9

    sforpoliticalprisonersinthethirdworld.Helivedinafive-roomapartmentonUppndsgatannearOdenpn,andhewasthesecretaryofhisco-opapartmentassociation.Hewasdivorcedandhadnochildren.
    Sanderfocusedonhisex-wife,whosenamewasElena.ShewasborninPondbuthadlivedallherlifeinSweden.SheworkedatarehabilitationcentreandwasapparentlyhappilyremarriedtooneofBjurman’sformercolleagues.Nothingusefulthere.TheBjurmanmarriagehadstedfourteenyears,andthedivorcewentthroughwithoutdisputes.
    AdvokatBjurmanregurlyactedasasupervisorforyouthswhogotintotroublewiththew.HehadbeentrusteeforfouryouthsbeforehebecameSander’sguardian.Allofthesecasesinvolvedminors,andtheassignmentscametoanendwithacourtdecisionwhentheycameofage.OneoftheseclientsstillconsultedBjurmaninhisroleasadvokat,sotheredidnotseemtobeanyanimositythereeither.IfBjurmanhadbeensystematicallyexploitinghiswards,therewasnosignofit,andnomatterhowdeeplySanderprobed,shecouldfindnotraceofwrongdoing.Allfourhadestablishedlivesforthemselveswithaboyfriendorgirlfriend;theyallhadjobs,pcestolive,andCo-opdebitcards.
    Shecalledeachofthefourclients,introducingherselfasasocialwelfaresecretaryworkingonastudyabouthowchildrenhithertounderthecareofatrusteefaredterinlifeparedtootherchildren.Yes,naturally,everyonewillbeanonymous.Shehadputtogetheraquestionnairewithtenquestions,whichsheaskedonthetelephone.Severalofthequestionsweredesignedtogettherespondentstogivetheirviewsonhowwellthetrusteeshiphadfunctioned—iftheyhadanyopinionsabouttheirowntrustee,AdvokatBjurmanwasn’tit?No-onehadanythingbadtosayabouthim.
    WhenSanderpletedherferreting,shegatheredupthedocumentsinabagfromIcaandputitoutwiththetwentybagsofoldnewspapersoutthehall.Bjurmanwasapparentlybeyondreproach.Therewasnothinginhispastthatshecoulduse.Sheknewbeyondadoubtthathewasacreepandapig,butshecouldfindnothingtoproveit.
    Itwastimetoconsideranotheroption.Afteralltheanalysesweredone,onepossibilityremainedthatstartedtolookmoreandmoreattractive—oratleastseemedtobeatrulyrealisticalternative.TheeasiestthingwouldbeforBjurmansimplytodisappearfromherlife.Aquickheartattack.Endofproblem.Thecatchwasthatnotevendisgustingfifty-three-year-oldmenhadheartattacksatherbeckandcall.
    Butthatsortofthingcouldbearranged.
    BlomkvistcarriedonhisaffairwithHeadmistressCeciliaVangerwiththegreatestdiscretion.Shehadthreerules:shedidn’twantanyooknowtheyweremeeting;shewantedhimtoeoveronlywhenshecalledandwasinthemood;andshedidn’twanthimtostayallnight.
    Herpassionsurprisedandastonishedhim.WhenheranintoheratSusanne’s,shewasfriendlybutcoonddistant.Whentheymetinherbedroom,shewaswildlypassionate.
    Blomkvistdidnotwanttopryintoherpersonallife,buthehadbeenhiredtopryintothepersonallivesofeveryoneintheVangerfamily.Hefelttornandatthesametimecurious.OnedayheaskedVangerwhomshehadbeenmarriedtoandwhathadhappened.HeaskedthequestionwhiletheywerediscussingthebackgroundofAlexanderandBirger.
    “Cecilia?Idon’tthinkshehadanythingtodowithHarriet.”
    “Tellmeaboutherbackground.”
    “Shemovedbackhereaftergraduatingandstartedworkingasateacher.ShemetamanbythenameofJerryKarlsson,whounfortunatelyworkedfortheVangerCorporation.Theymarried.Ithoughtthemarriagewasahappyone—anywayinthebeginning.ButafteracoupleofyearsIbegantoseethatthingswerenotastheyshouldbe.Hemistreatedher.Itwastheusualstory—hebeatherandsheloyallydefendedhim.Finallyhehitheroimetoomany.Shewasseriouslyhurtandendedupinthehospital.Iofferedmyhelp.ShemovedoutheretoHedebyIsndandhasrefusedtoseeherhusbandsince.Imadesurehewasfired.”
    “Buttheyarestillmarried?”
    “It’saquestionofhowyoudefineit.Idon’tknowwhyshehasn’tfiledfordivorce.Butshehasneverwantedtoremarry,soIsupposeithasn’tmadeanydifference.”
    “ThisKarlsson,didhehaveanythingtodowith…”
    “…withHarriet?No,hewasn’tinHedestadin1966,andhewasn’tyetworkingforthefirm.”
    “OK.”
    “Mikael,I’mfondofCecilia.Shecanbetrickytodealwith,butshe’soneofthegoodpeopleinmyfamily.”
    SanderdevotedaweektopnningNilsBjurman’sdemise.Sheconsidered—andrejected—variousmethodsuntilshehadnarroweditdowntoafewrealisticscenariosfromwhichtochoose.Noactingonimpulse.
    Onlyoneconditionhadtobefulfilled.Bjurmanhadtodieinsuchawaythatsheherselfcouldneverbelinkedtothecrime.Thefactthatshewouldbeincludedinanyeventualpoliceinvestigationshetookforgranted;soonerorterhernamewouldshowupwhenBjurman’sresponsibilitieswereexamined.Butshewasonlyonepersoninawholeuniverseofpresentandformerclients,shehadmethimonlyfourtimes,andtherewouldnotbeanyindicationthathisdeathevenhadaconnectionwithanyofhisclients.Therewereformergirlfriends,retives,casuacquaintances,colleagues,andothers.Therewasalsowhatwasusuallydefinedas“randomviolence,”whentheperpetratorandvictimdidnotknoweachother.
    Ifhernamecameup,shewouldbeahelpless,inpetentgirlwithdocumentsshowinghertobementallydeficient.SoitwouldbeanadvantageifBjurman’sdeathourredinsuchaplicatedmannerthatitwouldbehighlyunlikelythatamentallyhandicappedgirlcouldbetheperpetrator.
    Sherejectedtheoptionofusingagun.Acquiringagunwouldbenogreatproblem,butthepolicewereawfullygoodattrackingdownfirearms.
    Sheconsideredaknife,whichcouldbepurchasedatanyhardwarestore,butdecidedagainstthattoo.Evenifsheturnedupwithoutwarninganddrovetheknifeintohisback,therewasnoguaranteethathewoulddieinstantlyandwithoutmakingasound,orthathewoulddieatall.Worse,itmightprovokeastruggle,whichcouldattractattention,andbloodcouldstainherclothes,beevidenceagainsther.
    Shethoughtaboutusingabombofsomesort,butitwouldbemuchtooplicated.Buildingthebombitselfwouldnotbeaproblem—theInterwasfullofmanualsonhowtomakethedeadliestdevices.Itwouldbedifficult,ontheotherhand,tofindapcetoputthebombsothatinnocentpassersbywouldnotbehurt.Besides,therewasagainnoguaranteethathewouldactuallydie.
    Thetelephonerang.
    “Hi,Lisbeth.Dragan.I’vegotajobforyou.”
    “Idon’thavetime.”
    “Thisisimportant.”
    “I’mbusy.”
    Sheputdownthereceiver.
    Finallyshesettledonpoison.Thechoicesurprisedher,butoncloserconsiderationitwasperfect.
    SanderspentseveraldaysbingtheInter.Therewereplentytochoosefrom.Oneofthemwasamongthemostdeadlypoisonsknowntoscience—hydrocyanicacid,monlyknownasprussicacid.
    Prussicacidwasusedasaponentincertainchemicalindustries,includingthemanufactureofdyes.Afewmilligramswereenoughtokilperson;onelitreinareservoircouldwipeoutamedium-sizedcity.
    Obviouslysuchalethalsubstancewaskeptunderstrictcontrol.Butitcouldbeproducedinalmostunlimitedquantitiesinanordinarykitchen.Allthatwasneededwasamodestamountofboratoryequipment,andthatcouldbefoundinachemistrysetforchildrenforafewhundredkronor,alongwithseveralingredientsthatcouldbeextractedfromordinaryhouseholdproducts.ThemanualfortheprocesswasontheInter.
    Anotheroptionwasnicotine.Fromacartonofcigarettesshecouldextractenoughmilligramsofthesubstanceandheatittomakeaviscoussyrup.Anevenbettersubstance,althoughslightlymoreplextoproduce,wasnicotinesulphate,whichhadthepropertythatitcouldbeabsorbedthroughtheskin.Allshewouldhavetodowasputonrubbergloves,filwaterpistol,andsprayBjurmanintheface.Withintwentysecondsheshouldbeunconscious,andwithinafewminuteshewouldbedeadasadoor-nail.
    Sanderhadhadnoideathatsomanyhouseholdproductscouldbetransformedintodeadlyweapons.Afterstudyingthesubjectforseveraldays,shewaspersuadedthattherewerenotechnicalimpedimentstomakingshortworkofherguardian.
    Thereweretwoproblems:Bjurman’sdeathwouldnotofitselfgiveherbackcontrolofherownlife,andtherewasnoguaranteethatBjurman’ssuessorwouldbeanimprovement.Analysisoftheconsequences.
    Whatsheneededwasawaytocontrolherguardianandthusherownsituation.Shesatonthewornsofainherlivingroomforonewholeeveningrunningthroughthesituationinhermind.Bytheendofthenight,shehadscrappedtheideaofmurderbypoisonandputtogetheranewpn.
    Itwasnotanappealingoption,anditrequiredhertoallowBjurmantoattackheragain.Butifshecarrieditoff,shewouldhavewon.
    Atleast,soshethought.
    BytheendofFebruaryBlomkvistfellintoadailyroutihattransformedhisstayinHedeby.Hegotupat9:00everymorning,atebreakfast,andworkeduntilnoon.Duringthistimehewouldcramnewmaterialintohishead.Thenhewouldtakeanhour-longwalk,nomatterwhattheweatherwaslike.Intheafternoonhewouldgoonworking,eitherathomeoratSusanne’sBridgeCafé,processingwhathehadreadinthemorningorwritingsectionsofwhatwouldbeVanger’sauto-biography.Between3:00and6:00hewasalwaysfree.Hewouldshopforgroceries,dohisundry,gointoHedestad.Around7:00hewouldgoovertoseeVangertoaskhimquestionsthathadarisenduringtheday.By10:00hewashome,andhewouldreaduntil1:00or2:00inthemorning.HewasworkingsystematicallythroughVanger’sdocuments.
    Theworkofshapingtheautobiographywasmovingsmoothly.Hehadwritten120pagesofthefamilychronicleinroughdraft.Hehadreachedthe1920s.Beyondthispointhewouldhavetomovemoreslowlyandstartweighinghiswords.
    ThroughthelibraryinHedestadhehadorderedsdealingwithNazismduringthattime,includingHeleneL??w’sdoctoraldissertation,TheSwastikaandtheWasaSheaf,whichdealtwiththesymbolsadoptedbytheGermanandSwedishNazis.HehaddraftedanotherfortypagesaboutVangerandhisbrothers,focusingonVangerasthepersonholdingthestorytogether.Hehadalistofsubjectsheneededtoresearchonthewaythepanyoperatedduringthattime.AndhehaddiscoveredthattheVangerfamilywasalsoheavilyinvolvedinIvarKreuger’sempire—anothersidestoryhehadtoexplore.Heestimatedthathehadabout300pageslefttowrite.Aordingtotheschedulehehaddevised,hewantedtohaveafinaldraftforHenrikVangertolookatbythefirstofSeptember,sothathecouldspendtheautumnrevisingthetext.
    Forallhisreadingandlistening,BlomkvisthadmadenotaninchofprogressintheHarrietVangercase.Nomatterhowmuchhebroodedoverthedetailsinthefiles,hecouldfindnotasinglepieceofrmationthatcontradictedtheinvestigativereport.
    OneSaturdayeveninginteFebruaryhehadaconversationwithVangerinwhichhereportedonhisckofprogress.TheoldmanlistenedpatientlyasBlomkvistlistedallthedeadendshehadruninto.
    “Nocrimeisperfect,”Vangersaid.“I’msurewemusthavemissedsomething.”
    “Westillcan’tsaywhetheracrimewasmitted.”
    “Keepatit,”Vangersaid.“Finishthejob.”
    “It’spointless.”
    “Maybeso.Butdon’tgiveup.”
    Blomkvistsighed.
    “Thetelephonenumbers,”hesaidatst.
    “Yes.”
    “Theyhavetomeansomething.”
    “Iagree.”
    “Theywerewrittendownforsomepurpose.”
    “Yes.”
    “Butwecan’tinterpretthem.”
    “No.”
    “Orelsewe’reinterpretingthemwrong.”
    “Precisely.”
    “They’renottelephonenumbers.Theymeansomething.”
    “Maybeso.”
    Mikaelsighedagainandwenthometocontinuereading.
    AdvokatBjurmanwasrelievedwhenSandercalledagainandexpinedthatsheneededmoremoney.Shehadpostponedtheirmostrecentscheduledmeetingwiththeexcusethatshehadtowork,andavaguesenseofuneasinessgnawedathim.Wasshegoingtoturnintoanunmanageableproblemchild?Butsinceshehadmissedthemeeting,shehadnoallowance,andsoonerortershewouldbeboundtoeandseehim.Hecouldnothelpbutbeconcernedthatshemighthavediscussedwhathadhappenedwithsomeoutsider.
    Shewasgoingtohavetobekeptincheck.Shehadtounderstandwhowasincharge.SohetoldherthatthistimethemeetingwouldbeathishomenearOdenpn,notattheoffice.Uponhearingthisnews,Sanderwassilentforalongtimeontheotherendofthetelephonebeforeshefinallyagreed.
    Shehadpnnedtomeethimathisoffice,exactlylikesttime.Nowshewasforcedtoseehiminunfamiliarterritory.ThemeetingwassetforFridayevening.Shehadbeengiventhebuildingcode,andsheranghisdoorbelt8:30,halfanhourterthanagreed.Thatwashowmuchtimeshehadneededinthedarknessofthebuilding’sstairwelltorunthroughherpnonesttime,consideralternatives,steelherself,andmobilisethecourageshewouldneed.
    At8:00Blomkvistswitchedoffhisputerandputonhisoutdoorclothing.Heleftthelightsoninhisoffice.Outsidetheskywasbrightwithstarsandthenightwasfreezing.Hewalkedbrisklyupthehill,pastVanger’shouse,takingtheroadto?sterg?rden.BeyondVanger’shouseheturnedofftotheleft,followinganuglierpathalongtheshore.Thelightedbuoysflickeredoutonthewater,andthelightsfromHedestadgleamedprettilyinthedark.Heneededfreshair,butaboveallhewantedtoavoidthespyingeyesofIsabelVanger.NotfarfromMartinVanger’shouseherejoinedtheroadandarrivedatCeciliaVanger’sdoorjustafter8:30.Theywentstraighttoherbedroom.
    Theymetonceortwiceaweek.Ceciliahadnotonlybeehisloverouthereinhispceofexile,shehadalsobeethepersonhehadbeguntoconfidein.ItwassignificantlymorerewardingdiscussingHarrietVangerwithherthanwithheruncle.
    Thepnbegantogowrongalmostfromthestart.
    Bjurmanwaswearingabathrobewhenheopenedthedoortohisapartment.Hewascrossatherarrivingteandmotionedherbrusquelyinside.Shewaswearingbckjeans,abckT-shirt,andtheobligatoryleatherjacket.Sheworebckbootsandasmallrucksackwithastrapacrossherchest.
    “Haven’tyouevenlearnedtotellthetime?”Bjurmansaid.Sanderdidnotreply.Shelookedaround.TheapartmentlookedmuchasshehadexpectedafterstudyingthebuildingpnsinthearchivesoftheCityZoningOffice.Thelight-colouredfurniturewasbirchandbeech-wood.
    “eon,”Bjurmansaidinafriendliertone.Heputhisarmaroundhershouldersandledherdownahallintotheapartment’sinterior.Nosmalltalk.Heopenedthedoortothebedroom.TherewasnodoubtastowhatservicesSanderwasexpectedtoperform.
    Shetookaquicklookaround.Bachelorfurnishings.Adoublebedwithahighbedsteadofstainlesssteel.Alowchestofdrawersthatalsofunctionedasabedsidetable.Bedsidempswithmutedlighting.Awardrobewithamirroralongoneside.Acanechairandasmalldeskinthecornernexttothedoor.Hetookherbythehandandledhertothebed.
    “Tellmewhatyouneedmoneyforthistime.Moreputeraessories?”
    “Food,”shesaid.
    “Ofcourse.Howstupidofme.Youmissedourstmeeting.”Hepcedhishandunderherchinandliftedherfacesotheireyesmet.“Howareyou?”
    Sheshrugged.
    “HaveyouthoughtaboutwhatIsaidsttime?”
    “Aboutwhat?”
    “Lisbeth,don’tactanymorestupidthanyouare.Iwantustobegoodfriendsandtohelpeachotherout.”
    Shesaidnothing.AdvokatBjurmanresistedanimpulsetogiveherasp—toputsomelifeintoher.
    “Didyoulikeourgrown-upgamefromsttime?”
    “No.”
    Heraisedhiseyebrows.
    “Lisbeth,don’tbefoolish.”
    “Ineedmoneytobuyfood.”
    “Butthat’swhatwetalkedaboutsttime.Ifyou’renicetome,I’llbenicetoyou.Butifyou’rejustgoingtocausetrouble…”Hisgriponherchintightenedandshetwistedaway.
    “Iwantmymoney.Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
    “YouknowwhatIwant.”Hegrabbedhershoulderandpulledhertowardsthebed.
    “Wait,”Sandersaidhastily.Shegavehimaresignedlookandthennoddedcurtly.Shetookoffherrucksackandleatherjacketwiththerivetsandlookedaround.Sheputherjacketonthechair,setherrucksackontheroundtable,andtookseveralhesitantstepstothebed.Thenshestopped,asifshehadcoldfeet.Bjurmancamecloser.
    “Wait,”shesaidoncemore,inatoneasiftosaythatshewastryingtotalksenseintohim.“Idon’twanttohavetosuckyourdickeverytimeIneedmoney.”
    TheexpressiononBjurman’sfacesuddenlychanged.Hesppedherhard.Sanderopenedhereyeswide,butbeforeshecouldreact,hegrabbedherbytheshoulderandthrewherontothebed.Theviolencecaughtherbysurprise.Whenshetriedtoturnover,hepressedherdownonthebedandstraddledher.
    Likethetimebefore,shewasnomatchforhimintermsofphysicalstrength.Heronlychanceoffightingbackwasifshecouldhurthimbyscratchinghiseyesorusingsomesortofweapon.Butherpnnedscenariohadalreadygoohell.Shit,shethoughtwhenherippedoffherT-shirt.Sherealisedwithterrifyingcritythatshewasoutofherdepth.
    Sheheardhimopenthedresserdrawernexttothebedandcaughtthecnkingsoundofmetal.Atfirstshedidnotunderstandwhatwashappening;thenshesawthehandcuffsclosearoundherwrist.Hepulledupherarm,pcedthehandcuffsaroundoneofthebedposts,andlockedherotherhand.Itdidnottakehimlongtopulloffherbootsandjeans.Thenhetookoffherknickersandheldtheminhishand.
    “Youhavetolearntotrustme,Lisbeth,”hesaid.“I’mgoingtoteachyouhowthisgrown-upgameispyed.Ifyoudon’ttreatmewell,youhavetobepunished.Whenyou’renicetome,we’llbefriends.”
    Hesatastrideheragain.
    “Soyoudon’tlikeanalsex,”hesaid.
    Sanderopenedhermouthtoscream.Hegrabbedherhairandstuffedtheknickersinhermouth.Shefelthimputtingsomethingaroundherankles,spreadherlegsapartandtiethemsothatshewaslyingtherepletelyvulnerable.SheheardhimmovingaroundtheroombutshecouldnotseethroughtheT-shirtaroundherface.Ittookhimseveralminutes.Shecouldhardlybreathe.Thenshefeltanexcruciatingpainasheforcedsomethingupheranus.
    CeciliaVangerstillhadarulethatBlomkvistwasnottostayallnight.Sometimeafter2:00inthemorninghebegantodresswhilesheynakedonthebed,smilingathim.
    “Ilikeyou,Mikael.Ilikeyourpany.”
    “Ilikeyoutoo.”
    Shepulledhimbacktothebedandtookofftheshirthehadjustputon.Hestayedforonemorehour.
    WhenterhepassedbyVanger’shouse,hewassurehesawoneofthecurtainsshiftupstairs.
    Sanderwasallowedtoputonherclothes.Itwas4:00onSaturdaymorning.Shepickedupherleatherjacketandrucksackandhobbledtothefrontdoor,wherehewaswaitingforher,showeredandneatlydressed.Hegaveherachequefor2,500kronor.
    “I’lldriveyouhome,”hesaid,andopenedthedoor.
    Shecrossedthethreshold,outoftheapartment,andturnedtofacehim.Herbodylookedfragileandherfacewasswollenfromcrying,andhealmostrecoiledwhenhemethereyes.Neverinhislifehadheseensuchnaked,smoulderinghatred.Sanderlookedjustasderangedashercaseindicated.
    “No,”shesaid,soquietlythathebarelyheardtheword.“Icangethomeonmyown.”
    Heputahandonhershoulder.
    “Areyousure?”
    Shenodded.Hisgriponhershouldertightened.
    “Rememberwhatweagreed.You’llebackherenextSaturday.”
    Shenoddedagain.Cowed.Helethergo.
    CHAPTER14
    Saturday,March8–Monday,March17
    Sanderspenttheweekinbedwithpaininherabdomen,bleedingfromherrectum,andlessvisiblewoundsthatwouldtakelongertoheal.Whatshehadgohroughwasverydifferentfromthefirstrapeinhisoffice;itwasnolongeramatterofcoercionanddegradation.Thiswassystematicbrutality.
    SherealisedmuchtootethatshehadutterlymisjudgedBjurman.
    Shehadassumedhewasonapowertripandlikedtodominate,notthathewasanall-outsadist.Hehadkeptherinhandcuffshalfthenight.Severaltimesshebelievedhemeanttokillher,andatonepointhehadpressedapillowoverherfaceuntilshethoughtshewasgoingtopassout.
    Shedidnotcry.
    Apartfromthetearsofpurephysicalpainsheshednotasingletear.WhenshelefttheapartmentshemadeherwaywithdifficultytothetaxistandatOdenpn.Withdifficultysheclimbedthestairstoherownapartment.Sheshoweredandwipedthebloodfromhergenitals.ThenshedrankapintofwaterwithtwoRohypnondstumbledtoherbedandpulledtheduvetoverherhead.
    ShewokeupatmiddayonSunday,emptyofthoughtsandwithconstantpaininherhead,musclesandabdomen.Shegotup,dranktwogssesofkefir,andateanapple.Thenshetooktwomoresleepingpillsandwentbacktobed.
    ShedidnotfeellikegettingupuntilTuesday.ShewentoutandboughtabigboxofBilly’sPanPizza,stucktwooftheminthemicrowave,andfilledathermoswithcoffee.ShespentthatnightontheInter,readingarticlesandthesesonthepsychopathologyofsadism.
    Shefoundonearticlepublishedbyawomen’sgroupintheUnitedStatesinwhichtheauthorcimedthatthesadistchosehis“retionships”withalmostintuitiveprecision;thesadist’sbestvictimwastheonewhovoluntarilywenttohimbecauseshedidnotthinkshehadanychoice.Thesadistspecialisedinpeoplewhowereinapositionofdependence.
    AdvokatBjurmanhadchosenherasavictim.
    Thattoldhersomethingaboutthewayshewasviewedbyotherpeople.
    OnFriday,aweekafterthesecondrape,shewalkedfromherapartmenttoatattooparlourintheHornstulldistrict.Shehadmadeanappointment,andtherewerenoothercustomersintheshop.Theownernodded,recognisingher.
    Shechoseasimplelittletattoodepictinganarrowbandandaskedtohaveitputonherankle.Shepointed.
    “Theskinisverythinthere.It’sgoingtohurtalot,”saidthetattooartist.
    “That’sOK,”Sandersaid,takingoffherjeansandputtingherlegup.
    “OK,aband.Youalreadyhaveloadsoftattoos.Areyousureyouwantanotherone?”
    “It’sareminder.”
    BlomkvistleftthecaféwhenSusanneclosedat2:00onSaturdayafternoon.Hehadspentthemorningtypinguphisnotesinhisi.HewalkedtoKonsumandboughtsomefoodandcigarettesbeforehewenthome.Hehaddiscoveredfriedsausagewithpotatoesandbeets—adishhehadneverbeenfondofbutforsomereasonitseemedperfectlysuitedtoacabininthecountry.
    Ataround7:00intheeveninghestoodbythekitchenwindow,thinking.CeciliaVangerhadnotcalled.Hehadrunintoherthatafternoonwhenshewasbuyingbreadatthecafé,butshehadbeenlostinherownthoughts.Itdidnotseemlikelythatshewouldcallthisevening.HegncedatthelittleTVthathealmostneverused.InsteadhesatatthekitchenbenchandopenedamysterybySueGrafton.
    Sanderreturnedattheagreed-upontimetoBjurman’sapartmentnearOdenpn.Heletherinwithapolite,welingsmile.
    “Andhowareyoudoingtoday,dearLisbeth?”
    Shedidnotreply.Heputanarmaroundhershoulder.
    “Isupposeitwasabitroughsttime,”hesaid.“Youlookedalittlesubdued.”
    Shegavehimacrookedsmileandhefeltasuddenpangofuncertainty.Thisgirlisnotallthere.Ihavetorememberthat.Hewonderedifshewouldearound.
    “Shallwegointothebedroom?”Sandersaid.
    Ontheotherhand,shemaybewithit….TodayI’lltakeiteasyonher.Builduphertrust.Hehadalreadyputoutthehandcuffsonthechestofdrawers.ItwasnotuntiltheyreachedthebedthatBjurmanrealisedthatsomethingwasamiss.
    Shewastheoneleadinghimtothebed,nottheotherwayaround.Hestoppedandgaveherapuzzledlookwhenshepulledsomethingoutofherjacketpocketwhichhethoughtwasamobiletelephone.Thenhesawhereyes.
    “Saygoodnight,”shesaid.
    Sheshovedthetaserintohisleftarmpitandfiredoff75,000volts.Whenhislegsbegantogivewaysheputhershoulderagainsthimandusedallherstrengthtopushhimdownontothebed.
    CeciliaVangerfeltalittletipsy.ShehaddecidednottotelephoneBlomkvist.Theirretionshiphaddevelopedintoaridiculousbedroomfarce,inwhichBlomkvisthadtotiptoearoundtryingtogettoherhouseunnoticed.Sheinturnpyedalovesickteenagegirlwhocouldnotcontrolherself.Herbehaviourthepastfewweekshadbeenreckless.
    TheproblemisthatIlikehimtoomuch,shethought.He’sgoingtoenduphurtingme.ShesatforalongtimewishingthatMikaelBlomkvisthadneveretoHedeby.
    Shehadopenedabottleofwineanddrunktwogssesinherloneliness.SheturnedontheTVtowatchRapportandtriedtofollowtheworldsituationbutverysoontiredofthereasonedmentaryonwhyPresidentBushhadtobombIraqtosmithereens.Insteadshesatontheliving-roomsofaandpickedupGellertTamas’TheLaserMan.Shereadonlyafewpagesbeforeshehadtoputthedown.Thatmadeherinstantlythinkofherfather.Whatkindoffantasiesdidhehave?
    Thesttimetheyreallysaweachotherwasin1984,whenshewentwithhimandBirger,hare-huntingnorthofHedestad.Birgerwastryingoutanewhuntingdog—aSwedishfoxhoundwhichhehadjustacquired.HaraldVangerwasseventy-threeatthetime,andshehaddoneherverybesttoaepthislunacy,whichhadmadeherchildhoodanightmareandaffectedherentireadultlife.
    Ceciliahadneverbeforebeenasfragileasshewasthen.Hermarriagehadendedthreemonthsearlier.Domesticviolence…thetermwassobanal.Forherithadtakentheformofunceasingabuse.Blowstothehead,violentshoving,moodythreats,andbeingknockedtothekitchenfloor.Herhusband’soutburstswereinexplicableandtheattackswerenotoftensoseverethatshewasactuallyinjured.Shehadbeeusedtoit.
    Untilthedaywhenshestruckbackandhepletelylostcontrol.Itendedwithhimflingingsomescissorsatherwhichlodgedinhershoulderbde.
    Hehadbeenremorsefundpanickyanddrovehertothehospital,makingupastoryaboutaarreaidentwhichallthestaffintheemergencyroomsawthroughatonce.Shehadfeltashamed.Theygavehertwelvestitchesandkeptherinthehospitalfortwodays.Thenherunclepickedherupanddrovehertohishouse.Sheneverspoketoherhusbandagain.
    OnthatsunnyautumndayHaraldVangerhadbeeninagoodmood,almostfriendly.Butwithoutwarning,alongwayintothewoods,hebegantoberateherwithhumiliatinginvectiveandrevoltingremarksabouthermoralsandsexualpredilections.Hesnarledthatnowondersuchawhorecouldneverkeepaman.
    Herbrotherapparentlydidnotnoticethateverywordfromtheirfatherstruckherlikeawhipsh.Instead,Birgersuddenlyughedandputhisarmaroundhisfatherandinhisownwaymadelightofthesituationbymakingsomementtotheeffectthatyouknowfullwellwhatwomenarelike.HegaveCeciliaacheerfulwinkandsuggestedthatHaraldVangertakeupapositiononalittleridge.
    Forasecond,afrozeninstant,CeciliaVangerlookedatherfatherandbrotherandrealisedthatshewasholdingaloadedshotguninherhand.Sheclosedhereyes.Heronlyoptionatthatmomentseemedtobetoraisethegunandfirebothbarrels.Shewantedtokillthemboth.Insteadsheiddowntheweaponatherfeet,turnedonherheel,andwentbacktowheretheyhadparkedthecar.Sheleftthemhighanddry,drivinghomealone.Sincethatdaysherefusedtoletherfatherintoherhouseandhadneverbeeninhis.
    Youruinedmylife,CeciliaVangerthought.YouruinedmylifewhenIwasjustachild.
    At8:30shecalledBlomkvist.
    Bjurmanwasinpain.Hismuscleswerenousetohim.Hisbodyseemedtobeparalysed.Hecouldnotrememberifhehadlostconsciousness,buthewasdisoriented.Whenheslowlyregainedcontroloverhisbodyhediscoveredthathewaslyingnakedonhisbed,hiswristsinhandcuffsandhislegsspreadpainfullyapart.Hehadstingingburnmarkswhereelectrodeshadtouchedhisbody.
    Sanderhadpulledthecanechairoverandwaspatientlywaiting,herbootsrestingonthebedasshesmokedacigarette.WhenBjurmanbegantospeaktoherhefoundthathismouthwassealed.Heturnedhishead.Shehadpulledoutallhisdrawersanddumpedthemandthecontentsonthefloor.
    “Ifoundyourtoys,”Sandersaid.Shehelduparidingwhipandpokedaroundintheheapofdildos,harnessbits,andrubbermasksonthefloor.“What’sthisonefor?”Sheheldupahugeanalplug.“No,don’ttrytospeak—Iwon’thearwhatyousay.Wasthiswhatyouusedonmestweek?Allyouhavetodoisnod.”Sheleanedtowardshimexpectantly.
    Bjurmanfeltcoldterrorpiercinghischestandlosthisposure.Hetuggedathishandcuffs.Shehadtakencontrol.Impossible.HecoulddonothingtoresistwhenSanderbentoverandpcedtheanalplugbetweenhisbuttocks.“Soyou’reasadist,”shesaidmatter-of-factly.“Youenjoyshovingthingsinsidepeople,isthatit?”Shelookedhimintheeyes.Herfacewasexpressionless.“Withoutalubricant,right?”
    BjurmanhowledintotheadhesivetapewhenSanderroughlyspreadhischeeksandrammedtheplugintoitsproperpce.
    “Stopwhimpering,”Sandersaid,imitatinghisvoice.“Ifyoupin,I’llhavetopunishyou.”
    Shestoodupandwenttotheothersideofthebed.Hefollowedherhelplesslywithhiseyes…Whatthehellwasthis?Sanderhadrolledinhisthirty-two-inchTVfromthelivingroom.ShehadpcedhisDVDpyeronthefloor.Shelookedathim,stillholdingthewhipinherhand.
    “DoIhaveyourundividedattention?Don’ttrytotalk—justnod.DidyouhearwhatIsaid?”Henodded.
    “Good.”Shebentdownandpickedupherrucksack.“Doyourecognisethis?”Henodded.“It’stherucksackIhadwhenIvisitedyoustweek.Apracticalitem.IborroweditfromMiltonSecurity.”Sheunzippedthebottompocket.“Thisisadigitalvideocamera.DoyoueverwatchInsideronTV3?Thisisthegearthatthosenastyreportersusewhentheyhavetorecordsomethingwithahiddencamera.”Shezippedthepocketbackup.
    “Where’sthelens,you’rewondering.That’sthegreatthingaboutit.Wideanglefibreoptics.Thelenslookslikeabuttonandsitshiddeninthebuckleonashoulderstrap.MaybeyourememberthatIputtherucksackhereonthetablebeforeyoustartedtogropeme.Imadesurethatthelenswasdirectedstraightatthebed.”
    SheheldupaDVDandslippeditintothepyer.Thensheturnedthecanechairsothatshecouldsitandwatchthescreen.Shelitanothercigaretteandpressedtheremote.AdvokatBjurmansawhimselfopenthedoorforSander.
    Haven’tyouevenlearnedtotellthetime?
    Shepyedthewholediscforhim.Thevideoendedafterniyminutes,inthemiddleofascenewhereanakedAdvokatBjurmansatleaningagainstthebedsteaddrinkingagssofwineashelookedatSander,curledupwithherhandsfetteredbehindher.
    SheturnedofftheTVandsatinthechairforagoodtenminuteswithoutlookingathihenshegotupandwentintothebathroom.Whenshecamebackshesatagaininthechair.Hervoicewaslikesandpaper.
    “Imadeamistakestweek,”shesaid.“Ithoughtyouweregoingtomakemegiveyouablowjobagain,whichisdisgustingenoughinyourcase,butnotsodisgustingthatIcouldn’tdoit.IthoughtIcouldeasilyacquiregooddocumentationtoproveyou’reafilthyoldprick.Imisjudgedyou.Ididn’tunderstandhowfuckingsickyouwere.
    “I’mgoingtospeakpinly,”shesaid.“Thisvideoshowsyourapingamentallyhandicappedtwenty-four-year-oldgirlforwhomyouwereappointedguardian.AndyouhavenoideahowmentallyhandicappedIcanbeifpushestoshove.Anyonewhoseesthisvideowilldiscoverthatyou’renotmerelyapervertbutaninsanesadist.ThisisthesecondandIhopethesttimeI’lleverhavetowatchthisvideo.It’squiteinstructive,don’tyouthink?Myguessisthatyou’retheonewho’sgoingtobeinstitutionalised,notme.Areyoufollowingmesofar?”
    Shewaited.Hedidnotreact,butshecouldseehimquivering.Shegrabbedthewhipandflickeditrightoverhisgenitals.
    “Areyoufollowingme?”shesaidmoreloudly.Henodded.
    “Good.Sowe’resingingfromthesamesongsheet.”
    Shepulledthechairupclosesoshecouldlookintohiseyes.
    “Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddoaboutthisproblem?”Hecouldnotgiveherananswer.“Haveyouanygoodideas?”Whenhedidnotreactshereachedoutandgrabbedhisscrotumandpulleduntilhisfacecontortedinpain.“Haveyougotanygoodideas?”sherepeated.Heshookhishead.
    “Good.I’mgoingtobeprettyfuckingmadatyouifyoueverhaveanyideasinthefuture.”
    Sheleanedbackandstubbedhercigaretteoutonthecarpet.“Thisiswhat’sgoingtohappen.Nextweek,assoonasyoumanagetoshitoutthatoversizedrubberpluginyourarse,you’regoingtormmybankthatI—andIalone—haveaesstomyaount.DoyouunderstandwhatI’msaying?”Bjurmannodded.
    “Goodboy.Youwillneverevercontactmeagain.InthefuturewewillmeetonlyifIdecideit’snecessary.You’reunderarestrainingordertostayawayfromme.”Henoddedrepeatedly.Shedoesn’tintendtokillme.
    “Ifyouevertrytocontactmeagain,copiesofthisDVDwillwindupineverynewsroominStockholm.Doyouunderstand?”
    Henodded.Ihavetogetholdofthatvideo.
    “OnceayearyouwillturninyourreportonmywelfaretotheGuardianshipAgency.Youwillreportthatmylifeispletelynormal,thatIhaveasteadyjob,thatI’msupportingmyself,andthatyoudon’tthinkthereisanythingabnormaboutmybehaviour.OK?”
    Henodded.
    “Eachmonthyouwillprepareareportaboutyournon-existentmeetingswithme.YouwilldescribeindetailhowpositiveIamandhowwellthingsaregoingforme.Youwillpostacopytome.Doyouunderstand?”Henoddedagain.Sandernoticedabsent-mindedlythebeadsofsweatformingonhisforehead.
    “Inayearorso,let’ssaytwo,youwillinitiatenegotiationsinthedistrictcourttohavemydecrationofinpetencerescinded.Youwilluseyourfakedreportsfromourmeetingsasthebasisforyourproposal.YouwillfindashrinkwhowillswearunderoaththatIampletelynormal.You’regoingtohavetomakeaneffort.YouwilldopreciselyeverythinginyourpowertoensurethatIamdecredpetent.”
    Henodded.
    “Doyouknowwhyyou’regoingtodoyourverybest?Becauseyouhaveafuckinggoodreason.IfyoufailI’mgoingtomakethisvideoextremelypublic.”
    HelistenedtoeverysylbleSanderwassaying.Hiseyeswereburningwithhatred.Hedecidedshehadmadeamistakebylettinghimlive.You’regoingtowindupeatingthis,youfuckingcunt.SoonerorterI’mgoingtocrushyou.Buthecontinuednoddingasvigorouslyashecouldinreplytoeveryquestion.
    “Thesameappliesifyoutrytocontactme.”Shemimedathroat-slittingmotion.“Goodbyetothiselegantlifestyleandyourfinereputationandyourmillionsinthatoffshoreaount.”
    Hiseyeswidenedinvoluntarilywhenshementionedthemoney.Howthefuckinghelldidsheknowthat…
    Shesmiledandtookoutanothercigarette.
    “Iwantyoursparesetofkeystothisapartmentandyouroffice.”Hefrowned.Sheleanedforwardandsmiledsweetly.
    “InthefutureI’mgoingtohavecontroloveryourlife.Whenyouleastexpectit,whenyou’reinbedasleepprobably,I’mgoingtoappearinthebedroomwiththisinmyhand.”Sheheldupthetaser.“I’llbecheckinguponyou.IfIeverfindoutyouhavebeenwithagirgain—anditdoesn’tmatterifshe’shereofherownfreewill—ifIeverfindyouwithanywomanatall…”Sandermadethethroat-slittingmotionagain.
    “IfIshoulddie…ifIshouldfallvictimtoanaidentandberunoverbyacarorsomething…thencopiesofthevideowilutomaticallybepostedtothenewspapers.PlusareportinwhichIdescribewhatit’sliketohaveyouasaguardian.
    “Onemorething.”Sheleanedforwardagainsothatherfacewasonlyacoupleofinchesfromhis.“IfyouevertouchmeagainIwillkillyou.Andthat’sapromise.”
    Bjurmanabsolutelybelievedher.Therewasnotavestigeofbluffinhereyes.
    “KeepitinmindthatI’mcrazy,won’tyou?”
    Henodded.
    Shegavehimathoughtfullook.“Idon’tthinkyouandIaregoingtobegoodfriends,”Sandersaid.“Rightnowyou’relyingtherecongratutingyourselfthatI’mdimenoughtoletyoulive.Youthinkyouhavecontroleventhoughyou’remyprisoner,sinceyouthinktheonlythingIcandoifIdon’tkillyouistoletyougo.Soyou’refullofhopethatyoucansomehowrecoveryourpowerovermerightaway.AmIright?”
    Heshookhishead.Hewasbeginningtofeelveryillindeed.
    “You’regoingtogetapresentfrommesoyou’llwaysrememberouragreement.”
    Shegavehimacrookedsmileandclimbedontothebedandkneltbetweenhislegs.Bjurmanhadnoideawhatsheintendedtodo,buthefeltasuddenterror.
    Thenhesawtheneedleinherhand.
    Hefloppedhisheadbackandforthandtriedtotwisthisbodyawayuntilsheputakneeonhiscrotchandpresseddowninwarning.
    “LieratherstillbecausethisisthefirsttimeI’veusedthisequipment.”
    Sheworkedsteadilyfortwohours.Whenshewasfinishedhehadstoppedwhimpering.Heseemedtobealmostinastateofapathy.
    Shegotdownfromthebed,cockedherheadtooneside,andregardedherhandiworkwithacriticaleye.Herartistictalentswerelimited.Theletterslookedatbestimpressionistic.Shehadusedredandblueink.Themessagewaswrittenincapsoverfivelinesthatcoveredhisbelly,fromhisnipplestojustabovehisgenitals:IAMASADISTICPIG,APERVERT,ANDARAPIST.
    Shegathereduptheneedlesandpcedtheinkcartridgesinherrucksack.Thenshewenttothebathroomandwashed.Shefeltalotbetterwhenshecamebackinthebedroom.
    “Goodnight,”shesaid.
    Sheunlockedoneofthehandcuffsandputthekeyonhisstomachbeforesheleft.ShetookherDVDandhisbundleofkeyswithher.
    Itwasastheysharedacigarettesometimeaftermidnightthathetoldhertheycouldnotseeeachotherforawhile.Ceciliaturnedherfacetohiminsurprise.
    “Whatdoyoumean?”
    Helookedashamed.“OnMondayIhavetogotoprisonforuptothreemonths.”
    Nootherexpnationwasnecessary.Ceciliayinsilenceforalongtime.Shefeltlikecrying.
    DraganArmanskywassuspiciouswhenSanderknockedathisdooronMondayafternoon.HehadseennosignofhersincehecalledofftheinvestigationoftheWennerstr?maffairinearlyJanuary,andeverytimehetriedtoreachhersheeitherdidnotanswerorhungupsayingshewasbusy.
    “Haveyougotajobforme?”sheaskedwithoutanygreeting.
    “Hi.Greattoseeyou.Ithoughtyoudiedorsomething.”
    “TherewerethingsIhadtostraightenout.”
    “Youoftenseemtohavethingstostraightenout.”
    “Thistimeitwasurgent.I’mbacknow.Haveyougotajobforme?”
    Armanskyshookhishead.“Sorry.Notatthemoment.”
    Sanderlookedathimcalmly.Afterawhilehestartedtalking.
    “Lisbeth,youknowIlikeyouandIliketogiveyoujobs.Butyou’vebeengonefortwomonthsandI’vehadtonsofjobs.You’resimplynotreliable.I’vehadtopayotherpeopletocoverforyou,andrightnowIactuallydon’thaveathing.”
    “Couldyouturnupthevolume?”
    “What?”
    “Ontheradio.”
    …themagazineMillennium.ThenewsthatveteranindustrialistHenrikVangerwillbepartownerandwillhaveaseatontheboardofdirectorsofMillenniumesthesamedaythattheformerCEOandpublisherMikaelBlomkvistbeginsservinghisthree-monthsentenceforthelibelofbusinessmanHans-ErikWennerstr?m.Millennium’seditorinchiefErikaBergerannouncedatapressconferencethatBlomkvistwillresumehisroleaspublisherwhenhissentenceispleted.
    “Well,isn’tthatsomething,”SandersaidsoquietlythatArmanskyonlysawherlipsmove.Shestoodupandheadedforthedoor.
    “Wait.Whereareyougoing?”
    “Home.Iwanttochecksomestuff.Callmewhenyou’vegotsomething.”
    ThenewsthatMillenniumhadacquiredrercementsintheformofHenrikVangerwasaconsiderablybiggereventthanLisbethSanderhadexpected.Aftonbdet’seveningeditionwasalreadyout,withastoryfromtheTTwireservicesummingupVanger’scareerandstatingthatitwasthefirsttimeinalmosttwentyyearsthattheoldindustrialmagnatehadmadeapublicappearance.ThenewsthathewasbeingpartownerofMillenniumwasviewedasjustasimprobableasPeterWallenbergorErikPenserpoppingupaspartownersofETCorsponsorsofOrdfrontmagazine.
    Thestorywassobigthatthe7:30editionofRapportranitasitsthirdleadandgaveitathree-minuteslot.ErikaBergerwasinterviewedataconferencetableinMillennium’soffice.AllofasuddentheWennerstr?maffairwasnewsagain.
    “Wemadeaseriousmistakestyearwhichresultedinthemagazinebeingprosecutedforlibel.Thisissomethingweregret…andwewillbefollowingupthisstoryatasuitableoasion.”
    “Whatdoyoumeanby‘followingupthestory’?”thereportersaid.
    “Imeanthatwewilleventuallybetellingourversionofevents,whichwehavenotdohusfar.”
    “Youcouldhavedohatatthetrial.”
    “Wechosenottodoso.Butourinvestigativejournalismwillcontinueasbefore.”
    “Doesthatmeanyou’reholdingtothestorythatpromptedtheindictment?”
    “Ihavenothingmoretosayonthatsubject.”
    “YousackedMikaelBlomkvistaftertheverdictwasdelivered.”
    “Thatisinaurate.Readourpressrelease.Heneededabreak.He’llbebackasCEOandpublisherterthisyear.”
    ThecamerapannedthroughthenewsroomwhilethereporterquicklyrecountedbackgroundrmationonMillennium’sstormyhistoryasanoriginandoutspokenmagazine.Blomkvistwasnotavaibleforment.HehadjustbeenshutupinRull?kerPrison,aboutanhourfrom?stersundinJ?mtnd.
    SandernoticedDirchFrodeattheedgeoftheTVscreenpassingadoorwayintheeditorialoffices.Shefrownedandbitherlowerlipinthought.
    ThatMondayhadbeenaslownewsday,andVangergotawholefourminutesonthe9:00news.HewasinterviewedinaTVstudioinHedestad.ThereporterbeganbystatingthataftertwodecadesofhavingstoodbackfromthespotlighttheindustrialistHenrikVangerwasback.Thesegmentbeganwithasnappybiographyinbck-and-whiteTVimages,showinghimwithPrimeMinisterErnderandopeningfactoriesinthesixties.ThecamerathenfocusedonastudiosofawhereVangerwassittingperfectlyrexed.Heworeayellowshirt,narrowgreentie,andfortabledark-brownsuit.Hewasgaunt,buthespokeinaclear,firmvoice.Andhewasalsoquitecandid.ThereporteraskedVangerwhathadpromptedhimtobeeapartownerofMillennium.
    “It’sanexcellentmagazinewhichIhavefollowedwithgreatinterestforseveralyears.Todaythepublicationisunderattack.Ithasenemieswhoareanisinganadvertisingboycott,tryingtorunitintotheground.”
    Thereporterwasnotpreparedforthis,butguessedatoncethatthealreadyunusualstoryhadyetmoreunexpectedaspects.
    “What’sbehindthisboycott?”
    “That’soneofthethingsthatMillenniumwillbeexaminingclosely.ButI’llmakeitclearnowthatMillenniumwillnotbesunkwiththefirstsalvo.”
    “Isthiswhyyouboughtintothemagazine?”
    “Itwouldbedeplorableifthespecialinterestshadthepowertosilencethosevoicesinthemediathattheyfindunfortable.”
    Vangeractedasthoughhehadbeenaculturalradicalespousingfreedomofspeechallhislife.BlomkvistburstoutughingashespenthisfirsteveningintheTVroomatRull?kerPrison.Hisfellowinmatesgncedathimuneasily.
    Laterthatevening,whenhewaslyingonthebunkinhiscell—whichremindedhimofacrampedmotelroomwithitstinytable,itsonechair,andoneshelfonthewall,headmittedthatVangerandBergerhadbeenrightabouthowthenewswouldbemarketed.Hejustknewthatsomethinghadchangedinpeople’sattitudetowardsMillennium.
    Vanger’ssupportwasnomoreorlessthanadecrationofwaragainstWennerstr?m.Themessagewasclear:inthefutureyouwillnotbefightingwithamagazinewithastaffofsixandanannualbudgetcorrespondingtothecosto**cheonmeetingoftheWennerstr?mGroup.YouwillnowbeupagainsttheVangerCorporation,whichmaybeashadowofitsformergreatnessbutstillpresentsaconsiderablytougherchallenge.
    ThemessagethatVangerhaddeliveredonTVwasthathewaspreparedtofight,andforWennerstr?m,thatwarwouldbecostly.
    Bergerhadchosenherwordswithcare.Shehadnotsaidmuch,buthersayingthatthemagazinehadnottolditsversioncreatedtheimpressionthattherewassomethingtotell.DespitethefactthatBlomkvisthadbeenindicted,convicted,andwasnowimprisoned,shehadeoutandsaid—ifnotinsomanywords—thathewasinnocentoflibendthatanothertruthexisted.Preciselybecauseshehadnotusedtheword“innocent,”hisinnocenceseemedmoreapparentthanever.ThefactthathewasgoingtobereinstatedaspublisheremphasisedthatMillenniumfeltithadnothingtobeashamedof.Intheeyesofthepublic,credibilitywasnoproblem—everyonelovesaconspiracytheory,andinthechoicebetweenafilthyrichbusinessmanandanoutspokenandcharmingeditorinchief,itwasnothardtoguesswherethepublic’ssympathieswouldlie.Themedia,however,werenotgoingtobuythestorysoeasily—butBergermayhavedisarmedanumberofcritics.
    Noneoftheday’seventshadchangedthesituationfundamentally,buttheyhadboughttimeandtheyhadshiftedthebanceofpoweralittle.BlomkvistimaginedthatWennerstr?mhadprobablyhadanunpleasantevening.Wennerstr?mcouldnotknowhowmuch,orhowlittle,theyknew,andbeforehemadehisnextmovehewasgoingtohavetofindout.
    Withagrimexpression,BergerturnedofftheTVandtheVCRafterhavingwatchedfirstherownandthenVanger’sinterview.Itwas2:45inthemorning,andshehadtostifletheimpulsetocallBlomkvist.Hewaslockedup,anditwasunlikelythathewasallowedtokeephismobile.Shehadarrivedhomesotethatherhusbandwasalreadyasleep.ShewentovertothebarandpouredherselfahealthymeasureofAberloursinglemalt—shedrankalcohoboutonceayear—andsatatthewindow,lookingoutacrossSaltsj?ntothelighthouseattheentrancetoSkuruSound.
    SheandBlomkvisthadarguedheatedlywhentheywerealoneaftersheconcludedtheagreementwithVanger.Theyhadweatheredmanyfull-bloodedargumentsaboutwhatangletouseforaspecificarticle,thedesignofthemagazine,theevaluationoftheirsources’credibility,andathousandotherthingsinvolvedinputtingoutamagazine.ButtheargumentinVanger’sguesthousehadtouchedonprinciplesthatmadeherawareshewasonshak