4

    MartinandHarrietweremoreorlesslefttofendforthemselves.”
    Vangergncedattheclock.
    “Mythirtyminutesarealmostup,butI’mclosetotheendofthestory.Willyougivemeareprieve?”
    “Goon,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Inshort,then.Iwaschildless—instrikingcontrasttomybrothersandotherfamilymembers,whoseemedobsessedwiththeneedtopropagatethehouseofVanger.GottfriedandIsabeldidmovehere,buttheirmarriagewasontherocks.AfteronlyayearGottfriedmovedouttohiscabin.HelivedtherealoneforlongperiodsandwentbacktoIsabelwhenitgottoocold.ItookcareofMartinandHarriet,andtheybecameinmanywaysthechildrenIneverhad.
    “Martinwas…totellthetruth,therewasatimeinhisyouthwhenIwasafraidhewasgoingtofollowinhisfather’sfootsteps.Hewasweakandintrovertedandmencholy,buthecouldalsobedelightfundenthusiastic.Hehadsometroubledyearsinhisteens,buthestraightenedhimselfoutwhenhestartedattheuniversity.Heis…well,inspiteofeverythingheisCEOofwhat’sleftoftheVangerCorporation,whichIsupposeistohiscredit.”
    “AndHarriet?”
    “Harrietwastheappleofmyeye.Itriedtogiveherasenseofsecurityanddevelopherself-confidence,andwetookalikingtoeachother.Ilookedonherasmyowndaughter,andsheendedupbeingclosertomethantoherparents.Yousee,Harrietwasveryspecial.Shewasintroverted—likeherbrother—andasateenagershebecamewrappedupinreligion,unlikeanyoneelseinthefamily.Butshehadacleartalentandshewastremendouslyintelligent.Shehadbothmoralsandbackbone.WhenshewasfourteenorfifteenIwasconvincedthatshewastheone—andnotherbrotheroranyofthemediocrecousins,nephews,andniecesaroundme—whowasdestinedtoruntheVangerbusinessoneday,oratleastpyacentralroleinit.”
    “Sowhathappened?”
    “NowweetotherealreasonIwanttohireyou.IwantyoutofindoutwhointhefamilymurderedHarriet,andwhosincethenhasspentalmostfortyyearstryingtodrivemeinsane.”
    CHAPTER5
    Thursday,December26
    Forthefirsttimesincehebeganhismonologue,theoldmanhadmanagedtotakeBlomkvistbysurprise.Hehadtoaskhimtorepeatittobesurehehadheardcorrectly.Nothinginthecuttingshadhintedatamurder.
    “ItwasSeptember24,1966.Harrietwassixteenandhadjustbegunhersecondyearatprepschool.ItwasaSaturday,anditturnedintotheworstdayofmylife.I’vegoneovertheeventssomanytimesthatIthinkIcanaountforwhathappenedineveryminuteofthatday—exceptthemostimportantthing.”
    Hemadeasweepinggesture.“Hereinthishouseagreatnumberofmyfamilyhadgathered.Itwastheloathsomeannualdinner.Itwasatraditionwhichmyfather’sfatherintroducedandwhichgenerallyturnedintoprettydetestableaffairs.Thetraditioncametoanendintheeighties,whenMartinsimplydecreedthatalldiscussionsaboutthebusinesswouldtakepceatregurboardmeetingsandbyvoting.That’sthebestdecisionheevermade.”
    “YousaidthatHarrietwasmurdered…”
    “Wait.Letmetellyouwhathappened.ItwasaSaturday,asIsaid.Itwasalsothedayoftheparty,withtheChildren’sDayparadethatwasarrangedbythesportsclubinHedestad.Harriethadgoneintothetownduringthedayandwatchedtheparadewithsomeofherschoolfriends.ShecamebackheretoHedebyIsndjustafter2:00intheafternoon.Dinnerwassupposedtobeginat5:00,andshewasexpectedtotakepartalongwiththeotheryoungpeopleinthefamily.”
    Vangergotupandwentovertothewindow.HemotionedBlomkvisttojoinhim,andpointed.
    “At2:15,afewminutesafterHarrietcamehome,adramaticaidentourredoutthereonthebridge.AmancalledGustavAronsson,brotherofafarmerat?sterg?rden—asmallholdingonHedebyIsnd—turnedontothebridgeandcrashedhead-onwithanoiltruck.Evidentlybothweregoingtoofastandwhatshouldhavebeenaminorcollisionprovedacatastrophe.Thedriverofthetruck,presumablyinstinctively,turnedhiswheewayfromthecar,hittherailingofthebridgeandthetankerflippedover;itendedupacrossthebridgewithitstrailerhangingovertheedge.Oneoftherailingshadbeendrivenintotheoiltankandfmmableheatingoilbeganspurtingout.InthemeantimeAronssonsatpinnedinsidehiscar,screaminginpain.Thetankerdriverwasalsoinjuredbutmanagedtoscrambleoutofhiscabin.”
    Theoldmanwentbacktohischair.
    “TheaidentactuallyhadnothingtodowithHarriet.Butitwassignificantinacrucialway.Ashamblesensued:peopleonbothsidesofthebridgehurriedtotrytohelp;theriskoffirewassignificantandamajorarmwassounded.Policeofficers,anambunce,therescuesquad,thefirebrigade,reportersandsightseersarrivedinrapidsuession.Naturallyallofthemassembledonthemainndside;hereontheisndsidewedidwhatwecouldtogetAronssonoutofthewreck,whichprovedtobedamnablydifficult.Hewaspinnedinandseriouslyinjured.
    “Wetriedtoprisehimloosewithourbarehands,andthatdidn’twork.Hewouldhavetobecutorsawedout,butwecouldn’tdoanythingthatriskedstrikingaspark;wewerestandinginthemiddleofaseaofoilnexttoatankertrucklyingonitsside.Ifithadexplodedwewouldhaveallbeenkilled.Ittookalongtimebeforewecouldgethelpfromthemainndside;thetruckwaswedgedrightacrossthebridge,andclimbingoveritwouldhavebeenthesameasclimbingoverabomb.”
    Blomkvistcouldnotresistthefeelingthattheoldmanwastellingameticulouslyrehearsedstory,deliberatelytocapturehisinterest.Themanwasanexcellentstoryteller,noquestion.Ontheotherhand,wherewasthestoryheading?
    “Whatmattersabouttheaidentisthatthebridgewasblockedfortwenty-fourhours.NotuntilSundayeveningwasthestoftheoilpumpedout,andthenthetruckcouldbeliftedupbycraneandthebridgeopenedfortraffic.Duringthesetwenty-fourhoursHedebyIsndwastoallintentsandpurposescutofffromtherestoftheworld.Theonlywaytogetacrosstothemainndwasonafireboatthatwasbroughtintotransportpeoplefromthesmall-boatharbouronthissidetotheoldharbourbelowthechurch.Forseveralhourstheboatwasusedonlybyrescuecrews—itwasn’tuntilquiteteonSaturdaynightthatstrandedisndersbegantobeferriedacross.Doyouunderstandthesignificanceofthis?”
    “IassumethatsomethinghappenedtoHarriethereontheisnd,”Blomkvistsaid,“andthatthelistofsuspectsconsistsofthefinitenumberofpeopletrappedhere.Asortoflocked-roommysteryinisndformat?”
    Vangersmiledironically.“Mikael,youdon’tknowhowrightyouare.EvenIhavereadmyDorothySayers.Thesearethefacts:Harrietarrivedhereontheisndabout2:10.Ifwealsoincludechildrenandunmarriedguests,allinalboutfortyfamilymembersarrivedinthecourseoftheday.Alongwithservantsandresidents,thereweresixty-fourpeopleeitherhereornearthefarm.Someofthem—theoneswhoweregoingtospendthenight—werebusygettingsettledinneighbouringfarmsoringuestrooms.
    “Harriethadpreviouslylivedinahouseacrosstheroad,butgiventhatneitherGottfriednorIsabelwasconsistentlystable,andonecouldclearlyseehowthatupsetthegirl,underminedherstudiesandsoon,in1964,whenshewasfourteen,Iarrangedforhertomoveintomyhouse.Isabelprobablythoughtthatitwasjustfiobesparedtheresponsibilityforherdaughter.Harriethadbeenlivinghereforthepasttwoyears.Sothisiswhereshecamethatday.WeknowthatshemetandexchangedsomewordswithHaraldinthecourtyard—he’soneofmyolderbrothers.Thenshecameupthestairs,tothisroom,andsaidhellotome.Shesaidthatshewantedtotalktomeaboutsomething.RightthenIhadsomeotherfamilymemberswithmeandIcouldn’tsparethetimeforher.ButsheseemedanxiousandIpromisedI’detoherroomwhenIwasfree.Sheleftthroughthatdoor,andthatwasthesttimeIsawher.Aminuteorsotertherewasthecrashonthebridgeandthebedmthatfollowedupsetallourpnsfortheday.”
    “Howdidshedie?”
    “It’smoreplicatedthanthat,andIhavetotellthestoryinchronologicalorder.Whentheaidentourred,peopledroppedwhatevertheyweredoingandrantothescene.Iwas…IsupposeItookchargeandwasfeverishlyoupiedforthenextfewhours.Harrietcamedowntothebridgerightaway—severalpeoplesawher—butthedangerofanexplosionmademeinstructanyonewhowasn’tinvolvedingettingAronssonoutofhiscartostaywellback.Fiveofusremained.ThereweremyselfandmybrotherHarald.TherewasamannamedMagnusNilsson,oneofmyworkers.TherewasasawmillworkernamedSixtenNordnderwhohadahousedownbythefishingharbour.AndtherewasafellownamedJerkerAronsson.Hewasonlysixteen,andIshouldreallyhavesenthimaway,buthewasthenephewofGustavinthecar.
    “Atabout2:40Harrietwasinthekitchenhereinthehouse.ShedrankagssofmilkandtalkedbrieflytoAstrid,ourcook.Theylookedoutofthewindowatthemotiondownatthebridge.
    “At2:55Harrietcrossedthecourtyard.ShewasseenbyIsabel.AboutaminutetersheranintoOttoFalk,thepastorinHedeby.AtthattimetheparsonagewaswhereMartinVangerhashisviltoday,andthepastorlivedonthissideofthebridge.Hehadbeeninbed,nursingacold,whentheaidenttookpce;hehadmissedthedrama,butsomeonehadtelephonedandhewasonhiswaytothebridge.Harrietstoppedhimontheroadandapparentlywantedtosaysomethingtohim,buthewavedheroffandhurriedpast.Falkwasthestpersontoseeheralive.”
    “Howdidshedie?”Blomkvistsaidagain.
    “Idon’tknow,”Vangersaidwithatroubledexpression.“Wedidn’tgetAronssonoutofhiscaruntiround5:00—hesurvived,bytheway,althoughhewasnotingoodshape—andsometimeafter6:00thethreatoffirewasconsideredpast.Theisndwasstillcutoff,butthingsbegantocalmdown.Itwasn’tuntilwesatdownatthetabletohaveourlongdeyeddinneraround8:00thatwediscoveredHarrietwasmissing.IsentoneofthecousinstogetHarrietfromherroom,butshecamebacktosaythatshecouldn’tfindher.Ididn’tthinkmuchaboutit;Iprobablyassumedshehadgoneforawalkorshehadn’tbeentoldthatdinnerwasserved.AndduringtheeveningIhadtodealwithvariousdiscussionsandargumentswiththefamily.Soitwasn’tuntilthenextmorning,whenIsabelwenttofindher,thatwerealisedthatnobodyknewwhereHarrietwasandthatno-onehadseenhersincethedaybefore.”Hespreadhisarmsoutwide.“Andfromthatday,shehasbeenmissingwithoutatrace.”
    “Missing?”Blomkvistechoed.
    “Foralltheseyearswehaven’tbeenabletofindonemicroscopicscrapofher.”
    “Butifshevanished,asyousay,youcan’tbesurethatshewasmurdered.”
    “Iunderstandtheobjection.I’vehadthoughtsalongthesamelines.Whenapersonvanisheswithoutatrace,oneoffourthingscouldhavehappened.Shecouldhavegoneoffofherownfreewilndbehidingsomewhere.Shecouldhavehadanaidentanddied.Shecouldhavemittedsuicide.Andfinally,shecouldhavebeenthevictimofacrime.I’veweighedallthesepossibilities.”
    “ButyoubelievethatsomeoookHarriet’slife.Why?”
    “Becauseit’stheonlyreasonableconclusion.”Vangerhelduponefinger.“FromtheoutsetIhopedthatshehadrunaway.Butasthedayspassed,weallrealisedthatthiswasn’tthecase.Imean,howwouldasixteen-year-oldfromsuchaprotectedworld,evenaveryablegirl,beabletomanageonherown?Howcouldshestayhiddenwithoutbeingdiscovered?Wherewouldshegetmoney?Andevenifshegotajobsomewhere,shewouldneedasocialsecuritycardandanaddress.”
    Hehelduptwofingers.
    “Mynextthoughtwasthatshehadhadsomekindofaident.Canyoudomeafavour?Gotothedeskandopenthetopdrawer.There’samapthere.”
    Blomkvistdidashewasaskedandunfoldedthemaponthecoffeetable.HedebyIsndwasanirregurlyshapedndmassabouttwomileslongwithamaximumwidthofaboutonemile.Argepartoftheisndwascoveredbyforest.Therewasabuilt-upareabythebridgeandaroundthelittlesummer-househarbour.Ontheothersideoftheisndwasthesmallholding,?sterg?rden,fromwhichtheunfortunateAronssonhadstartedoutinhiscar.
    “Rememberthatshecouldn’thavelefttheisnd,”Vangersaid.“HereonHedebyIsndyoucoulddieinanaidentjustlikeanywhereelse.Youcouldbestruckbylightning—buttherewasnothunderstormthatday.Youcouldbetrampledtodeathbyahorse,falldownawell,ortumbleintoarockcrevice.Therearenodoubthundredsofwaystofallvictimtoanaidenthere.I’vethoughtofmostofthem.”
    Heheldupthreefingers.
    “There’sjustonecatch,andthisalsoappliestothethirdpossibility—thatthegirl,contrarytoeveryindication,tookherownlife.Herbodymustbesomewhereinthislimitedarea.”
    Vangersmmedhisfistdownonthemap.
    “Inthedaysaftershedisappeared,wesearchedeverywhere,crisscrossingtheisnd.Themenwadedthrougheveryditch,scouredeverypatchoffield,cliff,anduprootedtree.Wewentthrougheverybuilding,chimney,well,barn,andhiddengarret.”
    TheoldmanlookedawayfromBlomkvistandstaredintothedarknessoutsidethewindow.Hisvoicegrewlowerandmoreintimate.
    “ThewholeautumnIlookedforher,evenafterthesearchpartiesstoppedandpeoplehadgivenup.WhenIwasn’ttendingtomyworkIbegangoingforwalksbackandforthacrosstheisnd.Wintercameonandwestillhadn’tfoundatraceofher.InthespringIkeptonlookinguntilIrealisedhowpreposterousmysearchwas.WhensummercameIhiredthreeexperiencedwoodsmenwhodidtheentiresearchoveragainwithdogs.Theybedeverysquarefootoftheisnd.BythattimeIhadbeguntothinkthatsomeonemusthavekilledher.Sotheyalsosearchedforagrave.Theyworkedatitforthreemonths.Wefoundnottheslightestvestigeofthegirl.Itwasasifshehaddissolvedintothinair.”
    “Icanthinkofanumberofpossibilities,”Blomkvistventured.
    “Let’shearthem.”
    “Shecouldhavedrowned,aidentallyoronpurpose.Thisisanisnd,andwatercanhidemostthings.”
    “True,buttheprobabilityisn’tgreat.Considerthefollowing:ifHarrietmetwithanaidentanddrowned,logicallyitmusthaveourredsomewhereintheimmediatevicinityofthevilge.RememberthattheexcitementonthebridgewasthemostsensationalthingthathadhappenedhereonHedebyIsndinseveraldecades.Itwasnotatimewhenasixteen-year-oldgirlwithanormalsenseofcuriositywoulddecidetogoforawalktotheothersideoftheisnd.
    “Butmoreimportant,”hesaid,“there’snotmuchofacurrenthere,andthewindsatthattimeofyearwereoutofthenorthornortheast.Ifanythingfallsintothewater,itesupsomewherealongthebeachonthemainnd,andoverthereit’sbuiltupalmosteverywhere.Don’tthinkthatwedidn’tconsiderthis.Wedraggedalmostallthespotswhereshecouldconceivablyhavegonedowntothewater.Ialsohiredyoungmenfromascuba-divingclubhereinHedestad.Theyspenttherestoftheseasonbingthebottomofthesoundandalongthebeaches…I’mconvincedshe’snotinthewater;ifshehadbeenwewouldhavefoundher.”
    “Butcouldshenothavemetwithanaidentsomewhereelse?Thebridgewasblocked,ofcourse,butit’sashortdistanceovertothemainnd.Shecouldhaveswumorrowedacross.”
    “ItwasteSeptemberandthewaterwassocoldthatHarrietwouldhardlyhavesetofftogoswimminginthemidstofallthemotion.Butifshesuddenlygottheideatoswimtothemainnd,shewouldhavebeenseenanddrawnalotofattention.Thereweredozensofeyesonthebridge,andonthemainndsidethereweretwoorthreehundredpeoplealongthewaterwatchingthescene.”
    “Arowingboat?”
    “No.ThatdaytherewerepreciselythirteenboatsonHedebyIsnd.Mostofthepleasureboatswerealreadyinstorageonnd.Downinthesmall-boatharbourbythesummercabinsthereweretwoPetterssonboatsinthewater.Thereweresevenekarowingboats,ofwhichfivewerepulleduponshore.Belowtheparsonageonerowingboatwasonshoreandoneinthewater.By?sterg?rdentherewasarowingboatandamotorboat.Alltheseboatswerecheckedandwereexactlywheretheyweresupposedtobe.Ifshehadrowedacrossandrunaway,shewouldhavehadtoleavetheboatontheotherside.”
    Vangerheldupfourfingers.
    “Sothere’sonlyonereasonablepossibilityleft,namelythatHarrietdisappearedagainstherwill.Someonekilledherandgotridofthebody.”
    LisbethSanderspentChristmasmorningreadingMikaelBlomkvist’scontroversiaboutfinancialjournalism,TheKnightsTempr:ACautionaryTaleforFinancialReporters.ThecoverhadatrendydesignbyChristerMalmfeaturingaphotographoftheStockholmStockExchange.MalmhadworkedinPhotoShop,andittookamomenttonoticethatthebuildingwasfloatinginair.Itwasadramatioverwithwhichtosetthetoneforwhatwastoe.
    SandercouldseethatBlomkvistwasafinewriter.Thewassetoutinastraightforwardandengagingway,andevenpeoplewithnoinsightintothebyrinthoffinancialjournalismcouldlearnsomethingfromreadingit.Thetonewassharpandsarcastic,butaboveallitwaspersuasive.
    ThefirstchapterwasasortofdecrationofwarinwhichBlomkvistdidnotmincewords.Inthesttwentyyears,Swedishfinancialjournalistshaddevelopedintoagroupofinpetentckeyswhowerepuffedupwithself-importanceandwhohadnorecordofthinkingcritically.Hedrewthisconclusionbecausetimeaftertime,withouttheleastobjection,somanyfinancialreportersseemedcontenttoregurgitatethestatementsissuedbyCEOsandstock-marketspecutors—evenwhenthisrmationwaspinlymisleadingorwrong.Thesereporterswerethuseithersonaiveandgulliblethattheyoughttobepackedofftootherassignments,ortheywerepeoplewhoquiteconsciouslybetrayedtheirjournalisticfunction.Blomkvistcimedthathehadoftenbeenashamedtobecalledafinancialreporter,sincethenhewouldriskbeinglumpedtogetherwithpeoplewhomhedidnotrateasreportersatall.
    Heparedtheeffortsoffinancialjournalistswiththewaycrimereportersorforeigncorrespondentsworked.Hepaintedapictureoftheoutcrythatwouldresultifalegalcorrespondentbeganuncriticallyreproducingtheprosecutor’scaseasgospelinamurdertrial,withoutconsultingthedefenceargumentsorinterviewingthevictim’sfamilybeforeforminganopinionofwhatwaslikelyorunlikely.AordingtoBlomkvistthesameruleshadtoapplytofinancialjournalists.
    Therestoftheconsistedofachainofevidencetosupporthiscase.Onelongchapterexaminedthereportingofafamousdot-insixdailypapers,aswelsintheFinancialJournal,DagensIndustri,and“A-ekonomi,”thebusinessreportonSwedishTV.Hefirstquotedandsummarisedwhatthereportershadsaidandwritten.Thenhemadeaparisonwiththeactualsituation.Indescribingthedevelopmentofthepanyhelistedtimeaftertimethesimplequestionsthataseriousreporterwouldhaveaskedbutwhichthewholecorpsoffinancialreportershadneglectedtoask.Itwasaneatmove.
    AnotherchapterdealtwiththeIPOofTeliastock—itwasthe’smostjocurandironicsection,inwhichsomefinancialwriterswerecastigatedbyname,includingoneWilliamB,towhomBlomkvistseemedtobeparticurlyhostile.AchapterneartheendoftheparedthelevelofpetenceofSwedishandforeignfinancialreporters.HedescribedhowseriousreportersatLondon’sFinancialTimes,theEconomist,andsomeGermanfinancialnewspapershadreportedsimirsubjectsintheirowncountries.TheparisonwasnotfavourabletotheSwedishjournalists.Thefinalchaptercontainedasketchwithsuggestionsastohowthisdeplorablesituationcouldberemedied.Theconclusionoftheechoedtheintroduction:
    Ifaparliamentaryreporterhandledhisassignmentbyuncriticallytakingupanceinsupportofeverydecisionthatwaspushedthrough,nomatterhowpreposterous,orifapoliticalreporterweretoshowasimirckofjudgement—thatreporterwouldbefiredorattheleastreassignedtoadepartmentwhereheorshecouldnotdosomuchdamage.Intheworldoffinancialreporting,however,thenormaljournalisticmandatetoundertakecriticalinvestigationsandobjectivelyreportfindingstothereadersappearsnottoapply.Insteadthemostsuessfulrogueisappuded.InthiswaythefutureofSwedenisalsobeingcreated,andallremainingtrustinjournalistsasacorpsofprofessionalsisbeingpromised.
    SanderhadnodifficultyunderstandingtheagitateddebatethathadfollowedinthetradepublicationTheJournalist,certainfinancialnewspapers,andonthefrontpagesandinthebusinesssectionsofthedailypapers.Eventhoughonlyafewreporterswerementionedbynameinthe,Sanderguessedthatthefieldwassmallenoughthateveryonewouldknowexactlywhichindividualswerebeingreferredtowhenvariousnewspaperswerequoted.Blomkvisthadmadehimselfsomebitterenemies,whichwasalsoreflectedinthemaliciousmentstothecourtintheWennerstr?maffair.
    Sheclosedtheandlookedatthephotographontheback.Blomkvist’sdarkblondshockofhairfelbitcarelesslyacrosshisforehead,asifcaughtinagustofwind.OrasifChristerMalmhadposedhiverygood-lookingman.Onhiswaytodothreemonthsinthesmmer.
    “Hello,KalleBlomkvist,”shesaidtoherself.“You’reprettypleasedwithyourself,aren’tyou?”
    AtlunchtimeSanderbootedupheriandopenedEudoratowriteanemail.Shetyped:“Haveyougottime?”ShesigneditWaspandsentittotheaddressTobeonthesafeside,sheranthemessagethroughherPGPencryptionprogramme.
    Thensheputonbckjeans,heavywinterboots,awarmpoloshirt,adarkpeajacketandmatchingknittedgloves,cap,andscarf.Shetooktheringsoutofhereyebrowsandnostril,putonapalepinklipstick,andexaminedherselfinthebathroommirror.Shelookedlikeanyotherwomanoutforaweekendstroll,andsheregardedheroutfitasappropriatecamoufgeforanexpeditionbehindenemylines.ShetookthetunnelbanafromZinkensdammto?stermalmstandwalkeddowntowardsStrandv?gen.Shesaunteredalongthecentralreservereadingthenumbersonthebuildings.ShehadalmostgottoDjurg?rdsBridgewhenshestoppedandlookedatthedoorshehadbeensearchingfor.Shecrossedthestreetandwaitedafewfeetfromthestreetdoor.
    ShenoticedthatmostpeoplewhowereoutwalkinginthecoldweatheronthedayafterChristmaswerewalkingalongthequay;onlyafewwereonthepavementside.
    ShehadtowaitforalmosthalfanhourbeforeanoldwomanwithacaneapproachedfromthedirectionofDjurg?rden.ThewomanstoppedandstudiedSanderwithsuspicion.Sandergaveherafriendlysmileinreturn.Thedywiththecanereturnedhergreetingandlookedasthoughsheweretryingtorememberwhenshehadstseentheyoungwoman.Sanderturnedherbackandtookafewstepsawayfromthedoor,asthoughshewereimpatientlywaitingforsomeone,pacingbackandforth.Whensheturned,thedyhadreachedthedoorandwasslowlyputtinginanumberonthecodelock.Sanderhadnodifficultyseeingthatthebinationwas1260.
    Shewaitedfiveminutesmorebeforeshewenttothedoor.Shepunchedinthecodeandthelockclicked.Shepeeredintothestairwell.Therewasasecuritycamerawhichshegncedatandignored;itwasamodelthatMiltonSecuritycarriedandwasactivatedonlyifanarmforabreak-inoranattackwassoundedontheproperty.Fartherin,totheleftofanantiqueliftcage,therewasadoorwithanothercodelock;shetried1260anditworkedfortheentrancetothecelrlevendrubbishroom.Sloppy,verysloppy.Shespentthreeminutesinvestigatingthecelrlevel,whereshelocatedanunlockedundryroomandarecyclingroom.Thensheusedasetofpicklocksthatshehad“borrowed”fromMilton’slocksmithtoopenalockeddoortowhatseemedtobeameetingroomforthecondominiumassociation.Atthebackofthecelrwasahobbyroom.Finallyshefoundwhatshewaslookingfor:thebuilding’ssmallelectricalroom.Sheexaminedthemeters,fuseboxes,andjunctionboxesandthentookoutaCanondigitalcamerathesizeofacigarettepacket.Shetookthreepictures.
    Onthewayoutshecasthereyedownthelistofresidentsbytheliftandreadthenamefortheapartmentonthetopfloor.Wennerstr?m.
    ThensheleftthebuildingandwalkedrapidlytotheNationalMuseum,whereshewentintothecafeteriatohavesomecoffeeandwarmup.AfterabouthalfanhourshemadeherwaybacktoS?derandwentuptoherapartment.
    TherewasananswerfromWhenshedecodeditinPGPitread:20.
    CHAPTER6
    Thursday,December26
    ThetimelimitsetbyBlomkvisthadbeenexceededbyagoodmargin.Itwas4:30,andtherewasnohopeofcatchingtheafternoontrain,buthestillhadachanceofmakingtheeveningtrainat9:30.Hestoodbythewindowrubbinghisneckashestaredoutattheilluminatedfacadeofthechurchontheothersideofthebridge.Vangerhadshownhimascrapwitharticlesfromboththelocalnewspaperandthenationalmedia.Therehadbeenquiteabitofmediainterestforawhile—girlfromnotedindustrialist’sfamilydisappears.Butwhennobodywasfoundandtherewasnobreakthroughintheinvestigation,interestgraduallywaned.Despitethefactthataprominentfamilywasinvolved,thirty-sixyearsterthecaseofHarrietVangerwasallbutfotten.Theprevailingtheoryinarticlesfromthetesixtiesseemedtobethatshedrownedandwassweptouttosea—atragedy,butsomethingthatcouldhappentoanyfamily.
    Blomkvisthadbeenfascinatedbytheoldman’saount,butwhenVangerexcusedhimselftogotothebathroom,hisscepticismreturned.Theoldmanhadstillnotgottotheend,andBlomkvisthadfinallypromisedtolistentothewholestory.
    “Whatdoyouthinkhappenedtoher?”hesaidwhenVangercamebackintotheroom.
    “Normallythereweresometwenty-fivepeoplelivinghereyear-round,butbecauseofthefamilygatheringthereweremorethansixtyonHedebyIsndthatday.Ofthese,betweentwentyandtwenty-fivecanberuledout,prettymuchso.Ibelievethatofthoseremaining,someone—andinalllikelihooditwassomeonefromthefamily—killedHarrietandhidthebody.”
    “Ihaveadozenobjectionstothat.”
    “Let’shearthem.”
    “Well,thefirstoneisthatevenifsomeonehidherbody,itshouldhavebeenfoundifthesearchwasasthoroughastheoneyoudescribed.”
    “Totellyouthetruth,thesearchwasevenmoreextensivethanI’vedescribed.Itwasn’tuntilIbegantothinkofHarrietasamurdervictimthatIrealisedseveralwaysinwhichherbodycouldhavedisappeared.Ican’tprovethis,butit’satleastwithintherealmofpossibility.”
    “Tellme.”
    “Harrietwentmissingsometimearound3:00thatafternoon.Atabout2:55shewasseenbyPastorFalk,whowashurryingtothebridge.Atalmostexactlythesametimeaphotographerarrivedfromthelocalpaper,andforthenexthourhetookagreatnumberofpicturesofthedrama.We—thepolice,Imean—examinedthephotographsandconfirmedthatHarrietwasnotinanyoneofthem;buteveryotherpersonintownwasseeninatleastone,apartfromverysmallchildren.”
    Vangertookoutanotheralbumandpceditonthetable.
    “Thesearepicturesfromthatday.ThefirstonewastakeninHedestadduringtheChildren’sDayparade.Thesamephotographertookitaround1:15p.m.,andHarrietisthereinit.”
    Thephotographwastakenfromthesecondfloorofabuildingandshowedastreetalongwhichtheparade—clownsontrucksandgirlsinbathingsuits—hadjustpassed.Spectatorsthrongedthepavements.Vangerpointedatafigureinthecrowd.
    “That’sHarriet.It’sabouttwohoursbeforeshewilldisappear;she’swithsomeofherschoolfriendsintown.Thisisthestpicturetakenofher.Butthere’sonemoreinterestingshot.”
    Vangerleafedthroughthepages.Thealbumcontainedabout180pictures—fiverolls—fromthecrashonthebridge.Afterhavingheardtheaount,itwasalmosttoomuchtosuddenlyseeitintheformofsharpbck-and-whiteimages.Thephotographerwasaprofessionalwhohadmanagedtocapturetheturmoilsurroundingtheaident.Argenumberofthepicturesfocusedontheactivitiesaroundtheoverturnedtankertruck.Blomkvisthadnoproblemidentifyingagesticuting,muchyoungerHenrikVangersoakedwithheatingoil.
    “ThisismybrotherHarald.”TheoldmanpointedtoamaninshirtsleevesbendingforwardandpointingatsomethinginsidethewreckofAronsson’scar.“MybrotherHaraldmaybeanunpleasantperson,butIthinkhecanbeeliminatedfromthelistofsuspects.Exceptforaveryshortwhile,whenhehadtorunbackheretothefarmtochangehisshoes,hespenttheafternoononthebridge.”
    Vangerturnedsomemorepages.Oneimagefollowedanother.Focusonthetankertruck.Focusonspectatorsontheforeshore.FocusonAronsson’scar.Generalviews.Close-upswithatelephotolens.
    “Thisistheinterestingpicture,”Vangersaid.“Asfaraswecoulddetermineitwastakenbetween3:40and3:45,orabout45minutesafterHarrietranintoFalk.Takealookatthehouse,themiddlesecondfloorwindow.That’sHarriet’sroom.Intheprecedingpicturethewindowwasclosed.Hereit’sopen.”
    “SomeonemusthavebeeninHarriet’sroom.”
    “Iaskedeveryone;nobodywouldadmittoopeningthewindow.”
    “WhichmeansthateitherHarrietdiditherself,andshewasstilliveatthatpoint,orelsethatsomeonewaslyingtoyou.Butwhywouldamurderergointoherroomandopenthewindow?Andwhyshouldanyonelieaboutit?”
    Vangershookhishead.Noexpnationpresenteditself.
    “Harrietdisappearedsometimearound3:00orshortlythereafter.Thesepicturesgiveanimpressionofwherecertainpeoplewereatthattime.That’swhyIcaneliminateanumberofpeoplefromthelistofsuspects.ForthesamereasonIcanconcludethatsomepeoplewhowerenotinthephotographsatthattimemustbeaddedtothelistofsuspects.”
    “Youdidn’tanswermyquestionabouthowyouthinkthebodywasremoved.Irealise,ofcourse,thattheremustbesomepusibleexpnation.Somesortofmonoldillusionist’strick.”
    “Thereareactuallyseveralverypracticalwaysitcouldhavebeendone.Sometimearound3:00thekillerstruck.Heorshepresumablydidn’tuseanysortofweapon—orwewouldhavefoundtracesofblood.I’mguessingthatHarrietwasstrangledandI’mguessingthatithappenedhere—behindthewallinthecourtyard,somewhereoutofthephotographer’slineofsightandinablindspotfromthehouse.There’sapath,ifyouwanttotakeashortcut,totheparsonage—thestpceshewasseen—andbacktothehouse.Todaythere’sasmallflowerbedandwnthere,butinthesixtiesitwasagravelledareausedforparking.AllthekillerhadtodowasopenthebootofacarandputHarrietinside.Whenwebegansearchingtheisndthenextday,nobodywasthinkingthatacrimehadbeenmitted.Wefocusedontheshorelines,thebuildings,andthewoodsclosesttothevilge.”
    “Sonobodywascheckingthebootsofcars.”
    “Andbythefollowingeveningthekillerwouldhavebeenfreetogetinhiscaranddriveacrossthebridgetohidethebodysomewhereelse.”
    “Rightunderthenosesofeveryoneinvolvedinthesearch.Ifthat’sthewayithappened,we’retalkingaboutacold-bloodedbastard.”
    Vangergaveabitterugh.“YoujustgaveanaptdescriptionofquiteafewmembersoftheVangerfamily.”
    Theycontinuedtheirdiscussionoversupperat6:00.Annaservedroastharewithcurrantjellyandpotatoes.Vangerpouredarobustredwine.Blomkviststillhadplentyoftimetomakethesttrain.Hethoughtitwasabouttimetosumthingsup.
    “It’safascinatingstoryyou’vebeentellingme,Iadmitit.ButIstilldon’tknowwhyyouwantedmetohearit.”
    “Itoldyou.IwanttonailtheswinewhomurderedHarriet.AndIwanttohireyoutofindoutwhoitwas.”
    “Why?”
    Vangerputdownhisknifeandfork.“Mikael,forthirty-sixyearsI’vedrivenmyselfcrazywonderingwhathappenedtoHarriet.I’vedevotedmoreandmoreofmytimetoit.”
    Hefellsilentandtookoffhisgsses,scrutinisingsomeinvisiblespeckofdirtonthelens.ThenheraisedhiseyesandlookedatBlomkvist.
    “Tobepletelyhonestwithyou,Harriet’sdisappearancewasthereasonwhygraduallyIwithdrewfromthefirm’smanagement.Ilostallmotivation.Iknewthattherewasakillersomewherenearbyandtheworryingandsearchingforthetruthbegantoaffectmywork.Theworstthingisthattheburdendidn’tgetanylighterovertime—onthecontrary.Around1970IhadaperiodwhenIjustwantedtobeleftalone.ThenMartinjoinedtheboardofdirectors,andhehadtotakeonmoreandmoreofmywork.In1976IretiredandMartintookoverasCEO.Istillhaveaseatontheboard,butIhaven’tsailedmanyknotssinceIturnedfifty.Forthestthirty-sixyearsnotadayhaspassedthatIhavenotponderedHarriet’sdisappearance.YoumaythinkI’mobsessedwithit—atleastmostofmyretivesthinkso.”
    “Itwasahorrificevent.”
    “Morethanthat.Itruinedmylife.That’ssomethingI’vebeemoreawareofastimehaspassed.Doyouhaveagoodsenseofyourself?”
    “Ithinkso,yes.”
    “Idotoo.Ican’tfetwhathappened.Butmymotiveshavechangedovertheyears.Atfirstitwasprobablygrief.Iwantedtofindherandatleasthaveachancetoburyher.ItwasaboutgettingjusticeforHarriet.”
    “Inwhatwayhasthatchanged?”
    “Nowit’smoreaboutfindingthebastardwhodidit.Butthefunnythingis,theolderIget,themoreofanall-absorbinghobbyithasbee.”
    “Hobby?”
    “Yes,Iwouldusethatword.WhenthepoliceinvestigationpeteredoutIkeptgoing.I’vetriedtoproceedsystematicallyandscientifically.I’vegatheredallthermationthatcouldpossiblybefound—thephotographs,thepolicereport,I’vewrittendowneverythingpeopletoldmeaboutwhattheyweredoingthatday.SoineffectI’vespentalmosthalfmylifecollectingrmationaboutasingleday.”
    “Yourealise,Isuppose,thatafterthirty-sixyearsthekillerhimselfmightbedeadandburied?”
    “Idon’tbelievethat.”
    Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrowsattheconvictioninhisvoice.
    “Let’sfinishdinnerandgobackupstairs.There’sonemoredetailbeforemystoryisdone.Andit’sthemostperplexingofall.”
    SanderparkedtheCorolwiththeautomatictransmissionbythemuterrailwaystationinSundbyberg.ShehadborrowedtheToyotafromMiltonSecurity’smotorpool.Shehadnotexactlyaskedpermission,butArmanskyhadneverexpresslyforbiddenherfromusingMilton’scars.Soonerorter,shethought,Ihavetogetavehicleofmyown.Shedidownasecond-handKawasaki125,whichsheusedinthesummertime.Duringthewinterthebikewaslockedinhercelr.
    ShewalkedtoH?gklintav?genandrangthebelt6:00onthedot.SecondsterthelockonthestreetdoorclickedandshewentuptwoflightsandrangthedoorbellnexttothenameofSvensson.ShehadnoideawhoSvenssonmightbeorifanysuchpersonevenlivedinthatapartment.
    “Hi,Pgue,”shesaid.
    “Wasp.Youonlypopinwhenyouneedsomething.”
    Asusual,itwasdarkintheapartment;thelightfromasinglempseepedoutintothehallfromthebedroomheusedasanoffice.Theman,whowasthreeyearsolderthanSander,wassixfoottwoandweighed330pounds.Sheherselfwasfourfeetelevenandweighed90poundsandhadalwaysfeltlikeamidgetnexttoPgue.Thepcesmelledstuffyandstale.
    “It’sbecauseyounevertakeabath,Pgue.Itsmellslikeamonkeyhouseinhere.IfyoueverwentoutIcouldgiveyousometipsonsoap.TheyhaveitattheKonsum.”
    Hegaveherawansmile,butsaidnothing.Hemotionedhertofollowhimintothekitchen.Heploppeddownonachairbythekitchentablewithoutturningonalight.Theonlyilluminationcamefromthestreetlightbeyondthewindow.
    “Imean,Imaynotholdtherecordincleaninghouseeither,butifI’vegotoldmilkcartonsthatsmelllikemaggotsIbundlethemupandputthemout.”
    “I’monadisabilitypension,”hesaid.“I’msociallyinpetent.”
    “Sothat’swhythegovernmentgaveyouapcetoliveandfotaboutyou.Aren’tyoueverafraidthatyourneighboursaregoingtopintotheinspectors?Thenyoumightfetchupinthefunnyfarm.”
    “Haveyousomethingforme?”
    Sanderunzippedherjacketpocketandhandedhimfivethousandkronor.
    “It’sallIcanspare.It’smyownmoney,andIcan’treallydeductyouasadependant.”
    “Whatdoyouwant?”
    “Theelectroniuffyoutalkedabouttwomonthsago.Didyougetit?”
    Hesmiledandidaboxonthetable.
    “Showmehowitworks.”
    Forthenextfewminutesshelistenedintently.Thenshetestedthecuff.Pguemightbeasocialinpetent,buthewasunquestionablyagenius.
    VangerwaiteduntilheoncemorehadBlomkvist’sattention.Blomkvistlookedathiswatchandsaid,“Oneperplexingdetail.”
    Vangersaid:“IwasbornonNovember1.WhenHarrietwaseightshegavemeabirthdaypresent,apressedflower,framed.”
    Vangerwalkedaroundthedeskandpointedtothefirstflower.Bluebell.Ithadanamateurishmounting.
    “Thatwasthefirst.Igotitin1958.”Hepointedtothenextone.“1959.”Buttercup.“1960.”Daisy.“Itbecameatradition.Shewouldmaketheframesometimeduringthesummerandsaveituntilmybirthday.Ialwayshungthemonthewallinthisroom.In1966shedisappearedandthetraditionwasbroken.”
    Vangerpointedtoagapintherowofframes.Blomkvistfeltthehairsriseonthebackofhisneck.Thewallwasfilledwithpressedflowers.
    “1967,ayearaftershedisappeared,Ireceivedthisfloweronmybirthday.It’saviolet.”
    “Howdidthefloweretoyou?”
    “WrappedinwhattheycallgiftpaperandpostedinapaddedenvelopefromStockholssage.”
    “Youmeanthat…”Blomkvistmadeasweepinggesture.
    “Precisely.Onmybirthdayeverydamnyear.Doyouknowhowthatfeels?It’sdirectedatme,preciselyasifthemurdererwantstotortureme.I’veworriedmyselfsickoverwhetherHarrietmighthavebeentakenawaybecausesomeonewantedtogetatme.ItwasnosecretthatsheandIhadaspecialretionshipandthatIthoughtofherasmyowndaughter.”
    “Sowhatisityouwantmetodo?”Blomkvistsaid.
    WhenSanderreturnedtheCoroltothegarageunderMiltonSecurity,shemadesuretogotothetoiletupstairsintheoffice.Sheusedhercardkeyinthedoorandtooktheliftstraightuptothethirdfloortoavoidgoinginthroughthemainentranceonthesecondfloor,wherethedutyofficerworked.SheusedthetoiletandgotacupofcoffeefromtheespressomachihatArmanskyhadboughtwhenatlongstherecognisedthatSanderwouldnevermakecoffeejustbecauseitwasexpectedofher.Thenshewenttoherofficeandhungherleatherjacketoverthebackofherchair.
    Theofficewasa61/2-by-10-footgsscubicle.TherewasadeskwithanoldmodelDelldesktopPC,atelephone,oneofficechair,ametalwastepaperbasket,andashelf.Theshelfcontainedanassortmentofdirectoriesandthreebnknotes.Thetwodeskdrawershousedsomeballpoints,paperclips,andanote.Onthewindowsillstoodapottedpntwithbrown,witheredleaves.Sanderlookedthoughtfullyatthepnt,asifitwerethefirsttimeshehadseenit,thenshedepositeditfirmlyinthewastepaperbasket.
    Sheseldomhadanythingtodoinherofficeandvisiteditnomorethanhalfadozentimesayear,mainlywhensheneededtositbyherselfandprepareareportjustbeforehandingitin.Armanskyhadinsistedthatshehaveherownspace.Hisreasoningwasthatshewouldthenfeellikepartofthepanyalthoughsheworkedasafreencer.ShesuspectedthatArmanskyhopedthatthiswayhewouldhaveachancetokeepaneyeonherandmeddleinheraffairs.Atfirstshehadbeengivenspacefartherdownthecorridor,inargerroomthatshewasexpectedtosharewithacolleague.ButsinceshewasneverthereArmanskyfinallymovedherintothecubbyholeattheendofthecorridor.
    Sandertookoutthecuff.Shelookedatit,meditativelybitingherlowerlip.
    Itwaspast11:00andshewasaloneonthefloor.Shesuddenlyfeltexcruciatinglybored.
    AfterawhileshegotupandwalkedtotheendofthehalndtriedthedoortoArmansky’soffice.Locked.Shelookedaround.ThechancesofanyourningupinthecorridoraroundmidnightonDecember26werealmostnonexistent.Sheopenedthedoorwithapiratecopyofthepany’scardkey,whichshehadtakenthetroubletomakeseveralyearsbefore.
    Armansky’sofficewasspacious:infrontofhisdeskwereguestchairs,andaconferencetablewithroomforeightpeoplewasinthecorner.Itwasimpeablyneat.Shehadnotsnoopedinhisofficeforquitesometime,butnowthatshewashere…Shespentawhileathisdesktobringherselfuptodateregardingthesearchforasuspectedmoleinthepany,whichofhercolleagueshadbeenpntedundercoverinafirmwhereatheftringwasoperating,andwhatmeasureshadbeentakeninallsecrecytoprotectaclientwhowasafraidherchildwasindangerofbeingkidnappedbythefather.
    Atstsheputthepapersbackpreciselythewaytheywere,lockedArmansky’sdoor,andwalkedhome.Shefeltsatisfiedwithherday.
    “Idon’tknowwhetherwe’llfindoutthetruth,butIrefusetogotomygravewithoutgivingitonesttry,”theoldmansaid.“Isimplywanttomissionyoutogothroughalltheevidenceonesttime.”
    “Thisiscrazy,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Whyisitcrazy?”
    “I’veheardenough.Henrik,Iunderstandyourgrief,butIhavetobehonestwithyou.Whatyou’reaskingmetodoisawasteofmytimeandyourmoney.Youareaskingmetoconjureupasolutiontoamysterythatthepoliceandexperiencedinvestigatorswithconsiderablygreaterresourceshavefailedtosolvealltheseyears.You’reaskingmetosolveacrimegettingonforfortyyearsafteritwasmitted.HowcouldIpossiblydothat?”
    “Wehaven’tdiscussedyourfee,”Vangersaid.
    “Thatwon’tbenecessary.”
    “Ican’tforceyou,butlistentowhatI’moffering.Frodehasalreadydrawnupacontract.Wecannegotiatethedetails,butthecontractissimple,andallitneedsisyoursignature.”
    “Henrik,thisisabsurd.Ireallydon’tbelieveIcansolvethemysteryofHarriet’sdisappearance.”
    “Aordingtothecontract,youdon’thaveto.Allitasksisthatyoudoyourbest.Ifyoufail,thenit’sGod’swill,or—ifyoudon’tbelieveinHim—it’sfate.”
    Blomkvistsighed.HewasfeelingmoreandmoreunfortableandwantedtoendthisvisittoHedeby,butherelented.
    “Allright,let’shearit.”
    “IwantyoutoliveandworkhereinHedebyforayear.IwantyoutogothroughtheinvestigativereportonHarriet’sdisappearanceonepageatatime.Iwantyoutoexamineeverythingwithneweyes.Iwantyoutoquestionalltheoldconclusionsexactlythewayaninvestigativereporterwould.IwantyoutolookforsomethingthatIandthepoliceandotherinvestigatorsmayhavemissed.”
    “You’reaskingmetosetasidemylifeandcareertodevotemyselfforawholeyeartosomethingthat’sapletewasteoftime.”
    Vangersmiled.“Astoyourcareer,wemightagreethatforthemomentit’ssomewhatonhold.”
    Blomkvisthadnoanswertothat.
    “Iwanttobuyayearofyourlife.Giveyouajob.Thesaryisbetterthananyofferyou’llevergetinyourlife.Iwillpayyou200,000kronoramonth—that’s2.4millionkronorifyouaeptandstaythewholeyear.”
    Blomkvistwasastonished.
    “Ihavenoillusions.Thepossibilityyouwillsueedisminimal,butifagainstalloddsyoushouldcrackthemysterythenI’mofferingabonusofdoublepayment,or4.8millionkronor.Let’sbegenerousandrounditofftofivemillion.”
    Vangerleanedbackandcockedhishead.
    “Icanpaythemoneyintoanybankaountyouwish,anywhereintheworld.Youcanalsotakethemoneyincashinasuitcase,soit’suptoyouwhetheryouwanttoreporttheiothetaxauthorities.”
    “Thisis…nothealthy,”Blomkviststammered.
    “Whyso?”Vangersaidcalmly.“I’meighty-twoandstillinfullpossessionofmyfaculties.Ihaveargepersonalfortune;IcanspenditanywayIwant.IhavenochildrenandabsolutelynodesiretoleaveanymoneytoretivesIdespise.I’vemademystwilndtestament;I’llbegivingthebulkofmyfortuotheWorldWildlifeFund.Afewpeoplewhoareclosetomewillreceivesignificantamounts—includingAnna.”
    Blomkvistshookhishead.
    “Trytounderstandme,”Vangersaid.“I’mamanwho’sgoingtodiesoon.There’sohingintheworldIwanttohave—andthat’sananswertothisquestionthathaspguedmeforhalfmylife.Idon’texpecttofindtheanswer,butIdohaveresourcestomakeonestattempt.Isthatunreasonable?IoweittoHarriet.AndIoweittomyself.”
    “You’llbepayingmeseveralmillionkronorfornothing.AllIneedtodoissignthecontractandthentwiddlemythumbsforayear.”
    “Youwouldn’tdothat.Onthecontrary—you’llworkharderthanyou’veeverworkedinyourlife.”
    “Howcanyoubesosure?”
    “BecauseIcanofferyousomethingthatyoucan’tbuyforanyprice,butwhichyouwantmorethananythingintheworld.”
    “Andwhatwouldthatbe?”
    Vanger’seyesnarrowed.
    “IcangiveyouHans-ErikWennerstr?m.Icanprovethathe’saswindler.Hehappened,thirty-fiveyearsago,tobeginhiscareerwithme,andIcangiveyouhisheadonaptter.Solvethemysteryandyoucanturnyourdefeatincourtintothestoryoftheyear.”
    CHAPTER7
    Friday,January3
    ErikasethercoffeecuponthetableandstoodbythewindowlookingoutattheviewofGamStan.Itwas9:00inthemorning.AllthesnowhadbeenwashedawaybytherainoverNewYear’s.
    “I’vealwayslovedthisview,”shesaid.“AnapartmentlikethiswouldmakemegiveuplivinginSaltsj?baden.”
    “You’vegotthekeys.Youcanmoveoverfromyourupper-cssreserveanytimeyouwant,”Blomkvistsaid.Heclosedthesuitcaseandputitbythefrontdoor.
    Bergerturnedandgavehimadisbelievinglook.“Youcan’tbeserious,Mikael,”shesaid.“We’reinourworstcrisisandyou’repackingtogoandliveinTjottahejti.”
    “Hedestad.Acoupleofhoursbytrain.Andit’snotforever.”
    “ItmightaswellbeUnBator.Don’tyouseethatitwilllookasifyou’reslinkingoffwithyourtailbetweenyourlegs?”
    “That’spreciselywhatIamdoing.Besides,Ihavetodosomegaoltimetoo.”
    ChristerMalmwassittingonthesofa.Hewasunfortable.ItwasthefirsttimesincetheyfoundedMillenniumthathehadseenBergerandBlomkvistinsuchdisagreement.Overalltheyearstheyhadbeeninseparable.Sometimestheyhadfuriouscshes,buttheirargumentswerealwaysaboutbusinessmatters,andtheywouldinvariablyresolveallthoseissuesbeforethey