10

    yground.
    “Idon’tknowwhattodonow,”Blomkvisthadsaid.“Thismanhashiredmetoghostwritehisautobiography.UpuntilnowI’vebeenfreetogetupandleavethemomenthetriestoforcemetowritesomethingthatisn’ttrue,ortriestopersuademetosntthestoryinawayIdon’tholdwith.Nowhe’sapartownerofourmagazine—andtheonlyonewiththeresourcestosaveMillennium.AllofasuddenI’msittingonthefence,inapositionthataboardofprofessionalethicswouldneverapprove.”
    “Haveyougotabetteridea?”Bergeraskedhim.“Becauseifyouhave,spititout,beforewetypeupthecontractandsignit.”
    “Ricky,VangerisexploitingusinsomesortofprivatevendettaagainstWennerstr?m.”
    “Sowhat?WehaveavendettaagainstWennerstr?mourselves.”
    Blomkvistturnedawayfromherandlitacigarette.
    Theirconversationhadgoneonforquiteawhile,untilBergerwentintothebedroom,undressed,andclimbedintobed.Shepretendedtobeasleepwhenhegotinbesidehertwohourster.
    ThiseveningareporterfromDagensNyheterhadaskedherthesamequestion:“HowisMillenniumgoingtobeablecrediblytoassertitsindependence?”
    “Whatdoyoumean?”
    Thereporterthoughtthequestionhadbeenclearenough,buthespelleditoutanyway.
    “OneofMillennium’sobjectivesistoinvestigatecorporations.Howwillthemagazinebeabletociminacrediblewaythatit’sinvestigatingtheVangerCorporation?”
    Bergergavehimasurprisedlook,asifthequestionwerepletelyunexpected.
    “AreyouinsinuatingthatMillennium’scredibilityisdiminishedbecauseawell-knownfinancierwithsignificantresourceshasenteredthepicture?”
    “YoucouldnotnowcrediblyinvestigatetheVangerCorporation.”
    “IsthatarulethatappliesspecificallytoMillennium?”
    “Excuseme?”
    “Imean,youworkforapublicationthatisforthemostpartownedbymajorcorporateentities.DoesthatmeanthatnoneofthenewspaperspublishedbytheBonnierGroupiscredible?AftonbdetisownedbyahugeNorwegiancorporation,whichinturnisamajorpyerinITandmunications—doesthatmeanthatanythingAftonbdetpublishesabouttheelectronicsindustryisnotcredible?MetroisownedbytheStenbeckGroup.AreyousayingthatnopublicationinSwedenthathassignificanteconomicinterestsbehinditiscredible?”
    “No,ofcoursenot.”
    “ThenwhyareyouinsinuatingthatMillennium’scredibilitywouldbediminishedbecausewealsohavebackers?”
    Thereporterhelduphishand.
    “OK,I’llretractthatquestion.”
    “No.Don’tdothat.IwantyoutoprintexactlywhatIsaid.AndyoucanaddthatifDNpromisestofocusalittleextraontheVangerCorporation,thenwe’llfocusalittlemoreontheBonnierGroup.”
    Butitwasahicaldilemma.
    BlomkvistwasworkingforHenrikVanger,whowasinapositiontosinkMillenniumwiththestrokeofapen.WhatwouldhappenifBlomkvistandVangerbecameenemies?
    Andaboveall—whatpricedidsheputonherowncredibility,andwhenhadshebeentransformedfromanindependenteditorintoacorruptedone?
    SanderclosedherbrowserandshutdownherPower.Shewasoutofworkandhungry.Thefirstconditiondidnotworryhersomuch,sinceshehadregainedcontroloverherbankaountandBjurmanhadalreadytakenonthestatusofavagueunpleasantnessinherpast.Thehungershedealtwithbyswitchingonthecoffeemaker.Shemadethreebigopenrye-breadsandwicheswithcheese,caviar,andahard-boiledegg.Sheatehernighttimesnacksonthesofainthelivingroomwhilesheworkedonthermationshehadgathered.
    ThewyerFrodefromHedestadhadhiredhertodoaninvestigationofMikaelBlomkvist,thejournalistwhowasgivenaprisonsentenceforlibellingfinancierHans-ErikWennerstr?m.AfewmonthsterHenrikVanger,alsofromHedestad,joinsBlomkvist’smagazine’sboardofdirectorsandcimsthatthereisaconspiracytocrushthemagazine.Allthisonthesamedaythattheformergoestoprison.Mostfascinatingofall:atwo-year-oldbackgroundarticle—“Withtwoemptyhands”—aboutHans-ErikWennerstr?m,whichshefoundintheonlineeditionofMonopolyFinancialMagazine.ItseemedthathebeganhiscareerintheverysameVangerCorporationinthetesixties.
    Youdidn’thavetobearocketscientisttoseethattheseeventsweresomehowreted.Therehadtobeaskeletoninoneoftheircupboards,andSanderlovedhuntingskeletons.Besides,shehadnothingelseonatthemoment.
    PART3
    Mergers
    MAY16TOJULY11
    ThirteenpercentofthewomeninSwedenhavebeensubjectedtoaggravatedsexuassaultoutsideofasexualretionship.
    CHAPTER15
    Friday,May16–Saturday,May31
    MikaelBlomkvistwasreleasedfromRull?kerPrisononFriday,May16,twomonthsafterhewasadmitted.Thesamedayheenteredthefacility,hehadsubmittedanapplicationforparole,withnogreatoptimism.Heneverdidquiteunderstandthetechnicalreasonsbehindhisrelease,butitmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththefactthathedidnotuseanyholidayleaveandthattheprisonpoputionwasforty-twowhilethenumberofbedswasthirty-one.Inanycase,thewarden—PeterSarowsky,aforty-year-oldPolishexile—withwhomBlomkvistgotalongwell,wrotearemendationthathissentencebereduced.
    HistimeatRull?kerhadbeenunstressfundpleasantenough.Theprisonhadbeendesigned,asSarowskyexpressedit,forhooligansanddrunkdrivers,notforhardenedcriminals.Thedailyroutinesremindedhimoflivinginayouthhostel.Hisfellowprisoners,halfofwhomweresecond-generationimmigrants,regardedBlomkvistassomethingofararebirdinthegroup.HewastheonlyinmatetoappearontheTVnews,whichlenthimacertainstatus.
    Onhisfirstday,hewascalledratalkandofferedtherapy,trainingfromKomvux,ortheopportunityforotheradulteducation,andoupationalcounselling.Hedidnotfeenyneedatallforsocialrehabilitation,hehadpletedhisstudies,hethought,andhealreadyhadajob.Ontheotherhand,heaskedforpermissiontokeephisiinhiscellsothathecouldcontinuetoworkonthehewasmissionedtowrite.Hisrequestwasgrantedwithoutfurtherado,andSarowskyarrangedtobringhimalockablecabisothathecouldleavetheputerinhiscell.Notthatanyoftheinmateswouldhavestolenorvandaliseditoranythinglikethat.Theyratherkeptaprotectiveeyeonhim.
    InthiswayBlomkvistspenttwomonthsworkingaboutsixhoursadayontheVangerfamilychronicle,workthatwasinterruptedonlybyafewhoursofcleaningorrecreationeachday.Blomkvistandtwoothers,oneofwhomcamefromSk?vdeandhadhisrootsinChile,wereassignedtocleantheprisongymeachday.RecreationconsistedofwatchingTV,pyingcards,orweighttraining.Blomkvistdiscoveredthathewasapassablepokerpyer,buthestilllostafewfifty-?recoinseveryday.Regutionspermittedpyingformoneyifthetotalpotdidnotexceedfivekronor.
    Hewastoldofhisreleaseonlyonedaybefore.Sarowskysummonedhimtohisofficeandtheysharedatoastwithaquavit.
    BlomkvistwentstraightbacktothecabininHedeby.Whenhewalkedupthefrontstepsheheardameowandfoundhimselfescortedbythereddish-browncat.
    “OK,youcanein,”hesaid.“ButIhavenomilkyet.”
    Heunpackedhisbags.Itwasasifhehadbeenonholiday,andherealisedthatheactuallymissedthepanyofSarowskyandhisfellowprisoners.Absurdasitseemed,hehadenjoyedhistimeatRull?ker,buthisreleasehadesounexpectedlythathehadhadnotimetoletanyoneknow.
    Itwasjustafter6:00intheevening.HehurriedovertoKonsumtobuygroceriesbeforetheyclosed.WhenhegothomehecalledBerger.Amessagesaidshewasunavaible.Heaskedforhertocallhimthenextday.
    Thenhewalkeduptohisemployer’shouse.HefoundVangeronthegroundfloor.TheoldmanraisedhiseyebrowsinsurprisewhenhesawMikael.
    “Didyouescape?”
    “Releasedearly.”
    “That’sasurprise.”
    “Formetoo.Ifoundoutstnight.”
    Theylookedateachotherforafewseconds.ThentheoldmansurprisedBlomkvistbythrowinghisarmsaroundhimandgivinghimabearhug.
    “Iwasjustabouttoeat.Joinme.”
    Annaproducedagreatquantityofbaconpancakeswithlingonberries.Theysatthereinthediningroomandtalkedforalmosttwohours.Blomkvisttoldhimabouthowfarhehadgotwiththefamilychronicle,andwheretherewereholesandgaps.TheydidnottalkatalboutHarriet,butVangertoldhimalboutMillennium.
    “Wehadaboardmeeting.Fr?kenBergerandyourpartnerMalmwerekindenoughtomovetwoofthemeetingsuphere,whileDirchstoodrmeatameetinginStockholm.IreallywishIwereafewyearsyounger,butthetruthisthatit’stootiringformetotravelsofar.I’lltrytogetdownthereduringthesummer.”
    “Noreasonnottoholdthemeetingsuphere,”Blomkvistsaid.“Sohowdoesitfeeltobeapartownerofthemagazine?”
    Vangergavehimawrysmile.
    “It’sactuallythemostfunI’vehadinyears.I’vetakenalookatthefinances,andtheylookprettyfair.Iwon’thavetoputupasmuchmoneyasIthought—thegapbetweenineandexpensesisdwindling.”
    “ItalkedwithErikathisweek.Shesaysthatadvertisingrevenuehasperkedup.”
    “It’sstartingtoturnaround,yes,butit’lltaketime.AtfirstthepaniesintheVangerCorporationwentinandboughtupabunchoffullpageads.Buttwoformeradvertisers—mobiletelephonesandatravelbureau—haveeback.”Hesmiledbroadly.“We’realsodoingalittlemoreone-to-onehustlingamongWennerstr?m’senemies.And,believeme,there’salonglist.”
    “HaveyouhearddirectlyfromWennerstr?m?”
    “Well,notreally.ButweleakedastorythatWennerstr?misanisingtheboycottofMillenniureporteratDNissaidtohavereachedhimandgotasurlyreply.”
    “Youareenjoyingthis,aren’tyou?”
    “Enjoyisn’ttheword.Ishouldhavedevotedmyselftothisyearsago.”
    “WhatisitbetweenyouandWennerstr?m,anyway?”
    “Don’teventry.You’llfindoutattheendofyouryear.”
    WhenBlomkvistleftVangeraround9:00therewasadistinctfeelingofspringintheair.Itwasdarkoutsideandhehesitatedforamoment.ThenhemadehisfamiliarcircuitandknockedonthedoorofCeciliaVanger’shouse.
    Hewasn’tsurewhatheexpected.Ceciliaopenedhereyeswideandinstantlylookedunfortableasshelethimintothehall.Theystoodthere,suddenlyunsureofeachother.Shetooaskedifhehadescaped,andheexpinedthesituation.
    “Ijustwantedtosayhello.AmIinterruptingsomething?”
    Sheavoidedhiseyes.Mikaelcouldsenseatoncethatshewasn’tparticurlygdtoseehim.
    “No…no,ein.Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”
    “Iwould.”
    Hefollowedherintothekitchen.Shestoodwithherbacktohimasshefilledthecoffeemakerwithwater.Heputahandonhershoulder,andshestiffened.
    “Cecilia,youdon’tlookasifyouwanttogivemecoffee.”
    “Iwasn’texpectingyouforanothermonth,”shesaid.“Yousurprisedme.”
    Heturnedheraroundsothathecouldseeherface.Theystoodinsilenceforamoment.Shestillwouldnotlookhimintheeye.
    “Cecilia.Fetaboutthecoffee.What’sgoingon?”
    Sheshookherheadandtookadeepbreath.
    “Mikael,I’dlikeyoutoleave.Don’task.Justleave.”
    Mikaelfirstwalkedbacktothecottage,butpausedatthegate,undecided.Insteadofgoinginhewentdowntothewaterbythebridgeandsatonarock.HesmokedacigarettewhilehesortedouthisthoughtsandwonderedwhatcouldhavesodramaticallychangedCeciliaVanger’sattitudetowardshim.
    Hesuddenlyheardthesoundofanengineandsawabigwhiteboatslipintothesoundbeneaththebridge.Whenitpassed,MikaelsawthatitwasMartinVangerstandingatthewheel,withhisgazefocusedonavoidingsunkenrocksinthewater.Theboatwasaforty-footmotorcruiser—animpressivebundleofpower.Hestoodupandtookthebeachpath.Hediscoveredthatseveralboatswerealreadyinthewateratvariousdocks,amixtureofmotorboatsandsailingboats.TherewereseveralPetterssonboats,andatonedockanIF-cssyachtwasrockinginthewake.Otherboatswerergerandmoreexpensivevessels.HenoticedaHallberg-Rassy.TheboatsalsoindicatedthecssdistributionofHedeby’smarina—MartinVangerhadwithoutadoubtthergestandtheplushestboatinview.
    HestoppedbelowCeciliaVanger’shouseandstoleagnceatthelightedwindowsonthetopfloor.Thenhewenthomeandputonsomecoffeeofhisown.Hewentintohisofficewhilehewaitedforittobrew.
    BeforehepresentedhimselfattheprisonhehadreturnedthemajorityofVanger’sdocumentationonHarriet.Ithadseemedwisenottoleaveitinanemptyhouse.Nowtheshelveslookedbare.Hehad,ofthereports,onlyfiveofVanger’sownnotes,andthesehehadtakenwithhimtoRull?kerandnowknewbyheart.Henoticedanalbumonthetopshelfofthecasethathehadfotten.
    Hecarriedittothekitchentable.Hepouredhimselfcoffeeandbegangoingthroughit.
    TheywerephotographsthathadbeentakenonthedayHarrietdisappeared.ThefirstofthemwasthestphotographofHarriet,attheChildren’sDayparadeinHedestad.Thenthereweresome180crystal-clearpicturesofthesceneoftheaidentonthebridge.Hehadexaminedtheimagesonebyonewithamagnifyinggssonseveraloasionspreviously.Nowheturnedthepagesalmostabsent-mindedly;heknewhewasnotgoingtofindanythinghehadnotseenbefore.InfacthefeltallofasuddenfedupwiththeunexpinabledisappearanceofHarrietVangerandsmmedthealbumshut.
    Restlesslyhewenttothekitchenwindowandpeeredoutintothedarkness.
    Thenheturnedhisgazebacktothealbum.Hecouldnothaveexpinedthefeeling,butathoughtflittedthroughhishead,asthoughhewerereactingtosomethinghehadjustseen.Itwasasthoughaninvisiblecreaturehadwhisperedinhisear,makingthehairsonthebackofhisneckstandonend.
    Heopenedthealbumagain.Hewentthroughitpagebypage,lookingatallthepicturesofthebridge.Helookedattheyoungerversionofanoil-soakedHenrikVangerandayoungerHarald,amanwhomhehadstillnotmet.Thebrokenrailing,thebuildings,thewindowsandthevehiclesvisibleinthepictures.Hecouldnotfailtoidentifyatwenty-year-oldCeciliainthemidstoftheonlookers.Shehadonalight-coloureddressandadarkjacketandwasinatleasttwentyofthephotographs.
    Hefeltafreshexcitement,andovertheyearsBlomkvisthadlearnedtotrusthisinstincts.Theseinstinctswerereactingtosomethinginthealbum,buthecouldnotyetsaywhatitwas.
    Hewasstiltthekitchentableat11:00,staringonebyoneagainatthephotographswhenheheardthedooropen.
    “MayIein?”ItwasCeciliaVanger.Withoutwaitingforananswershesatdownacrossfromhimatthetable.Blomkvisthadastrangefeelingofdéjàvu.Shewasdressedinathin,loose,light-coloureddressandagreyish-bluejacket,clothesalmostidenticaltothoseshewaswearinginthephotographsfrom1966.
    “You’retheonewho’stheproblem,”shesaid.
    Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrows.
    “Fiveme,butyoutookmebysurprisewhenyouknockedonthedoortonight.NowI’msounhappyIcan’tsleep.”
    “Whyareyouunhappy?”
    “Don’tyouknow?”
    Heshookhishead.
    “IfItellyou,promiseyouwon’tugh.”
    “Promise.”
    “WhenIseducedyoustwinteritwasanidiotic,impulsiveact.Iwantedtoenjoymyself,that’sall.ThatfirstnightIwasquitedrunk,andIhadnointentionofstartinganythinglong-termwithyou.Thenitturnedintosomethingelse.Iwantyoutoknowthatthoseweekswithyouasmyoasionalloverweresomeofthehappiestinmylife.”
    “Ithoughtitwaslovelytoo.”
    “Mikael,I’vebeenlyingtoyouandtomyselfthewholetime.I’veneverbeenparticurlyrexedaboutsex.I’vehadfivesexpartnersinmyentirelife.OncewhenIwastwenty-oneandadebutante.Thenwithmyhusband,whomImetwhenIwastwenty-fiveandwhoturnedouttobeabastard.AndthenafewtimeswiththreeguysImetseveralyearsapart.Butyouprovokedsomethinginme.Isimplycouldn’tgetenough.Ithadsomethingtodowiththefactthatyou’resoundemanding.”
    “Cecilia,youdon’thaveto…”
    “Shh—don’tinterrupt,orI’llneverbeabletotellyouthis.”
    Blomkvistsatinsilence.
    “ThedayyouleftforprisonIwasabsolutelymiserable.Youweregone,asthoughyouhadneverexisted.Itwasdarkhereintheguesthouse.Itwascoldandemptyinmybed.AndthereIwas,anoldmaidoffifty-sixagain.”
    ShesaidnothingforawhileandlookedBlomkvistintheeyes.
    “Ifellinlovewithyoustwinter.Ididn’tmeanto,butithappened.AndthenItookstockandrealisedthatyouwereonlyheretemporarily;onedayyou’llbegoneforgood,andI’llstayherefortherestofmylife.IthurtsodamnmuchthatIdecidedIwasn’tgoingtoletyouinagainwhenyoucamebackfromprison.”
    “I’msorry.”
    “It’snotyourfault.WhenyoulefttonightIsatandcried.IwishIhadthechancetolivemylifeoveragain.ThenIwoulddecideonohing.”
    “What’sthat?”
    Shelookeddownatthetable.
    “ThatIwouldhavetobetotallyinsaostopseeingyoujustbecauseyou’regoingtoleaveoneday.Mikael,canwestartagain?Canyoufetwhathappenedearlierthisevening?”
    “It’sfotten,”hesaid.“Butthankyoufortellingme.”
    Shewasstilllookingdownatthetable.
    “Ifyoustillwantme,let’sdoit.”
    Shelookedathimagain.Thenshegotupandwentovertothebedroomdoor.Shedroppedherjacketonthefloorandpulledherdressoverherheadasshewent.
    BlomkvistandCeciliaVangerwokeupwhenthefrontdooropenedandsomeonewaswalkingthroughthekitchen.Theyheardthethudofsomethingheavybeingputdownnearthewoodstove.ThenBergerwasstandinginthebedroomdoorwaywithasmilethatrapidlychangedtoshock.
    “Oh,goodLord.”Shetookastepback.
    “Hi,Erika,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Hi.I’msosorry.Iapologiseathousandtimesforbarginginlikethis.Ishouldhaveknocked.”
    “Weshouldhavelockedthefrontdoor.Erika—thisisCeciliaVanger.Cecilia—ErikaBergeristheeditorinchiefofMillennium.”
    “Hi,”Ceciliasaid.
    “Hi,”Bergersaid.Shelookedasthoughshecouldnotdecidewhethertostepforwardandpolitelyshakehandsorjustleave.“Uh,I…Icangoforawalk…”
    “Whatdoyousaytoputtingonsomecoffeeinstead?”Blomkvistlookedatthearmclockonthebedsidetable.Justpastnoon.
    Bergernoddedandpulledthebedroomdoorshut.BlomkvistandCecilialookedateachother.Ceciliaappearedembarrassed.Theyhadmadeloveandtalkeduntil4:00inthemorning.ThenCeciliasaidshethoughtshe’dsleepoverandthatinthefutureshewouldn’tgiveatinker’scusswhoknewshewassleepingwithMikaelBlomkvist.Shehadsleptwithherbacktohimandwithhisarmtuckedaroundherbreasts.
    “Listen,it’sOK,”hesaid.“Erika’smarriedandsheisn’tmygirlfriend.Weseeeachothernowandthen,butshedoesn’tcareatallifyouandIhavesomething…She’sprobablyprettyembarrassedherselfrightnow.”
    Whentheywentintothekitchenawhileter,Erikahadsetoutcoffee,juice,lemonmarmade,cheese,andtoast.Itsmelledgood.Ceciliawentstraightuptoherandheldoutherhand.
    “Iwasalittleabruptinthere.Hi.”
    “DearCecilia,I’msosorryforstompinginlikeanelephant,”saidaveryembarrassedErikaBerger.
    “Fetit,forGod’ssake.Andlet’shavebreakfast.”
    AfterbreakfastBergerexcusedherselfandleftthemalone,sayingthatshehadtogoandsayhellotoVanger.CeciliaclearedthetablewithherbacktoMikael.Hewentupandputhisarmsaroundher.
    “What’sgoingtohappennow?”Ceciliasaid.
    “Nothing.Thisisthewayitis—Erikaismybestfriend.SheandIhavebeentogetheroffandonfortwentyyearsandwillprobablybe,onandoff,togetherforanothertwenty.Ihopeso.Butwe’veneverbeenacoupleandwenevergetinthewayofeachother’sromances.”
    “Isthatwhatwehave?Aromance?”
    “Idon’tknowwhatwehave,butapparentlywegetalong.”
    “Where’sshegoingtosleeptonight?”
    “We’llfindheraroomsomewhere.OneofHenrik’ssparerooms.Shewon’tbesleepinginmybed,anyway.”
    Ceciliathoughtaboutthisforamoment.
    “Idon’tknowifIcanhandlethis.Youandshemightfunctionthatway,butIdon’tknow…I’venever…”Sheshookherhead.“I’mgoingbacktomypce.Ihavetothinkaboutthisforawhile.”
    “Cecilia,youaskedmeearlierandItoldyouaboutmyretionshipwithErika.Herexistencecan’tbeanygreatsurprisetoyou.”
    “That’strue.ButaslongasshewasatafortabledistancedowninStockholmIcouldignoreher.”
    Ceciliaputonherjacket.
    “Thissituationisludicrous,”shesaidwithasmile.“eoverfordinnertonight.BringErika.IthinkI’mgoingtolikeher.”
    Erikahadalreadysolvedtheproblemofwheretosleep.OnpreviousoasionswhenshehadbeenuptoHedebytovisitVangershehadstayedinoneofhissparerooms,andsheaskedhimstraightoutifshecouldborrowtheroomagain.Henrikcouldscarcelyconcealhisdelight,andheassuredherthatshewasweleatanytime.
    Withtheseformalitiesoutoftheway,BlomkvistandBergerwentforawalkacrossthebridgeandsatontheterraceofSusanne’sBridgeCaféjustbeforeclosingtime.
    “I’mreallypissedoff,”Bergersaid.“Idriveallthewayupheretoweleyoubacktofreedomandfindyouinbedwiththetownfemmefatale.”
    “I’msorryaboutthat.”
    “HowlonghaveyouandMissBigTits…”Bergerwavedherindexfinger.
    “FromaboutthetimeVangerbecamepartowner.”
    “Aha.”
    “Whatdoyoumean,aha?”
    “Justcurious.”
    “Cecilia’sagoodwoman.Ilikeher.”
    “I’mnotcriticising.I’mjustpissedoff.CandywithinreachandthenIhavetogoonadiet.Howwasprison?”
    “Likeanuneventfulholiday.Howarethingsatthemagazine?”
    “Better.Forthefirsttimeinayeartheadvertisingrevenueisontherise.We’rewaybelowthistimestyear,butwe’veturnedthecorner.ThankstoHenrik.Buttheweirdthingisthatsubscriptionsaregoinguptoo.”
    “Theytendtofluctuate.”
    “Byacoupleofhundredonewayortheother.Butwe’vepickedupthreethousandinthepastquarter.AtfirstIthoughtitwasjustluck,butnewsubscriberskeepingin.It’sourbiggestsubscriptionjumpever.Atthesametime,ourexistingsubscribersarerenewingprettyconsistentlyacrosstheboard.Noneofuscanunderstandit.Wehaven’trunanyadcampaigns.Christerspentaweekdoingspotchecksonwhatsortofdemographicisshowingup.First,they’reallbrand-newsubscribers.Second,70percentofthemarewomen.Normallyit’stheotherwayaround.Third,thesubscriberscanbedescribedasmiddle-inewhite-colrworkersfromthesuburbs:teachers,middlemanagement,civilserviceworkers.”
    “Thinkit’sthemiddle-cssrevoltagainstbigcapital?”
    “Idon’tknow.Butifthiskeepsup,it’llmeanasignificantshiftinoursubscriberprofile.Wehadaneditorialconferencetwoweeksagoanddecidedtostartrunningnewtypesofmaterialinthemagazine.IwantmorearticlesonprofessionalmattersassociatedwithTCO,theSwedishConfederationofProfessionalEmployees,andalsomoreinvestigativereportingonwomen’sissues,forinstance.”
    “Don’tchangetoomuch,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ifwe’regettingnewsubscribersthenitmeansthattheylikewhatwe’rerunningalready.”
    CeciliahadalsoinvitedVangertodinner,possiblytoreducetheriskoftroublesometopicsofconversation.Shehadmadeavenisonstew.BergerandVangerspentagooddealofthetimediscussingMillennium’sdevelopmentandthenewsubscribers,butgraduallytheconversationmovedontoothermatters.BergersuddenlyturnedtoBlomkvistatonepointandaskedhimhowhisworkwasingalong.
    “I’mcountingonhavingadraftofthefamilychroniclepleteinamonthforHenriktolookat.”
    “AchronicleinthespiritoftheAddamsfamily,”Ceciliasaid.
    “Itdoeshavecertainhistoricaspects,”Blomkvistconceded.
    CeciliagncedatVanger.
    “Mikael,Henrikisn’treallyinterestedinafamilychronicle.HewantsyoutosolvethemysteryofHarriet’sdisappearance.”
    Blomkvistdidnotsayaword.EversincehehadbegunhisretionshipwithCeciliahehadtalkedfairlyopenlyaboutHarrietwithher.Ceciliahadalreadydeducedthatthiswashisreassignment,eventhoughheneverformallyadmittedit.HehadcertainlynevertoldHenrikthatheandCeciliahaddiscussedthesubject.Vanger’sbushyeyebrowsdrewtogetherabit.Erikawassilent.
    “MydearHenrik,”Ceciliasaid.“I’mnotstupid.Idon’tknowwhatsortofagreementyouandMikaelhave,buthisstayhereinHedebyisaboutHarriet.Itis,isn’tit?”
    VangernoddedandgncedatBlomkvist.
    “Itoldyoushewassharp.”HeturnedtoBerger.“IpresumethatMikaelhasexpinedtoyouwhathe’sworkingonhereinHedeby.”
    Shenodded.
    “AndIpresumeyouthinkit’sasenselessundertaking.No,youdon’thavetoanswerthat.Itisanabsurdandsenselesstask.ButIhavetofindout.”
    “Ihavenoopiniononthematter,”Bergersaiddiplomatically.
    “Ofcourseyoudo.”HeturnedtoBlomkvist.“Tellme.Haveyoufoundanythingatallthatmighttakeusforward?”
    BlomkvistavoidedmeetingVanger’sgaze.Hethoughtinstantlyofthecold,unpceablecertaintyhehadhadthenightbefore.Thefeelinghadbeenwithhimallday,buthehadhadnotimetoworkhiswaythroughthealbumagain.AtsthelookedupatVangerandshookhishead.
    “Ihaven’tfoundasinglething.”
    Theoldmanscrutinisedhimwithaperatinglook.Herefrainedfrommenting.
    “Idon’tknowaboutyouyoungpeople,”hesaid,“butformeit’stimetogotobed.Thankyoufordinner,Cecilia.Goodnight,Erika.Doseemebeforeyouleavetomorrow.”
    WhenVangerhadclosedthefrontdoor,silencesettledoverthem.ItwasCeciliawhospokefirst.
    “Mikael,whatwasallthatabout?”
    “ItmeansthatHenrikisassensitivetopeople’sreactionsasaseismograph.LastnightwhenyoucametothecottageIwaslookingthroughanalbum.”
    “Yes?”
    “Isawsomething.Idon’tknowwhatitwasyet.Itwassomethingthatalmostbecameanidea,butImissedit.”
    “Sowhatwereyouthinkingabout?”
    “Ijustcan’ttellyou.Andthenyouarrived.”
    Ceciliablushed.SheavoidedBerger’sgazeandwentouttoputonsomecoffee.
    Itwasawarmandsunnyday.Newgreenshootswereappearing,andBlomkvistcaughthimselfhummingtheoldsongofspring,“BlossomTimeIsing.”ItwasMondayandBergerhadleftearly.
    Whenhehadgooprisoninmid-March,snowstillcoveredthend.Nowthebircheswereturninggreenandthewnaroundhiscabinwaslush.ForthefirsttimehehadachancetolookaroundallofHedebyIsnd.At8:00hewentoverandaskedtoborrowathermosfromAnna.HespokebrieflywithVanger,whowasjustup,andwasgivenhismapoftheisnd.HewantedtogetacloserlookatGottfried’scabin.VangertoldhimthatthecabinwasownedbyMartinVangernowbutthatithadstoodmostlyvacantovertheyears.Oasionallysomeretivewouldborrowit.
    BlomkvistjustmanagedtocatchMartinbeforeheleftforwork.Heaskedifhemightborrowthekey.Martingavehimanamusedsmile.
    “IpresumethefamilychroniclehasnowreachedthechapteraboutHarriet.”
    “Ijustwanttotakealook…”
    Martincamebackwiththekeyinaminute.
    “IsitOKthen?”
    “AsfarasI’mconcerned,youcanmoveinthereifyouwant.Exceptforthefactthatit’sstuckrightattheotherendoftheisnd,it’sactuallyanicerspotthanthecottageyou’rein.”
    Blomkvistmadecoffeeandsandwiches.Hefilledabottlewithwaterbeforehesetoff,stuffinghispiiclunchinarucksackheslungoveroneshoulder.Hefollowedanarrow,partiallyovergrownpaththatranalongthebayonthenorthsideofHedebyIsnd.Gottfried’scabinwasonapointaboutoneandahalfmilesfromthevilge,andittookhimonlyhalfanhourtocoverthedistanceataleisurelypace.
    MartinVangerhadbeenright.WhenBlomkvistcamearoundthebendofthenarrowpath,ashadedareabythewateropenedup.TherewasamarvellousviewoftheinlettotheHedeRiver,Hedestadmarinatotheleft,andtheindustrialharbourtotheright.
    Hewassurprisedthatno-onehadwantedtomoveintoGottfried’scabin.Itwasarusticstructuremadeofhorizontaldark-stainedtimberwithatileroofandgreenframes,andwithasmallporchatthefrontdoor.Themaintenanceofthecabinhadbeenneglected.Thepaintaroundthedoorsandwindowswasfkingoff,andwhatshouldhavebeenawnwasscrubayardhigh.Clearingitwouldtakeonewholeday’shardworkwithscytheandsaw.
    Blomkvistunlockedthedoorandunscrewedtheshuttersoverthewindowsfromtheinside.Theframeworkseemedtobeanoldbarnoflessthan1,300squarefeet.Theinsidewasfinishedwithpnksandconsistedofoneroomwithbigwindowsfacingthewateroneithersideofthefrontdoor.Astaircaseledtoanopensleepingloftattherearofthecabinthatcoveredhalfthespace.Beneaththestairswasanichewithapropanegasstove,acounter,andasink.Thefurnishingswerebasic;builtintothewalltotheleftofthedoortherewasbench,aricketydesk,andaboveitacasewithteakshelves.Fartherdownonthesamesidewasabroadwardrobe.Totherightofthedoorwasaroundtablewithfivewoodenchairs;afirepcestoodinthemiddleofthesidewall.
    Thecabinhadnoelectricity;insteadtherewereseveralkerosenemps.InonewindowwasanoldGrundigtransistorradio.Theantennawasbrokenoff.Blomkvistpressedthepowerbuttonbutthebatteriesweredead.
    Hewentupthenarrowstairsandlookedaroundthesleepingloft.Therewasadoublebedwithabaremattress,abedsidetable,andachestofdrawers.
    Blomkvistspentawhilesearchingthroughthecabin.Thebureauwasemptyexceptforsomehandtowelsandlinensmellingfaintlyofmould.Inthewardrobethereweresomeworkclothes,apairofoveralls,rubberboots,apairofworntennisshoes,andakerosenestove.Inthedeskdrawerswerewritingpaper,pencils,abnksketchpad,adeckofcards,andsomemarks.Thekitchencupboardcontainedptes,mugs,gsses,candles,andsomepackagesofsalt,teabags,andthelike.Inadrawerinthetabletherewereeatingutensils.
    Hefoundtheonlytracesofanyintellectualinterestsonthecaseabovethedesk.Mikaelbroughtoverachairandgotuponittoseewhatwasontheshelves.OnthelowestshelfyissuesofSe,Rekordmagasi,Tidsf?rdriv,andLektyrfromthetefiftiesandearlysixties.TherewereseveralBildjournalenfrom1965and1966,MattLivsNovell,andafewics:The91,Phantomen,andRomans.HeopenedacopyofLektyrfrom1964andsmiledtoseehowchastethepin-upwas.
    Ofthes,abouthalfweremysterypaperbacksfromWahlstr?m’sManhattanseries:MickeySpilnewithtitleslikeKissMe,DeadlywiththecssioversbyBertilHegnd.HefoundhalfadozenKittys,someFamousFivenovelsbyEnidBlyton,andaTwinMysterybySivarAhlrud—TheMetroMystery.Hesmiledinrecognition.ThreesbyAstridLindgren:TheChildrenofNoisyVilge,KalleBlomkvistandRasmus,andPippiLongstocking.Thetopshelfhadaaboutshort-waveradio,twosonastronomy,abirdguide,acalledTheEvilEmpireontheSovietUnion,aontheFinnishWinterWar,Luther’scatechism,theofHymns,andtheBible.
    HeopenedtheBibleandreadontheinsidecover:HarrietVanger,May12,1963.ItwasherConfirmationBible.Hesadlyputitbackontheshelf.
    Behindthecabintherewereawoodandtoolshedwithascythe,rake,hammer,andabigboxwithsaws,pnes,andothertools.Hetookachairontotheporchandpouredcoffeefromhisthermos.HelitacigaretteandlookedacrossHedestadBaythroughtheveilofundergrowth.
    Gottfried’scabinwasmuchmoremodestthanhehadexpected.HerewasthepcetowhichHarrietandMartin’sfatherhadretreatedwhenhismarriagetoIsabelwasgoingtothedogsinthetefifties.Hehadmadethiscabinhishomeandherehegotdrunk.Anddownthere,nearthewharf,hehaddrowned.Lifeatthecabinhadprobablybeenpleasantinthesummer,butwhenthetemperaturedroppedtofreezingitmusthavebeenrawandwretched.AordingtowhatVangertoldhim,GottfriedcontinuedtoworkintheVangerCorporation—interruptedbyperiodswhenhewasonwildbinges—until1964.Thefactthathewasabletoliveinthecabinmoreorlesspermanentlyandstilppearforworkshaven,washed,andinajacketandtiespokeofasurvivingpersonaldiscipline.
    AndherewasalsothepcethatHarriethadbeentosooftenthatitwasoneofthefirstinwhichtheylookedforher.Vangerhadtoldhimthatduringherstyear,Harriethadgoneoftentothecabin,apparentlytobeinpeaceonweekendsorholidays.Inherstsummershehadlivedhereforthreemonths,thoughshecameintothevilgeeveryday.AnitaVanger,Cecilia’ssister,spentsixweekswithherhere.
    Whathadshedoneouthereallone?ThemagazinesMittLivsNovelndRomans,aswelsanumberofsaboutKitty,musthavebeenhers.Perhapsthesketchpadhadbeenhers.AndherBiblewashere.
    Shehadwantedtobeclosetoherlostfather—wasitaperiodofmourningsheneededtogetthrough?Ordidithavetodowithherreligiousbrooding?Thecabinwasspartan—wasshepretendingtoliveinaconvent?
    Blomkvistfollowedtheshoreliothesoutheast,butthewaywassointerruptedbyravinesandsogrownoverwithjunipershrubsthatitwasallbutimpassable.HewentbacktothecabinandstartedbackontheroadtoHedeby.AordingtothemaptherewasapaththroughthewoodstosomethingcalledtheFortress.Ittookhimtwentyminutestofinditintheovergrownscrub.TheFortresswaswhatremainedoftheshorelinedefencefromtheSecondWorldWar;concretebunkerswithtrenchesspreadoutaroundamandbuilding.Everythingwasoverrunwithlonggrassandscrub.
    Hewalkeddownapathtoaboathouse.NexttotheboathousehefoundthewreckofaPetterssonboat.HereturnedtotheFortressandtookapathuptoafence—hehadeto?sterg?rdenfromtheotherside.
    Hefollowedthemeanderingpaththroughthewoods,roughlyparalleltothefieldsof?sterg?rden.Thepathwasdifficulttonegotiate—therewerepatchesofmarshthathehadtoskirt.Finallyhecametoaswampandbeyonditabarn.Asfarashecouldseethepathendedthere,ahundredyardsfromtheroadto?sterg?rden.
    Beyondtheroadythehill,S?derberget.Blomkvistwalkedupasteepslopeandhadtoclimbthestbit.S?derberget’ssummitwasanalmostverticalclifffacingthewater.HefollowedtheridgebacktowardsHedeby.Hestoppedabovethesummercottagestoenjoytheviewoftheoldfishingharbourandthechurchandhisowncottage.Hesatonaftrockandpouredhimselfthestofthelukewarmcoffee.
    CeciliaVangerkeptherdistance.Blomkvistdidnotwanttobeimportunate,sohewaitedaweekbeforehewenttoherhouse.Shelethimin.
    “YoumustthinkI’mquitefoolish,afifty-six-year-old,respectableheadmistressactinglikeateenagegirl.”
    “Cecilia,you’reagrownwoman.Youhavetherighttodowhateveryouwant.”
    “Iknowandthat’swhyI’vedecidednottoseeyouanymore.Ican’tstand…”
    “Please,youdon’towemeanexpnation.Ihopewe’restillfriends.”
    “Iwouldlikeforustoremainfriends.ButIcan’tdealwitharetionshipwithyou.Ihaven’teverbeengoodatretionships.I’dlikeitifyouwouldleavemeinpeaceforawhile.”
    CHAPTER16
    Sunday,June1–Tuesday,June10
    Aftersixmonthsoffruitlesscogitation,thecaseofHarrietVangercrackedopen.InthefirstweekofJune,Blomkvistuncoveredthreetotallynewpiecesofthepuzzle.Twoofthemhefoundhimself.Thethirdhehadhelpwith.
    AfterBerger’svisitinMay,hehadstudiedthealbumagain,sittingforthreehours,lookingatonephotographafteranother,ashetriedtorediscoverwhatitwasthathehadreactedto.Hefailedagain,soheputthealbumasideandwentbacktoworkonthefamilychronicleinstead.
    OnedayinJunehewasinHedestad,thinkingaboutsomethingaltogetherdifferent,whenhisbusturnedontoJ?rnv?gsgatananditsuddenlycametohimwhathadbeengerminatinginthebackofhismind.Theinsightstruckhimlikeathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Hefeltsoconfusedthathestayedonthebusallthewaytotheststopbytherailwaystation.TherehetookthefirstbusbacktoHedebytocheckwhetherhehadrememberedcorrectly.
    Itwasthefirstphotographinthealbum,thestpicturetakenofHarrietVangeronthatfatefuldayonJ?rnv?gsgataninHedestad,whileshehadbeenwatchingtheChildren’sDayparade.
    Thephotographwasanoddoohaveincludedinthealbum.Itwasputtherebecauseitwastakenthesameday,butitwastheonlyoneofthephotographsnotoftheaidentonthebridge.EachtimeBlomkvistandeveryoneelsehadlookedatthealbum,itwasthepeopleandthedetailsinthepicturesofthebridgethathadcapturedtheirattention.TherewasnodramainthepictureofacrowdattheChildren’sDayparade,severalhoursearlier.
    Vangermusthavelookedatthephotographathousandtimes,asorrowfulreminderthathewouldneverseeheragain.
    ButthatwasnotwhatBlomkvisthadreactedto.
    Itwastakenfromacrossthestreet,probablyfromafirst-floorwindow.Thewide-anglelenshadcaughtthefrontofoneofthefloats.Ontheftbedwerewomenwearingglitteringbathingsuitsandharemtrousers,throwingsweetstothecrowd.Someofthemweredancing.Threeclownswerejumpingaboutinfrontofthefloat.
    Harrietwasinthefrontrowofthecrowdstandingonthepavement.Nexttoherwerethreegirls,clearlyhercssmates,andaroundandbehindthemwereatleastahundredotherspectators.
    ThisiswhatBlomkvisthadnoticedsubconsciouslyandwhichsuddenlyrosetothesurfacewhenthebuspassedtheexactsamespot.
    Thecrowdbehavedasanaudienceshould.Theireyesalwaysfollowtheballinatennismatchorthepuckinanicehockeyrink.Theonesstandingatthefarleftofthephotographwerelookingattheclownsrightinfrontoftheheexpressionsontheirfaceswerecalm.Childrenpointed.Somewereughing.Everyonelookedhappy.
    Allexceptone.
    HarrietVangerwaslookingofftotheside.Herthreefriendsandeveryoneelseinhervicinitywerelookingattheclowns.Harriet’sfacewasturnedalmost30°to35°toherright.Hergazeseemedfixedonsomethingacrossthestreet,butbeyondtheleft-handedgeofthephotograph.
    Mikaeltookthemagnifyinggssandtriedtomakeoutthedetails.Thephotographwastakenfromtoogreatadistanceforhimtobeentirelysure,butunlikeallthosearoundher,Harriet’sfaceckedexcitement.Hermouthwasathinline.Hereyeswerewideopen.Herhandshunglimplyathersides.Shelookedfrightened.Frightenedorfurious.
    Mikaeltooktheprintoutofthealbum,putitinastiffpsticbinder,andwenttowaitforthenextbusbackintoHedestad.HegotoffatJ?rnv?gsgatanandstoodunderthewindowfromwhichthepicturemusthavebeentaken.ItwasattheedgeofwhatconstitutedHedestad’stowncentre.Itwasatwo-storeywoodenbuildingthathousedavideostoreandSundstr?m’sHaberdashery,establishedin1932aordingtoapqueonthefrontdoor.Hewentinandsawthattheshopwasontwolevels;aspiralstaircaseledtotheupperfloor.
    Atthetopofthespiralstaircasetwowindowsfacedthestreet.
    “MayIhelpyou?”saidanelderlysalesmanwhenBlomkvisttookoutthebinderwiththephotograph.Therewereonlyafewpeopleintheshop.
    “Well,Ijustwantedtoseewherethispicturewastakenfrom.WoulditbeOKifIopenedthewindowforasecond?”
    Themansaidyes.BlomkvistcouldseeexactlythespotwhereHarriethadstood.Oneofthewoodenbuildingsbehindherinthephotographwasgone,repcedbyanangurbrickbuilding.Theotherwoodenbuildinghadbeenastationerystorein1966;nowitwasahealthfoodstoreandtanningsalon.Blomkvistclosedthewindow,thankedtheman,andapologisedfortakinguphistime.
    HecrossedthestreetandstoodwhereHarriethadstood.Hehadgoodndmarksbetweenthewindowoftheupperfloorofthehaberdasheryandthedoorofthetanningsalon.HeturnedhisheadandlookedalongHarriet’slineofsight.Asfarashecouldtell,shehadbeenlookingtowardsthecornerofthebuildingthathousedSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.Itwasaperfectlynormalcornerofabuilding,whereacrossstreetvanishedbehindit.Whatdidyouseethere,Harriet?
    Blomkvistputthephotographinhisshoulderbagandwalkedtotheparkbythestation.Therehesatinapavementcaféandorderedatte.Hesuddenlyfeltshaken.
    InEnglishtheycallit“newevidence,”whichhasaverydifferentsoundfromtheSwedishterm,“newproofmaterial.”Hehadseensomethingentirelynew,somethingno-oneelsehadnoticedinaninvestigationthathadbeenmarkingtimeforthirty-sevenyears.
    Theproblemwasthathewasn’tsurewhatvaluehisnewrmationhad,ifindeeditcouldhaveanyatall.Andyethefeltitwasgoingtoprovesignificant.
    TheSeptemberdaywhenHarrietdisappearedhadbeendramaticinanumberofways.IthadbeenadayofcelebrationinHedestadwithcrowdsofseveralthousandinthestreets,youngandold.Ithadbeenthefamily’sannuassemblyonHedebyIsnd.Thesetwoeventsalonerepresenteddeparturesfromthedailyroutineofthearea.Thecrashonthebridgehadovershadowedeverythingelse.
    InspectorMorell,HenrikVanger,andeveryoneelsewhohadbroodedaboutHarriet’sdisappearancehadfocusedontheeventsatHedebyIsnd.MorellhadevenwrittenthathecouldnotridhimselfofthesuspicionthattheaidentandHarriet’sdisappearancewerereted.Blomkvistwasnowconvincedthatthisnotionwaswrong.
    ThechainofeventshadstartednotonHedebyIsndbutinHedestadseveralhoursearlier.HarrietVangerhadseensomethingorsomeoofrightenherandprompthertogohome,gostraighttoheruncle,whounhappilydidnothavetimetolistentoher.Thentheaidentonthebridgehappened.Thenthemurdererstruck.
    Blomkvistpaused.ItwasthefirsttimehehadconsciouslyformutedtheassumptionthatHarriethadbeenmurdered.HeaeptedVanger’sbelief.Harrietwasdeadandhewashuntingforakiller.
    Hewentbacktothepolicereport.AmongallthethousandsofpagesonlyafractiondealtwiththeeventsinHedestad.Harriethadbeenwiththreeofhercssmates,allofwhomhadbeeninterviewed.Theyhadmetattheparkbythestationat9:00.Oneofthegirlswasgoingtobuysomejeans,andherfriendswentwithher.TheyhadcoffeeintheEPAdepartmentstorecafeteriaandthenwentuptothesportsfieldandstrolledaroundamongthecarnivalboothsandfishingponds,wheretheyranintosomeotherfriendsfromschool.Atnoontheywanderedbackintotowntowatchtheparade.Justbefore2:00intheafternoonHarrietsuddenlytoldthemthatshehadtogohome.TheysaidgoodbyeatabusstopnearJ?rnv?gsgatan.
    Noneofherfriendshadnoticedanythingunusual.OneofthemwasIngerStenberg,theonewhohaddescribedHarriet’stransformationoverthepastyearbysayingthatshehadbee“impersonal.”ShesaidthatHarriethadbeentaciturnthatday,whichwasusual,andmostlyshejustfollowedtheothers.
    InspectorMorellhadtalkedtoallofthepeoplewhohadencounteredHarrietthatday,eveniftheyhadonlysaidhellointhegroundsofthefamilyparty.Aphotographofherwaspublishedinthelocalnewspaperswhilethesearchwasgoingon.Aftershewentmissing,severalresidentsofHedestadhadcontactedthepolicetosaythattheythoughttheyhadseenherduringthedayoftheparade,butno-onehadreportedanythingoutoftheordinary.
    ThenextmorningBlomkvistfoundVangerathisbreakfasttable.
    “YousaidthattheVangerfamilystillhasaninterestintheHedestadCourier.”
    “That’sright.”
    “I’dliketohaveaesstotheirphotographicarchive.From1966.”
    Vangersetdownhisgssofmilkandwipedhisupperlip.
    “Mikael,whathaveyoudiscovered?”
    Helookedtheoldmanstraightintheeye.
    “Nothingsolid.ButIthinkwemayhavemadeamistakeaboutthechainofevents.”
    HeshowedVangerthephotographandtoldhimwhathewasthinking.Vangersatsayingnothingforalongtime.
    “IfI’mright,wehavetolookasfaraswestillcanatwhathappenedinHedestadthatday,notjustatwhathappenedonHedebyIsnd,”Blomkvistsaid.“Idon’tknowhowtogoaboutitaftersuchalongtime,butalotofphotographsmusthavebeentakenoftheChildren’sDaycelebrationswhichwereneverpublished.ThosearetheonesIwanttolookat.”
    Vangerusedthetelephoneinthekitchen.HecalledMartin,expinedwhathewanted,andaskedwhothepictureseditorwasthesedays.Withintenminutestherightpeoplehadbeenlocatedandaesshadbeenarranged.
    ThepictureseditoroftheHedestadCourierwasMadeleineBlomberg,calledMaja.ShewasthefirstwomanpictureseditorBlomkvisthadmetinjournalism,wherephotographywasstillprimarilyamaleartform.
    SinceitwasSaturday,thenewsroomwasempty,butMajaBlombergturnedouttoliveonlyfiveminutesaway,andshemetBlomkvistattheofficeentrance.ShehadworkedattheHedestadCourierformostofherlife.Shestartedasaproof-readerin1964,changedtophoto-finisherandspentanumberofyearsinthedarkroom,whileoasionallybeingsentoutasaphotographerwhentheusualresourceswereinsufficient.Shehadgainedthepositionofeditor,earnedafull-timepostonthepicturedesk,andtenyearsago,whentheoldpictureseditorretired,shetookoverasheadofthedepartment.
    Blomkvistaskedhowthepicturearchivewasarranged.
    “Totellyouthetruth,thearchiveisratheramess.Sincewegotputersanddigitalphotographs,thecurrentarchiveisonCDs.We’vehadaninternherewhospentsometimescanninginimportantolderpictures,butonlyasmallpercentageofwhat’sinthestackshavebeencatalogued.Olderpicturesarearrangedbydateinnegativefolders.They’reeitherhereinthenewsroomorintheatticstoreroom.”
    “I’minterestedinphotographstakenoftheChildren’sDayparadein1966,butalsoinanyphotographsthatweretakenthatweek.”
    Fr?kenBlomberggavehimaquizzicallook.
    “YoumeantheweekthatHarrietVangerdisappeared?”
    “Youknowthestory?”
    “Youcouldn’tworkattheCourieryourwholelifewithoutknowingaboutit,andwhenMartinVangercallsmeearlyinthemorningonmydayoff,Idrawmyownconclusions.Hassomethingnewturnedup?”
    Blomberghadanosefornews.Blomkvistshookhisheadwithalittlesmileandgaveherhiscoverstory.
    “No,andIdon’tsupposeanyonewilleverfindthesolutiontothatpuzzle.It’sratherconfidential,butthefactisthatI’mghostwritingHenrikVanger’sautobiography.Thestoryofthemissinggirlisanoddtopic,butit’salsoachapterthatcan’treallybeignored.I’mlookingforsomethingt