’tproveadamnthing,andrightnowIhavenocredibilityatall.Let’saeptthatWennerstr?mwonthisround.”
    “OK,I’llfireyou.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
    “Ineedabreak,tobehonest.I’mburnedrightout.I’mgoingtotakesometimeformyselfforawhile,someofitinprison.Thenwe’llsee.”
    Bergerputherarmsaroundhimandpulledhisheaddowntoherbreasts.Shehuggedhimhard.
    “Wantsomepanytonight?”shesaid.
    Blomkvistnodded.
    “Good.I’vealreadytoldGregerI’matyourpcetonight.”
    Thestreetlightsreflectingoffthecornersofthewindowswereallthatlittheroom.WhenBergerfelsleepsometimeafter2:00inthemorning,Blomkvistyawakestudyingherprofileinthedimness.Thecoversweredownaroundherwaist,andhewatchedherbreastsslowlyrisingandfalling.Hewasrexed,andtheanxiousknotinhisstomachhadeased.Shehadthateffectonhidheknewthathehadthesameeffectonher.
    Twentyyears,hethought.That’showlongithadbeen.Asfarashewasconcerned,theycouldgoonsleepingtogetherforanothertwodecades.Atleast.Theyhadneverseriouslytriedtohidetheirretionship,evenwhenitledtoawkwardnessintheirdealingswithotherpeople.
    Theyhadmetatapartywhentheywerebothintheirsecondyearatjournalismschool.Beforetheysaidgoodnighttheyhadexchangedtelephonenumbers.Theybothknewthattheywouldendupinbedtogether,andinlessthanaweektheyrealisedthisconvictionwithouttellingtheirrespectivepartners.
    Blomkvistwassurethatitwasnottheold-fashionedkindoflovethatleadstoasharedhome,asharedmortgage,Christmastrees,andchildren.Duringtheeighties,whentheywerenotboundbyotherretionships,theyhadtalkedofmovingintogether.Hehadwantedto,butErikaalwaysbackedoutatthestminute.Itwouldn’twork,shesaid,theywouldriskwhattheyhadiftheyfellinlovetoo.Blomkvisthadoftenwonderedwhetheritwerepossibletobemorepossessedbydesireforanyotherwoman.Thefactwasthattheyfunctionedwelltogether,andtheyhadaconnectionasaddictiveasheroin.
    Sometimestheyweretogethersooftenthatitfeltasthoughtheyreallywereacouple;sometimesweeksandmonthswouldgobybeforetheysaweachother.Butevenasalcoholicsaredrawntothestateliquorstoreafterastintonthewagon,theyalwayscamebacktoeachother.
    Inevitablyitdidnotworkinthelongrun.Thatkindofretionshipwasalmostboundtocausepain.Theyhadbothleftbrokenpromisesandunhappyloversbehind—hisownmarriagehadcolpsed