7

    tknowwhattheywereusingthegoodsfor.AndLobachknewhowtondacontract;hewasentertainingandgood-natured.TheperfectNazi.GraduallyIbegantoseethathewasalsoamanwhowasdesperatelytryingtohideasecret.
    “IntheearlyhoursofJune22in1941,Lobachknockedonthedoorofmybedroom.Myroomwasnexttohiswife’sbedroom,andhesignalledmetobequiet,getdressed,andewithhibachhadbeenupallnight.Hehadtheradioon,andIrealisedthatsomethingserioushadhappened.OperationBarbarossahadbegun.GermanyhadinvadedtheSovietUniononMidsummerEve.”Vangergesturedinresignation.“Lobachtookouttwogssesandpouredagenerousaquavitforeachofus.Hewasobviouslyshaken.WhenIaskedhimwhatitallmeant,herepliedwithforesightthatitmeanttheendforGermanyandNazism.Ionlyhalfbelievedhim—Hitlerseemedundefeatable,afterall—butLobachandIdrankatoasttothefallofGermany.Thenheturnedhisattentiontopracticalmatters.”
    Blomkvistnoddedtosignalthathewasstillfollowingthestory.
    “First,hehadnopossibilityofcontactingmyfatherforinstructions,butonhisowninitiativehehaddecidedtocutshortmyvisittoGermanyandsendmehome.Second,heaskedmetodosomethingforhim.”
    Vangerpointedtoayellowedportraitofadark-hairedwoman,inthree-quarterview.
    “Lobachhadbeenmarriedforfortyyears,butin1919hemetawildlybeautifulwomanhalfhisage,andhefellhopelesslyinlovewithher.Shewasapoor,simpleseamstress.Lobachcourtedher,andlikesomanyotherwealthymen,hecouldaffordtoinstallherinanapartmentaconvenientdistancefromhisoffice.Shebecamehismistress.In1921shehadadaughter,whowaschristenedEdith.”
    “Richolderman,pooryoungwoman,andalovechild—thatcan’thavecausedmuchofascandalintheforties,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Absolutelyright.Ifithadn’tbeenforohing.ThewomanwasJewish,andconsequentlyLobachwasthefatherofaJewinthemidstofNaziGermany.Hewaswhattheycalleda‘traitortohisrace.’”
    “Ah…Thatdoeschangethesituation.Whathappened?”
    “Edith’smotherhadbeenpickedupin1939.Shedisappeared,andwecanonlyguesswhatherfatewas.Itwasknown,ofcourse,thatshehadadaughterwhowasnotyetincludedonanytransportlist,andwhowasnowbeingsoughtbythedepartmentoftheGestapowhosejobitwastotrackdownfugitiveJews.Inthesummerof1941,theweekthatIarrivedinHamburg,Edith’smotherwassomehowlinkedtoLobach,andhewassummonedforaninterview.Heacknowledgedtheretionshipandhispaternity,buthestatedthathehadnoideawherehisdaughtermightbe,andhehadnothadanycontactwithherintenyears.”
    “Sowherewasthedaughter?”
    “IhadseenhereverydayintheLobachs’home.Asweetandquiettwenty-year-oldgirlwhocleanedmyroomandhelpedservedinner.By1937thepersecutionoftheJewshadbeengoingonforseveralyears,andEdith’smotherhadbeggedLobachforhelp.Andhedidhelp—Lobachlovedhisillegitimatechildjustasmuchashislegitimatechildren.Hehidherinthemostunlikelypcehecouldthinkof—rightinfrontofeveryone’snose.Hehadarrangedforcounterfeitdocuments,andhehadtakenherinastheirhousekeeper.”
    “Didhiswifeknowwhoshewas?”
    “No,itseemedshehadnoidea.Ithadworkedforfouryears,butnowLobachfeltthenoosetightening.ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheGestapowouldeknockingonthedoor.Thenhewenttogethisdaughterandintroducedhertomeassuch.Shewasveryshyanddidn’tevendarelookmeintheeye.Shemusthavebeenuphalfthenightwaitingtobecalled.Lobachbeggedmetosaveherlife.”
    “How?”
    “Hehadarrangedthewholething.IwassupposedtobestayinganotherthreeweeksandthentotakethenighttraintoCopenhagenandcontinuebyferryacrossthesound—aretivelysafetrip,eveninwartime.ButtwodaysafterourconversationafreighterownedbytheVangerCorporationwastoleaveHamburgheadedforSweden.Lobachwantedtosendmewiththefreighterinstead,toleaveGermanywithoutdey.Thechangeinmytravelpnshadtobeapprovedbythesecurityservice;itwasaformality,butnotaproblem.ButLobachwantedmeonboardthatfreighter.”
    “TogetherwithEdith,Ipresume.”
    “Edithwassmuggledonboard,hiddeninsideoneofthreehundredcratescontainingmachinery.MyjobwastoprotectherifsheshouldbediscoveredwhilewewerestillinGermanterritorialwaters,andtopreventthecaptainoftheshipfromdoinganythingstupid.OtherwiseIwassupposedtowaituntilwewereagooddistancefromGermanybeforeIletherout.”
    “Itsoundsterrifying.”
    “Itsoundedsimpletome,butitturnedintoanightmarejourney.ThecaptainwascalledOskarGranath,andhewasfarfrompleasedtobemaderesponsibleforhisemployer’ssnottylittleheir.WeleftHamburgaround9:00intheeveninginteJune.Wewerejustmakingourwayoutoftheinnerharbourwhentheair-raidsirenswentoff.ABritishbombingraid—theheaviestIhadthenexperienced,andtheharbourwas,ofcourse,themaintarget.Butsomehowwegotthrough,andafteranenginebreakdownandamiserablystormynightinmine-filledwaterswearrivedthefollowingafternoonatKarlskrona.You’reprobablygoingtoaskmewhathappenedtothegirl.”
    “IthinkIknow.”
    “Myfatherwasunderstandablyfurious.Ihadputeverythingatriskwithmyidioticventure.AndthegirlcouldhavebeendeportedfromSwedenatanytime.ButIwasalreadyjustashopelesslyinlovewithherasLobachhadbeenwithhermother.Iproposedtoherandgavemyfatheranultimatum—eitherheaeptedourmarriageorhe’dhavetolookforanotherfattedcalfforthefamilybusiness.Hegavein.”
    “Butshedied?”
    “Yes,fartooyoung,in1958.Shehadacongenitalheartdefect.AnditturnedoutthatIcouldn’thavechildren.Andthat’swhymybrotherhatesme.”
    “Becauseyoumarriedher.”
    “Because—tousehisownwords—ImarriedafilthyJewishwhore.”
    “Buthe’sinsane.”
    “Icouldn’thaveputitbettermyself.”
    CHAPTER10
    Thursday,January9-Friday,January31
    AordingtotheHedestadCourier,Blomkvist’sfirstmonthoutinthecountrywasthecoldestinrecordedmemory,oratleastsincethewartimewinterof1942.AfteronlyaweekinHedebyhehadlearnedalboutlongunderwear,woollysocks,anddoubleundershirts.
    Hehadseveralmiserabledaysinthemiddleofthemonthwhenthetemperaturedroppedto-35°F.Hehadexperiencednothinglikeit,notevenduringtheyearhespentinKirunainLapnddoinghismilitaryservice.
    Onemorningthewaterpipesfroze.Nilssongavehimtwobigpstiontainersofwaterforcookingandwashing,butthecoldwasparalysing.Iceflowersformedontheinsidesofthewindows,andnomatterhowmuchwoodheputinthestove,hewasstillcold.Hespentalongtimeeachdaysplittingwoodintheshednexttothehouse.
    Attimeshewasonthebrinkoftearsandtoyedwithtakingthefirsttrainheadingsouth.Insteadhewouldputononemoresweaterandwrapupinabnketashesatatthekitchentable,drinkingcoffeeandreadingoldpolicereports.
    Thentheweatherchangedandthetemperaturerosesteadilytoabalmy14°F.
    MikaelwasbeginningtogettoknowpeopleinHedeby.MartinVangerkepthispromiseandinvitedhimforamealofmoosesteak.Hisdyfriendjoinedthemfordinner.Evawasawarm,sociable,andentertainingwoman.Blomkvistfoundherextraordinarilyattractive.ShewasadentistandlivedinHedestad,butshespenttheweekendsatMartin’shome.Blomkvistgraduallylearnedthattheyhadknowneachotherformanyyearsbutthattheyhadnotstartedgoingouttogetheruntiltheyweremiddle-aged.Evidentlytheysawnoreasontomarry.
    “She’sactuallymydentist,”saidMartinwithaugh.
    “Andmarryingintothiscrazyfamilyisn’treallymything,”Evasaid,pattingMartinaffectionatelyontheknee.
    MartinVanger’svilwasfurnishedinbck,white,andchrome.TherewereexpensivedesignerpiecesthatwouldhavedelightedtheconnoisseurChristerMalm.Thekitchenwasequippedtoaprofessionalchef’sstandard.Inthelivingroomtherewasahigh-endstereowithanimpressivecollectionofjazzrecordsfromTommyDorseytoJohnColtrane.MartinVangerhadmoney,andhishomewasbothluxuriousandfunctional.Itwasalsoimpersonal.Theartworkonthewallswasreproductionsandposters,ofthesortfoundinIKEA.Theshelves,atleastinthepartofthehousethatBlomkvistsaw,housedaSwedishencyclopediaandsomecoffeetablesthatpeoplemighthavegivenhimasChristmaspresents,forwantofabetteridea.Allinall,hecoulddiscernonlytwopersonaspectsofMartinVanger’slife:musicandcooking.His3,000orsoLPsspokefortheoneandtheothercouldbededucedfromthefactofMartin’sstomachbulgingoverhisbelt.
    Themanhimselfwasamixtureofsimplicity,shrewdness,andamiability.IttooknogreatanalyticalskilltoconcludethatthecorporateCEOwasamanwithproblems.Astheylistenedto“NightinTunisia,”theconversationwasdevotedtotheVangerCorporation,andMartinmadenosecretofthefactthatthepanywasfightingforsurvival.Hewascertainlyawarethathisguestwasafinancialreporterwhomhehardlyknew,yethediscussedtheinternalproblemsofhispanysoopenlythatitseemedreckless.PerhapsheassumedthatBlomkvistwasoneofthefamilysincehewasworkingforhisgreat-uncle;andliketheformerCEO,Martintooktheviewthatthefamilymembersonlyhadthemselvestobmeforthesituationinwhichthepanyfounditself.Ontheotherhand,heseemedalmostamusedbyhisfamily’sincorrigiblefolly.Evanoddedbutpassednojudgementofherown.Theyhadobviouslybeenoverthesamegroundbefore.
    MartinaeptedthestorythatBlomkvisthadbeenhiredtowriteafamilychronicle,andheinquiredhowtheworkwasgoing.Blomkvistsaidwithasmilethathewashavingthemosttroublerememberingthenamesofalltheretives.Heaskedifhemightebacktodoaninterviewinduecourse.Twiceheconsideredturningtheconversationtotheoldman’sobsessionwithHarriet’sdisappearance.Vangermusthavepesteredherbrotherwithhistheories,andMartinmustrealisethatifBlomkvistwasgoingtowriteabouttheVangers,hecouldnotignorethefactthatonefamilymemberhadvanishedindramatiircumstances.ButMartinshowednosignofwantingtodiscussthesubject.
    Theeveningended,afterseveralroundsofvodka,at2:00inthemorning.Blomkvistwasfairlydrunkasheskiddedthethreehundredyardstotheguesthouse.Ithadbeenapleasantevening.
    OneafternoonduringBlomkvist’ssecondweekinHedebytherewasaknockonthedoor.Heputasidethebinderfromthepolicereportthathehadjustopened—thesixthintheseries—andclosedthedoortohisofficebeforeheopenedthefrontdoortoablondewomanwellwrappedupagainstthecold.
    “Hi.IjustthoughtI’deandsayhello.I’mCeciliaVanger.”
    Theyshookhandsandhegotoutthecoffeecups.Cecilia,daughterofHaraldVanger,appearedtobeanopenandengagingwoman.BlomkvistrememberedthatVangerhadspokenofherappreciatively;hehadalsosaidthatshewasnotonspeakingtermswithherfather,hernext-doorneighbour.Theychattedforawhilebeforeshebroughtupthereasonforhervisit.
    “Iunderstandthatyou’rewritingaaboutthefamily,”shesaid.“I’mnotsurethatIcarefortheidea.Iwantedtoseewhatsortofpersonyouare.”
    “Well,HenrikVangerhiredme.It’shisstory,sotospeak.”
    “AndourgoodHenrikisn’texactlyneutralinhisattitudetowardsthefamily.”
    Blomkviststudiedher,unsurewhatshewasgettingat.“You’reopposedtohavingawrittenabouttheVangerfamily?”
    “Ididn’tsaythat.Anditdoesn’treallymatterwhatIthink.Butbynowyoumusthaverealisedthatithasn’talwaysbeenpinsailingtobepartofthisfamily.”
    BlomkvisthadnoideawhatVangerhadsaidorhowmuchCeciliaknewabouthisassignment.Hethrewouthishands.
    “I’mcontractedbyyouruncletowriteafamilychronicle.Hehassomeverycolourfulviewsaboutmembersofthefamily,butI’llbestickingstrictlytowhatcanbedocumented.”
    CeciliaVangersmiledbutwithoutwarmth.“WhatIwanttoknowis:willIhavetogointoexileoremigratewhentheesout?”
    “Idon’texpectso,”Blomkvistsaid.“Peoplewillbeabletotellthesheepfromthegoats.”
    “Likemyfather,forinstance?”
    “YourfatherthefamousNazi?”Blomkvistsaid.
    CeciliaVangerrolledhereyes.“Myfatheriscrazy.Ionlyseehimafewtimesayear.”
    “Whydon’tyouwanttoseehim?”
    “Waitaminute—beforeyoustartinaskingalotofquestions…AreyoupnningtoquoteanythingIsay?OrcanIcarryonanormalconversationwithyou?”
    “MyjobistowriteastartingwithAlexandreVangeersad’sarrivalinSwedenwithBernadotteandgoinguptothepresent.It’stocoverthebusinessempireovermanydecades,butitwillsodiscusswhytheempireisindifficultyanditwilltouchontheanimositythatexistswithinthefamily.Insuchasurveyit’simpossibletoavoidhavingsomedirtylinenfloattothesurface.Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatI’mgoingtosetouttopresentamaliciousportraitofanyone.Forexample,I’vemetMartinVanger;heseemstomeaverysympatheticperson,andthat’showI’mgoingtodescribehim.”
    CeciliaVangerdidnotreply.
    “WhatIknowaboutyouisthatyou’reateacher…”
    “It’sactuallyworsethanthat—I’mtheheadmistressofHedestadpreparatoryschool.”
    “I’msorry.Iknowthatyouruncleisfondofyou,thatyou’remarriedbutseparated…andthat’saboutallsofar.Sodopleasegoaheadandtalktomewithoutfearofbeingquoted.I’msureI’lleknockingonyourdoorsomedaysoon.Thenitwillbeanofficialinterview,andyoucanchoosewhetheryouwanttoanswermyquestionsornot.”
    “SoIcantalktoyouthenornow…offtherecord,astheysay?”
    “Ofcourse.”
    “Andthisisofftherecord?”
    “Ofcourse.Thisisasocialvisitafterall.”
    “OK.ThencanIaskyousomething?”
    “Please.”
    “HowmuchofthisisgoingtodealwithHarriet?”
    Blomkvistbithislipandthensaidascasuallyashecould:“Tobehonest,Ihavenoidea.Itmightfilchapter.Itwasadramaticeventthathascastashadowoveryouruncle,attheveryleast.”
    “Butyou’renotheretolookintoherdisappearance?”
    “Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”
    “Well,thefactthatNilssonluggedfourmassiveboxesoverhere.ThatcouldbeHenrik’sprivateinvestigationsovertheyears.IlookedinHarriet’soldroom,whereHenrikkeepsit,anditwasgone.”
    CeciliaVangerwasnofool.
    “You’llhavetotakethematterupwithHenrik,notwithme,”Blomkvistsaid.“Butitwon’tsurpriseyoutoknowthatHenrikhastalkedalotaboutthegirl’sdisappearance,andIthoughtitwouldbeinterestingtoreadthroughwhathadbeencollected.”
    Ceciliagavehimanotherofherjoylesssmiles.“Iwondersometimeswho’scrazier,myfatherormyuncle.ImusthavelistenedtohimonHarriet’sdisappearanceathousandtimes.”
    “Whatdoyouthinkhappenedtoher?”
    “Isthisaninterviewquestion?”
    “No,”hesaidwithaugh.“I’mjustcurious.”
    “WhatI’mcuriousaboutiswhetheryou’reanutcasetoo.Whetheryou’veswallowedHenrik’sconvictionorwhetherinfactyou’retheonewho’segginghimon.”
    “YouthinkthatHenrik’sanutcase?”
    “Don’tgetmewrong.He’soneofthewarmestandmostthoughtfulpeopleIknow.I’mveryfondofhim.Butonthisparticurtopic,he’sobsessive.”
    “ButHarrietreallydiddisappear.”
    “I’mjustsodamnsickofthewholestory.It’spoisonedourlivesfordecades,anditdoesn’tstopdoingso.”Shegotupabruptlyandputonherfurcoat.“Ihavetogo.Youseemlikeapleasantsort.Martinthinkssotoo,buthisjudgementisn’talwaysreliable.You’reweletoeforcoffeeatmyhousewheneveryoulike.I’malmostalwayshomeintheevening.”
    “Thankyou,”Blomkvistsaid.“Youdidn’tanswerthequestionthatwasn’taninterviewquestion.”
    Shepausedatthedoorandrepliedwithoutlookingathim.
    “Ihavenoidea.Ithinkitwasanaidentthathassuchasimpleexpnationthatitwilstonishusifweeverfindout.”
    Sheturnedtosmileathim—forthefirsttimewithwarmth.Thenshewasgone.
    IfithadbeenanagreeablefirstmeetingwithCeciliaVanger,thesamecouldnotbesaidofhisfirstencounterwithIsabel.Harriet’smotherwasexactlyasHenrikVangerhadwarned:sheprovedtobeanelegantwomanwhoremindedhimvaguelyofLaurenBacall.Shewasthin,dressedinabckPersianmbcoatwithmatchingcap,andshewasleaningonabckcanewhenBlomkvistranintoheronemorningonhiswaytoSusanne’s.Shelookedlikeanageingvampire—stillstrikinglybeautifulbutasvenomousasasnake.IsabelVangerwasapparentlyonherwayhomeaftertakingawalk.Shecalledtohimfromthecrossroad.
    “Hellothere,youngman.ehere.”
    Themandingtonewashardtomistake.Blomkvistlookedaroundandconcludedthathewastheonesummoned.Hedidasinstructed.
    “IamIsabelVanger,”thewomansaid.
    “Hello.MynameisMikaelBlomkvist.”Hestuckouthishand,whichsheignored.
    “Areyouthatpersonwho’sbeensnoopingaroundinourfamilyaffairs?”
    “Well,ifyoumeanamIthepersonthatHenrikVangerhasputundercontracttohelphimwithhisabouttheVangerfamily,thenyes.”
    “That’snoneofyourbusiness.”
    “Which?ThefactthatHenrikVangerofferedmeacontractorthefactthatIaepted?”
    “YouknowperfectlywellwhatImean.Idon’tcareforpeoplepokingaroundinmylife.”
    “Iwon’tpokearoundinyourlife.Therestyou’llhavetodiscusswithHenrik.”
    IsabelraisedhercaneandpressedthehandleagainstMikael’schest.Shedidnotusemuchforce,buthetookastepbackinsurprise.
    “Justyoukeepawayfromme,”shesaid,andturnedonherheendwalkedunsteadilytowardsherhouse.Blomkvistwentonstandingwherehewas,lookinglikeamanwhohasjustmetarealliveic-character.WhenhelookeduphesawVangerinthewindowofhisoffice.Inhishandhewasholdingacup,whichheraisedinanironicsalute.
    TheonlytravellingthatBlomkvistdidduringthatfirstmonthwasadrivetoabayonLakeSiljan.HeborrowedFrode’sMercedesanddrovethroughasnowyndscapetospendtheafternoonwithDetectiveSuperintendentMorell.BlomkvisthadtriedtoformanimpressionofMorellbasedonthewayhecameacrossinthepolicereport.Whathefoundwasawiryoldmanwhomovedsoftlyandspokeevenmoreslowly.
    Blomkvistbroughtwithhimanotewithtenquestions,mainlyideasthathadcroppedupwhilehewasreadingthepolicereport.Morelnsweredeachquestionputtohiminaschoolmasterlyway.FinallyBlomkvistputawayhisnotesandexpinedthatthequestionsweresimplyanexcuseforameeting.Whathereallywantedwastohaveachatwithhimandaskonecrucialquestion:wasthereanysinglethingintheinvestigationthathadnotbeenincludedinthewrittenreport?Anyhunches,even,thattheinspectormightbewillingtosharewithhim?
    BecauseMorell,likeVanger,hadspentthirty-sixyearsponderingthemystery,Blomkvisthadexpectedacertainresistance—hewasthenewmanwhohadeinandstartedtrampingaroundinthethicketwhereMorellhadgoneastray.Buttherewasnotahintofhostility.Morellmethodicallyfilledhispipeandlititbeforehereplied.
    “Wellyes,obviouslyIhadmyownideas.Butthey’resovagueandfleetingthatIcanhardlyputthemintowords.”
    “Whatdoyouthinkhappened?”
    “IthinkHarrietwasmurdered.HenrikandIagreeonthat.It’stheonlyreasonableexpnation.Butweneverdiscoveredwhatthemotivemighthavebeen.Ithinkshewasmurderedforaveryspecificreason—itwasn’tsomeactofmadnessorarapeoranythinglikethat.Ifwehadknownthemotive,we’dhaveknownwhokilledher.”Morellstoppedtothinkforamoment.“Themurdermayhavebeenmittedspontaneously.BythatImeanthatsomeoneseizedanopportunitywhenitpresenteditselfintheingandgoinginthewakeoftheaident.Themurdererhidthebodyandthenatsometertimeremoveditwhileweweresearchingforher.”
    “We’retalkingaboutsomeonewhohasnervesofice.”
    “There’sonedetail…HarrietwenttoHenrik’sroomwantingtospeaktohim.Inhindsight,itseemstomeastrangewaytobehave—sheknewhehadhishandsfullwithalltheretiveswhowerehangingaround.IthinkHarrietaliverepresentedagravethreattosomeone,thatshewasgoingtotellHenriksomething,andthatthemurdererknewshewasaboutto…well,spillthebeans.”
    “AndHenrikwasbusywithseveralfamilymembers?”
    “Therewerefourpeopleintheroom,besidesHenrik.HisbrotherGreger,acousinnamedMagnusSj?gren,andtwoofHarald’schildren,BirgerandCecilia.Butthatdoesn’ttellusanything.Let’ssupposethatHarriethaddiscoveredthatsomeonehadembezzledmoneyfromthepany—hypothetically,ofcourse.Shemayhaveknownaboutitformonths,andatsomepointshemayevenhavediscusseditwiththepersoninquestion.Shemayhavetriedtobckmailhim,orshemayhavefeltsorryforhimandfeltuneasyaboutexposinghim.Shemayhavedecidedallofasuddenandtoldthemurdererso,andheindesperationkilledher.”
    “You’vesaid‘he’and‘him.’”
    “Thesaysthatmostkillersaremen.Butit’salsotruethatintheVangerfamilyareseveralwomenwhoarerealfirebrands.”
    “I’vemetIsabel.”
    “She’soneoftheaVangercanbeextremelycaustic.HaveyoumetSaraSj?gren?”
    Blomkvistshookhishead.
    “She’sthedaughterofSofiaVanger,oneofHenrik’scousins.Inhercasewe’retalkingaboutatrulyunpleasantandinconsideratedy.ButshewaslivinginMalm?,andasfarasIcouldascertain,shehadnomotiveforkillingthegirl.”
    “Soshe’soffthelist.”
    “Theproblemisthatnomatterhowwetwistedandturnedthings,wenevercameupwithamotive.That’stheimportantthing.”
    “Youputavastamountofworkintothiscase.Wasthereanyleadyouremembernothavingfollowedup?”
    Morellchuckled.“No.I’vedevotedanendlessamountoftimetothiscase,andIcan’tthinkofanythingthatIdidn’tfollowuptothebitter,fruitlessend.EvenafterIwaspromotedandmovedawayfromHedestad.”
    “Movedaway?”
    “Yes,I’mnotfromHedestadoriginally.Iservedtherefrom1963until1968.AfterthatIwaspromotedtosuperintendentandmovedtotheG?vlepolicedepartmentfortherestofmycareer.ButeveninG?vleIwentondiggingintothecase.”
    “Idon’tsupposethatHenrikwouldeverletup.”
    “That’strue,butthat’snotthereason.ThepuzzleaboutHarrietstillfascinatesmetothisday.Imean…it’slikethis:everypoliceofficerhashisownunsolvedmystery.IrememberfrommydaysinHedestadhowoldercolleagueswouldtalkinthecanteenaboutthecaseofRebecka.Therewasoneofficerinparticur,amannamedTorstensson—he’sbeendeadforyears—whoyearafteryearkeptreturningtothatcase.Inhisfreetimeandwhenhewasonholiday.Whenevertherewasaperiodofcalmamongthelocalhooliganshewouldtakeoutthosefoldersandstudythem.”
    “Wasthatalsoacaseaboutamissinggirl?”
    Morelllookedsurprised.ThenhesmiledwhenherealisedthatBlomkvistwaslookingforsomesortofconnection.
    “No,that’snotwhyImentionedit.I’mtalkingaboutthesoulofapoliceman.TheRebeckacasewassomethingthathappenedbeforeHarrietVangerwasevenborn,andthestatuteoflimitationshaslongsincerunout.SometimeinthefortiesawomanwasassaultedinHedestad,raped,andmurdered.That’snotaltogetherunmon.Everyofficer,atsomepointinhiscareer,hastoinvestigatethatkindofcrime,butwhatI’mtalkingaboutarethosecasesthatstaywithyouandgetunderyourskinduringtheinvestigation.Thisgirlwaskilledinthemostbrutalway.Thekillertiedherupandstuckherheadintothesmoulderingembersofafirepce.Onecanonlyguesshowlongittookforthepoorgirltodie,orwhattormentshemusthaveendured.”
    “ChristAlmighty.”
    “Exactly.Itwassosadistic.PoorTorstenssonwasthefirstdetectiveonthesceneaftershewasfound.Andthemurderremainedunsolved,eventhoughexpertswerecalledinfromStockholm.Hecouldneverletgoofthatcase.”
    “Icanunderstandthat.”
    “MyRebeckacasewasHarriet.Inthisinstancewedon’tevenknowhowshedied.Wecan’tevenprovethatamurderwasmitted.ButIhaveneverbeenabletoletitgo.”Hepausedtothinkforamoment.“Beingahomicidedetectivecanbetheloneliestjobintheworld.Thefriendsofthevictimareupsetandindespair,butsoonerorter—afterweeksormonths—theygobacktotheireverydaylives.Fortheclosestfamilyittakeslonger,butforthemostpart,tosomedegree,theytoogetovertheirgrievinganddespair.Lifehastogoon;itdoesgoon.Buttheunsolvedmurderskeepgnawingawayandintheendthere’sonlyonepersonleftwhothinksnightanddayaboutthevictim:it’stheofficerwho’sleftwiththeinvestigation.”
    ThreeotherpeopleintheVangerfamilylivedonHedebyIsnd.AlexanderVanger,sonofGreger,bornin1946,livedinarenovatedwoodenhouse.VangertoldBlomkvistthatAlexanderwaspresentlyintheWestIndies,wherehegavehimselfovertohisfavouritepastimes:sailingandwhilingawaythetime,notdoingascrapofwork.Alexanderhadbeentwentyandhehadbeenthereonthatday.
    Alexandersharedthehousewithhismother,Gerda,eightyyearsoldandwidowofGregerVanger.Blomkvisthadneverseenher;shewasmostlybedridden.
    ThethirdfamilymemberwasHaraldVanger.DuringhisfirstmonthBlomkvisthadnotmanagedevenaglimpseofhim.Harald’shouse,theoneclosesttoBlomkvist’scabin,lookedgloomyandominouswithitsbckoutcurtainsdrawnacrossallthewindows.Blomkvistsometimesthoughthesawarippleinthecurtainsashepassed,andoncewhenhewasabouttogotobedte,henoticedaglimmeroflightingfromaroomupstairs.Therewasagapinthecurtains.Formorethantwentyminuteshestoodinthedarkathisownkitchenwindowandwatchedthelightbeforehegotfedupand,shivering,wenttobed.Inthemorningthecurtainswerebackinpce.
    Haraldseemedtobeaninvisiblebutever-presentspiritwhoaffectedlifeinthevilgebyhisabsence.InBlomkvist’simagination,HaraldincreasinglytookontheformofanevilGollumwhospiedonhissurroundingsfrombehindthecurtainsanddevotedhimselftono-one-knew-whatmattersinhisbarricadedcavern.
    Haraldwasvisitedonceadaybythehome-helpservicefromtheothersideofthebridge.Shewouldbringbagsofgroceries,trudgingthroughthesnowdriftsuptohisdoor.NilssonshookhisheadwhenBlomkvistaskedaboutHarald.Hehadofferedtodotheshovelling,hesaid,butHaralddidnotwantanyoosetfootonhisproperty.Onlyonce,duringthefirstwinterafterHaraldhadreturnedtoHedebyIsnd,didNilssondrivethetractoruptheretoclearthesnowfromthecourtyard,justashedidforalltheotherdriveways.Haraldhadeoutofhishouseatastartlingpace,yellingandgesticutinguntilNilssonwentaway.
    Unfortunately,NilssonwasunabletoclearBlomkvist’syardbecausethegatewastoonarrowforthetractor.Asnowshovendmanualbourwerestilltheonlywaytodoit.
    InthemiddleofJanuaryBlomkvistaskedhiswyertofindoutwhenhewasgoingtobeexpectedtoservehisthreemonthsinprison.Hewasanxioustotakecareofthematterasquicklyaspossible.Gettingintoprisonturnedouttobeeasierthanhehadexpected.Afteraveryfewweeksofdiscussion,itwasdecreedthatBlomkvistpresenthimselfonMarch17attheRull?kerPrisonoutside?stersund,aminimum-securityprison.Thewyeradvisedhimthatthesentencewouldverylikelybeshortened.
    “Fine,”Blomkvistsaid,withoutmuchenthusiasm.
    Hesatatthekitchentableandpettedthecat,whonowarrivedeveryfewdaystospendthenightwithBlomkvist.FromtheNilssonshehadlearnedthatthecat’snamewasTjorven.Itdidnotbelongtoanyoneinparticur,itjustmadetheroundsofallthehouses.
    Blomkvistmethisemployeralmosteveryafternoon.Sometimestheywouldhaveabriefconversation;sometimestheywouldsittogetherforhours.
    TheconversationoftenconsistedofBlomkvistputtingupatheorythatVangerwouldthenshootdown.Blomkvisttriedtomaintainacertaindistancefromhisassignment,butthereweremomentswhenhefoundhimselfhopelesslyfascinatedbytheenigmaofthegirl’sdisappearance.
    BlomkvisthadassuredBergerthathewouldalsoformuteastrategyfortakingupthebattlewithWennerstr?m,butafteramonthinHedestadhehadnotyetopenedthefileswhichhadbroughthimtothedockinthedistrictcourt.Onthecontrary,hehaddeliberatelypushedthematterasidebecauseeverytimehethoughtaboutWennerstr?mandhisownsituation,hewouldsinkintodepressionandlistlessness.Hewonderedwhetherhewasgoingcrazyliketheoldman.Hisprofessionalreputationhadimploded,andhismeansofrecoveringwastohidehimselfawayinatinytowninthedeepcountry,chasingghosts.
    VangercouldtellthatBlomkvistwasonsomedaysabitoffbance.BytheendofJanuary,theoldmanmadeadecisionthatsurprisedevenhimself.HepickedupthetelephoneandcalledStockholm.TheconversationstedtwentyminutesanddealtrgelywithMikaelBlomkvist.
    IthadtakenalmostthatwholemonthforBerger’sfurytosubside.At9:30intheevening,ononeofthestdaysinJanuary,shecalledhim.
    “Areyoureallyintendingtostayupthere?”shebegan.ThecallwassuchasurprisethatBlomkvistcouldnotatfirstreply.Thenhesmiledandwrappedthebnkettighteraroundhim.
    “Hi,Ricky.Youshouldtryityourself.”
    “WhywouldI?Whatissocharmingaboutlivinginthebackofbeyond?”
    “Ijustbrushedmyteethwithicewater.Itmakesmyfillingshurt.”
    “Youhaveonlyyourselftobme.Butit’scoldashelldownhereinStockholmtoo.”
    “Let’sheartheworst.”
    “We’velosttwo-thirdsofourreguradvertisers.No-onewantstoerightoutandsayit,but…”
    “Iknow.Makealistoftheonesthatjumpship.Somedaywe’lldoagoodstoryonthem.”
    “Micke…I’verunthenumbers,andifwedon’tropeinsomenewadvertisers,we’llbebustbytheautumn.It’sassimpleasthat.”
    “Thingswillturnaround.”
    Sheughedwearilyontheotherendoftheline.
    “That’snotsomethingyoucansay,nestlingupthereinLapnderhell.”
    “Erika,I’m…”
    “Iknow.Aman’sgottadowhataman’sgottado,andallthatcrap.Youdon’thavetosayanything.I’msorryIwassuchabitchanddidn’tansweryourmessages.Canwestartagain?DoIdareeuptheretoseeyou?”
    “Wheneveryoulike.”
    “DoIneedtobringalongariflewithwolf-shot?”
    “Notatall.We’llhaveourownLapps,dogteamsandallthegear.Whenareyouing?”
    “Fridayevening,OK?”
    Apartfromthenarrowshovelledpathtothedoor,therewasaboutthreefeetofsnowcoveringtheproperty.Blomkvistgavetheshovelong,criticallookandthenwentovertoNilsson’shousetoaskwhetherBergercouldparkherBMWthere.Thatwasnoproblem;theyhadroominthedoublegarage,andtheyevenhadengineheaters.
    Bergerdrovethroughtheafternoonandarrivedaround6:00.Theystaredateachotherwarilyforseveralsecondsandthenhuggedeachotherformuchlonger.
    Therewasnotmuchtoseeinthedarknessexceptfortheilluminatedchurch,andbothKonsumandSusanne’sBridgeCaféwereclosingup.Sotheyhurriedhome.BlomkvistcookeddinnerwhileBergerpokedaroundinhishouse,makingremarksabouttheissuesofRekordmagasifromthefiftiesthatwerestillthere,andgettingengrossedinhisfilesintheoffice.
    Theyhadmbcutletswithpotatoesincreamsauceanddrankredwine.Blomkvisttriedtotakeupthethreadoftheirearlierconversation,butBergerwasinnomoodtodiscussMillenniurtheywenttoseeifthebedwasbigenoughtoholdbothofthem.
    HerthirdmeetingwithAdvokatNilsBjurmanwasrescheduled,andfinallysetfor5:00onthatsameFridayafternoon.Atthepreviousmeetings,Sanderwasgreetedbyamiddle-agedwomanwhosmelledofmuskandworkedashissecretary.Thistimeshehadleftfortheday,andBjurmansmelledfaintlyofdrink.HewavedSandertoavisitor’schairandleafeddistractedlythroughthedocumentsonhisdeskuntilheseemedsuddenlytobeeawareofherpresence.
    Itturnedouttobeanotherinterrogation.ThistimeheaskedSanderabouthersexlife—whichshehadnointentionofdiscussingwithanyone.
    Afterthemeetingsheknewthatshehadhandleditbadly.Atfirstsherefusedtoanswerhisquestions.Hisinterpretationofthiswasthatshewasshy,retarded,orhadsomethingtohide,andhepressedherforanswers.Sanderrealisedthathewasnotgoingtogiveup,soshestartedgivinghimbrief,colourlessanswersofthesortsheassumedwouldfitwithherpsychologicalprofile.Shementioned“Magnus”—who,aordingtoherdescription,wasanerdyputerprogrammerherownagewhotreatedherlikeagentlemanshould,tookhertothecinema,andsometimessharedherbed.“Magnus”wasfiction;shemadehimupasshewentalong,butBjurmantookheraountasapretextformeticulouslymappingouthersexlife.Howoftendoyouhavesex?Oasionally.Whotakestheinitiative—youorhim?Ido.Doyouusecondoms?Ofcourse—sheknewaboutHIV.What’syourfavouriteposition?Hmm,usuallyonmyback.Doyouenjoyoralsex?Er,waitasecond…Haveyoueverhadanalsex?
    “No,it’snotparticurlynicetobefuckedinthearse—butwhatthehellbusinessisitofyours?”
    Thatwastheonlytimeshelosthertemper.Shehadkepthereyesonthefloorsotheywouldnotbetrayherexasperation.Whenshelookedathimagain,hewasgrinningatherfromacrossthedesk.Shelefthisofficewithafeelingofdisgust.Palmgrenwouldneverhavedreamedofaskingsuchquestions.Ontheotherhand,hehadalwaysbeenthereifshehadwantedtodiscussanything.Notthatshedid.
    BjurmanwasonhiswaytobeingaMajorProblem.
    CHAPTER11
    Saturday,February1–Tuesday,February18
    DuringthebriefhoursofdaylightonSaturday,BlomkvistandBergertookawalkpastthesmall-boatharbouralongtheroadto?sterg?rden.HehadbeenlivingonHedebyIsndforamonth,buthehadnevertakenawalkinnd;thefreezingtemperaturesandregursnowstormshaddeterredhiwasasifBergerhadbroughtwithherahintofspring.Theroadwaslinedwithsnow,ploughedthreefeethigh.Assoonastheyleftthesummer-cabinareatheywerewalkingindensefirforest.BlomkvistwassurprisedbyhowmuchhigherandmoreinaessibleS?derberget,thehilcrossfromthecabins,wasthanitappearedfromthevilge.HethoughtabouthowmanytimesHarrietVangermusthavepyedhereasachild,butthenhepushedallthoughtsofheroutofhismind.Afteraboutamilethewoodsendedatafencewherethe?sterg?rdenfarmndbegan.Theycouldseeawhitewoodenstructureandredfarmbuildingsarrangedinasquare.Theyturnedtoheadbackthesameway.
    Astheypassedthedrivewaytotheestatehouse,Vangerknockedontheupstairswindowandgesturedfirmlyforthemtoeup.BlomkvistandBergerlookedateachother.
    “Wouldyouliketomeetacorporatelegend?”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Doeshebite?”
    “NotonSaturdays.”
    Vangerreceivedthematthedoortohisoffice.
    “YoumustbeFr?kenBerger,Irecogniseyou.”hesaid.“Mikaeldidn’tsayawordaboutyouringtoHedeby.”
    OneofBerger’soutstandingtalentswasherabilitytoinstantlygetonfriendlytermswiththemostunlikelyindividuals.Blomkvisthadseenherturnonthecharmforfive-year-oldboys,whowithintenminuteswerefullypreparedtoabandontheirmothers.Menovereightyseemednottobeanexception.AftertwominutesBergerandHenrikVangerwereignoringBlomkvistastheychatteredon.Itwasasiftheyhadknowneachothersincechildhood—well,sinceErika’schildhood,atanyrate.
    BergerstartedoffquiteboldlybyscoldingVangerforluringherpublisherawayintothesticks.Theoldmanrepliedthatasfarashecouldtell—fromassortedpressreports—shehadinfactfiredhim.Andhadshenotdoneso,thennowmightbehightimetogetridofexcessbalstintheeditorialoffices.Andinthatcase,Vangersaid,aperiodofrusticlifewoulddoyoungBlomkvistsomegood.
    ForfiveminutestheydiscussedBlomkvist’sshortingsinthemostirritatingterms.Blomkvistleanedbackandpretendedtobeinsulted,buthefrownedwhenBergermadesomecrypticremarksthatmightalludetohisfailingsasajournalistbutmightalsohaveappliedtosexualprowess.Vangertiltedhisheadbackandroaredwithughter.
    Blomkvistwasastonished.HehadneverseenVangersonaturandrexed.HecouldsuddenlyseethatVanger,fiftyyearsyounger—oreventhirtyyears—musthavebeenquiteacharming,attractivedies’man.Hehadneverremarried.Theremusthavebeenwomenwhocrossedhispath,yetfornearlyhalfacenturyhehadremainedabachelor.
    BlomkvisttookasipofcoffeeandprickeduphisearsagainwhenherealisedthattheconversationhadsuddenlyturnedseriousandhadtodowithMillennium.
    “Mikaelhastoldmethatyou’rehavingproblemsatthemagazine.”BergergncedatBlomkvist.“No,hehasn’tdiscussedyourinternaloperations,butapersonwouldhavetobedeafandblindnottoseethatyourmagazine,justliketheVangerCorporation,isindifficulties.”
    “I’mconfidentthatwecanrepairthesituation,”Bergersaid.
    “Idoubtit,”Vangersaid.
    “Whyisthat?”
    “Let’ssee—howmanyemployeesdoyouhave?Six?Amonthlymagazinewithaprintrunof21,000,manufacturingcosts,saries,distribution,offices…Youneedrevenuesofabout10million.Ithinkweknowwhatpercentageofthatamounthastoefromadvertisingrevenue.”
    “So?”
    “SofriendWennerstr?misavengefundnarrow-mindedbastardwhoisn’tgoingtofethisrecentcontretempsinahurry.Howmanyadvertisershaveyoulostinthepastsixmonths?”
    BergerregardedVangerwithawaryexpression.Blomkvistcaughthimselfholdinghisbreath.OnthoseoasionswhenheandtheoldmanhadtouchedonthefutureofMillennium,ithadalwaysconcernedannoyingremarksorthemagazine’ssituationinretiontoBlomkvist’sabilitytofinishhisworkinHedestad.ButVangerwasnowaddressingErikaalone,onebosstoanother.SignalspassedbetweenthemthatBlomkvistcouldnotinterpret,whichmighthavehadtodowiththefactthathewasbasicallyapoorworking-cssboyfromNorrndandshewasanupper-cssgirlwithadistinguished,internationalfamilytree.
    “CouldIhavealittlemorecoffee?”Bergerasked.Vangerpouredheracupatonce.“OK,you’vedoneyourhomework.We’rebleeding.”
    “Howlong?”
    “We’vegotsixmonthstoturnourselvesaround.Eightmonths,max.Wedon’thaveenoughcapitaltokeepourselvesafloatlongerthanthat.”
    Theoldman’sexpressionwasinscrutableashestaredoutofthewindow.Thechurchwasstillstandingthere.
    “DidyouknowthatIwasonceinthenewspaperbusiness?”hesaid,oncemoreaddressingthemboth.
    BlomkvistandBergerbothshooktheirheads.Vangerughedagain,ruefully.
    “WeownedsixdailynewspapersinNorrnd.Thatwasbackinthefiftiesandsixties.Itwasmyfather’sidea—hethoughtitmightbepoliticallyadvantageoustohaveasectionofthemediabehindus.We’reactuallystilloneoftheownersoftheHedestadCourier.Birgeristhechairmanoftheboardforthegroupofowners.Harald’sson,”headded,forBlomkvist’sbenefit.
    “Andalsoalocalpolitician,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Martinisontheboardtoo.HekeepsBirgerinline.”
    “Whydidyouletgoofthenewspapersyouowned?”Blomkvistasked.
    “Corporaterestructuringinthesixties.Publishingnewspaperswasinsomewaysmoreahobbythananinterest.Whenweneededtotightenthebudget,itwasoneofthefirstassetsthatwesold.ButIknowwhatittakestorunapublication…MayIaskyouapersonalquestion?”
    ThiswasdirectedatErika.
    “Ihaven’taskedMikaeboutthis,andifyoudon’twanttoanswer,youdon’thaveto.I’dliketoknowhowyouendedupinthisquagmire.Didyouhaveastoryordidn’tyou?”
    NowitwasBlomkvist’sturntolookinscrutable.Bergerhesitatedonlyasecondbeforeshesaid:“Wehadastory.Butitwasaverydifferentstory.”
    Vangernodded,asifheunderstoodpreciselywhatBergerwassaying.Blomkvistdidnot.
    “Idon’twanttodiscussthematter.”Blomkvistcutthediscussionshort.“Ididtheresearchandwrotethearticle.IhadallthesourcesIneeded.Butthenitallwenttohell.”
    “Youhadsourcesforeverystthingyouwrote?”
    “Idid.”
    Vanger’svoicewassuddenlysharp.“Iwon’tpretendtounderstandhowthehellyoucouldwalkintosuchaminefield.Ican’trecalsimirstoryexceptperhapstheLundahffairinExpresseninthesixties,ifyouyoungstershaveeverheardofit.Wasyoursourcealsoamythomaniac?”HeshookhisheadandturnedtoBergerandsaidquietly,“I’vebeenanewspaperpublisherinthepast,andIcanbeoneagain.Whatwouldyousaytotakingonanotherpartner?”
    Thequestioncamelikeaboltoutoftheblue,butBergerdidnotseemtheleastbitsurprised.
    “Tellmemore,”shesaid.
    Vangersaid:“HowlongareyoustayinginHedestad?”
    “I’mgoinghometomorrow.”
    “Wouldyouconsider—youandMikael,ofcourse—humouringanoldmanbyjoiningmefordinnertonight?Would7:00suit?”
    “Thatwouldsuitusfine.We’dloveit.Butyou’renotansweringthequestionIasked.WhywouldyouwanttobeapartnerinMillennium?”
    “I’mnotavoidingthequestion.Ijustthoughtwecoulddiscussitoverdinner.IhavetotalkwithmywyerbeforeIcanputtogetheraconcreteoffer.ButinallsimplicityIcansaythatIhavemoneytoinvest.Ifthemagazinesurvivesandstartsmakingaprofitagain,thenI’lleoutahead.Ifnot—well,I’vehadsignificantlybiggerlossesinmyday.”
    BlomkvistwasabouttoopenhismouthwhenBergerputherhandonhisknee.
    “MikaendIhavefoughthardsothatwecouldbepletelyindependent.”
    “Nonsense.No-oneispletelyindependent.ButI’mnotouttotakeoverthemagazine,andIdon’tgiveadamnaboutthecontents.ThatbastardStenbeckgotallsortsofpointsforpublishingModernTimes,sowhycan’tIbackMillennium?Whichhappenstobeanexcellentmagazine,bytheway.”
    “DoesthishaveanythingtodowithWennerstr?m?”Blomkvistsaid.
    Vangersmiled.“Mikael,I’meightyyearsplus.TherearethingsIregretnotdoingandpeopleIregretnotfightingmore.But,aproposthistopic—”HeturnedtoBergeragain.“Thistypeofinvestmentwouldhaveatleastonecondition.”
    “Let’shearit,”Bergersaid.
    “MikaelBlomkvistmustresumehispositionaspublisher.”
    “No,”Blomkvistsnapped.
    “Butyes,”Vangersaid,equallycurt.“Wennerstr?mwillhaveastrokeifwesendoutapressreleasesayingthattheVangerCorporationisbackingMillennium,andatthesametimeyou’rereturningaspublisher.That’sabsolutelytheclearestsignalwecouldsend—everyonewillunderstandthatit’snotatakeoverandthattheeditorialpolicieswon’tchange.Andthatalonewillgivetheadvertiserswhoarethinkingofpullingoutreasontoreconsider.Wennerstr?misn’tomnipotent.Hehasenemiestoo,andtherearepaniesnewtoyouthatwillconsidertakingspace.”
    “Whatthehellwasthatalbout?”BlomkvistsaidassoonasBergerpulledthefrontdoorshut.
    “Ithinkit’swhatyoucaldvanceprobesforabusinessdeal,”shesaid.“Youdidn’ttellmethatHenrikVangerissuchasweetie.”
    Blomkvistpntedhimselfinfrontofher.“Ricky,youknewexactlywhatthisconversationwasgoingtobeabout.”
    “Hey,toyboy.It’sonly3:00,andIwanttobeproperlyentertainedbeforedinner.”
    Blomkvistwasenraged.ButhehadnevermanagedtobeenragedatErikaBergerforverylong.
    Sheworeabckdress,awaist-lengthjacket,andpumps,whichshejusthappenedtohavebroughtalonginherlittlesuitcase.SheinsistedthatBlomkvistwearajacketandtie.Heputonhisbcktrousers,agreyshirt,darktie,andgreysportscoat.WhentheyknockedpunctuallyonthedoorofVanger’shome,itturnedoutthatDirchFrodeandMartinVangerwerealsoamongtheguests.EveryonewaswearingajacketandtieexceptforVanger.
    “Theadvantageofbeingovereightyisthatno-onecancriticisewhatyouwear,”hedecred.Heworeabowtieandabrowncardigan.
    Bergerwasinhighspiritsthroughoutthedinner.
    Itwasnotuntiltheymovedtothedrawingroomwiththefirepceandcognacwaspouredthatthediscussiontookonaserioustone.Theytalkedforalmosttwohoursbeforetheyhadtheoutlineforadealonthetable.
    FrodewouldsetupapanytobewhollyownedbyHenrikVanger;theboardwouldconsistofHenrikandMartinVangerandFrode.Overafour-yearperiod,thispanywouldinvestasumofmoneythatwouldcoverthegapbetweenineandexpensesforMillennium.ThemoneywouldefromVanger’spersonassets.Inreturn,Vangerwouldhaveaconspicuouspositiononthemagazine’sboard.Theagreementwouldbevalidforfouryears,butitcouldbeterminatedbyMillenniumaftertwoyears.Butthistypeofprematureterminationwouldbecostly,sinceVangercouldonlybeboughtoutbyrepaymentofthesumhehadinvested.
    IntheeventofVanger’sdeath,MartinVangerwouldrepcehimontheMillenniumboardfortheremainderoftheperiodduringwhichtheagreementwasvalid.IfMartinwishedtocontinuehisinvolvementbeyondthisperiod,hecouldmakethatdecisionhimselfwhenthetimecame.HeseemedamusedbytheprospectofgettingevenwithWennerstr?m,andBlomkvistwonderedagainwhattheoriginwasoftheanimositybetweenthosetwo.
    Martinrefilledtheirgsses.VangermadeapointofleaningtowardsBlomkvist,andinalowvoicetoldhimthatthisnewarrangementhadnoeffectwhatsoeverontheagreementthatexistedbetweenthem.Blomkvistcouldresumehisdutiesaspublisherfull-timeattheendoftheyear.
    Itwasalsodecidedthatthereanisation,inordertohavethegreatestimpactinthemedia,shouldbepresentedonthesamedaythatBlomkvistbeganhisprisonsentenceinmid-March.biningastronglynegativeeventwithareanisationwas,inPRterms,suchaclumsyerrorthatitcouldnotbutastonishBlomkvist’sdetractorsandgarneroptimumattentionforHenrikVanger’snewrole.Buteveryonealsosawthelogicinit—itwasawayofindicatingthattheyellowpguefgflutteringoverMillennium’seditorialofficeswasabouttobehauleddown;themagazinehadbackerswhowerewillingtoberuthless.TheVangerCorporationmightbeinacrisis,butitwasstilprominentindustrialfirmwhichcouldgoontheoffenceiftheneedarose.
    ThewholeconversationwasadiscussionbetweenBerger,ononeside,andHenrikandMartinVangerontheother.No-oneaskedBlomkvistwhathethought.
    LatethatnightBlomkvistywithhisheadrestingonErika’sbreasts,lookingintohereyes.
    “HowlonghaveyouandHenrikVangerbeendiscussingthisarrangement?”