11
hathasn’tbeenusedbeforethatmightillustratethatday—ofHarrietandherfriends.”
Blomberglookeddubious,buttheexpnationwasreasonableandshewasnotgoingtoquestionhisstory,givenhisrole.
Aphotographeratanewspapertakesbetweentwoandtenrollsoffilmaday.Forbigevents,itcanbedoublethat.Eachrollcontainsthirty-sixnegatives;soit’snotunusualforalocalnewspapertoaumuteoverthreehundred-plusimageseachday,ofwhichonlyaveryfewarepublished.Awell-aniseddepartmentcutsuptherollsoffilmandpcesthenegativesinsix-framesleeves.Arolltakesupaboutonepageinanegativebinder.Abinderholdsabout110rolls.Inayear,abouttwenty-fivebindersarefilledup.Overtheyearsahugenumberofbindersisaumuted,whichgenerallyckanymercialvalueandoverflowtheshelvesinthephotographicdepartment.Ontheotherhand,everyphotographerandpicturesdepartmentisconvincedthatthepicturescontainahistoricaldocumentationofincalcublevalue,sotheyneverthrowanythingaway.
TheHedestadCourierwasfoundedin1922,andthepicturesdepartmenthadexistedsince1937.TheCourier’satticstoreroomcontainedabout1,200binders,arranged,asBlombergsaid,bydate.ThenegativesfromSeptember1966werekepturcheapcardboardstoragebinders.
“Howdowegoaboutthis?”Blomkvistsaid.“Ireallyneedtositatalighttableandbeabletomakecopiesofanythingthatmightbeofinterest.”
“Wedon’thaveadarkroomanymore.Everythingisscannedin.Doyouknowhowtoworkanegativescanner?”
“Yes,I’veworkedwithimagesandhaveanAgfaneg.scannerofmyown.IworkinPhotoShop.”
“Thenyouusethesameequipmentwedo.”
Blombergtookhimonaquicktourofthesmalloffice,gavehimachairatalighttable,andswitchedonaputerandscanner.Sheshowedhimwherethecoffeemachinewasinthecanteenarea.TheyagreedthatBlomkvistcouldworkbyhimself,butthathehadtocallherwhenhewantedtoleavetheofficesothatshecouldeinandsetthearmsystem.Thenshelefthimwithacheerful“Havefun.”
TheCourierhadhadtwophotographersbackthen.TheonewhohadbeenondutythatdaywasKurtNylund,whomBlomkvistactuallyknehenhemovedtoStockholmandbecameafamousphotographerworkingbothfreenceandasanemployeeofScanpixSwedeninMarieberg.BlomkvisthadcrossedpathswithKurtNylundseveraltimesintheniies,whenMillenniumhadusedimagesfromScanpix.Herememberedhimasanangurmanwiththinninghair.OnthedayoftheparadeNylundhadusedadaylightfilm,nottoofast,onewhichmanynewsphotographersused.
BlomkvisttookoutthenegativesofthephotographsbytheyoungNylundandputthemonthelighttable.Withamagnifyinggsshestudiedthemframebyframe.Readingnegativesisanartform,requiringexperience,whichBlomkvistcked.Todeterminewhetherthephotographcontainedrmationofvaluehewasgoingtohavetoscanineachimageandexamineitontheputerscreen.Thatwouldtakehours.Sofirsthedidaquitegeneralsurveyofthephotographshemightbeinterestedin.
Hebeganbyrunningthroughalltheonesthathadbeentakenoftheaident.Vanger’scollectionwasinplete.Thepersonwhohadcopiedthecollection—possiblyNylundhimself—hadleftoutaboutthirtyphotographsthatwereeitherblurredorofsuchpoorqualitythattheywerenotconsideredpublishable.
BlomkvistswitchedofftheCourier’sputerandpluggedtheAgfascannerintohisowni.Hespenttwohoursscanningintherestoftheimages.
Onecaughthiseyeatonce.Sometimebetween3:10and3:15p.m.,justatthetimewhenHarrietvanished,someonehadopenedthewindowinherroom.Vangerhadtriedinvaintofindoutwhoitwas.Blomkvisthadaphotographonhisscreenthatmusthavebeentakenatexactlythemomentthewindowwasopened.Therewereafigurean**ce,albeitoutoffocus.Hedecidedthatadetailedanalysiscouldwaituntilhehadfirstscannedalltheimages.
ThenheexaminedtheimagesoftheChildren’sDaycelebrations.Nylundhadputinsixrolls,aroundtwohundredshots.Therewasanendlessstreamofchildrenwithballoons,grown-ups,streetlifewithhotdogvendors,theparadeitself,anartistonastage,andanawardpresentationofsomesort.
Blomkvistdecidedtoscanintheentirecollection.Sixhoursterhehadaportfolioofniyimages,buthewasgoingtohavetoeback.
At9:00hecalledBlomberg,thankedher,andtookthebushometoHedebyIsnd.
Hewasbackat9:00onSundaymorning.TheofficeswerestillemptywhenBlomberglethimin.HehadnotrealisedthatitwastheWhitsuntideholidayweekend,andthattherewouldnotbeanewspaperuntilTuesday.Hespenttheentiredayscanningimages.At6:00intheeveningtherewerestillfortyshotsleftofChildren’sDay.Blomkvisthadinspectedthenegativesanddecidedthatclose-upsofcutechildren’sfacesorpicturesofapainterappearingonstageweresimplynotgermaohisobjective.Whathehadscannedinwasthestreetlifeandcrowds.
BlomkvistspenttheWhitsuntideholidaygoingoverthenewmaterial.Hemadetwodiscoveries.Thefirstfilledhimwithdismay.Thesecondmadehispulsebeatfaster.
ThefirstwasthefaceinHarrietVanger’swindohephotographerhadstoodonthechurchhilndsightedtowardsthebridge.Thebuildingswereinthebackground.Mikaelcroppedtheimagetoincludethewindowalone,andthenheexperimentedwithadjustingthecontrastandincreasingthesharpnessuntilheachievedwhathethoughtwasthebestqualityhecouldget.
Theresultwasagrainypicturewithaminimalgreyscalethatshowedacurtain,partofanarm,andadiffusehalf-moon-shapedfacealittlewayinsidetheroom.
ThefacewasnotHarrietVanger’s,whohadraven-bckhair,butapersonwithlighterhaircolour.
Itwasimpossibletodiscernclearfacialfeatures,buthewascertainitwasawoman;thelighterpartofthefacecontinueddowntoshoulderlevendindicatedawoman’sflowinghair,andshewaswearinglight-colouredclothes.
Hecalcutedherheightinretiontothewindow:itwasawomanaboutfivefootseven.
Heclickedontootherimagesfrombehindtheaidentandonepersonfittedthedescription—thetwenty-year-oldCeciliaVanger.
NylundhadtakeneighteenshotsfromthewindowofSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.Harrietwasinseventeenofthem.
SheandhercssmateshadarrivedatJ?rnv?gsgatanatthesametimeNylundhadbeguntakinghispictures.Blomkvistreckonedthatthephotographswereshotoveraperiodoffiveminutes.Inthefirstpictures,Harrietandherfriendswereingdownthestreetintotheframe.Inphotographs2–7theywerestandingstilndwatchingtheparade.Thentheyhadmovedaboutsixyardsdownthestreet.Inthestpicture,whichmayhavebeentakenaftersometimehadpassed,thegirlshadgone.
BlomkvisteditedaseriesofpicturesinwhichhecroppedthetophalfofHarrietandprocessedthemtoachievethebestcontrast.Heputthepicturesinaseparatefolder,openedtheGraphionverterprogramme,andstartedtheslideshowfunction.Theeffectwasajerkysilentfilminwhicheachimagewasshownfortwoseconds.
Harrietarrives,imageinprofile.Harrietstopsandlooksdownatthestreet.Harrietturnsherfacetowardsthestreet.Harrietopenshermouthtosaysomethingtoherfriend.Harrietughs.Harriettouchesherearwithherlefthand.Harrietsmiles.Harrietsuddenlylookssurprised,herfaceat0°angletotheleftofthecamera.Harriet’seyeswidenandshehasstoppedsmiling.Harriet’smouthbeesathinline.Harrietfocuseshergaze.Inherfacecanberead…what?Sorrow,shock,fury?Harrietlowershereyes.Harrietisgone.
Blomkvistpyedthesequenceoverandover.
Itconfirmedwithsomeforcethetheoryhehadformuted.SomethinghappenedonJ?rnv?gsgatan.
Sheseessomething—someone—ontheothersideofthestreet.Shereactswithshock.ShecontactsVangerforaprivateconversationwhichneverhappens.Shevanisheswithoutatrace.
Somethinghappened,butthephotographsdidnotexpinwhat.
At2:00onTuesdaymorningBlomkvisthadcoffeeandsandwichesatthekitchenbench.Hewassimultaneouslydownheartedandexhirated.Againstallexpectationshehadturnedupnewevidence.Theonlyproblemwasthatalthoughitshedlightonthechainofeventsitbroughthimnotoneiotaclosertosolvingthemystery.
HethoughtlongandhardaboutwhatroleCeciliaVangermighthavepyedinthedrama.Vangerhadrelentlesslychartedtheactivitiesofallpersonsinvolvedthatday,andCeciliahadbeennoexception.ShewaslivinginUppsa,butshearrivedinHedebytwodaysbeforethatfatefulSaturday.ShestayedwithIsabelVanger.ShehadsaidthatshemightpossiblyhaveseenHarrietearlythatmorning,butthatshehadnotspokentoher.ShehaddrivenintoHedestadonsomeerrand.ShehadnotseenHarrietthere,andshecamebacktoHedebyIsndaround1:00,aboutthetimeNylundwastakinghispicturesonJ?rnv?gsgatan.Shechangedandatabout2:00helpedtosetthetableforthebanquetthatevening.
Asanalibi—ifthatiswhatitwas—itwasratherfeeble.Thetimeswereapproximate,especiallythematterofwhenshehadgotbacktoHedebyIsnd,butVangerhadnotfoundanythingtoindicatethatshewaslying.CeciliaVangerwasoneofthosepeopleinthefamilythatVangerlikedbest.Andshehadbeenhislover.Howcouldhebeobjective?Hecertainlycouldnotimagineherasamurderer.
NowahithertounknownphotographwastellinghimthatshehadliedwhenshesaidthatshehadneverbeeninHarriet’sroomthatday.Blomkvistwrestledwiththepossiblesignificanceofthat.
Andifyouliedaboutthat,whatelsedidyoulieabout?
HewentthroughinhismindwhatheknewaboutCecilia.Anintrovertedpersonobviouslyaffectedbyherpast.Livedalone,hadnosexlife,haddifficultygettingclosetopeople.Keptherdistance,andwhensheletloosetherewasnorestraint.Shechoseastrangerforalover.Hadsaidthatsheendeditbecauseshewasunabletolivewiththeideathathewouldgofromherlifeasunexpectedlyashehadappeared.Blomkvistsupposedthatthereasonshehaddaredtostartanaffairwithhimwaspreciselythathewasonlythereforawhile.Shedidnothavetobeafraidhewouldchangeherlifeinanylong-termway.
Hesighedandpushedtheamateurpsychologyaside.
Hemadetheseconddiscoveryduringthenight.ThekeytothemysterywaswhatitwasthatHarriethadseeninHedestad.Hewouldneverfindthatoutunlesshecouldinventatimemachineandstandbehindher,lookingoverhershoulder.
Andthenhehadathought.Hesppedhisforeheadandopenedhisi.HeclickedontotheuncroppedimagesintheseriesonJ?rnv?gsgatanand…there!
BehindHarrietandaboutayardtoherrightwereayoungcouple,themaninastripedsweaterandthewomaninapalejacket.Shewasholdingacamera.WhenBlomkvistenrgedtheimageitlookedtobeaKodakInstamaticwithfsh—acheapholidaycameraforpeoplewhoknownothingaboutphotography.
Thewomanwasholdingthecameraatchinlevel.Thensheraiseditandtookapictureoftheclowns,justasHarriet’sexpressionchanged.
Blomkvistparedthecamera’spositionwithHarriet’slineofvision.ThewomanhadtakenapictureofexactlywhatHarrietwaslookingat.
Hisheartwasbeatinghard.Heleanedbackandpluckedhiscigarettesoutofhisbreastpocket.Someonehadtakenapicture.Howwouldheidentifyandfindthewoman?Couldhegetholdofhersnapshot?Hadtherolleverbeendeveloped,andifsodidtheprintsstillexist?
HeopenedthefolderwithNylund’sphotographsfromthecrowd.Forthenextcoupleofhoursheenrgedeachoneandscrutiniseditonesquareinchatatime.Hedidnotseethecoupleagainuntiltheverystpictures.Nylundhadphotographedanotherclownwithballoonsinhishandposinginfrontofhiscameraandughingheartily.Thephotographsweretakeninacarparkbytheentrancetothesportsfieldwherethecelebrationwasbeingheld.Itmusthavebeenafter2:00intheafternoon.RightafterthatNylundhadreceivedthearmaboutthecrashonthebridgeandbroughthisportraitsofChildren’sDaytoarapidclose.
Thewomanwasalmosthidden,butthemaninthestripedsweaterwasclearlyvisible,inprofile.Hehadkeysinhishandandwasbendingtoopenacardoor.Thefocuswasontheclownintheforeground,andthecarwasabitfuzzy.Thenumberptewaspartlyhiddenbuthecouldseethatitstartedwith“AC3.”
Numberptesinthesixtiesbeganwithacodeindicatingthecounty,andasachildBlomkvisthadmemorisedthecountycodes.“AC”wasforV?sterbotten.
Thenhespottedsomethingelse.Onthebackwindowwasastickerofsomesort.Hezoomedin,butthetextdissolvedinablur.Hecroppedoutthestickerandadjustedthecontrastandsharpness.Ittookhimawhile.Hestillcouldnotreadthewords,butheattemptedtofigureoutwhattheletterswere,basedonthefuzzyshapes.Manyletterslookedsurprisinglysimir.An“O”couldbemistakenfora“D,”a“B”foran“E,”andsoon.Afterworkingwithapenandpaperandexcludingcertainletters,hewasleftwithanunreadabletext,inoneline.
RJ?NIKRIFARIK
Hestaredattheimageuntilhiseyesbegantowater.Thenhesawthetext.“NORSJ?SNICKERIFABRIK,”followedbyfiguresinasmallersizethatwereutterlyimpossibletoread,probablyatelephonenumber.
CHAPTER17
Wednesday,June11–Saturday,June14
Blomkvistgothelpwiththethirdjigsawpiecefromanunexpectedquarter.
Afterworkingontheimagespracticallyallnighthesleptheavilyuntilwellintotheafternoon.Heawokewithaheadache,tookashower,andwalkedtoSusanne’sforbreakfast.HeoughttohavegooseeVangerandreportwhathehaddiscovered.Instead,whenhecameback,hewenttoCecilia’shouseandknockedonthedoor.HeneededtoaskherwhyshehadliedtohimaboutbeinginHarriet’sroom.No-onecametothedoor.
Hewasjustleavingwhenheheard:“Yourwhoreisn’thome.”
Gollumhademergedfromhiscave.Hewasoncetall,almostsixfootsix,butnowsostoopedwithagethathiseyeswerelevelwithBlomkvist’s.Hisfaceandneckweresplotchedwithdarkliverspots.Hewasinhispyjamasandabrowndressinggown,leaningonacane.HelookedlikeaCentralCastingnastyoldman.
“Whatdidyousay?”
“Isaidthatyourwhoreisn’thome.”
BlomkviststeppedsoclosethathewasalmostnosetonosewithHaraldVanger.
“You’retalkingaboutyourowndaughter,youfuckingpig.”
“I’mnottheonewhoessneakingoverhereinthenight,”Haraldsaidwithatoothlesssmile.Hesmelledfoul.Blomkvistsidesteppedhimandwentdowntheroadwithoutlookingback.HefoundVangerinhisoffice.
“I’vejusthadthepleasureofmeetingyourbrother,”Mikaelsaid.
“Harald?Well,well,so,he’sventuredout.Hedoesthatacoupleoftimesayear.”
“IwasknockingonCecilia’sdoorwhenthisvoicebehindmesaid,quote,Yourwhoreisn’thome,unquote.”
“ThatsoundslikeHarald,”Vangersaidcalmly.
“Hecalledhisowndaughterawhore,forGod’ssake.”
“He’sbeendoingthatforyears.That’swhytheydon’ttalkmuch.”
“Whydoeshecallherthat?”
“Cecilialosthervirginitywhenshewastwenty-one.IthappenedhereinHedestadafterasummerromance,theyearafterHarrietdisappeared.”
“And?”
“ThemanshefellinlovewithwascalledPeterSamuelsson.HewasafinanciassistantattheVangerCorporation.Abrightboy.TodayheworksforABB.ThekindofmanIwouldhavebeenproudtohaveasmyson-in-wifsheweremydaughter.Haraldmeasuredhisskullorcheckedhisfamilytreeorsomethinganddiscoveredthathewasone-quarterJewish.”
“GoodLord.”
“He’scalledherawhoreeversince.”
“HeknewthatCeciliaandIhave…”
“EverybodyinthevilgeprobablyknowsthatwiththepossibleexceptionofIsabel,becauseno-oneinhisrightmindwouldtellheranything,andthankheavensshe’sniceenoughtogotobedat8:00everynight.Haraldontheotherhandhaspresumablybeenfollowingeverystepyoutake.”
Blomkvistsatdown,lookingfoolish.
“Youmeanthateveryoneknows…”
“Ofcourse.”
“Andyoudon’tmind?”
“MydearMikael,it’sreallynoneofmybusiness.”
“WhereisCecilia?”
“Theschooltermisover.ShewenttoLondononSaturdaytovisithersister,andafterthatshe’shavingaholidayin…hmmm,IthinkitwasFlorida.She’llbebackinaboutamonth.”
Blomkvistfeltevenmorefoolish.
“We’vesortofputourretionshiponholdforawhile.”
“SoIunderstand,butit’sstillnoneofmybusiness.How’syourworkingalong?”
BlomkvistpouredhimselfacupofcoffeefromVanger’sthermos.
“IthinkI’vefoundsomenewmaterial.”
HetookhisioutofhisshoulderbagandscrolledthroughtheseriesofimagesshowinghowHarriethadreactedonJ?rnv?gsgatan.HeexpinedhowhehadfoundtheotherspectatorswiththecameraandtheircarwiththeNorsj?CarpentryShopsign.WhenhewasfinishedVangerwantedtoseeallthepicturesagain.Whenhelookedupfromtheputerhisfacewasgrey.BlomkvistwassuddenlyarmedandputahandonVanger’sshoulder.Vangerwavedhimawayandsatinsilenceforawhile.
“You’vedonewhatIthoughtwasimpossible.You’veturnedupsomethingpletelynew.Whatareyougoingtodonext?”
“Iamgoingtolookforthatsnapshot,ifitstillexists.”
Hedidnotmentionthefaceinthewindow.
HaraldVangerhadgonebacktohiscavebythetimeBlomkvistcameout.Whenheturnedthecornerhefoundsomeonequitedifferentsittingontheporchofhiscottage,readinganewspaper.ForafractionofasecondhethoughtitwasCecilia,butthedark-hairedgirlontheporchwashisdaughter.
“Hi,Pappa,”PernilAbrahamssonsaid.
Hegavehisdaughteralonghug.
“Whereintheworlddidyouspringfrom?”
“Fromhome,ofcourse.I’monmywaytoSkellefte?.CanIstaythenight?”
“Ofcourseyoucan,buthowdidyougethere?”
“Mammaknewwhereyouwere.AndIaskedatthecaféiftheyknewwhereyouwerestaying.Thewomantoldmeexactlyhowtogethere.Areyougdtoseeme?”
“CertainlyIam.ein.YoushouldhavegivenmesomewarningsoIcouldbuysomegoodfoodorsomething.”
“Istoppedonimpulse.Iwantedtoweleyouhomefromprison,butyounevercalled.”
“I’msorry.”
“That’sOK.Mammatoldmehowyou’realwaysgettinglostinyourownthoughts.”
“Isthatwhatshesaysaboutme?”
“Moreorless.Butitdoesn’tmatter.Istillloveyou.”
“Iloveyoutoo,butyouknow…”
“Iknow.I’mprettygrown-upbynow.”
Hemadeteaandputoutpastries.
Whathisdaughterhadsaidwastrue.Shewasmostassuredlynolongeralittlegirl;shewasalmostseventeen,practicallyagrownwoman.Hehadtolearntostoptreatingherlikeachild.
“So,howwasit?”
“Howwaswhat?”
“Prison.”
Heughed.“WouldyoubelievemeifIsaidthatitwaslikehavingapaidholidaywithallthetimeyouwantedforthinkingandwriting?”
“Iwould.Idon’tsupposethere’smuchdifferencebetweenaprisonandacloister,andpeoplehavealwaysgoocloistersforself-reflection.”
“Well,thereyougo.Ihopeithasn’tbeenaproblemforyou,yourfatherbeingagaolbird.”
“Notatall.I’mproudofyou,andInevermissachancetobragaboutthefactthatyouwenttoprisonforwhatyoubelievein.”
“Believein?”
“IsawErikaBergeronTV.”
“Pernil,I’mnotinnocent.I’msorrythatIhaven’ttalkedtoyouaboutwhathappened,butIwasn’tunfairlysentenced.Thecourtmadetheirdecisionbasedonwhattheyweretoldduringthetrial.”
“Butyounevertoldyoursideofthestory.”
“No,becauseitturnedoutthatIdidn’thaveproof.”
“OK.Thenanswermeonequestion:isWennerstr?mascoundrelorisn’the?”
“He’soneofthebckestscoundrelsI’veeverdealtwith.”
“That’sgoodenoughforme.I’vegotapresentforyou.”
Shetookapackageoutofherbag.HeopeneditandfoundaCD,TheBestofEurythmics.Sheknewitwasoneofhisfavouriteoldbands.Heputitinhisi,andtheylistenedto“SweetDreams”together.
“WhyareyougoingtoSkellefte??”
“BibleschootasummercampwithacongregationcalledtheLightofLife,”Pernilsaid,asifitwerethemostobviouschoiceintheworld.
Blomkvistfeltacoldfirerundownthebackofhisneck.HerealisedhowalikehisdaughterandHarrietVangerwere.Pernilwassixteen,exactlytheageHarrietwaswhenshedisappeared.Bothhadabsentfathers.Bothwereattractedtothereligiousfanaticismofstrangesects—HarriettothePentecostalsandPerniltoanoffshootofsomethingthatwasjustaboutascrackpotastheWordofLife.
Hedidnotknowhowheshouldhandlehisdaughter’snewinterestinreligion.Hewasafraidofencroachingonherrighttodecideforherself.Atthesametime,theLightofLifewasmostdefinitelyasectofthetypethathewouldnothesitatetombastinMillennium.Hewouldtakethefirstopportunitytodiscussthismatterwithhermother.
Pernilsleptinhisbedwhilehewrappedhimselfinbnketsonthebenchinthekitchen.Hewokewithacrickinhisneckandachingmuscles.Pernilwaseagertogetgoing,sohemadebreakfastandwentwithhertothestation.Theyhadalittletime,sotheyboughtcoffeeatthemini-martandsatdownonabenchattheendoftheptform,chattingaboutallsortsofthings.Untilshesaid:“Youdon’tliketheideathatI’mgoingtoSkellefte?,doyou?”
Hewasnon-plussed.
“It’snotdangerous.Butyou’renotaChristian,areyou?”
“Well,I’mnotagoodChristian,atanyrate.”
“Youdon’tbelieveinGod?”
“No,Idon’tbelieveinGod,butIrespectthefactthatyoudo.Everyonehastohavesomethingtobelievein.”
Whenhertrainarrived,theygaveeachotheralonghuguntilPernilhadtogetonboard.Withonefootonthestep,sheturned.
“Pappa,I’mnotgoingtoproselytise.Itdoesn’tmattertomewhatyoubelieve,andI’llwaysloveyou.ButIthinkyoushouldcontinueyourBiblestudies.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Isawthequotesyouhadonthewall,”shesaid.“Butwhysogloomyandneurotic?Kisses.Seeyouter.”
Shewavedandwasgone.Hestoodontheptform,baffled,watchingthetrainpulway.Notuntilitvanishedaroundthebenddidthemeaningsinkin.
Mikaelhurriedoutofthestation.Itwouldbealmostanhourbeforethenextbusleft.Hewastoomuchonedgetowaitthatlong.HerantothetaxistandandfoundHusseinwiththeNorrndaent.
Tenminutesterhewasinhisoffice.Hehadtapedthenoteabovehisdesk.
Magda—32016
Sara—32109
R.J.—30112
R.L.—32027
Mari—32018
Helookedaroundtheroom.Thenherealisedwherehe’dbeabletofindaBible.Hetookthenotewithhim,searchedforthekeys,whichhehadleftinabowlonthewindowsill,andjoggedthewholewaytoGottfried’scabin.HishandswerepracticallyshakingashetookHarriet’sBibledownfromitsshelf.
Shehadnotwrittendowntelephonenumbers.ThefiguresindicatedthechapterandverseinLeviticus,thethirdofthePentateuch.
Leviticus,20:16
“Ifawomanapproachesanybeastandlieswithit,youshallkillthewomanandthebeast;theyshallbeputtodeath,theirbloodisuponthem.”
Leviticus,21:9
“Andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbypyingtheharlot,profanesherfather;sheshallbeburnedwithfire.”
Leviticus,1:12
“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireuponthealtar.”
Leviticus,20:27
“Amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestonedwithstones,theirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
Leviticus,20:18
“Ifamanlieswithawomanhavinghersickness,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuncoveredthefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
Hewentoutandsatontheporch.EachversehadbeenunderlinedinHarriet’sBible.Helitacigaretteandlistenedtothesingingofbirdsnearby.
Hehadthenumbers.Buthedidn’thavethenames.Magda,Sara,Mari,R.J.,andR.L.
AllofasuddenanabyssopenedasMikael’sbrainmadeanintuitiveleap.HerememberedthefirevictiminHedestadthatInspectorMorellhadtoldhimabout.TheRebeckacase,whichourredintheteforties.Thegirlwasrapedandthenkilledbyhavingherheadpcedonsmoulderingcoals.“Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireuponthealtar.”Rebecka.R.J.Whatwasherstname?
WhatinGod’snamehadHarrietgottenherselfmixedupin?
Vangerhadbeentakenill.HewasinbedwhenBlomkvistknockedonhisdoor.ButAnnaagreedtolethimin,sayinghecouldvisittheoldmanforafewminutes.
“Asummercold,”Henrikexpined,sniffling.“Whatdidyouwant?”
“Ihaveaquestion.”
“Yes?”
“DidyoueverhearofamurderthattookpceinHedestadsometimeintheforties?AgirlcalledRebecka—herheadwasputonafire.”
“RebeckaJacobsson,”Henriksaidwithoutasecond’shesitation.“That’sanameI’llneverfet,althoughIhaven’thearditmentionedinyears.”
“Butyouknowaboutthemurder?”
“IndeedIdo.RebeckaJacobssonwastwenty-threeortwenty-fourwhenshedied.Thatmusthavebeenin…Itwasin1949.Therewasatremendoushueandcry,Ihadasmallpartinitmyself.”
“Youdid?”
“Ohyes.Rebeckawasonourclericalstaff,apopurgirndveryattractive.Butwhyareyouasking?”
“I’mnotsure,Henrik,butImaybeontosomething.I’mgoingtohavetothinkthisthrough.”
“Areyousuggestingthatthere’saconnectionbetweenHarrietandRebecka?Therewere…almostseventeenyearsseparatingthetwo.”
“LetmedomythinkingandI’llebackandseeyoutomorrowifyou’refeelingbetter.”
BlomkvistdidnotseeVangerthefollowingday.Justbefore1:00a.m.hewasstiltthekitchentable,readingHarriet’sBible,whenheheardthesoundofacarmakingitswayathighspeedacrossthebridge.Helookedoutthewindowandsawthefshingbluelightsofanambunce.
Filledwithforeboding,heranoutside.TheambunceparkedbyVanger’shouse.Onthegroundfloorallthelightswereon.HedasheduptheporchstepsintwoboundsandfoundashakenAnnainthehall.
“It’shisheart,”shesaid.“Hewokemealittlewhileago,piningofpainsinhischest.Thenhecolpsed.”
Blomkvistputhisarmsaroundthehousekeeper,andhewasstilltherewhenthemedicscameoutwithanunconsciousVangeronastretcher.MartinVanger,lookingdecidedlystressed,walkedbehind.HehadbeeninbedwhenAnnacalled.Hisbarefeetwerestuckinapairofslippers,andhehadn’tzippedhisfly.HegaveMikaebriefgreetingandthenturnedtoAnna.
“I’llgowithhimtothehospital.CallBirgerandseeifyoucanreachCeciliainLondoninthemorning,”hesaid.“AndtellDirch.”
“IcangotoFrode’shouse,”Blomkvistsaid.Annanoddedgratefully.
IttookseveralminutesbeforeasleepyFrodeansweredBlomkvist’sringathisdoor.
“Ihavebadnews,Dirch.Henrikhasbeentakentothehospital.Itseemstobeaheartattack.Martinwantedmetotellyou.”
“GoodLord,”Frodesaid.Hegncedathiswatch.“It’sFridaythethirteenth,”hesaid.
Notuntilthenextmorning,afterhe’dhadabrieftalkwithDirchFrodeonhismobileandbeenassuredthatVangerwasstillive,didhecallBergerwiththenewsthatMillennium’snewpartnerhadbeentakentothehospitalwithaheartattack.Inevitably,thenewswasreceivedwithgloomandanxiety.
LateintheeveningFrodecametoseehimandgivehimthedetailsaboutHenrikVanger’scondition.
“He’salive,buthe’snotdoingwell.Hehadaseriousheartattack,andhe’salsosufferingfromaninfection.”
“Haveyouseenhim?”
“No.He’sinintensivecare.MartinandBirgeraresittingwithhim.”
“Whatarehischances?”
Frodewavedahandbackandforth.
“Hesurvivedtheattack,andthat’sagoodsign.Henrikisinexcellentcondition,buthe’sold.We’lljusthavetowait.”
Theysatinsilence,deepinthought.Blomkvistmadecoffee.Frodelookedwretchedlyunhappy.
“Ineedtoaskyouaboutwhat’sgoingtohappennow,”Blomkvistsaid.
Frodelookedup.
“Theconditionsofyouremploymentdon’tchange.They’restiputedinacontractthatrunsuntiltheendofthisyear,whetherHenriklivesordies.Youdon’thavetoworry.”
“No,that’snotwhatImeant.I’mwonderingwhoIreporttoinhisabsence.”
Frodesighed.
“Mikael,youknowaswelsIdothatthiswholestoryaboutHarrietisjustapastimeforHenrik.”
“Don’tsaythat,Dirch.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“I’vefoundnewevidence,”Blomkvistsaid.“ItoldHenrikaboutsomeofityesterday.I’mverymuchafraidthatitmayhavehelpedtobringonhisheartattack.”
Frodelookedathimwithastrangeexpression.
“You’rejoking,youmustbe…”
Blomkvistshookhishead.
“OverthepastfewdaysI’vefoundsignificantmateriaboutHarriet’sdisappearance.WhatI’mworriedaboutisthatweneverdiscussedwhoIshouldreporttoifHenrikisnolongerhere.”
“Youreporttome.”
“OK.Ihavetogoonwiththis.CanIputyouinthepicturerightnow?”
Blomkvistdescribedwhathehadfoundasconciselyaspossible,andheshowedFrodetheseriesofpicturesfromJ?rnv?gsgatan.Thenheexpinedhowhisowndaughterhadunlockedthemysteryofthenamesinthedate.Finally,heproposedtheconnection,ashehadforVangerthedaybefore,withthemurderofRebeckaJacobssonin1949,R.J.
TheonlythinghekepttohimselfwasCeciliaVanger’sfaceinHarriet’swindow.Hehadtotalktoherbeforeheputherinapositionwhereshemightbesuspectedofsomething.
Frode’sbrowwascreasedwithconcern.
“YoureallythinkthatthemurderofRebeckahassomethingtodowithHarriet’sdisappearance?”
“Itseemsunlikely,Iagree,butthefactremainsthatHarrietwrotetheinitialsR.J.inherdatenexttothereferencetotheOldTestamentwaboutburntofferings.RebeckaJacobssonwasburnedtodeath.OneconnectionwiththeVangerfamilyisinescapable—sheworkedforthecorporation.”
“ButwhatistheconnectionwithHarriet?”
“Idon’tknowyet.ButIwanttofindout.IwilltellyoueverythingIwouldhavetoldHenrik.Youhavetomakethedecisionsforhim.”
“Perhapsweoughttormthepolice.”
“No.AtleastnotwithoutHenrik’sblessing.ThestatuteoflimitationshaslongsincerunoutinthecaseofRebecka,andthepoliceinvestigationwasclosed.They’renotgoingtoreopenaninvestigationfifty-fouryearster.”
“Allright.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
Blomkvistpacedaparoundthekitchen.
“First,Iwanttofollowupthephotographlead.IfwecouldseewhatitwasthatHarrietsaw…itmightbethekey.IneedacartogotoNorsj?andfollowthatlead,whereverittakesme.Andalso,IwanttoresearcheachoftheLeviticusverses.Wehaveoneconnectiontoonemurder.Wehavefourverses,possiblyfourotherclues.Todothis…Ineedsomehelp.”
“Whatkindofhelp?”
“Ireallyneedaresearchassistantwiththepatiencetogothrougholdnewspaperarchivestofind‘Magda’and‘Sara’andtheothernames.IfI’mrightinthinkingthatRebeckawasn’ttheonlyvictim.”
“Youmeanyouwanttoletsomeoneelseinon…”
“There’salotofworkthathastobedoneandinahurry.IfIwereapoliceofficerinvolvedinanactiveinvestigation,Icoulddivideupthehoursandresourcesandgetpeopletodigforme.Ineedaprofessionalwhoknowsarchiveworkandwhocanbetrusted.”
“Iunderstand….ActuallyIbelieveIknowofanexpertresearcher,”saidFrode,andbeforehecouldstophimself,headded,“Shewastheonewhodidthebackgroundinvestigationonyou.”
“Whodidwhat?”Blomkvistsaid.
“Iwasthinkingoutloud,”Frodesaid.“It’snothing.”I’mgettingold,hethought.
“Youhadsomeonedoaninvestigationonme?”
“It’snothingdramatic,Mikael.Wewantedtohireyou,andwejustdidacheckonwhatsortofpersonyouwere.”
“Sothat’swhyHenrikalwaysseemstoknowexactlywherehehasme.Howthoroughwasthisinvestigation?”
“Itwasquitethorough.”
“DiditlookintoMillennium’sproblems?”
Frodeshrugged.“Ithadabearing.”
Blomkvistlitacigarette.Itwashisfifthoftheday.
“Awrittenreport?”
“Mikael,it’snothingtogetworkedupabout.”
“Iwanttoreadthereport,”hesaid.
“Oheon,there’snothingoutoftheordinaryaboutthis.Wewantedtocheckuponyoubeforewehiredyou.”
“Iwanttoreadthereport,”Mikaelrepeated.
“Icouldn’tauthorisethat.”
“Really?Thenhere’swhatIsaytoyou:eitherIhavethatreportinmyhandswithinthehour,orIquit.I’lltaketheeveningtrainbacktoStockholm.Whereisthereport?”
Thetwomeneyedeachotherforseveralseconds.ThenFrodesighedandlookedaway.
“Inmyoffice,athome.”
Frodehadputupaterriblefuss.Itwasnotuntil6:00thateveningthatBlomkvisthadLisbethSander’sreportinhishand.Itwasalmosteightypageslong,plusdozensofphotocopiedarticles,certificates,andotherrecordsofthedetailsofhislifeandcareer.
Itwasastrangeexperiencetoreadabouthimselfinwhatwaspartbiographyandpartintelligencereport.Hewasincreasinglyastonishedathowdetailedthereportwas.Sanderhaddugupfactsthathethoughthadbeenlongburiedinthepostofhistory.ShehadduguphisyouthfulretionshipwithawomanwhohadbeenafmingSyndicalistandwhowasnowapolitician.Whointheworldhadshetalkedto?ShehadfoundhisrockbandBootstrap,whichsurelyno-oodaywouldremember.Shehadscrutinisedhisfinancesdowntothest?re.Howthehellhadshedoneit?
Asajournalist,Blomkvisthadspentmanyyearshuntingdownrmationaboutpeople,andhecouldjudgethequalityoftheworkfromapurelyprofessionalstandpoint.TherewasnodoubtthatthisSanderwasonehellofaninvestigator.Hedoubtedthatevenhecouldhaveproducedaparablereportonanyindividualpletelyunknowntohim.
ItalsodawnedonhimthattherehadneverbeenanyreasonforhimandBergertokeeptheirdistanceinVanger’spresence;healreadyknewoftheirlong-standingretionship.ThereportcameupwithadisturbinglypreciseappraisalofMillennium’sfinancialposition;VangerknewjusthowshakythingswerewhenhefirstcontactedBerger.Whatsortofgamewashepying?
TheWennerstr?maffairwasmerelysummarised,butwhoeverwrotethereporthadobviouslybeenaspectatorincourtduringpartofthetrial.ThereportquestionedBlomkvist’srefusaltomentduringthetrial.Smartwoman.
ThenextsecondMikaelstraightenedup,hardlyabletobelievehiseyes.Sanderhadwrittenabriefpassagegivingherassessmentofwhatwouldhappenafterthetrial.ShehadreproducedvirtuallywordforwordthepressreleasethatheandBergerhadsubmittedafterheresignedaspublisherofMillennium.
ButSanderhadusedhisoriginalwording.Hegncedagainatthecoverofthereport.ItwasdatedthreedaysbeforeBlomkvistwassentenced.Thatwasimpossible.Thepressreleaseexistedtheninonlyonepceinthewholeworld.InBlomkvist’sputer.Inhisi,notonhisputerattheoffice.Thetextwasneverprintedout.NotevenBergerhadacopy,althoughtheyhadtalkedaboutthesubject.
BlomkvistputdownSander’sreport.Heputonhisjacketandwentoutintothenight,whichwasverybrightoneweekbeforeMidsummer.Hewalkedalongtheshoreofthesound,pastCeciliaVanger’spropertyandtheluxuriousmotorboatbelowMartinVanger’svil.Hewalkedslowly,ponderingashewent.FinallyhesatonarockandlookedatthefshingbuoylightsinHedestadBay.Therewasonlyoneconclusion.
“You’vebeeninmyputer,Fr?kenSander,”hesaidaloud.“You’reafuckinghacker.”
CHAPTER18
Wednesday,June18
Sanderawokewithastartfromadreamlessslumber.Shefeltfaintlysick.ShedidnothavetoturnherheadtoknowthatMimmihadleftalreadyforwork,butherscentstilllingeredinthestuffyairofthebedroohadturnedupnotlongbeforeclosingtimeandehomewithherandintobed.
Sander—unlikeMimmi—hadneverthoughtofherselfasalesbian.Shehadneverbroodedoverwhethershewasstraight,gay,orevenbisexual.Shedidnotgiveadamnaboutbels,didnotseethatitwasanyoneelse’sbusinesswhomshespenthernightswith.Ifshehadtochoose,shepreferredguys—andtheywereinthelead,statisticallyspeaking.Theonlyproblemwasfindingaguywhowasnotajerkandonewhowasalsogoodinbed;Mimmiwasasweetpromise,andsheturnedSanderon.TheyhadmetinabeertentatthePrideFestivayearago,andMimmiwastheonlypersonthatSanderhadintroducedtotheEvilFingers.Butitwasstilljustacasuaffairforbothofthem.ItwasnicelyingclosetoMimmi’swarm,softbody,andSanderdidnotmindwakingupwithherandtheirhavingbreakfasttogether.
Herclocksaiditwas9:30,andshewaswonderingwhatcouldhavewokenherwhenthedoorbellrangagain.Shesatupinsurprise.No-onehadeverrungherdoorbeltthishour.Veryfewpeoplerangherdoorbeltall.Shewrappedasheetaroundherandwalkedunsteadilytothehalltoopenthedoor.ShestaredstraightintotheeyesofMikaelBlomkvist,feltpanicracethroughherbody,andtookastepback.
“Goodmorning,Fr?kenSander,”hegreetedhercheerfully.“Itwasatenight,Isee.CanIein?”
Withoutwaitingforananswer,hewalkedin,closingthedoorbehindhim.Heregardedwithcuriositythepileofclothesonthehallfloorandtherampartofbagsfilledwithnewspapers;thenhepeeredthroughthebedroomdoorwhileSander’sworldstartedspinninginthewrongdirection.How?What?Who?Blomkvistlookedatherbewildermentwithamusement.
“Iassumedthatyouwouldnothavehadbreakfastyet,soIbroughtsomefilledbagelswithme.Igotonewithroastbeef,onewithturkeyandDijonmustard,andonevegetarianwithavocado,notknowingyourpreference.”Hemarchedintoherkitchenandstartedrinsinghercoffeemaker.“Wheredoyoukeepcoffee?”hesaid.Sanderstoodinthehalsiffrozenuntilsheheardthewaterrunningoutofthetap.Shetookthreequickstrides.
“Stop!Stopatonce!”Sherealisedthatshewasshoutingandloweredhervoice.“Damnitall,youcan’tebarginginhereasifyouownedthepce.Wedon’tevenknoweachother.”
Blomkvistpaused,holdingajugandturnedtolookather.
“Wrong!Youknowmebetterthanalmostanyoneelsedoes.Isn’tthatso?”
Heturnedhisbackonherandpouredthewaterintothemachine.Thenhestartedopeninghercupboardsinsearchofcoffee.“Speakingofwhich,Iknowhowyoudoit.Iknowyoursecrets.”
Sandershuthereyes,wishingthatthefloorwouldstoppitchingunderherfeet.Shewasinastateofmentalparalysis.Shewashungover.Thissituationwasunreal,andherbrainwasrefusingtofunction.Neverhadshemetoneofhersubjectsfacetoface.HeknowswhereIlive!Hewasstandinginherkitchen.Thiswasimpossible.Itwasoutrageous.HeknowswhoIam!
Shefeltthesheetslipping,andshepulledittighteraroundher.Hesaidsomething,butatfirstshedidn’tunderstandhim.“Wehavetotalk,”hesaidagain.“ButIthinkyou’dbettertakeashowerfirst.”
Shetriedtospeaksensibly.“Youlistentome—ifyou’rethinkingofmakingtrouble,I’mnottheoneyoushouldbetalkingto.Iwasjustdoingajob.Youshouldtalktomyboss.”
Hehelduphishands.Auniversalsignofpeace,orIhavenoweapon.
“I’vealreadytalkedtoArmansky.Bytheway,hewantsyoutoringhim—youdidn’tanswerhiscallstnight.”
Shedidnotsenseanythreat,butshestillsteppedbackapacewhenhecamecloser,tookherarmandescortedhertothebathroomdoor.Shedislikedhavinganyoouchherwithoutherleave.
“Idon’twanttomaketrouble,”hesaid.“ButI’mquiteanxioustotalktoyou.Afteryou’reawake,thatis.Thecoffeewillbereadybythetimeyouputonsomeclothes.First,ashower.Vamoose!”
Passivelysheobeyed.LisbethSanderisneverpassive,shethought.
Sheleanedagainstthebathroomdoorandstruggledtocollectherthoughts.Shewasmoreshakenthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible.Graduallysherealisedthatashowerwasnotonlygoodadvicebutanecessityafterthetumultofthenight.Whenshewasdone,sheslippedintoherbedroomandputonjeans,andaT-shirtwiththesloganARMAGEDDONWASYESTERDAY—TODAYWEHAVEASERIOUSPROBLEM.
Afterpausingforasecond,shesearchedthroughherleatherjacketthatwasslungoverachair.Shetookthetaseroutofthepocket,checkedtoseethatitwasloaded,andstuckitinthebackpocketofherjeans.Thesmellofcoffeewasspreadingthroughtheapartment.Shetookadeepbreathandwentbacktothekitchen.
“Doyounevercleanup?”hesaid.
Hehadfilledthesinkwithdirtydishesandashtrays;hehadputtheoldmilkcartonsintoarubbishsackandclearedthetableoffiveweeksofnewspapers;hehadwashedthetablecleanandputoutmugsand—hewasn’tjokingafterall—bagels.OK,let’sseewherethisisheading.Shesatdownoppositehim.
“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion.Roastbeef,turkey,orvegetarian?”
“Roastbeef.”
“ThenI’lltaketheturkey.”
Theyateinsilence,scrutinisingeachother.Whenshefinishedherbagel,shealsoatehalfofthevegetarianone.Shepickedupacrumpledpackofcigarettesfromthewindowsilnddugoneout.
Hebrokethesilence.“Imaynotbeasgoodasyouatinvestigations,butatleastI’vefoundoutthatyou’renotavegetarianor—asHerrFrodethought—anorexic.I’llincludethatrmationinmyreport.”
Sanderstaredathim,buthelookedsoamusedthatshegavehimacrookedsmile.Thesituationwasbeyondallrhymeorreason.Shesippedhercoffee.Hehadkindeyes.Shedecidedthatwhateverelsehemightbe,hedidnotseemtobeamaliciousperson.AndtherewasnothinginthePIshehaddohatwouldindicatehewasaviciousbastardwhoabusedhisgirlfriendsoranythinglikethat.Sheremindedherselfthatshewastheonewhokneweverything.Knowledgeispower.
“Whatareyougrinningat?”shesaid.
“I’msorry.Ihadnotinfactpnnedtomakemyentranceinthisway.Ididn’tmeantoarmyou.Butyoushouldhaveseenyourfacewhenyouopenedthedoor.Itwaspriceless.”
Silence.Tohersurprise,Sanderfoundhisuninvitedintrusionaeptable—well,atleastnotunpleasant.
“You’llhavetothinkofitasmyrevengeforyourpokingaroundinmypersonallife,”hesaid.“Areyoufrightened?”
“Nottheleastbit,”Sandersaid.
“Good.I’mnotheretomaketroubleforyou.”
“IfyoueventrytohurtmeI’llhavetodoyouaninjury.You’llbesorry.”
Blomkviststudiedher.Shewasbarelyfourfootelevenanddidnotlookasthoughshecouldputupmuchresistanceifhewereanassaintwhohadforcedhiswayintoherapartment.Buthereyeswereexpressionlessandcalm.
“Well,thatwon’tbenecessary,”hesaidatst.“Ionlyneedtotalktoyou.Ifyouwantmetoleave,allyouhavetodoissayso.It’sfunnybut…oh,nothing…”
“What?”
“Thismaysoundcrazy,butfourdaysagoIdidn’tevenknowyouexisted.ThenIreadyouranalysisofme.”Hesearchedthroughhisshoulderbagandbroughtoutthereport.“Itwasnotentertainingreading.”
Helookedoutofthekitchenwindowforawhile.“CouldIbumacigarette?”Sheslidthepackacrossthetable.
“Yousaidbeforethatwedon’tknoweachother,andIsaidthatyes,wedo.”Hepointedatthereport.“Ican’tpetewithyou.I’veonlydonearapidroutinecheck,togetyouraddressanddateofbirth,stufflikethat.Butyoucertainlyknowagreatdeaboutme.Muchofwhichisprivate,dammit,thingsthatonlymyclosestfriendsknow.AndnowhereIam,sittinginyourkitchenandeatingbagelswithyou.Wehaveknowneachotherhalfanhour,butIhavethefeelingthatwe’vebeenfriendsforyears.Doesthatmakesensetoyou?”
Shenodded.
“Youhavebeautifuleyes,”hesaid.
“Youhaveniceeyesyourself,”shesaid.
Longsilence.
“Whyareyouhere?”shesaid.
KalleBlomkvist—sherememberedhisnicknameandsuppressedtheimpulsetosayitoutloud—suddenlylookedserious.Healsolookedverytired.Theself-confidencethathehadshownwhenhefirstwalkedintoherapartmentwasnowgone.Theclowningwasover,oratleasthadbeenputaside.Shefelthimstudyingherclosely.
Sanderfeltthatherposurewasbarelyskin-deepandthatshereallywasn’tinpletecontrolofhernerves.Thistotallyunlooked-forvisithadshakenherinawaythatshehadneverexperiencedinconnectionwithherwork.Herbreadandbutterwasspyingonpeople.InfactshehadneverthoughtofwhatshedidforArmanskyasarealjob;shethoughtofitmoreasaplicatedpastime,asortofhobby.
Thetruthwasthatsheenjoyeddiggingintothelivesofotherpeopleandexposingthesecretstheyweretryingtohide.Shehadbeendoingit,inoneformoranother,foraslongasshecouldremember.Andshewasstilldoingittoday,notonlywhenArmanskygaveheranassignment,butsometimesforthesheerfunofit.Itgaveherakick.Itwaslikeaplicatedputergame,exceptthatitdealtwithreallivepeople.Andnowoneofherhobbieswassittingrighthereinherkitchen,feedingherbagels.Itwastotallyabsurd.
“Ihaveafascinatingproblem,”Blomkvistsaid.“Tellmethis,whenyouweredoingyourresearchonmeforHerrFrode,didyouhaveanyideawhatitwasgoingtobeusedfor?”
“No.”
“ThepurposewastofindoutallthatrmationaboutmebecauseFrode,orratherhisemployer,wantedtogivemeafreencejob.”
“Isee.”
Hegaveherafaintsmile.
“OneofthesedaysyouandIshouldhaveadiscussionabouttheethicsofsnoopingintootherpeople’slives.ButrightnowIhaveadifferentproblem.ThejobIwasoffered,andwhichinexplicablyIagreedtodo,iswithoutdoubtthemostarreassignmentI’veeverundertaken.BeforeIsaymoreIneedtobeabletotrustyou,Lisbeth.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Armanskytellsmeyou’re100percentreliable.ButIstillwanttoaskyouthequestion.CanItellyouconfidentialthingswithoutyourtellingthemtoanyoneelse,byanymeans,ever?”
“Waitaminute.You’vetalkedtoDragan?Ishetheonewhosentyouhere?”I’mgoingtokillyou,youfuckingstupidArmenian.
“Notexactly.You’renottheonlyonewhocanfindoutsomeone’saddress;Ididthatallonmyown.Ilookedyouupinthenationalregistry.TherearethreeLisbethSanders,andtheothertwoweren’tagoodmatch.ButIhadalongtalkwithArmanskyyesterday.HetoothoughtthatIwantedtomaketroubleoveryourferretingaroundinmyprivatelife.IntheendIconvin