8

    “Aboutaweek,”shesaid,smiling.
    “IsChristerinagreement?”
    “Ofcourse.”
    “Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
    “WhyintheworldshouldIdiscussitwithyou?Youresignedaspublisher,youlefttheeditorialstaffandtheboard,andyouwenttoliveinthewoods.”
    “SoIdeservetobetreatedlikeanidiot.”
    “Ohyes,”shesaid.“Decidedlyyoudo.”
    “Youreallyhavebeenmadatme.”
    “Mikael,I’veneverfeltsofurious,soabandoned,andsobetrayedaswhenyouleft.I’veneverbeenthisupsetwithyoubefore.”Shetookafirmgriponhishairandthenshovedhimfartherdowninthebed.
    BythetimeBergerleftHedebyonSunday,BlomkvistwasstillsoannoyedwithVangerthathedidnotwanttoriskrunningintoeitherhimoranyothermemberofhiscn.Instead,onMondayhetookthebusintoHedestadandspenttheafternoonwalkinginthetown,visitingthelibrary,anddrinkingcoffeeinabakery.IntheeveninghewenttothecinematoseeTheLordoftheRings,whichhehadneverbeforehadtimetosee.Hethoughtthatorcs,unlikehumanbeings,weresimpleandunplicatedcreatures.
    HeendedhisoutingatMcDonald’sinHedestadandcaughtthestbustoHedeby.Hemadecoffee,tookoutabinder,andsatatthekitchentable.Hereaduntil4:00inthemorning.
    TherewereanumberofquestionsregardingtheinvestigationthatseemedincreasinglyoddthefurtherBlomkvistwentthroughthedocuments.Theywerenotrevolutionarydiscoveriesthathemadeallonhisown;theywereproblemsthathadpreoupiedInspectorMorellforlongperiods,especiallyinhisfreetime.
    Duringthestyearofherlife,Harriethadchanged.Insomewaysthischangecouldbeexpinedasthechangethateveryonegoesthroughinoneformoranotherduringtheirteenageyears.Harrietwasgrowingup.Cssmates,teachers,andseveralmembersofthefamily,however,alltestifiedthatshehadturnedinonherselfandbeeunmunicative.
    Thegirlwho,twoyearsearlier,wasalivelyteenagerhadbeguntodistanceherselffromeveryonearoundher.Inschoolshestillspenttimewithherfriends,butnowshebehavedinan“impersonal”manner,asoneofherfriendsdescribedit.ThiswordwasunusualenoughforMorelltohavemadeanoteofitandthenaskmorequestions.TheexpnationhegotwasthatHarriethadstoppedtalkingaboutherself,stoppedgossiping,andstoppedconfidinginherfriends.
    HarrietVangerhadbeenaChristian,inachild’ssenseoftheword—attendingSundayschool,sayingeveningprayers,andbeingconfirmed.Inherstyearsheseemedtohavebeeyetmorereligious.ShereadtheBibleandwentregurlytochurch.ButshehadnotturnedtoHedebyIsnd’spastor,OttoFalk,whowasafriendoftheVangerfamily.Instead,duringthespringshehadsoughtoutaPentecostalcongregationinHedestad.YetherinvolvementinthePentecostalchurchdidnotstlong.AfteronlytwomonthssheleftthecongregationandinsteadbeganreadingsabouttheCatholicfaith.
    Thereligiousinfatuationofateenager?Perhaps,butno-oneelseintheVangerfamilyhadeverbeennoticeablyreligious,anditwasdifficulttodiscernwhatimpulsesmayhaveguidedher.OneexpnationforherinterestinGodcould,ofcourse,havebeenthatherfatherhaddrownedthepreviousyear.MorellcametotheconclusionthatsomethinghadhappenedinHarriet’slifethatwastroublingheroraffectingher.Morell,likeVanger,haddevotedagreatdealoftimetotalkingtoHarriet’sfriends,tryingtofindsomeoneinwhomshemighthaveconfided.
    SomemeasureofhopewaspinnedonAnitaVanger,twoyearsolderthanHarrietandthedaughterofHarald.Shehadspentthesummerof1966onHedebyIsndandtheywerethoughttobeclosefriends.ButAnitahadnosolidrmationtooffer.Theyhadhungouttogetherthatsummer,swimming,takingwalks,talkingaboutmovies,popbands,ands.HarriethadsometimesgonewithAnitawhenshetookdrivinglessons.Oncetheyhadgothappilydrunkonabottleofwiheystolefromthehouse.ForseveralweeksthetwoofthemhadalsostayedatGottfried’scabinontheverytipoftheisnd.
    ThequestionsaboutHarriet’sprivatethoughtsandfeelingsremainedunanswered.ButBlomkvistdidmakeanoteofadiscrepancyinthereport:thermationaboutherunmunicativeframeofmindcamechieflyfromhercssmates,andtoacertainextentfromthefamily.AnitaVangerhadnotthoughtofherasbeingintrovertedatall.HemadeanotetodiscussthismatterwithVangeratsomepoint.
    Amoreconcretequestion,towhichMorellhaddevotedmuchmoreattention,wasasurprisingpageinHarriet’sdate,abeautifulboundshehadbeengivenasaChristmaspresenttheyearbeforeshedisappeared.Thefirsthalfofthedatewasaday-by-daycalendarinwhichHarriethadlistedmeetings,thedatesofexamsatschool,herhomework,andsoon.Thedatealsohadargesectionforadiary,butHarrietusedthediaryonlysporadically.ShebeganambitiouslyenoughinJanuarywithmanybriefentriesaboutpeopleshehadmetovertheChristmasholidaysandseveraboutfilmsshehadseen.Afterthatshewrotenothingpersonaluntiltheendoftheschoolyearwhensheapparently—dependingonhowtheentrieswereinterpreted—becameinterestedfromadistanceinsomenever-namedboy.
    Thepagesthatlistedtelephonenumbersweretheonesthatheldtherealmystery.Neatly,inalphabeticalorder,werethenamesandnumbersoffamilymembers,cssmates,certainteachers,severalmembersofthePentecostalcongregation,andothereasilyidentifiableindividualsinhercircleofacquaintances.Ontheverystpageoftheaddress,whichwasbnkandnotreallypartofthealphabeticalsection,therewerefivenamesandtelephonenumbers.Threefemalenamesandtwosetsofinitials:
    Magda—32016
    Sara—32109
    R.J.—30112
    R.L.—32027
    Mari—32018
    Thetelephonenumbersthatbeganwith32wereHedestadnumbersinthesixties.Theonebeginningwith30wasaNorrbynnumber,notfarfromHedestad.TheproblemwasthatwhenMorellcontactedeveryoneofHarriet’sfriendsandacquaintances,no-onehadanyideawhosenumberstheywere.
    Thefirstnumberbelongingto“Magda”initiallyseemedpromising.ItledtoahaberdasheryatParkgatan12.ThetelephonewasinthenameofoneMargotLundmark,whosemother’snamewasactuallyMagda;shesometimeshelpedoutinthestore.ButMagdawassixty-nineyearsoldandhadnoideawhoHarrietVangerwas.NorwasthereanyevidencethatHarriethadevervisitedtheshoporboughtanythingthere.Shewasn’tinterestedinsewing.
    Thesecondnumberfor“Sara”belongedtoafamilybythenameofToresson,wholivedinV?ststan,ontheothersideofthetracks.ThefamilyincludedAndersandMonicaandtheirchildren,JonasandPeter,whoatthetimewerepre-schooge.TherewasnoSarainthefamily,nordidtheyknowofHarrietVanger,otherthanthatshehadbeenreportedinthemediaasmissing.TheonlyvagueconnectionbetweenHarrietandtheToressonfamilywasthatAnders,whowasaroofer,hadseveralweeksearlierputatiledroofontheschoolwhichHarrietattended.Sotheoreticallytherewasachancethattheyhadmet,althoughitmightbeconsideredextremelyunlikely.
    Theremainingthreenumbersledtosimirdeadends.Thenumber32027for“R.L.”hadactuallybelongedtooneRosmarieLarsson.Unfortunately,shehaddiedseveralyearsearlier.
    InspectorMorellconcentratedagreatdealofhisattentionduringthewinterof1966–67ontryingtoexpinwhyHarriethadwrittendownthesenamesandnumbers.
    Onepossibilitywasthatthetelephonenumberswerewritteninsomepersonalcode—soMorelltriedtoguesshowateenagegirlwouldthink.Sincethethirty-twoseriesobviouslypointedtoHedestad,hesetaboutrearrangingtheremainingthreedigits.Neither32601or32160ledtoaMagda.AsMorellcontinuedhisnumerology,herealisedthatifhepyedaroundwithenoughofthenumbers,soonerorterhewouldfindsomelinktoHarriet.Forexample,ifheaddedooeachofthethreeremainingdigitsin32016,hegot32127—whichwasthenumbertoFrode’sofficeinHedestad.Butonelinklikethatmeantnothing.Besides,heneverdiscoveredacodethatmadesenseofallfiveofthenumbers.
    Morellbroadenedhisinquiry.Couldthedigitsmean,forexample,carnumberptes,whichinthesixtiescontainedthetwo-lettercountyregistrationcodeandfivedigits?Anotherdeadend.
    Theinspectorthenconcentratedonthenames.HeobtainedalistofeveryoneinHedestadnamedMari,Magda,orSaraorwhohadtheinitialsR.L.orR.J.Hehadalistof307people.Amongthese,29actuallyhadsomeconnectiontoHarriet.Forinstance,aboyfromhercsswasnamedRondJacobsson—R.J.TheyscarcelykneweachotherandhadhadnocontactsinceHarrietstartedpreparatoryschool.Andtherewasnolinktothetelephonenumber.
    Themysteryofthenumbersinthedateremainedunsolved.
    HerfourthencounterwithAdvokatBjurmanwasnotoneoftheirscheduledmeetings.Shewasforcedtomakecontactwithhim.
    InthesecondweekofFebruarySander’sptopfellvictimtoanaidentthatwassouncalledforthatshefeltanurgentdesiretokillsomeone.ShehadriddenherbiketoameetingatMiltonSecurityandparkeditbehindapilrinthegarage.Asshesetherrucksackonthegroundtoputonthebikelock,adarkredSaabbeganreversingout.Shehadherbackturnedbutheardthecrackingsoundfromherrucksack.Thedriverdidn’tnoticeathingand,unwitting,droveoffuptheexitramp.
    TherucksackcontainedherwhiteApplei600with5-gigharddriveand420megsofRAM,manufacturedinJanuary2002andequippedwith4-inchscreen.Atthetimesheboughtit,itwasApple’sstate-of-the-artptop.Sander’sputerswereupgradedwiththeverytestandsometimesmostexpensiveconfigurations—puterequipmentwastheonlyextravagantentryonherlistofexpenses.
    Whensheopenedtherucksack,shecouldseethatthelidofherputerwascracked.Shepluggedinthepoweradapterandtriedtobootuptheputer;notevenadeathrattle.ShetookitovertoTimmy’sMacJesusShoponBr?nnkyrkagatan,hopingthatatleastsomethingontheharddrivecouldbesaved.Afterfiddlingwithitforashorttime,Timmyshookhishead.
    “Sorry.Nohope,”hesaid.“You’llhavetoarrangeanicefuneral.”
    Thelossofherputerwasdepressingbutnotdisastrous.Sanderhadhadanexcellentretionshipwithitduringtheyearshehadownedit.Shehadbackedupallherdocuments,andshehadanolderdesktopMacG3athome,aswelsafive-year-oldToshibaPCptopthatshecoulduse.Butsheneede**st,modernmachine.
    Unsurprisinglyshesethersightsonthebestavaiblealternative:thenewApplePowerG4/1.0GHzinanaluminiumcasewithaPowerPC7451processorwithanAltiVecVelocityEngine,960MBRAManda60GBharddrive.IthadBlueToothandbuilt-inCDandDVDburners.
    Bestofall,ithadthefirst17-inchscreenintheptopworldwithNVIDIAgraphicsandaresolutionof1440x900pixels,whichshookthePCadvocatesandoutrankedeverythingelseonthemarket.
    Intermsofhardware,itwastheRolls-Royceofportableputers,butwhatreallytriggeredSander’sneedtohaveitwasthesimplefeaturethatthekeyboardwasequippedwithbacklighting,sothatshecouldseethelettersevenifitwaspitchdark.Sosimple.Whyhadno-ohoughtofthatbefore?
    Itwasloveatfirstsight.
    Itcost38,000kronor,plustax.
    Thatwastheproblem.
    ewhatmay,sheputinherorderatMacJesus.Sheboughtallherputeraessoriesthere,sotheygaveherareasonablediscount.Shetalliedupherexpenses.Theinsuranceonherruinedputerwouldcoveragoodpartoftheprice,butwiththewarrantyandthehigherpriceofhernewacquisition,shewasstill18,000kronorshort.Shehad10,000kronorhiddeninacoffeetinathomebutthatwasall.ShesentevilthoughtstoHerrBjurman,butthenshebitthebulletandcalledherguardiantoexpinthatsheneededmoneyforanunexpectedexpense.Bjurman’ssecretarysaidthathehadnotimetoseeherthatday.Sanderrepliedthatitwouldtakethemantwentysecondstowriteoutachequefor10,000kronor.Shewastoldtobeathisofficeat7:30thatevening.
    Blomkvistmighthavenoexperienceofevaluatingcriminalinvestigations,buthereckonedthatInspectorMorellhadbeenexceptionallyconscientious.WhenBlomkvisthadfinishedwiththepoliceinvestigation,MorellstillkeptturningupasapyerinVanger’sownnotes.Theyhadbeefriends,andBlomkvistwonderedwhetherMorellhadbeenasobsessedasthecaptainofindustrybecame.
    Itwasunlikely,inhisview,thatMorellhadmissedanything.Thesolutiontothemysterywasnotgoingtobefoundinthepolicerecords.Everyimaginablequestionhadbeenasked,andallleadsfollowedup,evensomethatseemedabsurdlyfar-fetched.Hehadnotreadeverywordofthereport,butthefurtherintotheinvestigationhegot,themoreobscurethesubsequentleadsandtipsbecame.Hewasnotgoingtofindanythingthathisprofessionalpredecessorandhisexperiencedteamhadmissed,andhewasundecidedwhatapproachheshouldadopttotheproblem.Eventuallyitcametohimthattheonlyreasonablypracticalrouteforhimtotakewastotrytofindoutthepsychologicalmotivesoftheindividualsinvolved.
    ThefirstquestionhadtodowithHarrietherself.Whowasshe?
    FromhiskitchenwindowBlomkvisthadnoticedalightgoonupstairsinCeciliaVanger’shouseatalittleafter5:00intheafternoon.Heknockedonherdoorat7:30,justasthenewsbroadcastwasstartingonTV.Sheopenedthedoordressedinherbathrobe,herhairwetunderayellowtowel.Blomkvistapologisedatoncefordisturbingherandmadetoretreat,butshewavedhimintothelivingroom.Sheturnedonthecoffeemakerandvanishedupstairsforafewminutes.Whenshecamebackdown,shehadputonjeansandacheckfnnelshirt.
    “Iwasstartingtothinkyouwerenevergoingtocall.”
    “Ishouldhaverungfirst,butIsawyourlightwasonandcameoveronimpulse.”
    “I’veseenthelightsonallnightatyourpce.Andyou’reoftenoutwalkingaftermidnight.You’reanightowl?”
    Blomkvistshrugged.“It’sturnedoutthatway.”Helookedatseveraltextsstackedontheedgeofthekitchentable.“Doyoustillteach?”
    “No,asheadmistressIdon’thavetime.ButIusedtoteachhistory,religion,andsocialstudies.AndIhaveafewyearsleft.”
    “Left?”
    Shesmiled.“I’mfifty-six.I’llberetiringsoon.”
    “Youdon’tlookadayoverfifty,morelikeinyourforties.”
    “Veryfttering.Howoldareyou?”
    “Well,overforty,”Blomkvistsaidwithasmile.
    “Andyouwerejusttwentytheotherday.Howfastitallgoes.Life,thatis.”
    CeciliaVangerservedthecoffeeandaskedifhewashungry.Hesaidthathehadalreadyeaten,whichwaspartlytrue.Hedidnotbotherwithcookingandateonlysandwiches.Buthewasnothungry.
    “Thenwhydidyoueover?Isittimetoaskmethosequestions?”
    “Tobehonest…Ididn’teovertoaskquestions.IthinkIjustwantedtosayhello.”
    Shesmiled.“You’resentencedtoprison,youmovetoHedeby,cmberthroughallthematerialofHenrik’sfavouritehobby,youdon’tsleepatnightandtakelongnighttimewalkswhenit’sfreezingcold…HaveIleftanythingout?”
    “Mylifeisgoingtothedogs.”
    “Whowasthatwomanvisitingyouovertheweekend?”
    “Erika…She’stheeditorinchiefofMillennium.”
    “Yourgirlfriend?”
    “Notexactly.She’smarried.I’mmoreafriendandoasionallover.”
    CeciliaVangerhootedwithughter.
    “What’ssofunny?”
    “Thewayyousaidthat.Oasionallover.Iliketheexpression.”
    BlomkvisttookalikingtoCeciliaVanger.
    “Icoulduseanoasionallovermyself,”shesaid.
    Shekickedoffherslippersandproppedonefootonhisknee.Blomkvistautomaticallyputhishandonherfootandstrokedtheankle.Hehesitatedforasecond—hecouldsensehewasgettingintounexpectedwaters.Buttentativelyhestartedmassagingthesoleofherfootwithhisthumb.
    “I’mmarriedtoo,”shesaid.
    “Iknow.No-onegetsdivorcedintheVangercn.”
    “Ihaven’tseenmyhusbandingettingonfortwentyyears.”
    “Whathappened?”
    “That’snoneofyourbusiness.Ihaven’thadsexin…hmmm,itmustbethreeyearsnow.”
    “Thatsurprisesme.”
    “Why?It’samatterofsupplyanddemand.Ihavenointerestinaboyfriendoramarriedmanorsomeonelivingwithme.Idobestonmyown.WhoshouldIhavesexwith?Oneoftheteachersatschool?Idon’tthinkso.Oneofthestudents?Adeliciousstoryforthegossipingolddies.AndtheykeepaclosewatchonpeoplecalledVanger.AndhereonHedebyIsndthereareonlyretivesandpeoplealreadymarried.”
    Sheleanedforwardandkissedhimontheneck.
    “DoIshockyou?”
    “No.ButIdon’tknowwhetherthisisagoodidea.Iworkforyouruncle.”
    “AndI’mthestonewho’sgoingtotell.Buttobehonest,Henrikprobablywouldn’thaveanythingagainstit.”
    Shesatastridehimandkissedhimonthemouth.Herhairwasstillwetandfragrantwithshampoo.Hefumbledwiththebuttonsonherfnnelshirtandpulleditdownaroundhershoulders.Shehadnobra.Shepressedagainsthimwhenhekissedherbreasts.
    Bjurmancameroundthedesktoshowherthestatementofherbankaount—whichsheknewdowntothest?re,althoughitwasnolongeratherdisposal.Hestoodbehindher.Suddenlyhewasmassagingthebackofherneck,andheletonehandslidefromherleftshoulderacrossherbreasts.Heputhishandoverherrightbreastandleftitthere.Whenshedidnotseemtoobject,hesqueezedherbreast.Sanderdidnotmove.Shecouldfeelhisbreathonherneckasshestudiedtheletteropeneronhisdesk;shecouldreachitwithherfreehand.
    Butshedidnothing.IftherewasonelessonHolgerPalmgrenhadtaughtherovertheyears,itwasthatimpulsiveactionsledtotrouble,andtroublecouldhaveunpleasantconsequences.Sheneverdidanythingwithoutfirstweighingtheconsequences.
    Theinitialsexuassault—whichinlegaltermswouldbedefinedassexualmolestationandtheexploitationofanindividualinapositionofdependence,andcouldintheorygetBjurmanuptotwoyearsinprison—stedonlyafewseconds.Butitwasenoughtoirrevocablycrossaboundary.ForSanderitwasadispyofstrengthbyanenemyforce—anindicationthatasidefromtheircarefullydefinedlegalretionship,shewasatthemercyofhisdiscretionanddefenceless.Whentheireyesmetafewsecondster,hislipswereslightlypartedandshecouldreadthelustonhisface.Sander’sownfacebetrayednoemotionsatall.
    Bjurmanmovedbacktohissideofthedeskandsatonhisfortableleatherchair.
    “Ican’thandoutmoneytoyouwheneveryoulike,”hesaid.“Whydoyouneedsuchanexpensiveputer?Thereareplentyofcheapermodelsthatyoucanuseforpyingputergames.”
    “Iwanttohavecontrolofmyownmoneylikebefore.”
    Bjurmangaveherapityinglook.
    “We’llhavetoseehowthingsgo.Firstyouneedtolearntobemoresociableandgetalongwithpeople.”
    Bjurman’ssmilemighthavebeenmoresubduedifhecouldhavereadherthoughtsbehindtheexpressionlesseyes.
    “IthinkyouandIaregoingtobegoodfriends,”hesaid.“Wehavetobeabletotrusteachother.”
    Whenshedidnotreplyhesaid:“You’reagrownwomannow,Lisbeth.”
    Shenodded.
    “ehere,”hesaidandheldouthishand.
    Sanderfixedhergazeontheletteropenerforseveralsecondsbeforeshestoodupandwentovertohim.Consequences.Hetookherhandandpressedittohiscrotch.Shecouldfeelhisgenitalsthroughthedarkgabardirousers.
    “Ifyou’renicetome,I’llbenicetoyou.”
    Heputhisotherhandaroundherneckandpulledherdowntoherkneeswithherfaceinfrontofhiscrotch.
    “You’vedohisbefore,haven’tyou?”hesaidasheloweredhiszip.Hesmelledasifhehadjustwashedhimselfwithsoapandwater.
    Sanderturnedherfaceawayandtriedtogetup,butheheldherinatightgrip.Intermsofphysicalstrength,shewasnomatchforhim;sheweighed90poundstohis210.Heheldherheadwithbothhandsandturnedherfacesotheireyesmet.
    “Ifyou’renicetome,I’llbenicetoyou,”herepeated.“Ifyoumaketrouble,Icanputyouawayinaninstitutionfortherestofyourlife.Wouldyoulikethat?”
    Shesaidnothing.
    “Wouldyoulikethat?”hesaidagain.
    Sheshookherhead.
    Hewaiteduntilsheloweredhereyes,inwhatheregardedassubmission.Thenhepulledhercloser.Sanderopenedherlipsandtookhiminhermouth.Hekepthisgriponherneckandpulledherfiercelytowardshim.Shefeltlikegaggingthewholetenminuteshetooktobumpandgrind;whenfinallyhecame,hewasholdinghersotightshecouldhardlybreathe.
    Heshowedherthebathroominhisoffice.Sanderwasshakingalloverasshewipedherfaceandtriedtoruboffthespotsonhersweater.Shechewedsomeofhistoothpastetogetridofthetaste.Whenshewentbacktohisoffice,hewassittingimpassivelybehindhisdesk,studyingsomepapers.
    “Sitdown,Lisbeth,”hetoldherwithoutlookingup.Shesatdown.Finallyhelookedatherandsmiled.
    “You’regrown-upnow,aren’tyou,Lisbeth?”
    Shenodded.
    “Thenyoualsoneedtobeabletopygrown-upgames,”hesaid.Heusedatoneofvoiceasifhewerespeakingtoachild.Shedidnotreply.Asmallfrownappearedonhisbrow.
    “Idon’tthinkitwouldbeagoodideaforyoutotelnyoneaboutourgames.Thinkaboutit—whowouldbelieveyou?Therearedocumentsstatingthatyou’renonposmentis.Itwouldbeyourwordagainstmine.Whoseworddoyouthinkwouldcarrymoreweight?”
    Hesighedwhenstillshedidnotspeak.Hewasannoyedatthewayshejustsatthereinsilence,lookingathim—buthecontrolledhimself.
    “We’regoingtobegoodfriends,youandI,”hesaid.“Ithinkyouweresmarttoeandseemetoday.Youcanalwaysetome.”
    “Ineed10,000kronorformyputer,”shesaid,precisely,asifshewerecontinuingtheconversationtheywerehavingbeforetheinterruption.
    Bjurmanraisedhiseyebrows.Hard-nosedbitch.Shereallyisfuckingretarded.Hehandedherthechequehehadwrittenwhenshewasinthebathroom.Thisisbetterthanawhore.Shegetspaidwithherownmoney.Hegaveheranarrogantsmile.Sandertookthechequeandleft.
    CHAPTER12
    Wednesday,February19
    IfSanderhadbeenanordinarycitizen,shewouldmostlikelyhavecalledthepoliceandreportedtherapeassoonassheleftAdvokatBjurman’soffice.Thebruisesonherneck,aswelstheDNAsignatureofhissemenstainingherbodyandclothing,wouldhavenailedhim.Evenifthewyerhadcimedthatshewantedtodoitorsheseducedmeoranyotherexcusethatrapistsroutinelyused,hewouldhavebeenguiltyofsomanybreachesoftheguardianshipregutionsthathewouldinstantlyhavebeenstrippedofhiscontroloverher.AreportwouldhavepresumablyresultedinSanderbeinggivenaproperwyer,someonewell-versedinassaultsonwomen,whichinturnmighthaveledtoadiscussionoftheveryheartoftheproblem—meaningthereasonshehadbeendecredlegallyinpetent.
    Since1989,theterm“legallyinpetent”hasnolongerbeenappliedtoadults.
    Therearetwolevelsofsocialwelfareprotection—trusteeshipandguardianship.
    Atrusteestepsintooffervoluntaryhelpforindividualswho,forvariousreasons,haveproblemsmanagingtheirdailylives,payingtheirbills,ortakingpropercareoftheirhygiene.Thepersonwhoisappointedasatrusteeisoftenaretiveorclosefriend.Ifthereisno-oneclosetothepersoninquestion,thewelfareauthoritiescanappointatrustee.Trusteeshipisamildformofguardianship,inwhichtheclient—thepersondecredinpetent—stillhascontroloverhisorherassetsanddecisionsaremadeinconsultationwiththetrustee.
    Guardianshipisastricterformofcontrol,inwhichtheclientisrelievedoftheauthoritytohandlehisorherownmoneyortomakedecisionsregardingvariousmatters.Theexactwordingstatesthattheguardianshalltakeoveralloftheclient’slegalpowers.InSwedenapproximately4,000peopleareunderguardianship.Themostmonreasonforaguardianshipismentalillnessormentalillnessinconjunctionwithheavyabuseofalcoholordrugs.Asmallergroupincludesthosesufferingfromdementia.Manyoftheindividualsunderguardianshipareretivelyyoung—thirty-fiveorless.OneofthemwasLisbethSander.
    Takingawayaperson’scontrolofherownlife—meaningherbankaount—isoneofthegreatestinfringementsademocracycanimpose,especiallywhenitappliestoyoungpeople.Itisaninfringementeveniftheintentmaybeperceivedasbenignandsociallyvalid.Questionsofguardianshiparethereforepotentiallysensitivepoliticalissues,andareprotectedbyrigorousregutionsandcontrolledbytheGuardianshipAgency.Thisagencyesunderthecountyadministrativeboardandiscontrolled,inturn,bytheParliamentaryOmbudsman.
    ForthemostparttheGuardianshipAgencycarriesoutitsactivitiesunderdifficultconditions.Butconsideringthesensitiveissueshandledbytheauthorities,remarkablyfewpintsorscandalsareeverreportedinthemedia.
    Oasionallytherearereportsthatchargeshavebeenbroughtagainstsometrusteeorguardianwhohasmisappropriatedfundsorsoldhisclient’sco-opapartmentandstuffedtheproceedsintohisownpockets.Thatthosecasesareretivelyraremaybetheresultoftwothings:theauthoritiesarecarryingouttheirjobsinasatisfactorymanner,ortheclientshavenoopportunitytopinandinacrediblewaymakethemselvesheardbythemediaorbytheauthorities.
    TheGuardianshipAgencyisboundtoconductanannualreviewtoseewhetheranycauseexistsforrevokingaguardianship.SinceSanderpersistedinherrefusaltosubmittopsychiatricexamination—shewouldnotevenexchangeapolite“goodmorning”withherteachers—theauthoritieshadneverfoundanyreasontoaltertheirdecision.Consequently,asituationofstatusquohadresulted,andsoyearafteryearshewasretainedunderguardianship.
    Thewordingofthewstates,however,thattheconditionsofaguardianship“shallbeadaptedtoeachindividualcase.”PalmgrenhadinterpretedthistomeanthatSandercouldtakechargeofherownmoneyandherownlife.Hehadmeticulouslyfulfilledtherequirementsoftheauthoritiesandsubmittedamonthlyreportaswelsanannualreview.InallotherrespectshehadtreatedSanderlikeanyothernormalbeing,andhehadnotinterferedwithherchoiceoflifestyleorfriends.Hedidnotthinkitwaseitherhisbusinessorthatofsocietytodecidewhethertheyoungdyshouldhavearinginhernoseoratattooonherneck.Thisratherstubbornattitudevis-à-visthedistrictcourtwasoneofthereasonswhytheyhadgotalongsowell.
    AslongasPalmgrenwasherguardian,Sanderhadnotpaidmuchattentiontoherlegalstatus.
    Sanderwasnotlikeanynormalperson.Shehadarudimentaryknowledgeofthew—itwasasubjectshehadneverhadoasiontoexplore—andherfaithinthepolicewasgenerallyexiguous.Forherthepolicewereahostileforcewhoovertheyearshadputherunderarrestorhumiliatedher.ThestdealingshehadhadwiththepolicewasinMayofthepreviousyearwhenshewaswalkingpastG?tgatanonherwaytoMiltonSecurity.Shesuddenlyfoundherselffacingavisor-cdriotpoliceofficer.Withouttheslightestprovocationonherpart,hehadstruckherontheshoulderswithhisbaton.Herspontaneousreactionwastounchafiercecounterattack,usingaCoca-Cobottlethatshehadinherhand.Theofficerturnedonhisheendranoffbeforeshecouldinjurehim.Onlyterdidshefindoutthat“RecimtheStreets”washoldingademonstrationfartherdowntheroad.
    Visitingtheofficesofthosevisor-cdbrutestofileareportagainstNilsBjurmanforsexuassaultdidnotevencrosshermind.Andbesides—whatwasshesupposedtoreport?Bjurmanhadtouchedherbreasts.Anyofficerwouldtakeonelookatherandconcludethatwithherminiatureboobs,thatwashighlyunlikely.Andifithadactuallyhappened,sheshouldbeproudthatsomeonehadevenbothered.Andthepartaboutsuckinghisdick—itwas,ashehadwarnedher,herwordagainsthis,andgenerallyinherexperiencethewordsofotherpeopleweighedmoreheavilythanhers.Thepolicewerenotanoption.
    SheleftBjurman’sofficeandwenthome,tookashower,atetwosandwicheswithcheeseandpickles,andthensatontheworn-outsofainthelivingroomtothink.
    Anordinarypersonmighthavefeltthatherckofreactionhadshiftedthebmetoher—itmighthavebeenanothersignthatshewassoabnormalthatevenrapecouldevokenoadequateemotionalresponse.
    Hercircleofacquaintanceswasnotrge,nordiditcontainanymembersoftheshelteredmiddlecssfromthesuburbs.Bythetimeshewaseighteen,Sanderdidnotknowasinglegirlwhoatsomepointhadnotbeenforcedtoperformsomesortofsexuactagainstherwill.Mostoftheseassaultsinvolvedslightlyolderboyfriendswho,usingacertainamountofforce,madesurethattheyhadtheirway.AsfarasSanderknew,theseincidentshadledtocryingandangryoutbursts,butnevertoapolicereport.
    Inherworld,thiswasthenaturalorderofthings.Asagirlshewaslegalprey,especiallyifshewasdressedinawornbckleatherjacketandhadpiercedeyebrows,tattoos,andzerosocialstatus.
    Therewasnopointwhimperingaboutit.
    Ontheotherhand,therewasnoquestionofAdvokatBjurmangoingunpunished.Sanderneverfotaninjustice,andbynatureshewasanythingbutfiving.
    Butherlegalstatuswasdifficult.Foraslongasshecouldremember,shewasregardedascunningandunjustifiablyviolent.Thefirstreportsinhercasecamefromthefilesoftheschoolnursefromelementaryschool.Sanderhadbeensenthomebecauseshehitacssmateandshovedhimagainstacoatpeganddrewblood.Shestillrememberedhervictimwithannoyance—anoverweightboybythenameofDavidGustavssonwhousedtoteaseherandthrowthingsather;hewouldgrowuptobeanarchbully.Inthosedaysshedidnotknowwhattheword“harassment”meant,butwhenshecametoschoolthenextday,theboyhadthreatenedrevenge.Soshehaddeckedhimwitharightjabfortifiedwithagolfball—whichledtomorebloodshedandanewentryinhercase.
    Therulesforsocialinteractioninschoolhadalwaysbaffledher.Shemindedherownbusinessanddidnotinterferewithwhatanyonearoundherdid.Yettherewasalwayssomeonewhoabsolutelywouldnotleaveherinpeace.
    Inmiddleschoolshehadseveraltimesbeensenthomeaftergettingintoviolentfightswithcssmates.Muchstrongerboysinhercsssoonlearnedthatitcouldbequiteunpleasanttofightwiththatskinnygirl.Unliketheothergirlsinthecss,sheneverbackeddown,andshewouldnotforasecondhesitatetouseherfistsoranyweaponathandtoprotectherself.Shewentaroundwiththeattitudethatshewouldratherbebeatentodeaththantakeanyshit.
    Andshealwaysgotrevenge.
    Sanderoncefoundherselfinafightwithamuchbiggerandstrongerboy.Shewasnomatchforhimphysically.Atfirstheamusedhimselfshovinghertothegroundseveraltimes,thenhesppedherwhenshetriedtofightback.Butnothingdidanygood;nomatterhowmuchstrongerhewas,thestupidgirlkeptattackinghim,andafterawhileevenhiscssmatesbegantorealisethatthingshadgooofar.Shewassoobviouslydefencelessitwaspainfultowatch.Finallytheboypunchedherintheface;itsplitopenherlipandmadeherseestars.Theyleftheronthegroundbehindthegyhemorningofthethirddayshewaitedforhertormentorwithabaseballbat,andshewhackedhimovertheearwithit.Forthatprankshewassenttoseetheheadteacher,whodecidedtoreporthertothepoliceforassault,whichresultedinaspecialwelfareinvestigation.
    Hercssmatesthoughtshewascrazyandtreatedheraordingly.Shealsoarousedverylittlesympathyamongtheteachers.Shehadneverbeenparticurlytalkative,andshebecameknownasthepupilwhoneverraisedherhandandoftendidnotanswerwhenateacheraskedheradirectquestion.No-onewassurewhetherthiswasbecauseshedidnotknowtheansweroriftherewassomeotherreason,whichwasreflectedinhergrades.Nodoubtthatshehadproblems,butno-onewantedtotakeresponsibilityforthedifficultgirl,eventhoughshewasfrequentlydiscussedatvariousteachers’meetings.Thatwaswhysheendedupinthesituationwheretheteachersignoredherandallowedhertositinsullensilence.
    Sheleftmiddleschoondmovedtoanother,withouthavingasinglefriendtosaygoodbyeto.Anunlovedgirlwithoddbehaviour.
    Then,asshewasonthethresholdofherteenageyears,AllTheEvilhappened,whichshedidnotwanttothinkabout.Thestoutburstsetthepatternandpromptedareviewofthecaseentriesfromelementaryschool.Afterthatshewasconsideredtobelegally…well,crazy.Afreak.Sanderhadneverneededanydocumentstoknowthatshewasdifferent.ButitwasnotsomethingthatbotheredherforaslongasherguardianwasHolgerPalmgren;iftheneedarose,shecouldwraphimaroundherlittlefinger.
    WiththeappearanceofNilsBjurman,thedecrationofinpetencethreatenedtobeeatroublesomeburdeninherlife.Nomatterwhosheturnedto,pitfallswouldopenup;andwhatwouldhappenifshelostthebattle?Wouldshebeinstitutionalised?Lockedup?Therewasreallynooption.
    Laterthatnight,whenCeciliaVangerandBlomkvistwerelyingpeacefullywiththeirlegsintertwinedandCecilia’sbreastsrestingagainsthisside,shelookedupathim.
    “Thankyou.It’sbeenalongtime.Andyou’renotbad.”
    Hesmiled.Thatsortofftterywasalwayschildishlysatisfying.
    “Itwasunexpected,butIhadfun.”
    “I’dbehappytodoitagain,”Ceciliasaid.“Ifyoufeellikeit.”
    Helookedather.
    “Youdon’tmeanthatyou’dliketohavealover,doyou?”
    “Anoasionallover,”Ceciliasaid.“ButI’dlikeyoutogohomebeforeyoufalsleep.Idon’twanttowakeuptomorrowmorningandfindyouherebeforeImanagetodomyexercisesandfixmyface.Anditwouldbegoodifyoudidn’ttellthewholevilgewhatwe’vebeenupto.”
    “Wouldn’tthinkofit,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “MostofallIdon’twantIsabeltoknow.She’ssuchabitch.”
    “Andyourclosestneighbour…I’vemether.”
    “Yes,butluckilyshecan’tseemyfrontdoorfromherhouse.Mikael,pleasebediscreet.”
    “I’llbediscreet.”
    “Thankyou.Doyoudrink?”
    “Sometimes.”
    “I’vegotacravingforsomethingfruitywithgininit.Wantsome?”
    “Sure.”
    Shewrappedasheetaroundherselfandwentdownstairs.Blomkvistwasstandingnaked,lookingathershelveswhenshereturnedwithacarafeoficedwaterandtwogssesofginandlime.Theydrankatoast.
    “Whydidyoueoverhere?”sheasked.
    “Nospecialreason.Ijust…”
    “Youweresittingathome,readingthroughHenrik’sinvestigation.Andthenyoucameoverhere.Apersondoesn’tneedtobesuperintelligenttoknowwhatyou’rebroodingabout.”
    “Haveyoureadtheinvestigation?”
    “Partsofit.I’velivedmyentireadultlifewithit.Youcan’tspendtimewithHenrikwithoutbeingaffectedbythemysteryofHarriet.”
    “It’sactuallyafascinatingcase.WhatIbelieveisknowninthetradeasalocked-roommystery,onanisnd.Andnothingintheinvestigationseemstofollownormallogic.Everyquestionremainsunanswered,everyclueleadstoadeadend.”
    “It’sthekindofthingpeoplecangetobsessedabout.”
    “Youwereontheisndthatday.”
    “Yes.Iwashere,andIwitnessedthewholemotion.IwaslivinginStockholmatthetime,studying.IwishIhadstayedathomethatweekend.”
    “Whatwasshereallylike?Peopleseemtohavepletelydifferentviewsofher.”
    “Isthisofftherecordor…?”
    “It’sofftherecord.”
    “Ihaven’ttheleastideawhatwasgoingoninsideHarriet’shead.You’rethinkingofherstyear,ofcourse.Onedayshewasareligiouscrackpot.Thenextdaysheputonmake-uplikeawhoreandwenttoschoolwearingthetightestsweatershepossessed.Obviouslyshewasseriouslyunhappy.But,asIsaid,Iwasn’thereandjustpickedupthegossip.”
    “Whattriggeredtheproblems?”
    “GottfriedandIsabel,obviously.Theirmarriagewastotallyhaywire.Theyeitherpartiedortheyfought.Nothingphysical—Gottfriedwasn’tthetypetohitanyone,andhewasalmostafraidofIsabel.Shehadahorrendoustemper.Sometimeintheearlysixtieshemovedmoreorlesspermanentlytohiscabin,whereIsabelneversetfoot.Therewereperiodswhenhewouldturnupinthevilge,lookinglikeavagrant.Andthenhe’dsoberupanddressneatlyagainandtrytotendtohisjob.”
    “Wasn’tthereanyonewhowantedtohelpHarriet?”
    “Henrik,ofcourse.Intheendshemovedintohishouse.Butdon’tfetthathewaspreoupiedpyingtheroleofthebigindustrialist.Hewasusuallyofftravellingsomewhereanddidn’thavealotoftimetospendwithHarrietandMartin.ImissedalotofthisbecauseIwasinUppsaandtheninStockholm—andletmetellyou,Ididn’thaveaneasychildhoodmyselfwithHaraldasmyfather.InhindsightI’verealisedthattheproblemwasthatHarrietneverconfidedinanyone.Shetriedhardtokeepupappearancesandpretendthattheywereonebighappyfamily.”
    “Denial.”
    “Yes.Butshechangedwhenherfatherdrowned.ShecouldnolongerpretendthateverythingwasOK.Upuntilthenshewas…Idon’tknowhowtoexpinit:extremelygiftedandprecocious,butonthewholearatherordinaryteenager.Duringthestyearshewasstillbrilliant,gettingtopmarksineveryexamandsoon,butitseemedasifshedidn’thaveanysoul.”
    “Howdidherfatherdrown?”
    “Inthemostprosaicwaypossible.Hefelloutofarowingboatrightbelowhiscabin.Hehadhistrousersopenandanextremelyhighalcoholcontentinhisblood,soyoucanjustimaginehowithappened.Martinwastheonewhofoundhim.”
    “Ididn’tknowthat.”
    “It’sfunny.Martinhasturnedouttobeareallyfineperson.Ifyouhadaskedmethirty-fiveyearsago,Iwouldhavesaidthathewastheoneinthefamilywhoneededpsychiatriare.”
    “Whyso?”
    “Harrietwasn’ttheonlyonewhosufferedilleffectsfromthesituation.FormanyyearsMartinwassoquietandintrovertedthathewaseffectivelyantisocial.Bothchildrenhadaroughtimeofit.Imean,wealldid.Ihadmyownproblemswithmyfather—Iassumeyourealisethathe’sstarkravingmad.Mysister,Anita,hadthesameproblem,asdidAlexander,mycousin.ItwastoughbeingyoungintheVangerfamily.”
    “Whathappenedtoyoursister?”
    “ShelivesinLondon.ShewentthereintheseventiestoworkinaSwedishtravegency,andshestayed.Shemarriedsomeone,neverevenintroducedhimtothefamily,andanontheyseparated.Todayshe’saseniormanagerofBritishAirways.SheandIgetalongfine,butwearenotmuchincontactandonlyseeeachothereveryotheryearorso.SheneverestoHedestad.”
    “Whynot?”
    “Aninsanefather.Isn’tthatexpnationenough?”
    “Butyoustayed.”
    “Idid.AlongwithBirger,mybrother.”
    “Thepolitician.”
    “Areyoumakingfunofme?BirgerisolderthanAnitaandme.We’veneverbeenveryclose.Inhisowneyeshe’safantasticallyimportantpoliticianwithafutureinParliamentandmaybeministerialrank,iftheconservativesshouldwin.Inpointoffacthe’samoderatelytalentedlocalcouncillorinaremotecornerofSweden,whichwillprobablybeboththehighpointandthewholeextentofhiscareer.”
    “OhingthatticklesmeabouttheVangerfamilyisthatyouallhavesuchlowopinionsofeachother.”
    “That’snotreallytrue.I’mveryfondofMartinandHenrik.AndIalwaysgotonwellwithmysister,forallthatweseldomseeeachother.IdetestIsabelandcan’tabideAlexander.AndIneverspeaktomyfather.Sothat’saboutfifty-fiftyinthefamily.Birgeris…well,moreofapompousfatheadthanabadperson.ButIseewhatyoumean.Lookatitthisway:ifyou’reamemberoftheVangerfamily,youlearnearlyontospeakyourmind.Wedosaywhatwethink.”
    “Ohyes,I’venoticedthatyouallgetstraighttothepoint.”Blomkviststretchedouthishandtotouchherbreast.“Iwasn’therefifteenminutesbeforeyouattackedme.”
    “Tobehonest,I’vebeenwonderinghowyouwouldbeinbedeversinceIfirstsawyou.Anditfeltrighttotryitout.”
    ForthefirsttimeinherlifeSanderfeltastrongneedtoasksomeoneforadvice.Theproblemwasthataskingforadvicemeantthatshewouldhavetoconfideinsomeone,whichinturnwouldmeanrevealinghersecrets.Whoshouldshetell?Shewassimplynotverygoodatestablishingcontactwithotherpeople.
    Aftergoingthroughheraddressinhermind,shehad,strictlyspeaking,tenpeoplewhomightbeconsideredhercircleofacquaintances.
    ShecouldtalktoPgue,whowasmoreorlessasteadypresenceinherlife.Buthewasdefinitelynotafriend,andhewasthestpersononearthwhowouldbeabletohelpsolveherproblem.Notanoption.
    Sander’ssexlifewasn’tquiteasmodestasshehadledAdvokatBjurmantobelieve.Ontheotherhand,sexhadalwaysourredonherconditionsandatherinitiative.Shehadhadoverfiftypartnerssincetheageoffifteen.Thattranstedintoapproximatelyfivepartnersperyear,whichwasOKforasinglegirlwhohadetoregardsexasanenjoyablepastime.Butshehadhadmostofthesecasualpartnersduringatwo-yearperiod.Thosewerethetumultuousyearsinherteteenswhensheshouldhaveeofage.
    TherewasatimewhenSanderhadstoodatacrossroadsanddidnotreallyhavecontroloverherownlife—whenherfuturecouldhavetakentheformofanotherseriesofcaseentriesaboutdrugs,alcohol,andcustodyinvariousinstitutions.AftersheturnedtwentyandstartedworkingatMiltonSecurity,shehadcalmeddownappreciablyand—shethought—hadgotagriponherlife.
    Shenolongerfelttheneedtopleaseanyonewhoboughtherthreebeersinapub,andshedidnotexperiencetheslightestdegreeofself-fulfilmentbygoinghomewithsomedrunkwhosenameshecouldnotremember.Duringthepastyearshehadhadonlyoneregursexpartner—hardlypromiscuous,ashercaseentriesduringherteteenshaddesignatedher.
    Forher,sexhadmostoftenbeenwithoneofaloosegroupoffriends;shewasnotreallyamember,butshewasaeptedbecausesheknewCilNorén.ShemetCilinherteteenswhen,atPalmgren’sinsistence,shewastryingtogettheschoolcertificateshehadfailedtopleteatKomvux.Cilhadplum-redhairstreakedwithbck,bckleathertrousers,aringinhernose,andasmanyrivetsonherbeltasSander.Theyhadgredsuspiciouslyateachotherduringthefirstcss.
    ForsomereasonSanderdidnotunderstand,theyhadstartedhangingouttogether.Sanderwasnottheeasiestpersontobefriendswith,andespeciallynotduringthoseyears,butCilignoredhersilencesandtookheralongtothebar.ThroughCil,shehadbeeamemberof“EvilFingers,”whichhadstartedasasuburbanbandconsistingoffourteenagegirlsinEnskedewhowereintohardrock.Tenyearster,theywereagroupoffriendswhometatKvarnenonTuesdaynightstotalktrashaboutboysanddiscussfeminism,thepentagram,music,andpoliticswhiletheydrankrgequantitiesofbeer.Theyalsoliveduptotheirname.
    Sanderfoundherselfonthefringeofthegroupandrarelycontributedtothetalk,butshewasaeptedforwhoshewas.Shecouldeandgoasshepleasedandwasallowedtositinsilenceoverherbeerallevening.ShewasalsoinvitedtobirthdaypartiesandChristmasgl?ggcelebrations,thoughsheusuallydidn’tgo.
    Duringthefiveyearsshehungoutwith“EvilFingers,”thegirlsbegantochange.Theirhaircolourbecamelessextreme,andtheclothingcamemoreoftenfromtheH&MboutiquesratherthanfromfunkyMyrorna.Theystudiedorworked,andoneofthegirlsbecameamother.Sanderfeltasifsheweretheonlyonewhohadnotchangedabit,whichcouldalsobeinterpretedasthatshewassimplymarkingtimeandgoingnowhere.
    Buttheystillhadfun.Iftherewasonepcewhereshefeltanysortofgroupsolidarity,itwasinthepanyofthe“EvilFingers”and,byextension,withtheguyswhowerefriendswiththegirls.
    “EvilFingers”wouldlisten.Theywouldalsostandupforher.ButtheyhadnocluethatSanderhadadistrictcourtorderdecringhernonposmentis.Shedidn’twantthemtobeeyeingherthewrongway,too.Notanoption.
    Apartfromthat,shedidnothaveasingleex-cssmateinheraddress.Shehadnoworkorsupportgrouporpoliticalcontactsofanykind.Sowhocouldsheturntoandtelboutherproblems?
    Theremightbeoneperson.ShedeliberatedforalongtimeaboutwhethersheshouldconfideinDraganArmansky.Hehadtoldherthatifsheneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldnothesitatetoetohim.Andshewassurethathemeantit.
    Armanskyhadgropedheroimetoo,butithadbeenafriendlygroping,noillintentions,andnotademonstrationofpower.Buttoaskhimforhelpwentagainstthegrain.Hewasherboss,anditwouldputherinhisdebt.SandertoyedwiththeideaofhowherlifewouldtakeshapeifArmanskywereherguardianinsteadofBjurman.Shesmiled.Theideawasnotunpleasant,butArmanskymighttaketheassignmentsoseriouslythathewouldsmotherherwithattention.Thatwas…well,possiblyanoption.
    Eventhoughshewaswelwareofwhatawomen’scrisiscentrewasfor,itneverourredtohertoturntooneherself.Crisiscentresexisted,inhereyes,forvictims,andshehadneverregardedherselfasavictim.Consequently,heronlyremainingoptionwastodowhatshehadalwaysdone—takemattersinherownhandsandsolveherproblemsonherown.Thatwasdefinitelyanoption.
    AnditdidnotbodewellforHerrAdvokatNilsBjurman.
    CHAPTER13
    Thursday,February20–Friday,March7
    DuringthestweekofFebruarySanderactedasherownclient,withBjurman,N.,born1950,asahigh-priorityspecialproject.Sheworkedalmostsixteenhourseverydaydoingamorethoroughpersonalinvestigationthanshehadeverdonebefore.Shemadeuseofallthearchivesandpublicdocumentsshecouldyherhandson.Sheinvestigatedhiscircleofretivesandfriends.Shelookedathisfinancesandmappedouteverydetailofhisupbringingandcareer.
    Theresultswerediscouraging.
    Hewasawyer,memberoftheBarAssociation,andauthorofarespectablylong-windedbutexceptionallytediousdissertationonfinancedvokatBjurmanhadneverbeencensured.OnonlyoneoasionwashereportedtotheBarAssociation—hewasausednearlytenyearsagoofbeingthemiddlemaninanunder-the-tablepropertydeal,buthehadbeenabletoprovehisinnocence.Hisfinanceswereingoodorder;Bjurmanwaswell-to-do,withatleast10millionkronorinassets.Hepaidmoretaxesthanheowed,wasamemberofGreenpeaceandAmnestyInternational,andhedonatedmoneytotheHeartandLungAssociation.Hehadrarelyappearedinthemassmedia,althoughonseveraloasionshehadsignedhisnametopublicappeal