6

    untillongafterdarkfell,at10:00atnight.Thetemperatureovernightdroppedtofreezing.
    DuringtheafternoonInspectorMorellsetuphisheadquartersinadrawingroomthatHenrikVangerhadputathisdisposalonthegroundflooroftheVangerestateoffice.Hehadundertakenanumberofmeasures.
    InthepanyofIsabelVanger,hehadexaminedHarriet’sroomandtriedtoascertainwhetheranythingwasmissing:clothes,asuitcase,orthelike,whichwouldindicatethatHarriethadrunawayfromhome.Isabel,anoteimplied,hadnotbeenhelpfunddidnotseemtobefamiliarwithherdaughter’swardrobe.Sheoftenworejeans,buttheyalllookthesame,don’tthey?Harriet’spursewasonherdesk.ItcontainedID,awalletholdingninekronorandfifty?re,ab,amirror,andahandkerchief.Aftertheinspection,Harriet’sroomwaslocked.
    Morellhadsummonedmorepeopletobeinterviewed,familymembersandemployees.Alltheinterviewsweremeticulouslyreported.
    Whentheparticipantsinthefirstsearchpartybeganreturningwithdishearteningreports,theinspectordecidedthatamoresystematicsearchhadtobemade.Thateveningandnight,rercementswerecalledin.Morellcontacted,amongothers,thechairmanofHedestad’sOrienteeringClubandappealedforhelpinsummoningvolunteersforthesearchparty.Bymidnighthewastoldthatfifty-threemembers,mostlyfromthejuniordivision,wouldbeattheVangerestateat7:00thenextmorning.HenrikVangercalledinpartofthemorningshift,numberingfiftymen,fromthepapermill.Healsoarrangedforfoodanddrinkforthemall.
    BlomkvistcouldvividlyimagihescenespyedoutattheVangerestateduringthosedays.Theaidentonthebridgehadcertainlycontributedtotheconfusionduringthefirsthours—bymakingitdifficulttobringinrercements,andalsobecausepeoplesomehowthoughtthatthesetwodramaticeventshappeningatthesamepceandclosetothesametimemustinsomewayhavebeenconnected.Whenthetankertruckwashoistedaway,InspectorMorellwentdowntothebridgetobesurethatHarrietVangerhadnot,bysomeunlikelyturnofevents,endedupunderthewreck.ThatwastheonlyirrationactionthatMikaelcoulddetectintheinspector’sconduct,sincethemissinggirlhadunquestionablybeenseenontheisndaftertheaidenthadourred.
    Duringthosefirstconfusedtwenty-fourhours,theirhopesthatthesituationwouldetoaswiftandhappyresolutionsank.Instead,theyweregraduallyrepcedbytwotheories.Inspiteoftheobviousdifficultiesinleavingtheisndunnoticed,Morellrefusedtodiscountthepossibilitythatshehadrunaway.Hedecidedthatanall-pointsbulletinshouldbesentoutforHarrietVanger,andhegaveinstructionsforthepatrolofficersinHedestadtokeeptheireyesopenforthemissinggirl.Healsosentacolleagueinthecriminaldivisiontointerviewbusdriversandstaffattherailwaystation,tofindoutwhetheranyonemighthaveseenher.
    Asthenegativereportscamein,itbecameincreasinglylikelythatHarrietVangerhadfallenvictimtosomesortofmisfortune.Thistheoryendedupdominatingtheinvestigativeworkofthefollowingdays.
    Thebigsearchpartytwodaysafterherdisappearancewasapparently,asfarasBlomkvistcouldtell,carriedouteffectively.Policeandfirefighterswhohadexperiencewithsimiroperationshadanisedthesearch.HedebyIsnddidhavesomepartsthatwerealmostinaessible,butitwasneverthelessasmalrea,andtheisndwassearchedwithafine-toothbinoneday.ApoliceboatandtwovolunteerPetterssonboatsdidwhattheycouldtosearchthewatersaroundtheisnd.
    Onthefollowingdaythesearchwascontinuedwithdecreasedmanpower.Patrolsweresentouttomakeasecondsweepoftheparticurlyruggedterrain,aswelsanareaknownas“thefortress”—anow-abandonedbunkersystemthatwasbuiltduringtheSecondWorldWar.Thatdaytheyalsosearchedcubbyholes,wells,vegetablecelrs,outhouses,andatticsinthevilge.
    Acertainfrustrationcouldbereadintheofficialnoteswhenthesearchwascalledoffonthethirddayafterthegirl’sdisappearance.Morellwas,ofcourse,notyetawareofit,butatthatmomenthehadactuallyreachedasfarintheinvestigationashewouldeverget.Hewaspuzzledandstruggledtoidentifythenaturalnextsteporanypcewherethesearchoughttobepursued.HarrietVangerseemedtohavedissolvedintothinair,andHenrikVanger’syearsoftormenthadbegun.
    CHAPTER9
    Monday,January6–Wednesday,January8
    BlomkvistkeptreadinguntilthesmallhoursanddidnotgetupuntilteonEpiphanyDay.Anavyblue,te-modelVolvowasparkedoutsideVanger’shouse.Evenashereachedforthedoorhandle,thedoorwasopenedbyamanonhiswayout.Theyalmostcollided.Themanseemedtobeinahurry.
    “Yes?CanIhelpyou?”
    “I’mheretoseeHenrikVanger,”Blomkvistsaid.
    Theman’seyesbrightened.Hesmiledandstuckouthishand.“YoumustbeMikaelBlomkvist,theonewho’sgoingtohelpHenrikwiththefamilychronicle,right?”
    Theyshookhands.VangerhadapparentlybegunspreadingBlomkvist’scoverstory.Themanwasoverweight—theresult,nodoubt,oftoomanyyearsofnegotiatinginofficesandconferencerooms—butBlomkvistnoticedatoncethelikeness,thesimiritybetweenhisfaceandHarrietVanger’s.
    “I’mMartinVanger,”themansaid.“WeletoHedestad.”
    “Thankyou.”
    “IsawyouonTVawhileago.”
    “EverybodyseemstohaveseenmeonTV.”
    “Wennerstr?mis…notverypopurinthishouse.”
    “Henrikmentionedthat.I’mwaitingtoheartherestofthestory.”
    “Hetoldmeafewdaysagothathe’dhiredyou.”MartinVangerughed.“HesaiditwasprobablybecauseofWennerstr?mthatyoutookthejobuphere.”
    Blomkvisthesitatedbeforedecidingtotellthetruth.“Thatwasoneimportantreason.Buttobehonest,IneededtogetawayfromStockholm,andHedestadcroppedupattherightmoment.AtleastIthinkso.Ican’tpretendthatthecourtcaseneverhappened.Andanyway,I’mgoingtohavetogotoprison.”
    MartinVangernodded,suddenlyserious.“Canyouappeal?”
    “Itwon’tdoanygood.”
    Vangergncedathiswatch.
    “IhavetobeinStockholmtonight,soImusthurryaway.I’llbebackinafewdays.eoverandhavedinner.I’dreallyliketohearwhatactuallywentonduringthattrial.Henrikisupstairs.Gorightin.”
    VangerwassittingonasofainhisofficewherehehadtheHedestadCourier,DagensIndustri,SvenskaDagbdet,andbothnationaleveningpapersonthecoffeetable.
    “IranintoMartinoutside.”
    “Rushingofftosavetheempire,”Vangersaid.“Coffee?”
    “Yes,please.”Blomkvistsatdown,wonderingwhyVangerlookedsoamused.
    “You’rementionedinthepaper.”
    Vangershovedacrossoneoftheeveningpapers,openatapagewiththeheadline“MediaShortCircuit.”ThearticlewaswrittenbyacolumnistwhohadpreviouslyworkedforMonopolyFinancialMagazine,makinganameforhimselfasonewhocheerfullyridiculedeveryonewhofeltpassionateaboutanyissueorwhostucktheirneckout.Feminists,antiracists,andenvironmentactivistscouldallreckononreceivingtheirshare.Thewriterwasnotknownforespousingasingleconvictionofhisown.Now,severalweeksafterthetrialintheWennerstr?maffair,hewasbringinghisfiretobearonMikaelBlomkvist,whomhedescribedasapleteidiot.ErikaBergerwasportrayedasaninpetentmediabimbo:
    ArumouriscircutingthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpseinspiteofthefactthattheeditorinchiefisafeministwhowearsmini-skirtsandpoutsherlipsonTV.Forseveralyearsthemagazinehassurvivedontheimagethathasbeensuessfullymarketedbytheeditors—youngreporterswhoundertakeinvestigativejournalismandexposethescoundrelsofthebusinessworld.Thisadvertisingtrickmayworkwithyounganarchistswhowanttohearjustsuchamessage,butitdoesn’twashinthedistrictcourt.AsKalleBlomkvistrecentlyfoundout.
    BlomkvistswitchedonhismobileandcheckedtoseeifhehadanycallsfromBerger.Therewerenomessages.Vangerwaitedwithoutsayinganything.Blomkvistrealisedthattheoldmanwasallowinghimtobreakthesilence.
    “He’samoron,”Blomkvistsaid.
    Vangerughed,buthesaid:“Thatmaybe.Buthe’snottheonewhowassentencedbythecourt.”
    “That’strue.Andheneverwillbe.Heneversaysanythingoriginal;healwaysjustjumpsonthebandwagonandcaststhefinalstoneinthemostdamagingtermshecangetawaywith.”
    “I’vehadmanyenemiesovertheyears.Ifthere’sohingI’velearned,it’sneverengageinafightyou’resuretolose.Ontheotherhand,neverletanyonewhohasinsultedyougetawaywithit.Bideyourtimeandstrikebackwhenyou’reinapositionofstrength—evenifyounolongerneedtostrikeback.”
    “Thankyouforyourwisdom,Henrik.NowI’dlikeyoutotellmeaboutyourfamily.”Hesetthetaperecorderbetweenthemonthetableandpressedtherecordbutton.
    “Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
    “I’vereadthroughthefirstbinder,aboutthedisappearanceandthesearches,buttherearesomanyVangersmentionedthatIneedyourhelpidentifyingthemall.”
    FornearlytenminutesSanderstoodintheemptyhallwithhereyesfixedonthebrasspquethatsaid“AdvokatN.E.Bjurman”beforesherangthebell.Thelockontheentrydoorclicked.
    ItwasTuesday.Itwastheirsecondmeeting,andshehadabadfeelingaboutit.
    ShewasnotafraidofBjurman—Sanderwasrarelyafraidofanyoneoranything.Ontheotherhand,shefeltunfortablewiththisnewguardian.Hispredecessor,AdvokatHolgerPalmgren,hadbeenofanentirelydifferentilk:courteousandkind.ButthreemonthsagoPalmgrenhadhadastroke,andNilsErikBjurmanhadinheritedherinaordancewithsomebureaucraticpeckingorder.
    InthetwelveyearsthatSanderhadbeenundersociandpsychiatricguardianship,twoofthoseyearsinachildren’sclinic,shehadneveroncegiventhesameanswertothesimplequestion:“So,howareyoutoday?”
    Whensheturnedthirteen,thecourthaddecided,underwsgoverningtheguardianshipofminors,thatsheshouldbeentrustedtothelockedwardatSt.Stefan’sPsychiatrilinicforChildreninUppsa.Thedecisionwasprimarilybasedonthefactthatshewasdeemedtobeemotionallydisturbedanddangerouslyviolenttowardshercssmatesandpossiblytowardsherself.
    Alttemptsbyateacheroranyauthorityfiguretoinitiateaconversationwiththegirboutherfeelings,emotionallife,orthestateofherhealthweremet,totheirgreatfrustration,withasullensilenceandagreatdealofintensestaringatthefloor,ceiling,andwalls.Shewouldfoldherarmsandrefusetoparticipateinanypsychologicaltests.Herresistancetoalttemptstomeasure,weigh,chart,analyse,oreducateherappliedalsotoherschoolwork—theauthoritiescouldhavehercarriedtoacssroomandcouldchainhertothebench,buttheycouldnotstopherfromclosingherearsandrefusingtoliftapentowriteanything.Shepletedthenineyearsofpulsoryschoolingwithoutacertificate.
    Thishadconsequentlybeeassociatedwiththegreatdifficultyofevendiagnosinghermentaldeficiencies.Inshort,LisbethSanderwasanythingbuteasytohandle.
    Bythetimeshewasthirteen,itwasalsodecidedthatatrusteeshouldbeassignedtotakecareofherinterestsandassetsuntilshecameofage.ThistrusteewasAdvokatPalmgrenwho,inspiteofaratherdifficultstart,hadsueededwherepsychiatristsanddoctorshadfailed.Graduallyhewonnotonlyacertainamountoftrustbutalsoamodestamountofwarmthfromthegirl.
    Whensheturnedfifteen,thedoctorshadmoreorlessagreedthatshewasnot,afterall,dangerouslyviolent,nordidsherepresentanyimmediatedangertoherself.Herfamilyhadbeencategorisedasdysfunctional,andshehadnoretiveswhocouldlookafterherwelfare,soitwasdecidedthatLisbethSandershouldbereleasedfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildreninUppsaandeasedbackintosocietybywayofafosterfamily.
    Thathadnotbeenaneasyjourney.Sheranawayfromthefirstfosterfamilyafteronlytwoweeks.Thesecondandthirdfosterfamiliesfellbythewaysideinquicksuession.AtthatpointPalmgrenhadaseriousdiscussionwithher,expiningbluntlythatifshepersistedonthispathshewouldbeinstitutionalisedagain.Thisthreathadtheeffectthatsheaeptedfosterfamilynumberfour—anelderlycouplewholivedinMidsommarkransen.
    Butitdidnotmean,however,thatshebehavedherself.Attheageofseventeen,Sanderwasarrestedbythepoliceonfouroasions;twiceshewassointoxicatedthatsheendedupintheemergencyroom,andonceshewaspinlyundertheinfluenceofnarcotics.Ononeoftheseoasionsshewasfounddeaddrunk,withherclothesindisarray,inthebackseatofacarparkedatS?derM?rstrand.Shewaswithanequallydrunkandmucholderman.
    Thestarrestourredthreeweeksbeforehereighteenthbirthday,whenshe,perfectlysober,kickedamalepassengerintheheadinsidethegatesoftheGamStantunnelbanastation.Shewaschargedwithassaultandbattery.Sandercimedthatthemanhadgropedher,andhertestimonywassupportedbywitnesses.Theprosecutordismissedthecase.Butherbackgroundwassuchthatthedistrictcourtorderedapsychiatricevaluation.Sincesherefused,aswashercustom,toansweranyquestionsortoparticipateintheexaminations,thedoctorsconsultedbytheNationalBoardofHealthandWelfarehandeddownanopinionbasedon“observationsofthepatient.”Itwasunclearpreciselywhatcouldbeobservedwhenitwasamatterofasilentyoungwomansittingonachairwithherarmsfoldedandherlowerlipstuckout.Theonlydeterminationmadewasthatshemustsufferfromsomekindofemotionaldisturbance,whosenaturewasofthesortthatcouldnotbeleftuntreated.Themedical/legalreportremendedcareinaclosedpsychiatricinstitution.Anassistantheadofthesocialwelfareboardwroteanopinioninsupportoftheconclusionsofthepsychiatricexperts.
    Withregardtoherpersonalrecord,theopinionconcludedthattherewasgraveriskofalcohonddrugabuse,andthatsheckedself-awareness.Bythenhercasewasfilledwithtermssuchasintroverted,sociallyinhibited,ckinginempathy,ego-fixated,psychopathicandasocialbehaviour,difficultyincooperating,andincapableofassimitinglearning.AnyonewhoreadhercasemightbetemptedtoconcludethatSanderwasseriouslyretarded.Anothermarkagainstherwasthatthesocialservicesstreetpatrolhadonseveraloasionsobservedher“withvariousmen”intheareaaroundMariatet.ShewasoncestoppedandfriskedinTantolunden,againwithamucholderman.ItwasfearedthatSanderwaspossiblyoperatingas,orrantheriskofbeing,aprostitute.
    Whenthedistrictcourt—theinstitutionthatwoulddetermineherfuture—mettodecideonthematter,theouteseemedaforegoneconclusion.Shewasobviouslyaproblemchild,anditwasunlikelythatthecourtwouldetoanydecisionotherthantoaepttheremendationsofboththepsychiatricandthesocialinquiries.
    Onthemorningthecourthearingwastotakepce,SanderwasbroughtfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildrenwhereshehadbeenconfinedsincetheincidentinGamStan.Shefeltlikeaprisonerfromaconcentrationcamp:shehadnohopeofsurvivingtheday.ThefirstpersonshesawinthecourtroomwasPalmgren,andittookawhileforhertorealisethathewasnotthereintheroleofatrusteebutratherasherlegalrepresentative.
    Tohersurprise,hewasfirmlyinhercorner,andhemadeapowerfuppeagainstinstitutionalisation.Shedidnotbetraywithsomuchasaraisedeyebrowthatshewassurprised,butshelistenedintentlytoeverywordthatwassaid.Palmgrenwasbrilliantduringthetwohoursinwhichhecross-examinedthephysician,aDr.JesperH.L?derman,whohadsignedhisnametotheremendationthatSanderbelockedawayinaninstitution.Everydetailoftheopinionwasscrutinised,andthedoctorwasrequiredtoexpinthescientificbasisforeachstatement.Eventuallyitbecameclearthatsincethepatienthadrefusedtopleteasingletest,thebasisforthedoctor’sconclusionswasinfactnothingmorethanguesswork.
    Attheendofthehearing,PalmgrenintimatedthatpulsoryinstitutionalisationwasinallprobabilitynotonlycontrarytoParliament’sdecisionsinsimirsituations,butinthisparticurcaseitmightinadditionbethesubjectofpoliticandmediareprisals.Soitwasineveryone’sinteresttofindanappropriatealternativesolution.Suchnguagewasunusualfornegotiationsinthistypeofsituation,andthemembersofthecourthadsquirmednervously.
    Thesolutionwasalsoapromise.ThecourtconcludedthatLisbethSanderwasindeedemotionallydisturbed,butthatherconditiondidnotnecessarilywarrantinternment.Ontheotherhand,thesocialwelfaredirector’sremendationofguardianshipwastakenunderconsideration.Thechairmanofthecourtturned,withavenomoussmile,toHolgerPalmgren,whoupuntilthenhadbeenhertrustee,andinquiredwhetherhemightbewillingtotakeontheguardianship.ThechairmanobviouslythoughtthatPalmgrenwouldbackawayandtrytopushtheresponsibilityontosomeoneelse.Onthecontrary,PalmgrendecredthathewouldbehappytotakeonthejobofservingasFr?kenSander’sguardian—butononecondition:“thatFr?kenSandermustbewillingtotrustmeandaeptmeasherguardian.”
    Heturnedtofaceher.LisbethSanderwassomewhatbewilderedbytheexchangethathadgonebackandforthoverherheadallday.Untilnowno-onehadaskedforheropinion.ShelookedatHolgerPalmgrenforalongtimeandthennoddedonce.
    Palmgrenwasapeculiarmixtureofjuristandsocialworker,oftheoldschool.Atfirsthehadbeenapoliticallyappointedmemberofthesocialwelfareboard,andhehadspentnearlyallhislifedealingwithproblemyouths.Areluctantsenseofrespect,almostborderingonfriendship,hadintimeformedbetweenPalmgrenandhisward,whowasunquestionablythemostdifficulthehadeverhadtodealwith.
    Theirretionshiphadstedelevenyears,fromherthirteenthbirthdayuntilthepreviousyear,whenafewweeksbeforeChristmasshehadgooseePalmgrenathomeafterhemissedoneoftheirscheduledmonthlymeetings.
    Whenhedidnotopenthedooreventhoughshecouldhearsoundsingfromhisapartment,shebrokeinbyclimbingupadrainpipetothebalconyonthefourthfloor.Shefoundhimlyingonthefloorinthehall,consciousbutunabletospeakormove.ShecalledforanambunceandacpaniedhimtoS?derHospitalwithagrowingfeelingofpanicinherstomach.Forthreedaysshehardlyleftthecorridoroutsidetheintensivecareunit.Likeafaithfulwatchdog,shekeptaneyeoneverydoctorandnursewhowentinoroutofthedoor.Shewanderedupanddownthecorridorlikealostsoul,fixinghereyesoneverydoctorwhocamenear.Finallyadoctorwhosenamesheneverdiscoveredtookherintoaroomtoexpinthegravityofthesituation.HerrPalmgrenwasincriticalconditionfollowingaseverecerebralhaemorrhage.Hewasnotexpectedtoregainconsciousness.Hewasonlysixty-fouryearsold.Sheneitherweptnorchangedherexpression.Shestoodup,leftthehospital,anddidnotreturn.
    FiveweekstertheGuardianshipAgencysummonedSandertothefirstmeetingwithhernewguardian.Herinitialimpulsewastoignorethesummons,butPalmgrenhadimprintedinherconsciousnessthateveryactionhasitsconsequences.ShehadlearnedtoanalysetheconsequencesandsoshehadetotheconclusionthattheeasiestwayoutofthispresentdilemmawastosatisfytheGuardianshipAgencybybehavingasifshecaredaboutwhattheyhadtosay.
    Thus,inDecember—takingabreakfromherresearchonMikaelBlomkvist—shearrivedatBjurman’sofficeonSt.Erikspn,whereanelderlywomanrepresentingtheboardhadhandedoverSander’sextensivefiletoAdvokatBjurman.ThewomanhadkindlyaskedSanderhowthingsweregoing,andsheseemedsatisfiedwiththestifledsilenceshereceivedinreply.AfterabouthalfanhoursheleftSanderinthecareofAdvokatBjurman.
    SanderdecidedthatshedidnotlikeAdvokatBjurman.Shestudiedhimfurtivelyashereadthroughhercase.Age:overfifty.Trimbody.TennisonTuesdaysandFridays.Blond.Thinninghair.Aslightcleftinhischin.HugoBossaftershave.Bluesuit.RedtiewithagoldtiepinandostentatiouscufflinkswiththeinitialsNEB.Steel-rimmedgsses.Greyeyes.Tojudgebythemagazinesonthesidetable,hisinterestswerehuntingandshooting.
    DuringtheyearsshehadknownPalmgren,hehadalwaysofferedhercoffeeandchattedwithher.Notevenherworstescapesfromfosterhomesorherregurtruancyfromschoolhadeverruffledhisposure.TheonlytimePalmgrenhadbeenreallyupsetwaswhenshehadbeenchargedwithassaultandbatteryafterthatscumbaghadgropedherinGamStan.Doyouunderstandwhatyou’vedone?Youhaveharmedanotherhumanbeing,Lisbeth.Hehadsoundedlikeanoldteacher,andshehadpatientlyignoredeverywordofhisscolding.
    Bjurmandidnothavetimeforsmalltalk.HehadimmediatelyconcludedthattherewasadiscrepancybetweenPalmgren’sobligations,aordingtotheregutionsofguardianship,andthefactthathehadapparentlyallowedtheSandergirltotakechargeofherownhouseholdandfinances.Bjurmanstartedinonasortofinterrogation:Howmuchdoyouearn?Iwantacopyofyourfinancialrecords.Whodoyouspendtimewith?Doyoupayyourrentontime?Doyoudrink?DidPalmgrenapproveofthoseringsyouhaveonyourface?Areyoucarefubouthygiene?
    Fuckyou.
    PalmgrenhadbeehertrusteerightafterAllTheEvilhadhappened.Hehadinsistedonmeetingswithheratleastonceamonth,sometimesmoreoften.AftershemovedbacktoLundagatan,theywerealsopracticallyneighbours.HelivedonHornsgatan,acoupleofblocksaway,andtheywouldrunintoeachotherandgoforcoffeeatGiffy’sorsomeothercafénearby.Palmgrenhadnevertriedtoimpose,butafewtimeshehadvisitedher,bringingsomelittlegiftforherbirthday.Shehadastandinginvitationtovisithimwheneversheliked,aprivilegethatsheseldomtookadvantageof.ButwhenshemovedtoS?der,shehadstartedspendingChristmasEvewithhimaftershewenttoseehermother.TheywouldeatChristmashamandpychess.Shehadnorealinterestinthegame,butaftershelearnedtherules,sheneverlostamatch.Hewasawidower,andSanderhadseenitasherdutytotakepityonhimonthoselonelyholidays.
    Sheconsideredherselfinhisdebt,andshealwayspaidherdebts.
    ItwasPalmgrenwhohadsublethermother’sapartmentonLundagatanforheruntilSanderneededherownpcetolive.Theapartmentwasabout500squarefeet,shabbyandunrenovated,butatleastitwasaroofoverherhead.
    NowPalmgrenwasgone,andanothertietoestablishedsocietyhadbeensevered.NilsBjurmanwasawhollydifferentsortofperson.NowayshewouldbespendingChristmasEveathishouse.HisfirstmovehadbeentoputinpcenewrulesonthemanagementofheraountatHandelsbanken.Palmgrenhadneverhadanyproblemsaboutbendingtheconditionsofhisguardianshipsoastoallowhertotakecareofherownfinances.Shepaidherbillsandcouldusehersavingsasshesawfit.
    PriortothemeetingwithBjurmantheweekbeforeChristmasshehadpreparedherself;oncethere,shehadtriedtoexpinthathispredecessorhadtrustedherandhadneverbeengivenoasiontodootherwise.Palmgrenhadlethertakecareofherownaffairsandnotinterferedinherlife.
    “That’soneoftheproblems,”Bjurmansaid,tappinghercase.Hethenmadealongspeechabouttherulesandgovernmentregutionsonguardianship.
    “Heletyourunfree,isthatit?Iwonderhowhegotawaywithit.”
    Becausehewasacrazysocialdemocratwhohadworkedwithtroubledkidsallhislife.
    “I’mnotachildanymore,”Sandersaid,asifthatwereexpnationenough.
    “No,you’renotachild.ButI’vebeenappointedyourguardian,andaslongasIhavethatrole,Iamlegallyandfinanciallyresponsibleforyou.”
    Heopenedanewaountinhername,andshewassupposedtoreportittoMilton’spersonnelofficeanduseitfromnowon.Thegoodolddayswereover.InfutureBjurmanwouldpayherbills,andshewouldbegivenanallowanceeachmonth.Hetoldherthatheexpectedhertoprovidereceiptsforallherexpenses.Shewouldreceive1,400kronoraweek—“forfood,clothing,filmtickets,andsuchlike.”
    Sanderearnedmorethan160,000kronorayear.Shecoulddoublethatbyworkingfull-timeandaeptingalltheassignmentsArmanskyofferedher.Butshehadfewexpensesanddidnotneedmuchmoney.Thecostofherapartmentwasabout2,000kronoramonth,andinspiteofhermodestine,shehad90,000kronorinhersavingsaount.Butshenolongerhadaesstoit.
    “ThishastodowiththefactthatI’mresponsibleforyourmoney,”hesaid.“Youhavetoputmoneyasideforthefuture.Butdon’tworry;I’lltakecareofallthat.”
    I’vetakencareofmyselfsinceIwasten,youcreep!
    “Youfunctionwellenoughinsocialtermsthatyoudon’tneedtobeinstitutionalised,butthissocietyisresponsibleforyou.”
    HequestionedhercloselyaboutwhatkindofworkassignmentsshewasgivenatMiltonSecurity.Shehadinstinctivelyliedaboutherduties.TheanswershegavehimwasadescriptionofherveryfirstweeksatMilton.Bjurmangottheimpressionthatshemadecoffeeandsortedthepost—suitableenoughtasksforsomeonewhowasalittleslow—andseemedsatisfied.
    Shedidnotknowwhyshehadlied,butshewassureitwasawisedecision.
    BlomkvisthadspentfivehourswithVanger,andittookmuchofthenightandallofTuesdaytotypeuphisnotesandpiecetogetherthegenealogyintoaprehensiblewhole.Thefamilyhistorythatemergedwasadramaticallydifferentversionfromtheonepresentedastheofficialimageofthefamily.Everyfamilyhadafewskeletonsintheircupboards,buttheVangerfamilyhadanentiregallimaufryofthem.
    BlomkvisthadhadtoremindhimselfseveraltimesthathisreassignmentwasnottowriteabiographyoftheVangerfamilybuttofindoutwhathadhappenedtoHarrietVanger.TheVangerbiographywouldbenomorethanpyingtothegallery.Afterayearhewouldreceivehispreposteroussary—thecontractdrawnupbyFrodehadbeensigned.Histruereward,hehoped,wouldbethermationaboutWennerstr?mthatVangercimedtopossess.ButafterlisteningtoVanger,hebegantoseethattheyeardidnothavetobeawasteoftime.AabouttheVangerfamilyhadsignificantvalue.Itwas,quitesimply,aterrificstory.
    TheideathathemightlightuponHarrietVanger’skillernevercrossedhismind—assumingshehadbeenmurdered,thatis,anddidnotjustdieinsomefreakaident.BlomkvistagreedwithVangerthatthechancesofasixteen-year-oldgirlgoingoffofherownaordandthenstayinghiddenforthirty-sixyears,despitetheoversightofallthegovernmentbureaucracy,werenonexistent.Ontheotherhand,hedidnotexcludethepossibilitythatHarrietVangerhadrunaway,maybeheadingforStockholm,andthatsomethinghadbefallenhersubsequently—drugs,prostitution,anassault,oranaidentpureandsimple.
    Vangerwasconvinced,forhispart,thatHarriethadbeenmurderedandthatafamilymemberwasresponsible—possiblyincolborationwithsomeoneelse.HisargumentwasbasedonthefactthatHarriethaddisappearedduringtheconfusioninthehourswhentheisndwascutoffandalleyesweredirectedattheaident.
    Bergerhadbeenrighttosaythathistakingtheassignmentwasbeyondallmonsenseifthegoalwastosolveamurdermystery.ButBlomkvistwasbeginningtoseethatHarriet’sfatehadpyedacentralroleinthefamily,andespeciallyforHenrikVanger.Nomatterwhetherhewasrightorwrong,Vanger’sausationagainsthisretiveswasofgreatsignificanceinthefamily’shistory.Theausationhadbeenairedopenlyformorethanthirtyyears,andithadcolouredthefamilygatheringsandgivenrisetopoisonousanimositiesthathadcontributedtodestabilisingthecorporation.AstudyofHarriet’sdisappearancewouldconsequentlyfunctionasachapterallonitsown,aswelsprovidearedthreadthroughthefamilyhistory—andtherewasanabundanceofsourcematerial.Onestartingpoint,whetherHarrietVangerwashisprimaryassignmentorwhetherhemadedowithwritingafamilychronicle,wouldbetomapoutthegalleryofcharacters.ThatwasthegistofhisfirstlongconversationthatdaywithVanger.
    Thefamilyconsistedofaboutahundredindividuals,countingallthechildrenofcousinsandsecondcousins.Thefamilywassoextensivethathewasforcedtocreateadatabaseinhisi.HeusedtheNotePadprogramme,oneofthosefull-valueproductsthattwomenattheRoyalTechnicalCollegehadcreatedanddistributedassharewareforapittanceontheInter.Fewprogrammeswereasusefulforaninvestigativejournalist.Eachfamilymemberwasgivenhisorherowndocumentinthedatabase.
    Thefamilytreecouldbetracedbacktotheearlysixteenthcentury,whenthenamewasVangeersad.AordingtoVangerthenamemayhaveoriginatedfromtheDutchvanGeerstat;ifthatwasthecase,thelineagecouldbetracedasfarbackasthetwelfthcentury.
    Inmoderntimes,thefamilycamefromnorthernFrance,arrivinginSwedenwithKingJeanBaptisteBernadotteintheearlynieenthcentury.AlexandreVangeersadwasasoldierandnotpersonallyacquaintedwiththeking,buthehaddistinguishedhimselfasthecapableheadofagarrison.In1818hewasgiventheHedebyestateasarewardforhisservice.AlexandreVangeersadalsohadhisownfortune,whichheusedtopurchaseconsiderablesectionsofforestedndinNorrnd.Hisson,Adrian,wasborninFrance,butathisfather’srequesthemovedtoHedebyinthatremoteareaofNorrnd,farfromthesalonsofParis,totakeovertheadministrationoftheestate.Hetookupfarmingandforestry,usingnewmethodsimportedfromEurope,andhefoundedthepulpandpapermilroundwhichHedestadwasbuilt.
    Alexandre’sgrandsonwasnamedHenrik,andheshortenedhissurnametoVanger.HedevelopedtradewithRussiaandcreatedasmallmerchantfleetofschoonersthatservedtheBalticsandGermany,aswelsEngndwithitssteelindustryduringthemid-1800s.TheelderHenrikVangerdiversifiedthefamilyenterprisesandfoundedamodestminingbusiness,aswelsseveralofNorrnd’sfirstmetalindustries.Helefttwosons,BirgerandGottfried,andtheyweretheoneswhoidthebasisforthehigh-financeVangercn.
    “Doyouknowanythingabouttheoldinheritancews?”Vangerhadasked.“No.”
    “I’mconfusedaboutittoo.Aordingtofamilytradition,BirgerandGottfriedfoughtlikecats—theywerelegendarypetitorsforpowerandinfluenceoverthefamilybusiness.Inmanyrespectsthepowerstrugglethreatenedtheverysurvivalofthepany.Forthatreasontheirfatherdecided—shortlybeforehedied—tocreateasystemwherebyallmembersofthefamilywouldreceiveaportionoftheinheritance—ashare—inthebusiness.Itwasnodoubtwell-intentioned,butitledtoasituationinwhichinsteadofbeingabletobringinskilledpeopleandpossiblepartnersfromtheoutside,wehadaboardofdirectorsconsistingonlyoffamilymembers.”
    “Andthatappliestoday?”
    “Precisely.Ifafamilymemberwishestosellhisshares,theyhavetostaywithinthefamily.Todaytheannualshareholders’meetingconsistsof50percentfamilymembers.Martinholdsmorethan10percentoftheshares;Ihave5percentaftersellingsomeofmyshares,toMartinamongothers.MybrotherHaraldowns7percent,butmostofthepeoplewhoetotheshareholders’meetinghaveonlyoneorhalfapercent.”
    “Itsoundsmedievalinsomeways.”
    “It’sludicrous.Itmeansthattoday,ifMartinwantstoimplementsomepolicy,hehastowastetimeonalobbyingoperationtoensuresupportfromatleast20percentto25percentoftheshareholders.It’sapatchworkquiltofalliances,factions,andintrigues.”
    Vangerresumedthehistory:
    “GottfriedVangerdiedchildlessin1901.Orrather,mayIbefiven,hewasthefatheroffourdaughters,butinthosedayswomendidn’treallycount.Theyownedshares,butitwasthemeninthefamilywhoconstitutedtheownershipinterest.Itwasn’tuntilwomenwontherighttovote,wellintothetwentiethcentury,thattheywereevenallowedtoattendtheshareholders’meetings.”
    “Veryliberal.”
    “Noneedtobesarcastic.Thoseweredifferenttimes.Atanyrate—Gottfried’sbrother,BirgerVanger,hadthreesons:Johan,Fredrik,andGideonVanger.Theywereallborntowardstheendofthenieenthcentury.WecanignoreGideon;hesoldhissharesandemigratedtoAmerica.Thereisstilbranchofthefamilyoverthere.ButJohanandFredrikVangermadethepanythemodernVangerCorporation.”
    VangertookoutaphotographalbumandshowedBlomkvistpicturesfromthegalleryofcharactersashetalked.Thephotographsfromtheearly1900sshowedtwomenwithsturdychinsandpstered-downhairwhostaredintothecameralenswithoutahintofasmile.
    “JohanVangerwasthegeniusofthefamily.Hetrainedasanengineer,andhedevelopedthemanufacturingindustrywithseveralnewinventions,whichhepatented.Steendironbecamethebasisofthefirm,butthebusinessalsoexpandedintootherareas,includingtextiles.JohanVangerdiedin1956andhadthreedaughters:Sofia,M?rit,andIngrid,whowerethefirstwomenautomaticallytowinadmittancetothepany’sshareholders’meetings.
    “Theotherbrother,FredrikVanger,wasmyfather.HewasabusinessmanandindustryleaderwhotransformedJohan’sinventionsintoine.Myfatherliveduntil1964.Hewasactiveinpanymanagementrightupuntilhisdeath,althoughhehadturnedoverdailyoperationstomeinthefifties.
    “Itwasexactlyliketheprecedinggeneration—butinreverse.Johanhadonlydaughters.”VangershowedBlomkvistpicturesofbig-bustedwomenwithwide-brimmedhatsandcarryingparasols.“AndFredrik—myfather—hadonlysons.Wewerefivebrothers:Richard,Harald,Greger,Gustav,andmyself.”
    BlomkvisthaddrawnupafamilytreeonseveralsheetsofA4papertapedtogether.HeunderlinedthenamesofallthoseonHedebyIsndforthefamilymeetingin1966andthus,atleasttheoretically,whocouldhavehadsomethingtodowithHarrietVanger’sdisappearance.
    Heleftoutchildrenundertheageoftwelve—hehadtodrawthelinesomewhere.Aftersomepondering,healsoleftoutHenrikVanger.Ifthepatriarchhadhadanythingtodowiththedisappearanceofhisbrother’sgranddaughter,hisactionsoverthepastthirty-sixyearswouldfallintothepsychopathicarena.Vanger’smother,whoin1966wasalreadyeighty-one,couldreasonablyalsobeeliminated.Remainingweretwenty-threefamilymemberswho,aordingtoVanger,hadtobeincludedinthegroupof“suspects.”Sevenofthesewerenowdead,andseveralhadnowreachedarespectableoldage.
    BlomkvistwasnotwillingtoshareVanger’sconvictionthatafamilymemberwasbehindHarriet’sdisappearance.Anumberofothershadtobeaddedtothelistofsuspects.
    DirchFrodebeganworkingforVangerashiswyerinthespringof1962.Andasidefromthefamily,whoweretheservantswhenHarrietvanished?GunnarNilsson—alibiornot—wasnieenyearsold,andhisfather,Magnus,wasinalllikelihoodpresentonHedebyIsnd,asweretheartistNormanandthepastorFalk.WasFalkmarried?The?sterg?rdenfarmerAronsson,aswelshissonJerkerAronsson,livedontheisnd,closeenoughtoHarrietVangerwhileshewasgrowingup—whatsortofretionshipdidtheyhave?WasAronssonstillmarried?Didotherpeopleliveatthattimeonthefarm?
    AsBlomkvistwrotedownallthenames,thelisthadgrowntofortypeople.Itwas3:30inthemorningandthethermometerread-6°F.HelongedforhisownbedonBellmansgatan.
    HewasawokenbytheworkmanfromTelia.By11:00hewashookedupandnolongerfeltquiteasprofessionallyhandicapped.Ontheotherhand,hisowntelephoneremainedstubbornlysilent.Hewasstartingtofeelquitepig-headedandwouldnotcalltheoffice.
    Heswitchedonhisemailprogrammeandlookedrapidlythroughthenearly350messagessenttohimoverthepastweek.Hesavedadozen;therestwerespamormailingliststhathesubscribedto.Thefirstemailwasfrom:IHOPEYOUSUCKCOCKINTHESLAMMERYOUFUCKINGMIEPIG.Hefileditinthe“INTELLIGENTCRITICISM”folder.
    Hewroteto:“HiRicky.JusttotellyouthatI’vegottheworkingandcanbereachedwhenyoucanfiveme.Hedebyisarusticpce,wellworthavisit.M.”WhenitfeltlikelunchtimeheputhisiinhisbagandwalkedtoSusanne’sBridgeCafé.Heparkedhimselfathisusualcornertable.Susannebroughthimcoffeeandsandwiches,castinganinquisitivegnceathisputer.Sheaskedhimwhathewasworkingon.ForthefirsttimeBlomkvistusedhiscoverstory.Theyexchangedpleasantries.Susanneurgedhimtocheckwithherwhenhewasreadyfortherealrevetions.
    “I’vebeenservingVangersforthirty-fiveyears,andIknowmostofthegossipaboutthatfamily,”shesaid,andsashayedofftothekitchen.Withchildren,grandchildren,andgreat-grandchildren—whomhehadnotbotheredtoinclude—thebrothersFredrikandJohanVangerhadapproximatelyfiftylivingoffspringtoday.Thefamilyhadatendencytolivetoaripeoldage.FredrikVangerlivedtobeseventy-eight,andhisbrotherJohantoseventy-two.OfFredrik’ssonswhowereyetalive,Haraldwasniy-twoandHenrikwaseighty-two.
    TheonlyexceptionwasGustav,whodiedoflungdiseaseattheageofthirty-seven.VangerhadexpinedthatGustavhadalwaysbeensicklyandhadgonehisownway,neverreallyfittinginwiththerestofthefamily.Henevermarriedandhadnochildren.
    Theotherswhohaddiedyounghadsuumbedtootherfactorsthanillness.RichardVangerwaskilledintheWinterWar,onlythirty-threeyearsold.GottfriedVanger,Harriet’sfather,haddrownedtheyearbeforeshedisappeared.AndHarrietherselfwasonlysixteen.Mikaelmadenoteofthestrangesymmetryinthatparticurbranchofthefamily—grandfather,father,anddaughterhadallbeenstruckbymisfortune.Richard’sonlyremainingdescendantwasMartinVangerwho,atfifty-four,wasstillunmarried.ButVangerhadexpinedthathisnephewwasaveritablehermitwithawomanwholivedinHedestad.
    Blomkvistnotedtwofactorsinthefamilytree.ThefirstwasthatnoVangerhadeverdivorcedorremarried,eveniftheirspousehaddiedyoung.Hewonderedhowmonthatwas,intermsofstatistics.CeciliaVangerhadbeenseparatedfromherhusbandforyears,butapparently,theywerestillmarried.
    TheotherpeculiaritywasthatwhereasFredrikVanger’sdescendants,includingHenrik,hadpyedleadingrolesinthebusinessandlivedprimarilyinornearHedestad,JohanVanger’sbranchofthefamily,whichproducedonlydaughters,hadmarriedanddispersedtoStockholm,Malm?,andG?teborabroad.AndtheyonlycametoHedestadforsummerholidaysorthemoreimportantmeetings.ThesingleexceptionwasIngridVanger,whoseson,GunnarKarlman,livedinHedestad.HewastheeditorinchiefoftheHedestadCourier.
    Thinkingasaprivatedetectivemight,VangerthoughtthattheunderlyingmotiveforHarriet’smurdermightbefoundinthestructureofthepany—thefactthatearlyonhehadmadeitknownthatHarrietwasspecialtohim;themotivemighthavebeentoharmVangerhimself,orperhapsHarriethaddiscoveredsomesensitivermationconcerningthepanyandtherebybecameathreattosomeone.Theseweremerespecutions;nevertheless,inthismannerhehadidentifiedacircleconsistingofthirteenindividualswhomheconsideredtobeofpotentialinterest.
    Blomkvist’sconversationwithVangerthedaybeforehadbeenilluminatingononeotherpoint.FromthestarttheoldmanhadtalkedtoBlomkvistaboutsomanymembersofhisfamilyinacontemptuousanddenigratingmanner.Itstruckhimasodd.Blomkvistwonderedwhetherthepatriarch’ssuspicionsabouthisfamilyhadwarpedhisjudgementinthematterofHarriet’sdisappearance,butnowhewasstartingtorealisethatVangerhadmadeanamazinglysoberassessment.
    Theimagethatwasemergingreveale**milythatwassociallyandfinanciallysuessful,butinallthemoreordinaryaspectswasquiteclearlydysfunctional.
    HenrikVanger’sfatherhadbeenacold,insensitivemanwhosiredhischildrenandthenlethiswifelookaftertheirupbringingandwelfare.Untilthechildrenreachedtheageofsixteentheybarelysawtheirfatherexceptatspecialfamilygatheringswhentheywereexpectedtobepresentbutalsoinvisible.Henrikcouldnotrememberhisfathereverexpressinganyformoflove,eveninthesmallestway.Onthecontrary,thesonwasoftentoldthathewasinpetentandwasthetargetofdevastatingcriticism.Corporalpunishmentwasseldomused;itwasn’tnecessary.Theonlytimeshehadwonhisfather’srespectcameterinlife,throughhisacplishmentswithintheVangerCorporation.
    Theoldestbrother,Richard,hadrebelled.Afteranargument—thereasonforwhichwasneverdiscussedinthefamily—theboyhadmovedtoUppsatostudy.TherehadbeensowntheseedsofthetheNazicareerwhichVangerhadalreadymentioned,andwhichwouldeventuallyleadtotheFinnishtrenches.Whattheoldmanhadnotmentionedpreviouslywasthattwootherbrothershadhadsimircareers.
    In1930HaraldandGregerhadfollowedinRichard’sfootstepstoUppsa.Thetwohadbeenclose,butVangerwasnotsuretowhatextenttheyhadspenttimewithRichard.ItwasquiteclearthatthebrothersalljoinedPerEngdahl’sfascistmovement,TheNewSweden.HaraldhadloyallyfollowedPerEngdahlovertheyears,firsttoSweden’sNationalUnion,thentotheSwedishOppositiongroup,andfinallyTheNewSwedishMovementafterthewar.HaraldcontinuedtobeamemberuntilEngdahldiedintheniies,andforcertainperiodshewasoneofthekeycontributorstothehibernatingSwedishfascistmovement.
    HaraldVangerstudiedmedicineinUppsaandndedalmostimmediatelyincirclesthatwereobsessedwithracehygieneandracebiology.ForatimeheworkedattheSwedishRaceBiologyInstitute,andasaphysicianhebecameaprominentcampaignerforthesterilisationofundesirableelementsinthepopution.
    Quote,HenrikVanger,tape2,02950:
    Haraldwentevenfurther.In1937heco-authored—underapseudonym,thankGod—aentitledThePeople’sNewEurope.Ididn’tfindthisoutuntiltheseventies.Ihaveacopythatyoucanread.ItmustbeoneofthemostdisgustingseverpublishedintheSwedishnguage.Haraldarguednotonlyforsterilisationbutalsoforeuthanasia—activelyputtingtodeathpeoplewhooffendedhisaesthetictastesanddidn’tfithisimageoftheperfectSwedishrace.Inotherwords,hewasappealingforwholesalemurderinatextthatwaswritteninimpeableacademicproseandcontainedalltherequiredmedicarguments.Getridofthosewhoarehandicapped.Don’tallowtheSaamipeopletospread;theyhaveaMongolianinfluence.Peoplewhoarementallyillwouldregarddeathasaformofliberation,wouldn’tthey?Loosewomen,vagrants,gypsies,andJews—youcanimagine.Inmybrother’sfantasies,AuschwitzcouldhavebeenlocatedinDarna.
    AfterthewarGregerVangerbecameasecondary-schoolteacherandeventuallytheheadmasteroftheHedestadpreparatoryschool.VangerthoughtthathenolongerbelongedtoanypartyafterthewarandhadgivenupNazism.Hediedin1974,anditwasn’tuntilhewentthroughhisbrother’scorrespondencethathelearnedthatinthefiftiesGregerhadjoinedthepoliticallyineffectualbuttotallycrackpotsectcalledtheNordicNationalParty.Hehadremainedamemberuntilhisdeath.
    Quote,HenrikVanger,tape2,04167:
    Consequently,threeofmybrotherswerepoliticallyinsane.Howsickweretheyinotherrespects?
    TheonlybrotherworthyofameasureofempathyinVanger’seyeswasthesicklyGustav,whodiedoflungdiseasein1955.Gustavhadneverbeeninterestedinpolitics,andheseemedtobesomesortofmisanthropicartisticsoul,withabsolutelynointerestinbusinessorworkingintheVangerCorporation.
    BlomkvistaskedVanger:“NowyouandHaraldaretheonlyonesleft.WhydidhemovebacktoHedeby?”
    “Hemovedhomein1979.Heownsthathouse.”
    “Itmustfeelstrangelivingsoclosetoabrotherthatyouhate.”
    “Idon’thatemybrother.Ifanything,Imaypityhim.He’sapleteidiot,andhe’stheonewhohatesme.”
    “Hehatesyou?”
    “Precisely.Ithinkthat’swhyhecamebackhere.Sothathecouldspendhisstyearshatingmeatclosequarters.”
    “Whydoeshehateyou?”
    “BecauseIgotmarried.”
    “Ithinkyou’regoingtohavetoexpinthat.”
    Vangerhadlostcontactwithhisolderbrothersearlyon.Hewastheonlybrothertoshowanaptitudeforbusiness—hewashisfather’ssthope.HehadnointerestinpoliticsandsteeredclearofUppsa.InsteadhestudiedeconomicsinStockholm.AfterheturnedeighteenhespenteverybreakandsummerholidayworkingatoneoftheofficeswithintheVangerCorporationorworkingwiththemanagementofoneofitspanies.Hebecamefamiliarwithallthebyrinthsofthefamilybusiness.
    On10June,1941—inthemidstofanall-outwar—VangerwassenttoGermanyforasix-weekvisitattheVangerCorporationbusinessofficesinHamburg.Hewasonlytwenty-oneandtheVanger’sGermanagent,apanyveteranbythenameofHermannLobach,washischaperoneandmentor.
    “Iwon’ttireyouwithallthedetails,butwhenIwentthere,HitlerandStalinwerestillgoodfriendsandtherewasn’tyetanEasternFront.EveryonestillbelievedthatHitlerwasinvincible.Therewasafeelingof…bothoptimismanddesperation.Ithinkthosearetherightwords.Morethanhalfacenturyter,it’sstilldifficulttoputwordstothemood.Don’tgetmewrong—IwasnotaNazi,andinmyeyesHitlerseemedlikesomeabsurdcharacterinanoperetta.Butitwouldhavebeenalmostimpossiblenottobeinfectedbytheoptimismaboutthefuture,whichwasrifeamongordinarypeopleinHamburg.Despitethefactthatthewarwasgettingcloser,andseveralbombingraidswerecarriedoutagainstHamburgduringthetimeIwasthere,thepeopleseemedtothinkitwasmostlyatemporaryannoyance—thatsoontherewouldbepeaceandHitlerwouldestablishhisNeuropa.PeoplewantedtobelievethatHitlerwasGod.That’swhatitsoundedlikeinthepropaganda.”
    Vangeropenedoneofhismanyphotographalbums.
    “ThisisLobach.Hedisappearedin1944,presumablylostinsomebombingraid.Weneverknewwhathisfatewas.DuringmyweeksinHamburgIbecameclosetohim.Iwasstayingwithhimandhisfamilyinanelegantapartmentinawell-to-doneighbourhoodofHamburg.Wespenttimetogethereveryday.HewasnomoreaNazithanIwas,butforconveniencehewasamemberoftheparty.HismembershipcardopeneddoorsandfacilitatedopportunitiesfortheVangerCorporation—andbusinesswaspreciselywhatwedid.Webuiltfreightwagonsfortheirtrains—I’vealwayswonderedwhetheranyofourwagonsweredestinedforPond.Wesoldfabricfortheiruniformsandtubesfortheirradiosets—althoughofficiallywedidn’