3

    becausehecouldnotstayawayfromErikaBerger.Hehadneverliedabouthisfeelingsforhertohiswife,Monica,butshehadthoughtitwouldendwhentheymarriedandtheirdaughterwasborn.AndBergerhadalmostsimultaneouslymarriedGregerBeckman.Blomkvisttoohadthoughtitwouldend,andforthefirstyearsofhismarriageheandBergerhadonlyseeneachotherprofessionally.ThentheystartedMillenniumandwithinafewweeksalltheirgoodintentionshaddissolved,andoneteeveningtheyhadfurioussexonherdesk.ThatledtoatroublesomeperiodinwhichBlomkvistwantedverymuchtolivewithhisfamilyandseehisdaughtergrowup,butatthesametimehewashelplesslydrawntoBerger.JustasSanderhadguessed,itwashiscontinualinfidelitythatdrovehiswifetoleave.
    Strangelyenough,Beckmanseemedtoaepttheirretionship.BergerhadalwaysbeenopenaboutherfeelingsforMikael,andshetoldherhusbandassoonastheystartedhavingsexagain.Maybeittookthesoulofanartisttohandlesuchasituation,someonesowrappedupinhisowncreativity,orpossiblyjustwrappedupinhimself,thathedidnotrebelwhenhiswifesleptwithanotherman.SheevendividedupherholidaysoshecouldspendtwoweekswithherloverinhissummercabinatSandhamn.BlomkvistdidnotthinkveryhighlyofBeckman,andhehadneverunderstoodBerger’sloveforhim.Buthewasgdthatheaeptedthatshecouldlovetwomenatthesametime.
    Blomkvistcouldnotsleep,andat4:00hegaveup.Hewenttothekitchenandreadthecourtjudgementonemoretimefrombeginningtoend.HavingthedocumentinhishandhehadasensethattherehadbeensomethingalmostfatefuboutthemeetingatArholma.HecouldneverbesurewhetherLindberghadtoldhimthedetailsofWennerstr?m’sswindlesimplyforthesakeofagoodstorybetweentoastsintheprivacyofhisboat’scabinorwhetherhehadreallywantedthestorytobemadepublic.
    Hetendedtobelievethefirst.ButitmayhavebeenthatLindberg,forhisownpersonalorbusinessreasons,hadwantedtodamageWennerstr?m,andhehadseizedtheopportunityofhavingacaptivejournalistonboard.LindberghadbeensoberenoughtoinsistonBlomkvisttreatinghimasananonymoussource.FromthatmomentLindbergcouldsaywhatheliked,becausehisfriendwouldneverbeabletodisclosehissource.
    IfthemeetingatArholmahadbeenaset-up,thenLindbergcouldnothavepyedhisrolebetter.Butthemeetinghadtohavehappenedbychance.
    LindbergcouldhavehadnonotionoftheextentofBlomkvist’scontemptforpeoplelikeWennerstr?m.Forallthat,afteryearsofstudy,hewasprivatelyconvincedthattherewasnotasinglebankdirectororcelebritycorporateexecutivewhowasn’talsoacretin.
    BlomkvisthadneverheardofLisbethSanderandwashappilyinnocentofherreportdeliveredearlierthatday,buthadhelistenedtoithewouldhavenoddedinagreementwhenshespokeofhisloathingforbeancounters,sayingthatitwasnotamanifestationofhisleft-wingpoliticalradicalism.Mikaelwasnotuninterestedinpolitics,buthewasextremelyscepticalofpolitical“isms.”Hehadvotedonlyonceinaparliamentaryelection—in1982—andthenhehadhesitantlyplumpedfortheSocialDemocrats,therebeingnothinginhisimaginationworsethanthreeyearsmorewithG?staBohmanasfinanceministerandThorbj?rnF?lldinasprimeminister.SohehadvotedforOlofPalme,andgotinsteadtheassassinationofhisprimeministerplustheBoforsscandandEbbeCarlsson.
    Hiscontemptforhisfellowfinancialjournalistswasbasedonsomethingthatinhisopinionwasaspinasmorality.Theequationwassimple.Abankdirectorwhoblowsmillionsonfoolhardyspecutionsshouldnotkeephisjob.Amanagingdirectorwhopysshellpanygamesshoulddotime.Aslumndlordwhoforcesyoungpeopletopaythroughthenoseandunderthetableforaone-roomapartmentwithsharedtoiletshouldbehungouttodry.
    Thejobofthefinancialjournalistwastoexamihesharkswhocreatedinterestcrisesandspecutedawaythesavingsofsmallinvestors,toscrutinisepanyboardswiththesamemercilesszealwithwhichpoliticalreporterspursuethetinieststepsoutoflineofministersandmembersofParliament.Hecouldnotforthelifeofhimunderstandwhysomanyinfluentialfinancialreporterstreatedmediocrefinancialwhelpslikerockstars.
    Theserecalcitrantviewshadtimeaftertimebroughthimintoconflictwithhispeers.B,forone,wasgoingtobeanenemyforlife.HistakingonaroleofsocialcritichadactuallytransformedhimintoapricklyguestonTVsofas—hewasalwaystheoneinvitedtomentwheneveranyCEOwascaughtwithagoldenparachuteworthbillions.
    Mikaelhadnotroubleimaginingthatchampagnebottleshadbeenuncorkedinsomenewspapers’backroomsthatevening.
    Erikahadthesameattitudetothejournalist’sroleashedid.Evenwhentheywereinjournalismschooltheyhadamusedthemselvesbyimaginingamagazinewithjustsuchamissionstatement.
    ErikawasthebestbossMikaelcouldimagine.Shewasananiserwhocouldhandleemployeeswithwarmthandtrustbutwhoatthesametimewasn’tafraidofconfrontationandcouldbeverytoughwhennecessary.Aboveall,shehadanicygutfeelingwhenitcametomakingdecisionsaboutthecontentsoftheupingissue.SheandMikaeloftenhaddifferingviewsandcouldhavehealthyarguments,buttheyalsohadunwaveringconfidenceineachother,andtogethertheymadeanunbeatableteam.Hedidthefieldworkoftrackingdownthestory,whileshepackagedandmarketedit.
    Millenniumwastheirmutualcreation,butitwouldneverhavebeerealitywithouthertalentfordiggingupfinancing.Itwastheworking-cssguyandtheupper-cssgirlinabeautifulunion.Erikacamefromoldmoney.Shehadputuptheinitialseedmoneyandthentalkedbothherfatherandvariousacquaintancesintoinvestingconsiderablesumsintheproject.
    MikaelhadoftenwonderedwhyErikahadsethersightsonMillennium.True,shewasapartowner—themajoritypartner,infact—andeditorinchiefofherownmagazine,whichgaveherprestigeandthecontroloverpublicitythatshecouldhardlyhaveobtainedinanyotherjob.UnlikeMikael,shehadconcentratedontelevisionafterjournalismschool.Shewastough,lookedfantasticoncamera,andcouldholdherownwiththepetition.Shealsohadgoodcontactsinthebureaucracy.Ifshehadstucktoit,shewouldundoubtedlyhavehadamanagerialjobatoneoftheTVchannelsataconsiderablyhighersarythanshepaidherselfnow.
    BergerhadalsoconvincedChristerMalmtobuyintothemagazine.Hewasanexhibitionistgaycelebritywhosometimesappearedwithhisboyfriendin“athomewith”articles.TheinterestinhimbeganwhenhemovedinwithArnoldMagnusson,anactorwithabackgroundattheRoyalDramaticTheatrewhohadmadeaseriousbreakthroughwhenhepyedhimselfinadocu-soap.ChristerandArnhadthenbeeamediaitem.
    Atthirty-six,Malmwasasought-afterprofessionalphotographeranddesignerwhogaveMillenniumamodernlook.HeranhisbusinessfromanofficeonthesamefloorasMillennium,andhedidgraphicdesignoneweekineverymonth.
    TheMillenniumstaffconsistedofthreefull-timeemployees,afull-timetrainee,andtwopart-timers.Itwasnotalucrativeaffair,butthemagazinebrokeeven,andthecircutionandadvertisingrevenuehadincreasedgraduallybutsteadily.Untiltodaythemagazinewasknownforitsfrankandreliableeditorialstyle.
    Nowthesituationwouldinallprobabilitybechanging.BlomkvistreadthroughthepressreleasewhichheandBergerhaddraftedandwhichhadquicklybeenconvertedtoawireservicestoryfromTTthatwasalreadyuponAftonbdet’swebsite.
    CONVICTEDREPORTERLEAVESMILLENNIUM
    Stockholm.JournalistMikaelBlomkvistisleavinghispostaspublisherofthemagazineMillennium,reportseditorinchiefandmajorityshareholderErikaBerger.
    BlomkvistisleavingMillenniumofhisownchoice.“He’sexhaustedafterthedramaofrecentmonthsandneedstimeoff,”saysBerger,whowilltakeovertheroleofpublisher.
    BlomkvistwasoneofthefoundersofMillennium,startedin1990.Bergerdoesnotthinkthatthemagazinewillsufferinthewakeoftheso-called“Wennerstr?maffair.”
    Themagazinewilleoutasusualnextmonth,saysBerger.
    “MikaelBlomkvisthaspyedamajorroleinthemagazine’sdevelopment,butnowwe’returninganewpage.”
    BergerstatesthatsheregardstheWennerstr?maffairastheresultofaseriesofunfortunatecircumstances.SheregretsthenuisancetowhichHans-ErikWennerstr?mwassubjected.Blomkvistcouldnotbereachedforment.
    “Itmakesmemad,”Bergersaidwhenthepressreleasewasemailedout.“Mostpeoplearegoingtothinkthatyou’reanidiotandI’mabitchwho’stakingtheopportunitytosackyou.”
    “Atleastourfriendswillhavesomethingnewtoughabout.”Blomkvisttriedtomakelightofit;shewasnottheleastamused.
    “Idon’thaveapnB,butIthinkwe’remakingamistake,”shesaid.
    “It’stheonlywayout.Ifthemagazinecolpses,allouryearsofworkwillhavebeeninvain.We’vealreadytakenabeatingontheadsrevenue.Howdiditgowiththeputerpany,bytheway?”
    Shesighed.“Theytoldmethismorningthattheydidn’twanttotakespaceinthenextissue.”
    “Wennerstr?mhasachunkofstockinthatpany,soit’snoaident.”
    “Wecanscareupsomenewclients.Wennerstr?mmaybeabigwheel,buthedoesn’towneverythinginSweden,andwehaveourcontacts.”
    Blomkvistputanarmaroundherandpulledherclose.
    “Somedaywe’regoingtonailHerrWennerstr?msohardWallStreetisgoingtojumpoutofitssocks.ButtodayMillenniumhastogetoutofthespotlight.”
    “Iknowallthat,butIdon’tlikeingacrossasafuckingbitch,andyou’rebeingforcedintoadisgustingsituationifwepretendthatthere’ssomesortofdivisionbetweenyouandme.”
    “Ricky,aslongasyouandItrusteachotherwe’vegotachance.Wehavetopyitbyear,andrightnowit’stimetoretreat.”
    Shereluctantlyadmittedthattherewasadepressinglogictowhathesaid.
    CHAPTER4
    Monday,December23–Thursday,December26
    Bergerstayedovertheweekend.Theygotuponlytogotothebathroomortogetsomethingtoeat,buttheyhadnotonlymadelove.Theyhadinheadtofootforhoursandtalkedaboutthefuture,weighingupthepossibilities,andtheodds.WhendawncameonMondaymorningitwasthedaybeforeChristmasEveandshekissedhimgoodbye—untilnexttime—anddrovehome.
    BlomkvistspentMondaywashingdishesandcleaningtheapartment,thenwalkingdowntotheofficeandclearingouthisdesk.Hehadnointentionofbreakingtieswiththemagazine,buthehadeventuallyconvincedBergerthathehadtobeseparatedfromthemagazineforatime.Hewouldworkfromhome.
    TheofficewasclosedfortheChristmasholidaysandallhiscolleaguesweregone.Hewasweedingthroughtraysofpapersandpackingsincartonstotakeawaywhenthetelephonerang.
    “I’mlookingforMikaelBlomkvist,”saidahopefulbutunfamiliarvoiceontheline.
    “Speaking.”
    “Fivemeforbotheringyoulikethisunannounced,sotospeak.MynameisDirchFrode.”Blomkvistnotedthenameandthetime.“I’mawyer,andIrepresentaclientwhowouldverymuchliketohaveatalkwithyou.”
    “That’sfine,pleaseaskyourclienttocallme.”
    “Imeanthathewantstomeetwithyouinperson.”
    “OK,makeanappointmentandsendhimuptotheoffice.Butyou’dbetterhurry;I’mclearingoutmydeskrightnow.”
    “MyclientwouldlikeyoutovisithiminHedestad—it’sonlythreehoursbytrain.”
    Blomkvistpushedafilingtrayaside.Themediahavetheabilitytoattractthecraziestpeopletocallinperfectlyabsurdtips.EverynewsroomintheworldgetsupdatesfromUFOlogists,graphologists,scientologists,paranoiacs,everysortofconspiracytheorist.
    BlomkvisthadoncelistenedtoalecturebythewriterKarlAlvarNilssonattheABFhallontheanniversaryofthemurderofPrimeMinisterOlofPalme.Thelecturewasserious,andintheaudiencewereLennartBodstr?mandotherfriendsofPalme’s.Butasurprisingnumberofamateurinvestigatorshadturnedup.OneofthemwasawomaninherfortieswhoduringtheQandAhadtakentheprofferedmicrophoneandthenloweredhervoicetoabarelyaudiblewhisper.Thisaloneheraldedaninterestingdevelopment,andnobodywassurprisedwhenthewomanbeganbyciming,“IknowwhomurderedOlofPalme.”FromthestageitwassuggestedsomewhatironicallythatifthewomanhadthisrmationthenitwouldbehelpfulifsheshareditwiththePalmeinvestigationatonce.Shehurriedtoreply:“Ican’t,”shesaidsosoftlyitwasalmostimpossibletohear.“It’stoodangerous!”
    BlomkvistwonderedwhetherthisFrodewasanotheroneofthetruth-sayerswhocouldrevealthesecretmentalhospitalwhereS?po,theSecurityPolice,ranexperimentsonthoughtcontrol.
    “Idon’tmakehousecalls,”hesaid.
    “IhopeIcanconvinceyoutomakeanexception.Myclientisovereighty,andforhimitwouldbetooexhaustingtoedowntoStockholm.Ifyouinsist,wecouldcertainlyarrangesomething,buttotellyouthetruth,itwouldbepreferableifyouwouldbesokind…”
    “Whoisyourclient?”
    “ApersonwhosenameIsuspectyouhaveheardinyourwork.HenrikVanger.”
    Blomkvistleanedbackinsurprise.HenrikVanger—ofcoursehehadheardofhim.AnindustrialistandformerheadoftheVangerpanies,oncerenownedinthefieldsofsawmills,mines,steel,metals,textiles.Vangerhadbeenoneofthereallybigfishinhisday,withareputationforbeinganhonourable,old-fashionedpatriarchwhowouldnotbendinastrongwind.AcornerstoneofSwedishindustry,oneofthetwenty-pointstagsoftheoldschool,alongwithMattsCarlgrenofMoDoandHansWerthénattheoldElectrolux.Thebackboneofindustryinthewelfarestate,etcetera.
    ButtheVangerpanies,stillfamily-owned,hadbeenrackedinthepasttwenty-fiveyearsbyreanisations,stock-marketcrises,interestcrises,petitionfromAsia,decliningexports,andothernuisanceswhichtakentogetherhadconsignedthenameVangertothebackwater.ThepanywasruntodaybyMartinVanger,whosenameBlomkvistassociatedwithashort,plumpmanwiththickhairwhooasionallyflickeredpastontheTVscreen.Hedidnotknowmuchabouthim.HenrikVangerhadbeenoutofthepictureforatleasttwentyyears.
    “WhydoesHenrikVangerwanttomeetme?”
    “I’vebeenHerrVanger’swyerformanyyears,buthewillhavetotellyouhimselfwhathewants.Ontheotherhand,IcansaythatHerrVangerwouldliketodiscussapossiblejobwithyou.”
    “Job?Idon’thavetheslightestintentionofgoingtoworkfortheVangerpany.Isitapresssecretaryyouneed?”
    “Notexactly.Idon’tknowhowtoputitotherthantosaythatHerrVangerisexceedinglyanxioustomeetyouandconsultwithyouonaprivatematter.”
    “Youcouldn’tgetmoreequivocal,couldyou?”
    “Ibegyourpardonforthat.ButisthereanypossibilityofconvincingyoutopayavisittoHedestad?Naturallywewillpayallyourexpensesandareasonablefee.”
    “Yourcallesatratheraninconvenienttime.Ihavequitealottotakecareofand…Isupposeyou’veseentheheadlinesaboutmeinthepastfewdays.”
    “TheWennerstr?maffair?”Frodechuckled.“Yes,thatdidhaveacertainamusementvalue.Buttotellyouthetruth,itwasthepublicitysurroundingthetrialthatcausedHerrVangertotakenoticeofyou.Hewantstoofferyouafreenceassignment.I’monlyamessenger.Whatthematterconcernsissomethingonlyhecanexpin.”
    “ThisisoneoftheoddercallsI’vehadinalongtime.Letmethinkaboutit.HowcanIreachyou?”
    Blomkvistsatlookingatthedisorderonhisdesk.HecouldnotimaginewhatsortofjobVangerwouldwanttoofferhim,butthewyerhadsueededinarousinghiscuriosity.
    HeGoogledtheVangerpany.Itmightbeinthebackwatersbutitseemedtobeinthemediaalmostdaily.HesavedadozenpanyanalysesandthensearchedforFrode,andHenrikandMartinVanger.
    MartinVangerappeareddiligentinhiscapacityasCEOoftheVangerCorporation.Frodekeptalowprofile;hewasontheboardoftheHedestadCountryClubandactiveintheRotaryClub.HenrikVangerappeared,withoneexception,onlyinarticlesgivingthebackgroundofthepany.TheHedestadCourierhadpublishedatributetotheformermagnateonhiseightiethbirthdaytwoyearsago,anditincludedashortsketch.Heputtogetherafolderoffiftypagesorso.Thenfinallyheemptiedhisdesk,sealedthecartons,and,havingnoideawhetherhewouldeback,wenthome.
    SanderspentChristmasEveatthe?ppelvikenNursingHomeinUppnds-V?sby.Shehadbroughtpresents:abottleofeaudetoilettebyDiorandanEnglishfruitcakefrom?hlénsdepartmentstore.Shedrankcoffeeasshewatchedtheforty-six-year-oldwomanwhowithclumsyfingerswastryingtountietheknotontheribbon.Sanderhadtendernessinhereyes,butthatthisstrangewomanwashermotherneverceasedtoamazeher.Shecouldrecognisenottheslightestresembnceinlooksornature.
    Hermothergaveupthestruggleandlookedhelplesslyatthepackage.Itwasnotoneofherbetterdays.Sanderpushedacrossthescissorsthathadbeeninpinsightonthetableandhermothersuddenlyseemedtowakeup.
    “YoumustthinkI’mstupid.”
    “No,Mum.You’renotstupid.Butlifeisunfair.”
    “Haveyouseenyoursister?”
    “Notinalongtime.”
    “Sheneveres.”
    “Iknow,Mum.Shedoesn’tseemeeither.”
    “Areyouworking?”
    “Yes.I’mdoingfine.”
    “Wheredoyoulive?Idon’tevenknowwhereyoulive.”
    “IliveinyouroldapartmentonLundagatan.I’velivedthereforseveralyears.Ihadtotakeoverthepayments.”
    “InthesummertimemaybeIcaneandseeyou.”
    “Ofcourse.Inthesummertime.”
    HermotheratstgottheChristmaspresentopenandsniffedatthearoma,enchanted.“Thankyou,Camil,”shesaid.
    “Lisbeth.I’mLisbeth.”
    Hermotherlookedembarrassed.SandersaidthattheyshouldgototheTVroom.
    BlomkvistspentthehouroftheDisneyspecialonChristmasEvewithhisdaughterPernilatthehomeofhisex-wife,Monica,andhernewhusbandinSollentuna.AfterdiscussionswithhermothertheyhadagreedtogivePernilaniPod,anMP3pyerhardlybiggerthanamatchboxwhichcouldstoreherhugeCDcollection.
    Fatheranddaughterspentthetimetogetherinherroomupstairs.Pernil’sparentsweredivorcedwhenshewasfive,andshehadhadanewfathersinceshewasseven.Pernilcametoseehimaboutonceamonthandhadweek-longholidayswithhiminSandhamn.Whentheyspenttimetogethertheyusuallygotalongwell,butBlomkvisthadlethisdaughterdecidehowoftenshewantedtoseehim,themoresoafterhermotherremarried.Therehadbeenacoupleofyearsinherearlyteenswhencontactalmoststopped,anditwasonlyinthepasttwoyearsthatsheseemedtowanttoseehimmoreoften.
    Shehadfollowedthetrialinthefirmbeliefthatthingswerejustasherfathersaid:hewasinnocent,buthecouldnotproveit.
    Shetoldhimaboutasort-ofboyfriendwhowasinanothercss,andshesurprisedhimbysayingthatshehadjoinedachurch.Blomkvistrefrainedfromment.
    HewasinvitedtostayfordinnerbuthewasexpectedwithhissisterandherfamilyoutintheyuppiesuburbofSt?ket.
    ThatmorninghehadalsohadaninvitationtocelebrateChristmasEvewiththeBeckmansinSaltsj?baden.Hesaidno,butthankyou,certainthattherewasalimittoBeckman’sindulgenceandquitesurethathehadnoambitiontofindoutwhatthatlimitmightbe.
    InsteadhewasknockingonthedoorwhereAnnikaBlomkvist,nowAnnikaGiannini,livedwithherItalian-bornhusbandandtheirtwochildren.Withaptoonofherhusband’sretives,theywereabouttocarvetheChristmasham.Duringdinnerheansweredquestionsaboutthetriandreceivedmuchwell-meaningandquiteuselessadvice.
    Theonlyonewhohadnothingtosayabouttheverdictwashissister,althoughshewastheonlywyerintheroom.ShehadworkedasclerkofadistrictcourtandasanassistantprosecutorforseveralyearsbeforesheandthreecolleaguesopenedawfirmoftheirownwithofficesonKungsholmen.Shespecialisedinfamilyw,andwithoutBlomkvisthavingtakenstockofitshappening,hislittlesisterbegantoappearinnewspapersasrepresentingbatteredorthreatenedwomen,andonpaneldiscussionsonTVasafeministandwomen’srightsadvocate.
    Ashewashelpingherpreparethecoffee,sheputahandonhisshoulderandaskedhimhowwashedoing.Hetoldherhefeltaslowashehadinlife.
    “Getyourselfarealwyernexttime,”shesaid.
    “Itprobablywouldn’thavehelpedinthiscase.Butwe’lltalkitallthewaythrough,Sis,someothertimewhenallthedustissettled.”
    ShegavehimahugandkissedhimonthecheekbeforetheycarriedouttheChristmascakeandthecoffee.ThenBlomkvistexcusedhimselfandaskedtousethetelephoneinthekitchen.HecalledthewyerinHedestadandcouldheartheretoothebuzzofvoicesinthebackground.
    “MerryChristmas,”Frodesaid.“DareIhopeyouhavemadeupyourmind?”
    “Ireallydon’thaveanyimmediatepnsandIamcurioustoknowmore.I’lleupthedayafterChristmasifthatsuitsyou.”
    “Excellent,excellent.Iamincrediblypleased.Youwillfiveme,I’vegotchildrenandgrandchildrenvisitingandcanhardlyhearmyselfthink.CanIcallyoutomorrowtoagreeonatime?WherecanIreachyou?”
    Blomkvistregrettedhisdecisionbeforeevenheleftforhome,butbythenitwastooawkwardtocalndcancel.SoonthemorningofDecember26hewasonthetrainheadingnorth.Hehadadriver’slicense,buthehadneverfelttheneedtoownacar.
    Frodewasright,itwasnotalongjourney.AfterUppsacamethestringofsmallindustrialtownsalongtheNorrndcoast.Hedestadwasoneofthesmallerones,alittlemorethananhournorthofG?vle.
    OnChristmasnighttherehadbeenabigsnowstorm,buttheskieshadnowclearedandtheairwasice-coldwhenBlomkvistalightedatHedestad.Herealisedatoncethathewasn’twearingenoughclothesforwinterinNorrnd.FrodeknewwhathelookedlikeandkindlycollectedhimfromtheptformandledhimstraighttothewarmthofhisMercedes.InthecentreofHedestad,snowclearingwasinfullswing,andFrodewovehiscarefulwaythroughthenarrowstreets.HighbanksofsnowpresentedapicturesquecontrasttoStockholm.Thetownseemedalmostlikeanotherp,yethewasonlyalittlemorethanthreehoursfromSergelsTindowntownStockholm.Hestoleagnceatthewyer:anangurfacewithsparse,bristlywhitehairandthickgssesperchedonanimpressivenose.
    “FirsttimeinHedestad?”Frodesaid.
    Blomkvistnodded.
    “It’sanoldindustrialtownwithaharbour.Poputionofonly24,000.Butpeoplelikelivinghere.HerrVangerlivesinHedeby—atthesouthernedgeofthetown.”
    “Doyouliveheretoo?”
    “Idonow.IwasborninSk?nedownsouth,butIstartedworkingforVangerrightafterIgraduatedin1962.I’macorporatewyer,andovertheyearsHerrVangerandIbecamefriends.TodayI’mofficiallyretired,andHerrVangerismyonlyclient.He’sretiredtoo,ofcourse,anddoesn’tneedmyservicesveryoften.”
    “Onlytoscrapeupjournalistswithruinedreputations.”
    “Don’tsellyourselfshort.You’renotthefirstooloseamatchagainstHans-ErikWennerstr?m.”
    BlomkvistturnedtoFrode,unsurehowtoreadthatreply.
    “DoesthisinvitationhaveanythingtodowithWennerstr?m?”hesaid.
    “No,”saidFrode.“ButHerrVangerisnotremotelyinWennerstr?m’scircleoffriends,andhefollowedthetrialwithinterest.Hewantstomeetyoutodiscussawhollydifferentmatter.”
    “Whichyoudon’twanttotellmeabout.”
    “Whichitisn’tmypcetotellyouabout.WehavearrangeditsothatyoucanspendthenightatHerrVanger’shouse.Ifyouwouldrathernotdothat,wecanyouaroomintheGrandHotelintown.”
    “ImightbetakingtheeveningtrainbacktoStockholm.”
    TheroadintoHedebywasstillunploughed,andFrodemanoeuvredthecardownfrozentyreruts.TheoldtowncentreconsistedofhousesalongtheGulfofBothnia,andaroundthemrger,moremodernhomes.Thetownbeganonthemainndandspilledacrossabridgetoahillyisnd.Onthemainndsideofthebridgestoodasmall,whitestonechurch,andacrossthestreetglowedanold-fashionedneonsignthatreadSUSANNE’SBRIDGECAFéANDBAKERY.Frodedroveaboutahundredyardsfartherandturnedleftontoanewlyshovelledcourtyardinfrontofastonebuilding.Thefarmhousewastoosmalltobecalledamanor,butitwasconsiderablyrgerthantherestofthehousesinthesettlement.Thiswasthemaster’sdomain.
    “ThisistheVangerfarm,”Frodesaid.“Onceitwasfulloflifeandhubbub,buttodayonlyHenrikandahousekeeperlivethere.Thereareplentyofguestrooms.”
    Theygotout.Frodepointednorth.
    “TraditionallythepersonwholeadstheVangerconcernliveshere,butMartinVangerwantedsomethingmoremodern,sohebuilthishouseonthepointthere.”
    BlomkvistlookedaroundandwonderedwhatinsaneimpulsehehadsatisfiedbyaeptingFrode’sinvitation.HedecidedthatifhumanlypossiblehewouldreturntoStockholmthatevening.Astonestairwayledtotheentry,butbeforetheyreacheditthedoorwasopened.HeimmediatelyrecognisedHenrikVangerfromthephotographpostedontheInter.
    Inthepicturestherehewasyounger,buthelookedsurprisinglyvigorousforeighty-two:awirybodywitharugged,weather-beatenfaceandthickgreyhairbedstraightback.Heworeneatlypresseddarktrousers,awhiteshirt,andawell-wornbrowncasualjacket.Hehadanarrowmoustacheandthinsteel-rimmedgsses.
    “I’mHenrikVanger,”hesaid.“Thankyouforagreeingtovisitme.”
    “Hello.Itwasasurprisinginvitation.”
    “einsidewhereit’swarm.I’vearrangedaguestroomforyou.Wouldyouliketofreshenup?We’llbehavingdinneralittleter.AndthisisAnnaNygren,wholooksafterme.”
    Blomkvistshookhandswithashort,stoutwomaninhersixties.Shetookhiscoatandhungitinahallcupboard.Sheofferedhimapairofslippersbecauseofthedraught.
    MikaelthankedherandthenturnedtoHenrikVanger.“I’mnotsurethatIshallbestayingfordinner.Itdependsonwhatthisgameisalbout.”
    VangerexchangedagncewithFrode.TherewasanunderstandingbetweenthetwomenthatBlomkvistcouldnotinterpret.
    “IthinkI’lltakethisopportunitytoleaveyoutwoalone,”saidFrode.“Ihavetogohomeanddisciplihegrandkidsbeforetheytearthehousedown.”
    HeturnedtoMikael.
    “Iliveontheright,justacrossthebridge.Youcanwalkthereinfiveminutes;thethirdhousetowardsthewaterdownfromthebakery.Ifyouneedme,justtelephone.”
    Blomkvistreachedintohisjacketpocketandturnedonataperecorder.HehadnoideawhatVangerwanted,butafterthepasttwelvemonthsofhavocwithWennerstr?mheneededapreciserecordofallstrangeourrencesanywherenearhim,andanunlooked-forinvitationtoHedestadcameintothatcategory.
    VangerpattedFrodeontheshoulderinfarewelndclosedthefrontdoorbeforeturninghisattentiontoBlomkvist.
    “I’llgetrighttothepointinthatcase.Thisisnogame.IaskyoutolistentowhatIhavetosayandthenmakeupyourmind.You’reajournalist,andIwanttogiveyouafreenceassignment.Annahasservedcoffeeupstairsinmyoffice.”
    Theofficewasarectangleofmorethan1,300squarefeet.Onewallwasdominatedbyafloor-to-ceilingshelfthirtyfeetlongcontainingaremarkableassortmentofliterature:biographies,history,businessandindustry,andA4binders.Theswerearrangedinnoapparentorder.Itlookedlikeashelfthatwasused.Theoppositewallwasdominatedbyadeskofdarkoak.Onthewallbehindthedeskwasargecollectionofpressedflowersinneatmeticulousrows.
    Throughthewindowinthegablethedeskhadaviewofthebridgeandthechurch.Therewasasofaandcoffeetablewherethehousekeeperhadsetoutathermos,rolls,andpastries.
    Vangergesturedtowardsthetray,butBlomkvistpretendednottosee;insteadhemadeatouroftheroom,firststudyingtheshelfandthenthewallofframedflowers.Thedeskwasorderly,onlyafewpapersinoneheap.Atitsedgewasasilver-framedphotographofadark-hairedgirl,beautifulbutwithamischievouslook;ayoungwomanonherwaytobeingdangerous,hethought.Itwasapparentlyaconfirmationportraitthathadfadedovertheyearsithadbeenthere.
    “Doyourememberher,Mikael?”Vangersaid.
    “Remember?”
    “Yes,youmether.Andactuallyyouhavebeeninthisroombefore.”
    Blomkvistturnedandshookhishead.
    “No,howcouldyouremember?Iknewyourfather.IhiredKurtfirstasaninstallerandmachinistseveraltimesinthefiftiesandsixties.Hewasatalentedman.Itriedtopersuadehimtokeepstudyingandbeeanengineer.Youwereherethewholesummerof1963,whenweputnewmachineryinthepapermillinHedestad.Itwashardtofindapceforyourfamilytolive,sowesolveditbylettingyouliveinthewoodenhouseacrosstheroad.Youcanseeitfromthewindow.”
    Vangerpickedupthephotograph.
    “ThisisHarrietVanger,granddaughterofmybrotherRichard.Shetookcareofyoumanytimesthatsummer.Youweretwo,goingonthree.Maybeyouwerealreadythreethen—Idon’trecall.Shewasthirteen.”
    “Iamsorry,butIdon’thavetheleastrecollectionofwhatyou’retellingme.”BlomkvistcouldnotevenbesurethatVangerwastellingthetruth.
    “Iunderstand.ButIrememberyou.YouusedtorunaroundeverywhereonthefarmwithHarrietintorememberIgaveyouatoyonce,ayellow,sheet-metaltractorthatIhadpyedwithmyselfasaboy.Youwerecrazyaboutit.Ithinkthatwasthecolour.”
    Blomkvistfeltachillinside.Theyellowtractorhedidremember.Whenhewasolderithadstoodonashelfinhisbedroom.
    “Doyourememberthattoy?”
    “Ido.Andyouwillbeamusedtoknowthatthetractorisstilliveandwell,attheToyMuseuminStockholm.Theyputoutacallforoldoriginaltoystenyearsago.”
    “Really?”Vangerchuckledwithdelight.“Letmeshowyou…”
    Theoldmanwentovertotheshelfandpulledaphotographalbumfromoneofthelowershelves.Blomkvistnoticedthathehaddifficultybendingoverandhadtobracehimselfontheshelfwhenhestraightenedup.Heidthealbumonthecoffeetable.Heknewwhathewaslookingfor:abck-and-whitesnapshotinwhichthephotographer’sshadowshowedinthebottomleftcorner.Intheforegroundwasafair-hairedboyinshorts,staringatthecamerawithaslightlyanxiousexpression.
    “Thisisyou.Yourparentsaresittingonthegardenbenchinthebackground.Harrietispartlyhiddenbyyourmother,andtheboytotheleftofyourfatherisHarriet’sbrother,Martin,whorunstheVangerpanytoday.”
    Blomkvist’smotherwasobviouslypregnant—hissisterwasontheway.HelookedatthephotographwithmixedfeelingsasVangerpouredcoffeeandpushedoverthepteofrolls.
    “Yourfatherisdead,Iknow.Isyourmotherstillive?”
    “Shediedthreeyearsago,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Shewasanicewoman.Irememberherverywell.”
    “ButI’msureyoudidn’taskmetoeheretotalkaboutoldtimesyouhadwithmyparents.”
    “You’reright.I’vebeenworkingonwhatIwantedtosaytoyouforseveraldays,butnowthatyou’reactuallyhereIdon’tquiteknowwheretobegin.Isupposeyoudidsomeresearch,soyouknowthatIoncewieldedsomeinfluenceinSwedishindustryandthejobmarket.TodayI’manoldmanwhowillprobablydiefairlysoon,anddeathperhapsisanexcellentstartingpointforourconversation.”
    Blomkvisttookaswallowofbckcoffee—pinlyboiledinapanintrueNorrndstyle—andwonderedwherethiswasgoingtolead.
    “Ihavepaininmyhipandlongwalksareathingofthepast.Onedayyou’lldiscoverforyourselfhowstrengthseepsaway,butI’mneithermorbidnorsenile.I’mnotobsessedbydeath,butI’matanagewhenIhavetoaeptthatmytimeisaboutup.Youwanttoclosetheaountsandtakecareofunfinishedbusiness.DoyouunderstandwhatImean?”
    Blomkvistnodded.Vangerspokeinasteadyvoice,andBlomkvisthadalreadydecidedthattheoldmanwasneithersenilenorirrational.“I’mmostlycuriousaboutwhyI’mhere,”hesaidagain.
    “BecauseIwanttoaskforyourhelpwiththisclosingofaounts.”
    “Whyme?WhatmakesyouthinkI’dbeabletohelpyou?”
    “BecauseasIwasthinkingabouthiringsomeone,yournamecroppedupinthenews.Iknewwhoyouwere,ofcourse.Andmaybeit’sbecauseyousatonmykneewhenyouwerealittlefellow.Don’tmisunderstandme.”Hewavedthethoughtaway.“Idon’tlooktoyoutohelpmeforsentimentalreasons.ItwasjustthatIhadtheimpulsetocontactyouspecifically.”
    Mikaelgaveafriendlyugh.“Well,Idon’trememberbeingperchedonyourknee.Buthowcouldyoumaketheconnection?Thatwasintheearlysixties.”
    “Youmisunderstoodme.YourfamilymovedtoStockholmwhenyourfathergotthejobastheworkshopforemanatZarinder’sMechanical.Iwastheonewhogothimthejob.Iknewhewasagoodworker.IusedtoseehimovertheyearswhenIhadbusinesswithZarinder’s.Weweren’tclosefriends,butwewouldchatforawhile.ThesttimeIsawhimwastheyearbeforehedied,andhetoldmethenthatyouhadgotintojournalismschool.Hewasextremelyproud.Thenyoubecamefamouswiththestoryofthebankrobbergang.I’vefollowedyourcareerandreadmanyofyourarticlesovertheyears.Asamatteroffact,IreadMillenniumquiteoften.”
    “OK,I’mwithyou,butwhatisitexactlythatyouwantmetodo?”
    Vangerlookeddownathishands,thensippedhiscoffee,asifheneededapausebeforehecouldatstbegintobroachwhathewanted.
    “BeforeIgetstarted,Mikael,I’dliketomakeanagreementwithyou.Iwantyoutodotwothingsforme.Oneisapretextandtheotherismyrealobjective.”
    “Whatformofagreement?”
    “I’mgoingtotellyouastoryintwoparts.ThefirstisabouttheVangerfamily.That’sthepretext.It’salong,darkstory,andI’lltrytosticktotheunvarnishedtruth.Thesecondpartofthestorydealswithmyactualobjective.You’llprobablythinksomeofthestoryis…crazy.WhatIwantisforyoutohearmeout—aboutwhatIwantyoutodoandalsowhatIamoffering—beforeyoumakeupyourmindwhethertotakeonthejobornot.”
    Blomkvistsighed.ObviouslyVangerwasnotgoingtolethimgointimetocatchtheafternoontrain.HewassurethatifhecalledFrodetoaskforalifttothestation,thecarwouldsomehowrefusetostartinthecold.
    Theoldmanmusthavethoughtlongandhardhowhewasgoingtohookhim.Blomkvisthadthefeelingthateverystthingthathadhappenedsincehearrivedwasstaged:theintroductorysurprisethatasachildhehadmethishost,thepictureofhisparentsinthealbum,andtheemphasisonthefactthathisfatherandVangerhadbeenfriends,alongwiththeftterythattheoldmanknewwhoMikaelBlomkvistwasandthathehadbeenfollowinghiscareerforyearsfromadistance….Nodoubtithadacoreoftruth,butitwasalsoprettyelementarypsychology.Vangerwasapractisedmaniputor—howelsehadhebeeoneofSweden’sleadingindustrialists?
    BlomkvistdecidedthatVangerwantedhimtodosomethingthathewasnotgoingtohavetheslightestdesiretodo.Hehadonlytowrestfromhimwhatthiswasandthensaynothankyou.Andjustpossiblybeintimetocatchtheafternoontrain.
    “Fiveme,HerrVanger,”hesaid,“I’vebeenherealreadyfortwentyminutes.I’llgiveyouexactlythirtyminutesmoretotellmewhatyouwant.ThenI’mcallingataxiandgoinghome.”
    Foramomentthemaskofthegood-naturedpatriarchslipped,andBlomkvistcoulddetecttheruthlesscaptainofindustryfromhisdaysofpowerconfrontedbyasetback.Hismouthcurledinagrimsmile.
    “Iunderstand.”
    “Youdon’thavetobeataroundthebushwithme.Tellmewhatyouwantmetodo,sothatIcandecidewhetherIwanttodoitornot.”
    “SoifIcan’tconvinceyouinhalfanhourthenIwouldn’tbeabletodoitinamontheither—that’swhatyouthink.”
    “Somethingalongthatline.”
    “Butmystoryislongandplicated.”
    “Shortenandsimplifyit.That’swhatwedoinjournalism.Twenty-nineminutes.”
    Vangerheldupahand.“Enough.Igetyourpoint.Butit’snevergoodpsychologytoexaggerate.Ineedsomebodywhocandoresearchandthinkcritically,butwhoalsohasintegrity.Ithinkyouhaveit,andthat’snotfttery.Agoodjournalistoughttopossessthesequalities,andIreadyourTheKnightsTemprwithgreatinterest.It’struethatIpickedyoubecauseIknewyourfatherandbecauseIknowwhoyouare.IfIunderstoodthemattercorrectly,youleftyourmagazineasaresultoftheWennerstr?maffair.Whichmeansthatyouhavenojobatthemoment,andprobablyyou’reinatightfinancialspot.”
    “Soyoumightbeabletoexploitmypredicament,isthatit?”
    “Perhaps.ButMikael—ifImaycallyouMikael?—Iwon’tlietoyou.I’mtoooldforthat.Ifyoudon’tlikewhatIsay,youcantellmetojumpintheke.ThenI’llhavetofindsomeoneelsetoworkwithme.”
    “OK,tellmewhatthisjobinvolves.”
    “HowmuchdoyouknowabouttheVangerfamily?”
    “Well,onlywhatImanagedtoreadonthesinceFrodecalledmeonMonday.InyourdaytheVangerCorporationwasoneofthemostimportantindustrialfirmsinSweden;todayit’ssomewhatdiminished.MartinVangerrunsit.Iknowquiteabitmore,butwhatareyougettingat?”
    “Martinis…he’sagoodmanbutbasicallyhe’safair-weathersailor.He’sunsuitedtobethemanagingdirectorofapanyincrisis.Hewantstomoderniseandspecialise—whichisgoodthinking—buthecan’tpushthroughhisideasandhisfinancialmanagementisweaktoo.Twenty-fiveyearsagotheVangerconcernwasaseriouspetitortotheWallenbergGroup.WehadfortythousandemployeesinSweden.TodaymanyofthesejobsareinKoreaorBrazil.Wearedowntoabouttenthousandemployeesandinayearortwo—ifMartindoesn’tgetsomewindintohissails—we’llhavefivethousand,primarilyinsmallmanufacturingindustries,andtheVangerpanieswillbeconsignedtothescrapheapofhistory.”
    Blomkvistnodded.Hehadetoroughlythisconclusiononthebasisofthepieceshehaddownloaded.
    “TheVangerpaniesarestilmongthefewfamily-heldfirmsinthecountry.Thirtyfamilymembersareminorityshareholders.Thishasalwaysbeenthestrengthofthecorporation,butalsoourgreatestweakness.”Vangerpausedandthensaidinatoneofmountingurgency,“Mikael,youcanaskquestionster,butIwantyoutotakemeatmywordwhenIsaythatIdetestmostofthemembersofmyfamily.Theyareforthemostpartthieves,misers,bullies,andinpetents.Iranthepanyforthirty-fiveyears—almostallthetimeinthemidstofrelentlessbickering.Theyweremyworstenemies,farworsethanpetingpaniesorthegovernment.
    “IsaidthatIwantedtomissionyoutodotwothings.First,IwantyoutowriteahistoryorbiographyoftheVangerfamily.Forsimplicity’ssake,wecancallitmyautobiography.Iwillputmyjournalsandarchivesatyourdisposal.Youwillhaveaesstomyinnermostthoughtsandyoucanpublishallthedirtyoudigup.IthinkthisstorywillmakeShakespeare’stragediesreadlikelightfamilyentertainment.”
    “Why?”
    “WhydoIwanttopublishascandaloushistoryoftheVangerfamily?OrwhydoIaskyoutowriteit?”
    “Both,Isuppose.”
    “Totellyouthetruth,Idon’tcarewhethertheiseverpublished.ButIdothinkthatthestoryshouldbewritten,ifonlyinasinglecopythatyoudeliverdirectlytotheRoyalLibrary.IwantthisstorytobethereforposteritywhenIdie.Mymotiveisthesimplestimaginable:revenge.”
    “Whatdoyouwanttorevenge?”
    “I’mproudthatmynameisabywordforamanwhokeepshiswordandremembershispromises.I’veneverpyedpoliticalgames.I’veneverhadproblemsnegotiatingwithtradeunions.EvenPrimeMinisterErnderhadrespectformeinhisday.Formeitwasamatterofethics;Iwasresponsibleforthelivelihoodsofthousandsofpeople,andIcaredaboutmyemployees.Oddlyenough,Martinhasthesameattitude,eventhoughhe’saverydifferentperson.Hetoohastriedtodotherightthing.SadlyMartinandIarerareexceptionsinourfamily.TherearemanyreasonswhytheVangerCorporationisontheropestoday,butoneofthekeyonesistheshort-termismandgreedofmyretives.Ifyouaepttheassignment,I’llexpinhowmyfamilywentabouttorpedoingthefirm.”
    “Iwon’tlietoyoueither,”Blomkvistsaid.“Researchingandwritingalikethiswouldtakemonths.Idon’thavethemotivationortheenergytodoit.”
    “IbelieveIcantalkyouintoit.”
    “Idoubtit.Butyousaidthereweretwothings.Theisthepretext.Whatistherealobjective?”
    Vangerstoodup,boriouslyagain,andtookthephotographofHarrietVangerfromthedesk.HesetitdowninfrontofBlomkvist.
    “WhileyouwritethebiographyIwantyoutoscrutinisethefamilywiththeeyesofajournalist.Itwillsogiveyouanalibiforpokingaroundinthefamilyhistory.WhatIwantisforyoutosolveamystery.That’syourreassignment.”
    “Whatmystery?”
    “HarrietwasthegranddaughterofmybrotherRichard.Therewerefivebrothers.Richardwastheeldest,bornin1907.Iwastheyoungest,bornin1920.Idon’tunderstandhowGodcouldcreatethisflockofchildrenwho…”ForseveralsecondsVangerlostthethread,immersedinhisthoughts.Thenhewentonwithnewdecisiveness.“LetmetellyouaboutmybrotherRichard.ThinkofthisasasmallsamplefromthefamilychronicleIwantyoutowrite.”
    Hepouredmorecoffeeforhimself.
    “In1924,nowseventeen,RichardwasafanaticalnationalistandantiSemite.HejoinedtheSwedishNationalSocialistFreedomLeague,oneofthefirstNazigroupsinSweden.Isn’titfascinatingthatNazisalwaysmanagetoadoptthewordfreedom?”
    Vangerpulledoutanotheralbumandleafedthroughituntilhefoundthepagehewaslookingfor.“Here’sRichardwiththeveterinarianBirgerFurug?rd,soontobeetheleaderoftheso-calledFurug?rdmovement,thebigNazimovementoftheearlythirties.ButRicharddidnotstaywithhim.Hejoined,afewyearster,theSwedishFascistBattleanisation,theSFBO,andtherehegottoknowPerEngdahndotherswhowouldbethedisgraceofthenation.”
    Heturnedthepageinthealbum:RichardVangerinuniform.
    “Heenlisted—againstourfather’swishes—andduringthethirtieshemadehiswaythroughmostoftheNazigroupsinthecountry.Anysickconspiratoriassociationthatexisted,youcanbesurehisnamewasontheirroster.In1933theLindholmmovementwasformed,thatis,theNationalSocialistWorkers’Party.HowwelldoyouknowthehistoryofSwedishNazism?”
    “I’mnohistorian,butI’vereadafews.”
    “In1939theSecondWorldWarbegan,andin1940theWinterWarinFinnd.ArgenumberoftheLindholmmovementjoinedasFinndvolunteers.RichardwasoneofthemandbythenacaptainintheSwedisharmy.HewaskilledinFebruary1940—justbeforethepeacetreatywiththeSovietUnion—andtherebybecameamartyrintheNazimovementandhadabattlegroupnamedafterhim.EvennowahandfulofidiotsgatheratacemeteryinStockholmontheanniversaryofhisdeathtohonourhim.”
    “Iunderstand.”
    “In1926,whenhewasnieen,hewasgoingoutwithawomancalledMargareta,thedaughterofateacherinFalun.Theymetinsomepoliticalcontextandhadaretionshipwhichresultedinason,Gottfried,whowasbornin1927.Thecouplemarriedwhentheboywasborn.Duringthefirsthalfofthethirties,mybrothersenthiswifeandchildheretoHedestadwhilehewasstationedwithhisregimentinG?vle.InhisfreetimehetravelledaroundanddidproselytisingforNazisfterthatRichardhadtomakehisownliving.HemovedwithhisfamilytoStockholmandlivedinretivepoverty.”
    “Hehadnomoneyofhisown?”
    “Theinheritancehehadinthefirmwastiedup.Hecouldn’tselloutsidethefamily.Worsethantheirstraitenedcircumstances,Richardwasabrutaldomestic.Hebeathiswifeandabusedhisson.Gottfriedgrewupcowedandbullied.HewasthirteenwhenRichardwaskilled.Isuspectitwasthehappiestdayofhislifeuptothatpoint.MyfathertookpityonthewidowandchildandbroughtthemheretoHedestad,wherehefoundanapartmentforMargaretaandsawtoitthatshehadadecentlife.
    “IfRichardpersonifiedthefamily’sdark,fanaticalside,Gottfriedembodiedtheindolentone.WhenhereachedtheageofeighteenIdecidedtotakehimundermywing—hewasmydeadbrother’sson,afterall—andyouhavetorememberthattheagedifferencebetweenGottfriedandmewasnotsogreat.Iwasonlysevenyearsolder,butbythenIwasonthefirm’sboard,anditwasclearthatIwastheonewhowouldtakeoverfrommyfather,whileGottfriedwasmoreorlessregardedasanoutsider.”
    Vangerthoughtforamoment.
    “Myfatherdidn’treallyknowhowtodealwithhisgrandson,soIwastheonewhogavehimajobinthepany.Thiswasafterthewar.Hedidtrytodoareasonablejob,buthewaszy.Hewasacharmerandgood-timeCharlie;hehadawaywithwomen,andtherewereperiodswhenhedranktoomuch.Itisn’teasytodescribemyfeelingsforhim…hewasn’tagood-for-nothing,buthewasnottheleastbitreliableandheoftendisappointedmedeeply.Overtheyearsheturnedintoanalcoholic,andin1965hedied—thevictimofanaidentaldrowning.ThathappenedattheotherendofHedebyIsnd,wherehe’dhadacabinbuilt,andwhereheusedtohideawaytodrink.”
    “Sohe’sthefatherofHarrietandMartin?”Blomkvistsaid,pointingattheportraitonthecoffeetable.Reluctantlyhehadtoadmitthattheoldman’sstorywasintriguing.
    “Correct.InthetefortiesGottfriedmetaGermanwomanbythenameofIsabelKoenig,whohadetoSwedenafterthewar.Shewasquiteabeauty—ImeanthatshehadalovelyradiancelikeGarboorIngridBergman.HarrietprobablygotmoreofhergenesfromhermotherratherthanfromGottfried.Asyoucanseefromthephotograph,shewasprettyevenatfourteen.”
    BlomkvistandVangercontemptedthepicture.
    “Butletmecontinue.Isabelwasbornin1928andisstillive.Shewaselevenwhenthewarbegan,andyoucanimaginewhatitwasliketobeateenagerinBerlinduringtheaerialbombardments.ItmusthavefeltasifshehadarrivedinparadiseonearthwhenshendedinSweden.RegrettablyshesharedmanyofGottfried’svices;shewaszyandpartiedincessantly.ShetravelledagreatdealinSwedenandabroad,andckedallsenseofresponsibility.Obviouslythisaffectedthechildren.Martinwasbornin1948andHarrietin1950.Theirchildhoodwaschaotic,withamotherwhowasforeverleavingtheman**therwhowasvirtuallyanalcoholic.
    “In1958I’dhadenoughanddecidedtotrytobreaktheviciouscycle.Atthetime,GottfriedandIsabelwerelivinginHedestad—Iinsistedthattheymoveouthere