5

    huggedeachotherandwentbacktotheircorners.Ortobed.Lastautumnhadnotbeenfun,andnowitwasasifagreatgulfhadopenedupbetweenthem.MalmwonderedifhewaswatchingthebeginningoftheendofMillennium.
    “Idon’thaveachoice,”Blomkvistsaid.“Wedon’thaveachoice.”
    Hepouredhimselfacoffeeandsatatthekitchentable.Bergershookherheadandsatdownfacinghim.
    “Whatdoyouthink,Christer?”shesaid.
    Hehadbeenexpectingthequestionanddreadingthemomentwhenhewouldhavetotakeastand.Hewasthethirdpartner,buttheyallknewthatitwasBlomkvistandBergerwhowereMillennium.Theonlytimetheyaskedhisadvicewaswhentheycouldnotagree.
    “Honestly,”Malmsaid,“youbothknowperfectlywellitdoesn’tmatterwhatIthink.”
    Heshutup.Helovedmakingpictures.Helovedworkingwithgraphics.Hehadneverconsideredhimselfanartist,butheknewhewasadamnedgooddesigner.Ontheotherhand,hewashelplessatintrigueandpolicydecisions.
    BergerandBlomkvistlookedateachotheracrossthetable.Shewascoondfurious.Hewasthinkinghard.
    Thisisn’tanargument,Malmthought.It’sadivorce.
    “OK,letmepresentmycaseonesttime,”Blomkvistsaid.“ThisdoesnotmeanI’vegivenuponMillennium.We’vespenttoomuchtimeworkingourheartsoutforthat.”
    “Butnowyouwon’tbeattheoffice—ChristerandIwillhavetocarrytheload.Can’tyouseethat?You’retheonemarchingintoself-imposedexile.”
    “That’sthesecondthing.Ineedabreak,Erika.I’mnotfunctioninganymore.I’mburnedout.ApaidsabbaticalinHedestadmightbeexactlywhatIneed.”
    “Thewholethingisidiotic,Mikael.Youmightaswelltakeajobinacircus.”
    “Iknow.ButI’mgoingtoget2.4millionforsittingonmybacksideforayear,andIwon’tbewastingmytime.That’sthethirdthing.RoundOnewithWennerstr?misover,andheknockedmeout.RoundTwohasalreadystarted—he’sgoingtotrytosinkMillenniumforgoodbecauseheknowsthatthestaffherewillwaysknowwhathe’sbeenupto,foraslongasthemagazineexists.”
    “Iknowwhathe’sdoing.I’veseenitinthemonthlyadsalesfiguresforthestsixmonths.”
    “That’sexactlywhyIhavetogetoutoftheoffice.I’mlikearedragwavingathim.He’sparanoidasfarasI’mconcerned.AslongasI’mhere,he’lljustkeeponing.NowwehavetoprepareourselvesforRoundThree.Ifwe’regoingtohavetheslightestchanceagainstWennerstr?m,wehavetoretreatandworkoutawholenewstrategy.Wehavetofindsomethingtohammerhimwith.That’llbemyjobthisyear.”
    “Iunderstandallthat,”Bergersaid.“Sogoaheadandtakeaholiday.Goabroad,lieonabeachforamonth.CheckoutthelovelifeontheCostaBrava.Rex.GoouttoSandhamnandlookatthewaves.”
    “AndwhenIebacknothingwillbedifferent.Wennerstr?misgoingtocrushMillenniumunlessheisappeasedbymyhavingstooddown.Youknowthat.Theonlythingwhichmightotherwisestophimisifwegetsomethingonhimthatwecanuse.”
    “Andyouthinkthat’swhatyouwillfindinHedestad?”
    “Icheckedthecuttings.Wennerstr?mdidworkattheVangerpanyfrom1969to1972.Hewasinmanagementandwasresponsibleforstrategicpcements.Heleftinahurry.WhyshouldweruleoutthepossibilitythatHenrikVangerdoeshavesomethingonhim?”
    “Butifwhathedidhappenedthirtyyearsago,it’sgoingtobehardtoproveittoday.”
    “Vangerpromisedtosetoutindetailwhatheknows.He’sobsessedwiththismissinggirl—itseemstobetheonlythinghe’sinterestedin,andifthismeanshehastoburnWennerstr?mthenIthinkthere’sagoodchancehe’lldoit.Wecertainlycan’tignoretheopportunity—he’sthefirstpersonwho’ssaidhe’swillingtogoonrecordwithevidenceagainstWennerstr?m.”
    “Wecouldn’tuseitevenifyoucamebackwithincontrovertibleproofthatitwasWennerstr?mwhostrangledthegirl.Notaftersomanyyears.He’dmassacreusincourt.”
    “Thethoughthadcrossedmymind,butit’snogood:hewaspluggingawayattheStockholmSchoolofEconomicsandhadnoconnectionwiththeVangerpaniesatthetimeshedisappeared.”Blomkvistpaused.“Erika,I’mnotgoingtoleaveMillennium,butit’simportantforittolookasifIhave.YouandChristerhavetogoonrunningthemagazine.Ifyoucan…ifyouhaveachanceto…arrangeacease-firewithWennerstr?m,thendoit.Youcan’tdothatifI’mstillontheeditorialboard.”
    “OK,butit’sarottensituation,andIthinkyou’regraspingatstrawsgoingtoHedestad.”
    “Haveyouabetteridea?”
    Bergershrugged.“Weoughttostartchasingdownsourcesrightnoddoitrightthistime.”
    “Ricky—thatstoryisdeadasadoornail.”
    Dejected,Bergerrestedherheadonherhands.Whenshespoke,atfirstshedidnotwanttomeetBlomkvist’seyes.
    “I’msofuckingangrywithyou.Notbecausethestoryyouwrotewasbaseless—Iwasinonitasmuchasyouwere.Andnotbecauseyou’releavingyourjobaspublisher—that’sasmartdecisioninthissituation.Icangoalongwithmakingitlooklikeaschismorapowerstrugglebetweenyouandme—Iunderstandthelogicwhenit’samatterofmakingWennerstr?mbelieveI’maharmlessbimboandyou’retherealthreat.”Shepausedandnowlookedhimresolutelyintheeye.“ButIthinkyou’remakingamistake.Wennerstr?misn’tgoingtofallforit.He’sgoingtokeepondestroyingMillennium.Theonlydifferenceisthatstartingfromtoday,Ihavetofighthimalone,andyouknowthatyou’reneededmorethaneverontheeditorialboard.OK,I’dlovetowagewaragainstWennerstr?m,butwhatmakesmesocrossisthatyou’reabandoningshipallofasudden.You’releavingmeinthelurchwhenthingsareabsolutelyattheirworstever.”
    Blomkvistreachedacrossandstrokedherhair.
    “You’renotalone.You’vegotChristerandtherestofthestaffbehindyou.”
    “NotJanneDahlman.Bytheway,Ithinkyoumadeamistakehiringhim.He’spetent,buthedoesmoreharmthangood.Idon’ttrusthidon’tknowifhehopeshecantakeoveryourroleorwhetherit’sjustpersonalchemistrybetweenhimandtherestofthestaff.”
    “I’mafraidyou’reright,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “SowhatshouldIdo?Firehim?”
    “Erika,you’reeditorinchiefandtheseniorshareholderofMillennium.Ifyouhaveto,firehim.”
    “We’veneverfiredanyone,Micke.Andnowyou’redumpingthisdecisiononmetoo.It’snofunanymoregoingtotheofficeinthemorning.”
    AtthatpointMalmsurprisedthembystandingup.
    “Ifyou’regoingtocatchthattrainwe’vegottogetmoving.”Bergerbegantoprotest,butheheldupahand.“Wait,Erika,youaskedmewhatIthought.Well,Ithinkthesituationisshitty.ButifthingsarethewayMikaelsays—thathe’sabouttohitthewall—thenhereallydoeshavetoleaveforhisownsake.Weowehimthatmuch.”
    TheystaredatMalminastonishmentandhegaveBlomkvistanembarrassedlook.
    “Youbothknowthatit’syoutwowhoareMillennium.I’mapartnerandyou’vealwaysbeenfairwithmeandIlovethemagazineandallthat,butyoucouldeasilyrepcemewithsomeotherartdirector.Butsinceyouaskedformyopinion,thereyouhaveit.AsfarasDahlmanisconcerned,Iagreewithyou.Andifyouwanttofirehim,Erika,thenI’lldoitforyou.Aslongaswehaveacrediblereason.Obviouslyit’sextremelyunfortunatethatMikael’sleavingrightnow,butIdon’tthinkwehaveachoice.Mikael,I’lldriveyoutothestation.ErikaandIwillholdthefortuntilyougetback.”
    “WhatI’mafraidofisthatMikaelwon’tevereback,”Bergersaidquietly.
    ArmanskywokeupSanderwhenhecalledherat1:30intheafternoon.
    “What’sthisabout?”shesaid,drunkwithsleep.Hermouthtastedliketar.
    “MikaelBlomkvist.Ijusttalkedtoourclient,thewyer,Frode.”
    “So?”
    “HecalledtosaythatwecandroptheinvestigationofWennerstr?m.”
    “Dropit?ButI’vejuststartedworkingonit.”
    “Frodeisn’tinterestedanymore.”
    “Justlikethat?”
    “He’stheonewhodecides.”
    “Weagreedonafee.”
    “Howmuchtimehaveyouputin?”
    Sanderthoughtaboutit.“Threefulldays.”
    “Weagreedonaceilingoffortythousandkronor.I’llwriteaninvoicefortenthousand;you’llgethalf,whichisaeptableforthreedaysoftimewasted.He’llhavetopaybecausehe’stheonewhoinitiatedthewholething.”
    “WhatshouldIdowiththematerialI’vegathered?”
    “Isthereanythingdramatic?”
    “No.”
    “Frodedidn’taskforareport.Putitontheshelfincaseheesback.Otherwiseyoucanshredit.I’llhaveanewjobforyounextweek.”
    SandersatforawhileholdingthetelephoneafterArmanskyhungup.Shewenttoherworkcornerinthelivingroomandlookedatthenotesshehadpinneduponthewalndthepapersshehadstackedonthedesk.WhatshehadmanagedtocollectwasmostlypresscuttingsandarticlesdownloadedfromtheInter.Shetookthepapersanddroppedtheminadeskdrawer.
    Shefrowned.Blomkvist’sstrangebehaviourinthecourtroomhadpresentedaninterestingchallenge,andSanderdidnotlikeabortinganassignmentonceshehadstarted.Peoplealwayshavesecrets.It’sjustamatteroffindingoutwhattheyare.
    PART2
    ConsequenceAnalyses
    JANUARY3–MARCH17
    Forty-sixpercentofthewomeninSwedenhavebeensubjectedtoviolencebyaman.
    CHAPTER8
    Friday,January3–Sunday,January5
    WhenBlomkvistalightedfromhistraininHedestadforthesecondtime,theskywasapastelblueandtheairicycold.Thethermometeronthewallofthestationsaid0°F.Hewaswearingunsuitablewalkingshoes.Unlikeonhispreviousvisit,therewasnoHerrFrodewaitingwithawarmcar.Blomkvisthadtoldthemwhichdayhewouldarrive,butnotonwhichtrain.HeassumedtherewasabustoHedeby,buthedidnotfeellikestrugglingwithtwoheavysuitcasesandashoulderbag,sohecrossedthesquaretothetaxistand.
    IthadsnowedmassivelyallongtheNorrndcoastbetweenChristmasandNewYear’s,andjudgingbytheridgesandpilesofsnowthrownupbytheploughs,theroadteamshadbeenoutinfullforceinHedestad.Thetaxidriver,whosename,aordingtohisIDpostedonthewindow,wasHussein,noddedwhenBlomkvistaskedwhethertheyhadbeenhavingroughweather.InthebroadestNorrndaent,hereportedthatithadbeentheworstsnowstormindecades,andhebitterlyregrettednottakinghisholidayinGreeceovertheChristmasperiod.
    BlomkvistdirectedhimtoHenrikVanger’snewlyshovelledcourtyard,whereheliftedhissuitcasesontothecobblestonesandwatchedthetaxiheadbacktowardsHedestad.Hesuddenlyfeltlonelyanduncertain.
    Heheardthedooropenbehindhim.Vangerwaswrappedupinaheavyfurcoat,thickboots,andacapwithearfps.Blomkvistwasinjeansandathinleatherjacket.
    “Ifyou’regoingtoliveuphere,youneedtolearntodressmorewarmlyforthistimeofyear.”Theyshookhands.“Areyousureyoudon’twanttostayinthemainhouse?No?ThenIthinkwe’dbetterstartgettingyousettledintoyournewlodgings.”
    OneoftheconditionsinhisnegotiationswithVangerandDirchFrodehadbeenthathehavelivingquarterswherehecoulddohisownhousekeepingandeandgoashepleased.VangerledBlomkvistbackalongtheroadtowardsthebridgeandthenturnedtoopenthegatetoanothernewlyshovelledcourtyardinfrontofasmalltimberedhouseclosetotheendofthebridge.Thehousewasnotlocked.TheysteppedintoamodesthallwaywhereBlomkvist,withasighofrelief,putdownhissuitcases.
    “Thisiswhatwecallourguesthouse.It’swhereweusuallyputpeopleupwhoaregoingtostayforalongerperiodoftime.Thiswaswhereyouandyourparentslivedin1963.It’soneoftheoldestbuildingsinthevilge,butit’sbeenmodernised.IaskedNilsson,mycaretaker,tolightthefirethismorning.”
    Thehouseconsistedofargekitchenandtwosmallerrooms,totallingabout500squarefeet.Thekitchentookuphalfthespaceandwasquitemodern,withanelectricstoveandasmallrefrigerator.Againstthewallfacingthefrontdoorstoodanoldcast-ironstoveinwhichafirehadindeedbeenlitearlierintheday.
    “Youdon’tneedtousethewoodstoveunlessitgetsbitterlycold.Thefirewoodbinisthereinthehallway,andyou’llfindawoodshedattheback.Thehousehasbeenunlived-inthisautumn.Theelectricheatersareusuallysufficient.Justmakesureyoudon’thanganyclothesonthem,oritmaystartafire.”
    Blomkvistlookedaround.Windowsfacedthreedifferentdirections,andfromthekitchentablehehadaviewofthebridge,aboutahundredfeetaway.Thefurnishingsinthekitchenincludedthreebigcupboards,somekitchenchairs,anoldbench,andashelffornewspapers.OntopwasanissueofSeefrom1967.Inonecornerwasasmallertablethatcouldbeusedasadesk.
    Twonarrowdoorsledtosmallerrooms.Theoneontheright,closesttotheoutsidewall,washardlymorethanacubbyholewithadesk,achair,andsomeshelvesalongthewall.Theotherroom,betweenthehallwayandthelittleoffice,wasaverysmallbedroomwithanarrowdoublebed,abedsidetable,andawardrobe.Onthewallshungndscapepaintings.Thefurnitureandwallpaperinthehousewerealloldandfaded,butthepcesmelledniceandclean.Someonehadworkedoverthefloorwithadoseofsoap.Thebedroomhadanotherdoortothehallway,whereastoreroomhadbeenconvertedintoabathroomwithashower.
    “Youmayhaveaproblemwiththewater,”Vangersaid.“Wecheckeditthismorning,butthepipesaren’tburiedverydeep,andifthiscoldhangsonforlongtheymayfreeze.There’sabucketinthehallwaysoeupandgetwaterfromusifyouneedto.”
    “I’llneedatelephone,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “I’vealreadyorderedone.They’llbeheretoinstallitthedayaftertomorrow.So,whatdoyouthink?Ifyouchangeyourmind,youwouldbeweleinthemainhouseatanytime.”
    “Thiswillbejustfine,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Excellent.Wehaveanotherhourorsoofdaylightleft.Shallwetakeawalksoyoucanfamiliariseyourselfwiththevilge?MightIsuggestthatyouputonsomeheavysocksandapairofboots?You’llfindthembythefrontdoor.”Blomkvistdidashesuggestedanddecidedthattheverynextdayhewouldgoshoppingforlongunderwearandapairofgoodwintershoes.
    TheoldmanstartedthetourbyexpiningthatBlomkvist’sneighbouracrosstheroadwasGunnarNilsson,theassistantwhomVangerinsistedoncalling“thecaretaker.”ButBlomkvistsoonrealisedthathewasmoreofasuperintendentforallthebuildingsonHedebyIsnd,andhealsohadresponsibilityforseveralbuildingsinHedestad.
    “HisfatherwasMagnusNilsson,whowasmycaretakerinthesixties,oneofthemenwhohelpedoutattheaidentonthebridge.MagnusisretiredandlivesinHedestad.Gunnarlivesherewithhiswife,whosenameisHelena.Theirchildrenhavemovedout.”
    Vangerpausedforamomenttoshapewhathewouldsaynext,whichwas:“Mikael,theofficialexpnationforyourpresencehereisthatyou’regoingtohelpmewritemyautobiography.Thatwillgiveyouanexcuseforpokingaroundinallthedarkcornersandaskingquestions.ThereassignmentisstrictlybetweenyouandmeandDirchFrode.”
    “Iunderstand.AndI’llrepeatwhatIsaidbefore:Idon’tthinkI’mgoingtobeabletosolvethemystery.”
    “AllIaskisthatyoudoyourbest.Butwemustbecarefulwhatwesayinfrontofanyoneelse.Gunnarisfifty-six,whichmeansthathewasnieenwhenHarrietdisappeared.There’sonequestionthatInevergotanswered—HarrietandGunnarweregoodfriends,andIthinksomesortofchildishromancewentonbetweenthem.Hewasprettyinterestedinher,atanyrate.Butonthedayshedisappeared,hewasinHedestad;hewasoneofthosestrandedonthemainnd.Becauseoftheirretionship,hecameunderclosescrutiny.Itwasquiteunpleasantforhim.Hewaswithsomefriendsallday,andhedidn’tgetbackhereuntilevening.Thepolicecheckedhisalibianditwasairtight.”
    “Iassumethatyouhavealistofeveryonewhowasontheisndandwhateverybodywasdoingthatday.”
    “That’scorrect.Shallwegoon?”
    Theystoppedatthecrossroadsonthehill,andVangerpointeddowntowardstheoldfishingharbour,nowusedforsmallboats.
    “AllthendonHedebyIsndisownedbytheVangerfamily—orbyme,tobemoreprecise.Theoneexceptionisthefarmndat?sterg?rdenandafewhouseshereinthevilge.Thecabinsdownthereatthefishingharbourareprivatelyowned,butthey’resummercottagesandaremostlyvacantduringthewinter.Exceptforthathousefarthestaway—youcanseesmokeingfromthechimney.”
    Blomkvistsawthesmokerising.Hewasfrozentothebone.
    “It’samiserablydraughtyhovelthatfunctionsaslivingquartersyear-round.That’swhereEugenNormanlives.He’sinhisteseventiesandisapainterofsorts.Ithinkhisworkiskitsch,buthe’sratherwellknownasandscapepainter.Youmightcallhimtheobligatoryeentricinthevilge.”
    VangerguidedBlomkvistouttowardsthepoint,identifyingonehouseaftertheother.Thevilgeconsistedofsixbuildingsonthewestsideoftheroadandfourontheeast.Thefirsthouse,closesttoBlomkvist’sguesthouseandtheVangerestate,belongedtoHenrikVanger’sbrotherHarald.Itwasarectangur,two-storeystonebuildingwhichatfirstgnceseemedunoupied.Thecurtainsweredrawnandthepathtothefrontdoorhadnotbeencleared;itwascoveredwithafootandahalfofsnow.Onsecondgnce,theycouldseethefootprintsofsomeonewhohadtrudgedthroughthesnowfromtheroaduptothedoor.
    “Haraldisarecluse.HeandIhaveneverseeneyetoeye.Apartfromourdisagreementsoverthefirm—he’sashareholder—we’vebarelyspokentoeachotherinnearly60years.He’sniy-twonow,andtheonlyoneofmyfourbrothersstillive.I’lltellyouthedetailster,buthetrainedtobeadoctorandspentmostofhisprofessionallifeinUppsa.HemovedbacktoHedebywhenheturnedseventy.”
    “Youdon’tcaremuchforeachother,andyetyou’reneighbours.”
    “Ifindhimdetestable,andIwouldhaveratherhe’dstayedinUppsa,butheownsthishouse.DoIsoundlikeascoundrel?”
    “Yousoundlikesomeonewhodoesn’tmuchlikehisbrother.”
    “Ispentthefirsttwenty-fiveyearsofmylifeapologisingforpeoplelikeHaraldbecausewe’refamily.ThenIdiscoveredthatbeingretedisnoguaranteeofloveandIhadfewreasonstodefendHarald.”
    ThenexthousebelongedtoIsabel,HarrietVanger’smother.
    “She’llbeseventy-fivethisyear,andshe’sstilsstylishandvainasever.She’salsotheonlyoneinthevilgewhotalkstoHarald,andoasionallyvisitshim,buttheydon’thavemuchinmon.”
    “HowwasherretionshipwithHarriet?”
    “Goodquestion.Thewomenhavetobeincludedamongthesuspects.Itoldyouthatshemostlyleftthechildrentotheirowndevices.Ican’tbesure,butIthinkherheartwasintherightpce;shejustwasn’tcapableoftakingresponsibility.SheandHarrietwereneverclose,buttheyweren’tenemieseither.Isabelcanbetough,butsometimesshe’snotallthere.You’llseewhatImeanwhenyoumeether.”
    Isabel’sneighbourwasCeciliaVanger,thedaughterofHarald.
    “ShewasmarriedonceandlivedinHedestad,butsheandherhusbandseparatedsometwentyyearsago.Iownthehouseandofferedtolethermovein.Sheisateacher,andinmanywaysshe’sthedirectoppositeofherfather.Imightaddthatsheandherfatherspeaktoeachotheronlywhennecessary.”
    “Howoldisshe?”
    “Bornin1946.SoshewastwentywhenHarrietdisappeared.Andyes,shewasoneoftheguestsontheisndthatday.Ceciliamayseemflighty,butinfactshe’sshrewderthanmost.Don’tunderestimateher.Ifanyone’sgoingtoferretoutwhatyou’reupto,she’stheone.Imightaddthatshe’soneofmyretivesforwhomIhavethehighestregard.”
    “Doesthatmeanthatyoudon’tsuspecther?”
    “Iwouldn’tsaythat.Iwantyoutoponderthematterwithoutanyconstraints,regardlessofwhatIthinkorbelieve.”
    ThehouseclosesttoCecilia’swasalsoownedbyHenrikVanger,butitwasleasedtoanelderlycoupleformerlypartofthemanagementteamoftheVangerpanies.TheyhadmovedtoHedebyIsndintheeighties,sotheyhadnothingtodowithHarriet’sdisappearance.ThenexthousewasownedbyBirgerVanger,Cecilia’sbrother.ThehousehadbeenemptyformanyyearssinceBirgermovedtoamodernhouseinHedestad.
    Mostofthebuildingsliningtheroadweresolidstonestructuresfromtheearlytwentiethcentury.Thesthousewasofadifferenttype,amodern,architect-designedhomebuiltofwhitebrickwithbckwindowframes.Itwasinabeautifulsituation,andBlomkvistcouldseethattheviewfromthetopfloormustbemagnificent,facingtheseatotheeastandHedestadtothenorth.
    “ThisiswhereMartinlives—Harriet’sbrotherandtheVangerCorporationCEO.Theparsonageusedtobehere,butthatbuildingwasdestroyedbyafireintheseventies,andMartinbuiltthishousein1978whenhetookoverasCEO.”
    InthestbuildingontheeastsideoftheroadlivedGerdaVanger,widowofHenrik’sbrotherGreger,andherson,Alexander.
    “Gerdaissickly.Shesuffersfromrheumatism.AlexanderownsasmallshareoftheVangerCorporation,butherunsanumberofhisownbusinesses,includingrestaurants.HeusuallyspendsafewmonthseachyearinBarbados,wherehehasinvestedaconsiderablesuminthetouristtrade.”
    BetweenGerda’sandHenrik’shouseswasaplotofndwithtwosmaller,emptybuildings.Theywereusedasguesthousesforfamilymembers.OntheothersideofHenrik’shousestoodaprivatedwellingwhereanotherretiredemployeelivedwithhiswife,butitwasemptyinthewinterwhenthecouplerepairedtoSpain.
    Theyreturnedtothecrossroads,andwiththatthetourwasover.Duskwasbeginningtofall.Blomkvisttooktheinitiative.
    “Henrik,I’lldowhatI’vebeenhiredtodo.I’llwriteyourautobiography,andI’llhumouryoubyreadingallthemateriaboutHarrietascarefullyandcriticallyasIcan.IjustwantyoutorealisethatI’mnotaprivatedetective.”
    “Iexpectnothing.”
    “Fine.”
    “I’manightowl,”Vangersaid.“SoI’matyourdisposanytimeafterlunch.I’lrrangeforyoutohaveanofficeuphere,andyoucanmakeuseofitwheneveryoulike.”
    “No,thankyou.Ihaveanofficeintheguesthouse,andthat’swhereI’lldomywork.”
    “Asyouwish.”
    “IfIneedtotalktoyou,we’lldoitinyouroffice,butI’mnotgoingtostartthrowingquestionsatyoutonight.”
    “Iunderstand.”Theoldmanseemedimprobablytimid.
    “It’sgoingtotakeacoupleofweekstoreadthroughthepapers.We’llworkontwofronts.We’llmeetforafewhourseachdaysothatIcaninterviewyouandgathermaterialforyourbiography.WhenIstarthavingquestionsaboutHarrietwhichIneedtodiscusswithyou,I’llletyouknow.”
    “Thatsoundssensible.”
    “I’mgoingtorequireafreehandtodomywork,andIwon’thaveanysetworkhours.”
    “Youdecideforyourselfhowtheworkshouldbedone.”
    “Isupposeyou’reawarethatIhavetospendacoupleofmonthsinprison.Idon’tknowexactlywhen,butI’mnotgoingtoappeal.It’llprobablybesometimethisyear.”
    Vangerfrowned.“That’sunfortunate.We’llhavetosolvethatproblemwhenitesup.Youcanalwaysrequestapostponement.”
    “Ifit’spermittedandIhaveenoughmaterial,Imightbeabletoworkonyourinprison.Onemorething:I’mstillpartownerofMillenniumandasofnowit’samagazineincrisis.IfsomethinghappensthatrequiresmypresenceinStockholm,IwouldhavetodropwhatI’mdoingandgothere.”
    “Ididn’ttakeyouonasaserf.IwantyoutodoathoroughjobontheassignmentI’vegivenyou,but,ofcourse,youcansetyourownscheduleanddotheworkasyouseefit.Ifyouneedtotakesometimeoff,feelfreetodoit,butifIfindoutthatyou’renotdoingthework,I’llconsiderthatabreachofcontract.”
    Vangerlookedovertowardsthebridge.Hewasagauntman,andBlomkvistthoughtthathelookedatthatmomentlikeamencholyscarecrow.
    “AsfarasMillenniumisconcerned,weoughttohaveadiscussionaboutwhatkindofcrisisit’sinandwhetherIcanhelpinsomeway.”
    “ThebestassistanceyoucanofferistogivemeWennerstr?m’sheadonaptterrighthereandnow.”
    “Ohno,I’mnotthinkingofdoingthat.”TheoldmangaveBlomkvistahardlook.“TheonlyreasonyoutookthisjobwasbecauseIpromisedtoexposeWennerstr?m.IfIgiveyouthermationnow,youcouldstopworkonthejobwheneveryoufeltlikeit.I’llgiveyouthermationayearfromnow.”
    “Henrik,fivemeforsayingthis,butIcan’tbesurethatayearfromnowyou’llbealive.”
    Vangersighedandcastathoughtfulgazeoverthefishingharbour.
    “Fairenough.I’lltalktoFrodeandseeifwecanworksomethingout.ButasfarasMillenniumisconcerned,Imightbeabletohelpinanotherway.AsIunderstandit,theadvertisershavebeguntopullout.”
    “Theadvertisersaretheimmediateproblem,butthecrisisgoesdeeperthanthat.It’samatteroftrust.Itdoesn’tmatterhowmanyadvertiserswehaveifno-onewantstobuythemagazine.”
    “Irealisethat.I’mstillontheboardofdirectorsofquiteargecorporation,albeitinapassiverole.Wehavetopceadvertisementssomewhere.Let’sdiscussthematteratsomestage.Wouldyouliketohavedinner…”
    “No.Iwanttogetsettled,buysomegroceries,andtakealookaround.TomorrowI’llgotoHedestadandshopforwinterclothes.”
    “Goodidea.”
    “I’dlikethefilesaboutHarriettobemovedovertomypce.”
    “Theyneedtobehandled…”
    “Withgreatcare—Iunderstand.”
    Blomkvistreturnedtotheguesthouse.Histeethwerechatteringbythetimehegotindoors.Thethermometeroutsidethewindowsaid5°F,andhecouldn’tremembereverfeelingsocoldasafterthatwalk,whichhadstedbarelytwentyminutes.
    Hespentanhoursettlinghimselfintowhatwastobehishomefortheingyear.Heputhisclothesinthewardrobeinthebedroom,histoiletrieswentinthebathroomcabi.Hissecondsuitcasewasactuallyatrunkonwheels.Fromithetooks,CDsandaCDpyer,notes,aSanyotaperecorder,aMicrotekscanner,aportableink-jetprinter,aMinoltadigitalcamera,andanumberofotheritemsheregardedasessentialkitforayearinexile.
    HearrangedthesandtheCDsontheshelfintheofficealongsidetwobinderscontainingresearchmaterialonHans-ErikWennerstr?m.Thematerialwasuseless,buthecouldnotletitgo.Somehowhehadtoturnthosetwofoldersintobuildingblocksforhiscontinuingcareer.
    Finallyheopenedhisshoulderbagandputhisionthedeskintheoffice.Thenhestoppedandlookedabouthimwithasheepishexpression.Thebenefitsoflivinginthecountryside,forsooth.Therewasnowheretopluginthebroadbandcable.Hedidnotevenhaveatelephonejacktoconnectanolddial-upmodem.
    BlomkvistcalledtheTeliatelephonepanyfromhismobile.Afteraslighthassle,hemanagedtogetsomeoofindtheorderthatVangerhadpcedfortheguesthouse.HewantedtoknowwhethertheconnectioncouldhandleADSLandwastoldthatitwouldbepossiblebywayofareyinHedeby,andthatitwouldtakeseveraldays.
    Itwasafter4:00bythetimeBlomkvistwasdone.Heputonapairofthicksocksandtheborrowedbootsandpulledonanextrasweater.Atthefrontdoorhestoppedshort;hehadbeengivennokeystothehouse,andhisbig-cityinstinctsrebelledattheideaofleavingthefrontdoorunlocked.Hewentbacktothekitchenandbeganopeningdrawers.Finallyhefoundakeyhangingfromanailinthepantry.
    Thetemperaturehaddroppedto-1°F.Hewalkedbrisklyacrossthebridgeandupthehillpastthechurch.TheKonsumstorewasconvenientlylocatedaboutthreehundredyardsaway.Hefilledtwopaperbagstooverflowingwithsuppliesandthencarriedthemhomebeforereturningacrossthebridge.ThistimehestoppedatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.Thewomanbehindthecounterwasinherfifties.HeaskedwhethershewasSusanneandthenintroducedhimselfbysayingthathewasundoubtedlygoingtobearegurcustomer.Hewasforthetimebeingtheonlycustomer,andSusanneofferedhimcoffeewhenheorderedsandwichesandboughtaloafofbread.HepickedupacopyoftheHedestadCourierfromthenewspaperrackandsatatatablewithaviewofthebridgeandthechurch,itsfacadenowlitup.ItlookedlikeaChristmascard.Ittookhimaboutfourminutestoreadthenewspaper.TheonlynewsofinterestwasabriefitemexpiningthatalocalpoliticianbythenameofBirgerVangerwasgoingtoinvestin“ITTechCent”—atechnologydevelopmentcentreinHedestad.Mikaelsatthereuntilthecaféclosedat6:00.
    At7:30hecalledBerger,butwasadvisedthatthepartyatthatnumberwasnotavaible.Hesatonthekitchenbenchandtriedtoreadanovelwhich,aordingtothebackcovertext,wasthesensationaldebutofateenagefeminist.Thenovelwasabouttheauthor’sattempttogetahandleonhersexlifeduringatriptoParis,andBlomkvistwonderedwhetherhecouldbecalledafeministifhewroteanovebouthisownsexlifeinthevoiceofahigh-schoolstudent.Probablynot.Hehadboughtthebecausethepublisherhadhailedthefirst-timenovelistas“anewCarinaRydberg.”Hequicklyascertainedthatthiswasnotthecaseineitherstyleorcontent.HeputtheasideforawhileandinsteadreadaHopalongCassidystoryinanissueofRekordmagasifromthemid-fifties.
    Everyhalfhourheheardthecurt,mutedcngofthechurchbell.Lightswerevisibleinthewindowsatthehomeofthecaretakeracrosstheroad,butBlomkvistcouldnotseeanyoneinsidethehouse.HaraldVanger’shousewasdark.Around9:00acardroveacrossthebridgeanddisappearedtowardsthepoint.Atmidnightthelightsonthefacadeofthechurchwereturnedoff.ThatwasapparentlythefullextentoftheentertainmentinHedebyonaFridaynightinearlyJanuary.Itwaseerilyquiet.
    HetriedagaintocallBergerandgothervoicemail,askinghimtoleavehisnameandamessage.Hedidsoandthenturnedoffthelightandwenttobed.Thestthinghethoughtaboutbeforehefelsleepwasthathewasgoingtorunahighriskofgoingstir-crazyinHedeby.
    Itwasstrangetoawaketouttersilence.Blomkvistpassedfromdeepsleeptototalertnessinafractionofasecond,andthenystill,listening.Itwascoldintheroowas7:08—hehadneverbeenmuchofamorningperson,anditusedtobehardforhimtowakeupwithouthavingatleasttwoarmclocks.Todayhehadwokenallbyhimself,andheevenfeltrested.
    Heputsomewateronforcoffeebeforegettingintotheshower.Hewassuddenlyamusedathissituation.KalleBlomkvist—onaresearchtripinthebackofbeyond.
    Theshowerheadchangedfromscaldingtoice-coldattheslightesttouch.Therewasnomorningpaperonthekitchentable.Thebutterwasfrozen.Therewasnocheeseslicerinthedrawerofkitchenutensils.Itwasstillpitchdarkoutside.Thethermometershowed6belowzero.ItwasSaturday.
    ThebusstopforHedestadwasovertheroadfromKonsum,andBlomkviststartedoffhisexilebycarryingouthispntogoshoppingintown.Hegotoffthebusbytherailwaystationandmadeatourofthecentreoftown.Alongthewayheboughtheavywinterboots,twopairsoflongunderwear,severalfnnelshirts,aproperthigh-lengthwinterjacket,awarmcap,andlinedgloves.AttheelectronicsstorehefoundasmallportableTVwithrabbitears.ThesalesclerkassuredhimthathewouldatleastbeabletogetSVT,thestateTVchannel,outatHedeby,andBlomkvistpromisedtoaskforhismoneybackifthatturnedoutnottobethecase.
    HestoppedatthelibrarytogethimselfacardandborrowedtwomysteriesbyElizabethGee.Heboughtpensandnotes.Healsoboughtarucksackforcarryinghisnewpossessions.
    Finallyheboughtapackofcigarettes.Hehadstoppedsmokingtenyearsago,butoasionallyhewouldhavearepse.Hestuckthepackinhisjacketpocketwithoutopeningit.Hisststopwastheoptician’s,andthereheboughtcontactlenssolutionandorderednewlenses.
    By2:00hewasbackinHedeby,andhewasjustremovingthepricetagsfromhisnewclotheswhenheheardthefrontdooropen.Ablondewoman—perhapsinherfifties—knockedontheopenkitchendoorasshesteppedacrossthethreshold.Shewascarryingaspongecakeonaptter.
    “Hello.Ijustwantedtoeovertointroducemyself.MynameisHelenaNilsson,andIliveacrosstheroad.Ihearwe’regoingtobeneighbours.”
    Theyshookhandsandheintroducedhimself.
    “Ohyes,I’veseenyouonTV.It’sgoingtobenicetoseelightsoverhereintheevening.”
    Blomkvistputonsomecoffee.Shebegantoobjectbutthensatatthekitchentable,castingafurtivegnceoutthewindow.
    “HereesHenrikwithmyhusband.Itlookslikesomeboxesforyou.”
    VangerandGunnarNilssondrewupoutsidewithadolly,andBlomkvistrushedouttogreetthemandtohelpcarrythefourpackingcratesinside.Theysettheboxesonthefloornexttothestove.BlomkvistgotoutthecoffeecupsandcutintoFr?kenNilsson’sspongecake.
    TheNilssonswerepleasantpeople.TheydidnotseemcuriousaboutwhyBlomkvistwasinHedestad—thefactthathewasworkingforHenrikVangerwasevidentlyenoughofanexpnation.BlomkvistobservedtheinteractionbetweentheNilssonsandVanger,concludingthatitwasrexedandckinginanysortofgulfbetweenmasterandservants.TheytalkedaboutthevilgeandthemanwhohadbuilttheguesthousewhereBlomkvistwasliving.TheNilssonswouldpromptVangerwhenhismemoryfailedhim.He,ontheotherhand,toldafunnystoryabouthowNilssonhadehomeonenighttodiscoverthevilgeidiotfromacrossthebridgetryingtobreakawindowattheguesthouse.Nilssonwentovertoaskthehalf-witteddelinquentwhyhedidn’tgointhroughtheunlockedfrontdoor.NilssoninspectedBlomkvist’slittleTVwithmisgivingandinvitedhimtoeacrosstotheirhouseiftherewaseveraprogrammehewantedtosee.
    VangerstayedonbrieflyaftertheNilssonsleft.HethoughtitbestthatBlomkvistsortthroughthefileshimself,andhecouldetothehouseifhehadanyproblems.
    Whenhewasaloneoncemore,Blomkvistcarriedtheboxesintohisofficeandmadeaninventoryofthecontents.
    Vanger’sinvestigationintothedisappearanceofhisbrother’sgranddaughterhadbeengoingonforthirty-sixyears.Blomkvistwonderedwhetherthiswasanunhealthyobsessionorwhether,overtheyears,ithaddevelopedintoanintellectualgame.Whatwasclearwasthattheoldpatriarchhadtackledthejobwiththesystematicapproachofanamateurarchaeologist—thematerialwasgoingtofilltwentyfeetofshelving.
    Thergestsectionofitconsistedoftwenty-sixbinders,whichwerethecopiesofthepoliceinvestigation.Hardtobelieveanordinarymissing-personcasewouldhaveproducedsuchprehensivematerial.VangernodoubthadenoughclouttokeeptheHedestadpolicefollowingupbothpusibleandimpusibleleads.
    Thentherewerescraps,photographalbums,maps,textsaboutHedestadandtheVangerfirm,Harriet’sdiary,herschools,medicalcertificates.ThereweresixteenboundA4volumesofonehundredorsopageseach,whichwereVanger’slogoftheinvestigations.Inthesenoteshehadrecordedinanimpeablehandhisownspecutions,theories,digressions.Blomkvistleafedthroughthem.Thetexthadaliteraryquality,andhehadthefeelingthatthesetextswerefaircopiesofperhapsmanymorenotes.ThereweretenbinderscontainingmaterialonmembersoftheVangerfamily;thesepagesweretypedandhadbeenpiledovertheinterveningyears,Vanger’sinvestigationsofhisownfamily.
    Around7:00heheardaloudmeowingatthefrontdoor.Areddish-browncatslippedswiftlypasthimintothewarmth.
    “Wisecat,”hesaid.
    Thecatsniffedaroundtheguesthouseforawhile.Mikaelpouredsomemilkintoadish,andhisguestppeditup.Thenthecathoppedontothekitchenbenchandcurledup.Andthereshestayed.
    Itwasafter10:00beforeBlomkvisthadthescopeofthematerialclearinhismindandhadarrangeditontheshelves.Heputonapotofcoffeeandmadehimselftwosandwiches.Hehadnoteatenapropermeallday,buthewasstrangelyuninterestedod.Heofferedthecatapieceofsausageandsomeliverwurst.Afterdrinkinghiscoffee,hetookthecigarettesoutofhisjacketpocketandopenedthepack.
    Hecheckedhismobile.Bergerhadnotcalled.Hetriedheroncemore.Againonlyhervoicemail.
    OneofthefirststepsBlomkvisthadtakenwastoscaninthemapofHedebyIsndthathehadborrowedfromVanger.Whileallthenameswerestillfreshinhismind,hewrotedownwholivedineachhouse.TheVangercnconsistedofsuchanextensivecastthatitwouldtaketimetolearnwhowaswho.
    Justbeforemidnightheputonwarmclothesandhisnewshoesandwalkedacrossthebridge.Heturnedofftheroadandalongthesoundbelowthechurch.Icehadformedonthesoundandinsidetheoldharbour,butfartherouthecouldseeadarkerbeltofopenwater.Ashestoodthere,thelightsonthefacadeofthechurchwentout,anditwasdarkalroundhim.Itwasicycoldandstarsfilledthesky.
    AllofasuddenBlomkvistfeltdepressed.HecouldnotforthelifeofhimunderstandhowhehadallowedVangertotalkhimintotakingonthisassignment.Bergerwasright:heshouldbeinStockholm—inbedwithher,forinstance—andpnninghiscampaignsagainstWennerstr?m.Buthefeltapatheticaboutthattoo,andhedidn’tevenhavethefaintestideahowtobeginpnningacounter-strategy.
    Haditbeendaylight,hewouldhavewalkedstraighttoVanger’shouse,cancelledhiscontract,andgonehome.Butfromtherisebesidethechurchhecouldmakeoutallthehousesontheisndside.HaraldVanger’shousewasdark,buttherewerelightsoninCecilia’shome,aswelsinMartin’sviloutbythepointandinthehousethatwasleased.Inthesmall-boatharbourtherewerelightsoninthedraughtycabinoftheartistandlittlecloudsofsparkswererisingfromhischimney.Therewerealsolightsoninthetopfloorofthecafé,andBlomkvistwonderedwhetherSusannelivedthere,andifso,whethershewasalone.
    OnSundaymorningheawokeinpanicattheincredibledinthatfilledtheguesthouse.Ittookhimasecondtogethisbearingsandrealisethatitwasthechurchbellssummoningparishionerstomorningservice.Itwasnearly11:00.Hestayedinbeduntilheheardanurgentmeowinginthedoorwayandgotuptoletoutthecat.
    Bynoonhehadshoweredandeatenbreakfast.Hewentresolutelyintohisofficeandtookdownthefirstbinderfromthepoliceinvestigation.Thenhehesitated.FromthegablewindowhecouldseeSusanne’sBridgeCafé.Hestuffedthebinderintohisshoulderbagandputonhisoutdoorclothes.Whenhereachedthecafé,hefounditbrimmingwithcustomers,andtherehehadtheanswertoaquestionthathadbeeninthebackofhismind:howcouldacafésurviveinabackwaterlikeHedeby?Susannespecialisedinchurchgoersandpresumablydidcoffeeandcakesforfuneralsandotherfunctions.
    Hetookawalkinstead.KonsumwasclosedonSundays,andhecontinuedafewhundredyardstowardsHedestad,whereheboughtnewspapersatapetrolstation.HespentanhourwalkingaroundHedeby,familiarisinghimselfwiththetownbeforethebridge.TheareaclosesttothechurchandpastKonsumwasthecentre,witholderbuildings—two-storeystonestructureswhichBlomkvistguessedhadbeenbuiltinthe1910sor’20sandwhichformedashortmainstreet.Northoftheroadintotownwerewell-keptapartmentbuildingsforfamilieswithchildren.Alongthewaterandtothesouthofthechurchweremostlysingle-familyhomes.Hedebylookedtobearetivelywell-to-doareaforHedestad’sdecision-makersandcivilservants.
    Whenhereturnedtothebridge,theassaultonthecaféhadebbed,butSusannewasstillclearingdishesfromthetables.
    “TheSundayrush?”hesaidingreeting.
    Shenoddedasshetuckedalockofhairbehindoneear.“Hi,Mikael.”
    “Soyouremembermyname.”
    “Hardtofet,”shesaid.“IfollowedyourtrialonTV.”
    “Theyhavetofillupthenewswithsomething,”hemuttered,anddriftedovertothecornertablewithaviewofthebridge.WhenhemetSusanne’seyes,shesmiled.
    At3:00Susanneannouncedthatshewasclosingthecaféfortheday.Afterthechurchrush,onlyafewcustomershadeandgone.Blomkvisthadreadmorethanafifthofthefirstbinderofthepoliceinvestigation.Hestuckhisnoteintohisbagandwalkedbrisklyhomeacrossthebridge.
    Thecatwaswaitingonthesteps.Helookedaround,wonderingwhosecatitwas.Heletitinsideallthesame,sincethecatwasatleastsomesortofpany.
    HemadeonemorevainattempttoreachBerger.Obviouslyshewasfuriouswithhimstill.Hecouldhavetriedcallingherdirectlineattheofficeorherhomenumber,buthehadalreadyleftenoughmessages.Instead,hemadehimselfcoffee,movedthecatfartheralongthekitchenbench,andopenedthebinderonthetable.
    Hereadcarefullyandslowly,notwantingtomissanydetail.Byteevening,whenheclosedthebinder,hehadfilledseveralpagesofhisownnote—withremindersandquestionstowhichhehopedtofindanswersinsubsequentbinders.Thematerialwasalrrangedinchronologicalorder.HecouldnottellwhetherVangerhadreaniseditthatwayorwhetherthatwasthesystemusedbythepoliceatthetime.
    ThefirstpagewasaphotocopyofahandwrittenreportformheadedHedestadPoliceEmergencyCentre.TheofficerwhohadtakenthecallhadsignedhisnameD.O.Ryttinger,andBlomkvistassumedthe“D.O.”stoodfor“dutyofficer.”ThecallerwasHenrikVanger.Hisaddressandtelephonenumberhadbeennoted.ThereportwasdatedSunday,September25,1966,at11:14a.m.Thetextwasconic:
    CallfromHrk.Vanger,statingthathisbrother’sdaughterhasbeenmissingfromherhomeonHedebyIsndsinceSaturdayafternoon.Thecallerexpressedgreatconcern.
    Anotesentat11:20a.m.statedthatP-014hadbeensenttothesite.
    Anotherat11:35a.m.,inalesslegiblehandthanRyttinger’s,insertedthatOff.MagnussonreportsthatbridgetoHedebyIsndstillblocked.Transp.byboat.Inthemarginanillegiblesignature.
    At12:14p.m.Ryttingerisback:TelephoneconversationOff.MagnussoninH-byconfirmsthat16-year-oldHarrietVangermissingsinceearlySaturdayafternoon.Familyexpressedgreatconcern.Notbelievedtohavesleptinherbedstnight.Couldnothaveleftisndduetoblockedbridge.NoneoffamilymembershasanyknowledgeastoHV’swhereabouts.
    At12:19p.m.:G.M.rmedbytelephoneaboutthesituation.
    Thestnotewasrecordedat1:42p.m.:G.M.onsiteatH-by;willtakeoverthematter.
    Thenextpagerevealedthattheinitials“G.M.”referredtoDetectiveInspectorGustafMorell,whoarrivedatHedebyIsndbyboatandtheretookovermand,preparingaformalreportonthedisappearanceofHarrietVanger.Unliketheinitialnotationswiththeirneedlessabbreviations,Morell’sreportswerewrittenonatypewriterandinveryreadableprose.Thefollowingpagesrecountedwhatmeasureshadbeentaken,withanobjectivityandwealthofdetailthatsurprisedBlomkvist.
    MorellhadfirstinterviewedHenrikVangeralongwithIsabelVanger,Harriet’smother.ThenhetalkedinturnwithUlrikaVanger,HaraldVanger,GregerVanger,Harriet’sbrotherMartinVanger,andAnitaVanger.Blomkvistcametotheconclusionthattheseinterviewshadbeenconductedaordingtoascaleofdecreasingimportance.
    UlrikaVangerwasHenrikVanger’smother,andevidentlysheheldastatusparabletothatofadowagerqueen.UlrikalivedattheVangerestateandwasabletoprovidenormation.ShehadgoobedearlyonthepreviousnightandhadnotseenHarrietforseveraldays.SheappearedtohaveinsistedonmeetingDetectiveInspectorMorellsolelytogiveairtoheropinionthatthepolicehadtoactatonce,immediately.
    HaraldVangerrankedasnumbertwoonthelist.HehadseenHarrietonlybrieflywhenshereturnedfromthefestivitiesinHedestad,buthehadnotseenhersincetheaidentonthebridgeourredandhehadnoknowledgeofwhereshemightbeatpresent.
    GregerVanger,brotherofHenrikandHarald,statedthathehadseenthemissingsixteen-year-oldinHenrikVanger’sstudy,askingtospeakwithHenrikafterhervisittoHedestadearlierintheday.GregerVangerstatedthathehadnotspokenwithherhimself,merelygivenheragreeting.Hehadnoideawhereshemightbefound,butheexpressedtheviewthatshehadprobably,thoughtlessly,goovisitsomefriendwithouttellinganyoneandwouldreappearsoon.Whenaskedhowshemightinthatcasehavelefttheisnd,heofferednoanswer.
    MartinVangerwasinterviewedinacursoryfashion.HewasinhisfinalyearatthepreparatoryschoolinUppsa,wherehelivedinthehomeofHaraldVanger.TherewasnoroomforhiminHarald’scar,sohehadtakenthetrainhometoHedeby,arrivingsotethathewasstrandedonthewrongsideofthebridgeaidentandcouldnotcrossuntilteintheeveningbyboat.Hewasinterviewedinthehopethathissistermighthaveconfidedinhimandperhapsgivenhimsomeclueifshewasthinkingofrunningaway.ThequestionwasmetwithprotestsfromHarrietVanger’smother,butatthatmomentInspectorMorellwasperhapsthinkingthatHarriet’shavingrunawaywouldbethebesttheycouldhopefor.ButMartinhadnotspokenwithhissistersincethesummerholidayandhadnormationofvalue.
    AnitaVanger,daughterofHaraldVanger,waserroneouslylistedasHarriet’s“firstcousin.”ShewasinherfirstyearattheuniversityinStockholmandhadspentthesummerinHedeby.ShewasalmostthesameageasHarrietandtheyhadbeeclosefriends.ShestatedthatshehadarrivedattheisndwithherfatheronSaturdayandwaslookingforwardtoseeingHarriet,butshehadnothadtheopportunitytofindher.Anitastatedthatshefeltuneasy,andthatitwasnotlikeHarriettogooffwithouttellingthefamily.HenrikandIsabelVangerconfirmedthatthiswasthecase.
    WhileInspectorMorellwasinterviewingfamilymembers,hehadtoldMagnussonandBergman—patrol014—toanisethefirstsearchpartywhiletherewasstilldaylight.Thebridgewasstillclosedtotraffic,soitwasdifficulttocallinrercements.Thegroupconsistedofaboutthirtyavaibleindividuals,menandwomenofvaryingages.Theareastheysearchedthatafternoonincludedtheunoupiedhousesatthefishingharbour,theshorelineatthepointandalongthesound,thesectionofwoodsclosesttothevilge,andthehillcalledS?derbergetbehindthefishingharbour.ThetterwassearchedbecausesomeonehadputforwardthetheorythatHarrietmighthavegoneuptheretogetagoodviewofthesceneonthebridge.Patrolswerealsosentoutto?sterg?rdenandtoGottfried’scabinontheothersideoftheisnd,whichHarrietoasionallyvisited.
    Butthesearchwasfruitless;itwasnotcalledoff