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    cedhimthatIhadalegitimatepurpose.”
    “Whichiswhat?”
    “AsItoldyou,Frode’semployerhiredmetodoajob.I’vereachedapointwhereIneedaskilledresearcher.Frodetoldmeaboutyouandsaidthatyouwereprettygood.Hehadn’tmeanttoidentifyyou,itjustslippedout.IexpinedtoArmanskywhatIwanted.HeOK’dthewholethingandtriedtocallyou.AndhereIam.Callhimifyouwant.”
    IttookSanderaminutetofindhermobileamongtheclothesthatMimmihadpulledoffher.Blomkvistwatchedherembarrassedsearchwithinterestashepatrolledtheapartment.Allherfurnitureseemedtobestrays.Shehadastate-of-the-artPoweronanapologyforadeskinthelivingroom.ShehadaCDpyeronashelf.HerCDcollectionwasapitifultotaloftenCDsbygroupshehadneverheardof,andthemusiciansonthecoverslookedlikevampiresfromouterspace.Musicwasprobablynotherbiginterest.
    SandersawthatArmanskyhadcalledherseventimesthenightbeforeandtwicethismorning.ShepunchedinhisnumberwhileBlomkvistleanedagainstthedoorframeandlistenedtotheconversation.
    “It’sme…sorry…yes…itwasturnedoff…Iknow,hewantstohireme…no,he’sstandinginthemiddleofmyfuckinglivingroom,forChrist’ssake…”Sheraisedhervoice.“Dragan,I’mhungoverandmyheadhurts,soplease,nogames,didyouOKthisjobornot?…Thanks.”
    SanderlookedthroughthedoortothelivingroomatBlomkvistpullingoutCDsandtakingsofftheshelf.Hehadjustfoundabrownpillbottlethatwasmissingitsbel,andhewasholdingituptothelight.Hewasabouttounscrewthetop,soshereachedoutandtookthebottlefromhim.Shewentbacktothekitchenandsatdownonachair,massagingherforeheaduntilhejoinedher.
    “Therulesaresimple,”shesaid.“NothingthatyoudiscusswithmeorwithArmanskywillbesharedwithanyoneatall.TherewillbeacontractwhichstatesthatMiltonSecuritypledgesconfidentiality.IwanttoknowwhatthejobisaboutbeforeIdecidewhetherIwanttoworkforyouornot.ThatalsomeansthatIagreetokeeptomyselfeverythingyoutellme,whetherItakethejobornot,providedthatyou’renotconductinganysortofseriouscriminactivity.Inwhichcase,I’llreportittoDragan,whointurnwillreportittothepolice.”
    “Fine.”Hehesitated.“ArmanskymaynotbepletelyawareofwhatIwanttohireyoufor…”
    “Somehistoricalresearch,hesaid.”
    “Well,yes,that’sright.Iwantyoutohelpmetoidentifyamurderer.”
    IttookBlomkvistanhourtoexpinalltheintricatedetailsintheHarrietVangercase.Heleftnothingout.HehadFrode’spermissiontohireher,andtodothathehadtobeabletotrustherpletely.
    HetoldhereverythingaboutCeciliaVangerandthathehadfoundherfaceinHarriet’swindow.HegaveSanderasgoodadescriptionofhercharacterashecould.Shehadmovedhighuponthelistofsuspects,hislist.Buthewasstillfarfrombelievingthatshecouldbeinanywayassociatedwithamurdererwhowasactivewhenshewasstilyoungwoman.
    HegaveSanderacopyofthelistinthedate:“Magda—32016;Sara—32109;R.J.—30112;R.L.—32027;Mari—32018.”AndhegaveheracopyoftheversesfromLeviticus.
    “Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
    “I’veidentifiedtheR.J.,RebeckaJacobsson.”Hetoldherwhatthefive-figurenumbersstoodfor.“IfI’mright,thenwe’regoingtofindfourmorevictims—Magda,Sara,Mari,andR.L.”
    “Youthinkthey’reallmurdered?”
    “WhatIthinkisthatwearelookingforsomeonewho—iftheothernumbersandinitialsalsoprovetobeshorthandforfourmorekillings—isamurdererwhowasactiveinthefiftiesandmaybealsointhesixties.AndwhoisinsomewaylinkedtoHarrietVanger.I’vegohroughbackissuesoftheHedestadCourier.Rebecka’smurderistheonlygrotesquecrimethatIcouldfindwithaconnectiontoHedestad.Iwantyoutokeepdigging,alloverSwedenifnecessary,untilyoumakesenseoftheothernamesandverses.”
    SanderthoughtinexpressionlesssilenceforsuchalongtimethatBlomkvistbegantogrowimpatient.Hewaswonderingwhetherhehadchosenthewrongpersonwhensheatstraisedherhead.
    “I’lltakethejob.ButfirstyouhavetosignacontractwithArmansky.”
    ArmanskyprintedoutthecontractthatBlomkvistwouldtakebacktoHedestadforFrode’ssignature.WhenhereturnedtoSander’soffice,hesawhowsheandBlomkvistwereleaningoverherPower.Hehadhishandonhershoulder—hewastouchingher—andpointing.Armanskypausedinthecorridor.
    BlomkvistsaidsomethingthatseemedtosurpriseSander.Thensheughedoutloud.
    Armanskyhadneveronceheardherughbefore,andforyearshehadbeentryingtowinhertrust.Blomkvisthadknownherforfiveminutesandshewaspracticallygigglingwithhim.HefeltsuchaloathingforBlomkvistatthatmomentthathesurprisedhimself.Heclearedhisthroatashestoodinthedoorwayandputdownthefolderwiththecontract.
    BlomkvistpaidaquickvisittotheMillenniumofficeintheafternoon.Itwashisfirsttimeback.Itfeltveryoddtoberunningupthosefamiliarstairs.Theyhadnotchangedthecodeonthedoor,andhewasabletoslipinunnoticedandstandforamoment,lookingaround.
    Millennium’sofficeswerearrangedinanLshape.Theentrywasahallthattookupalotofspacewithoutbeingabletobeputtomuchuse.Thereweretwosofasthere,soitwasbywayofbeingareceptionarea.Beyondwasalunchroomkitchete,thencloakroom/toilets,andtwostorageroomswithshelvesandfilingcabis.Therewasalsoadeskforanintern.TotherightoftheentrywasthegsswallofMalm’sstudio,whichtookupabout500squarefeet,withitsownentrancefromthending.Totheleftwastheeditorialoffice,enpassingabout350squarefeet,withthewindowsfacingG?tgatan.
    Bergerhaddesignedeverything,puttingingsspartitionstomakeseparatequartersforthreeoftheemployeesandanopenpnfortheothers.Shehadtakenthergestroomattheverybackforherself,andgivenBlomkvisthisownroomattheoppositeend.Itwastheonlyroomthatyoucouldlookintofromtheentry.No-onehadmovedintoit,itseemed.
    Thethirdroomwasslightlyapartfromtheothers,anditwasoupiedbySonnyMagnusson,whohadbeenforseveralyearsMillennium’smostsuessfudvertisingsalesman.Bergerhadhandpickedhim;sheofferedhimamodestsaryandamission.Overthepastyear,ithadnotmadeanydifferencehowenergetichewasasasalesman,theiradvertisinginehadtakenabeatingandMagnusson’sinewithit.Butinsteadoflookingelsewhere,hehadtightenedhisbeltandloyallystayedput.Unlikeme,whocausedthewholendslide,Blomkvistthought.
    Hegatheredhiscourageandwalkedintotheoffice.Itwasalmostdeserted.HecouldseeBergeratherdesk,telephonepressedtoherear.MonikaNilssonwasatherdesk,anexperiencedgeneralreporterspecialisinginpoliticalcoverage;shecouldbethemostjadedcynichehadevermet.She’dbeenatMillenniumfornineyearsandwasthriving.HenryCortezwastheyoungestemployeeontheeditorialstaff.HehadeasaninternstraightoutofJMKtwoyearsago,sayingthathewantedtoworkatMillenniumandnowhereelse.Bergerhadnobudgettohirehim,butsheofferedhimadeskinacornerandsoontookhimonasapermanentdogsbody,andanonasastaffreporter.
    Bothutteredcriesofdelight.Hereceivedkissesonthecheekandpatsontheback.Atoncetheyaskedhimifhewasreturningtowork.No,hehadjuststoppedbytosayhelloandhaveawordwiththeboss.
    Bergerwasgdtoseehim.SheaskedaboutVanger’scondition.BlomkvistknewnomorethanwhatFrodecouldtellhim:hisconditionwasinescapablyserious.
    “Sowhatareyoudoinginthecity?”
    Blomkvistwasembarrassed.HehadbeenatMiltonSecurity,onlyafewstreetsaway,andhehaddecidedonsheerimpulsetoein.Itseemedtooplicatedtoexpinthathehadbeentheretohirearesearchassistantwhowasasecurityconsultantwhohadhackedintohisputer.InsteadheshruggedandsaidhehadetoStockholmonVanger-retedbusiness,andhewouldhavetogobacknorthatonce.Heaskedhowthingsweregoingatthemagazine.
    “Apartfromthegoodnewsontheadvertisingandthesubscriptionfronts,thereisonecloudonthehorizon.”
    “Whichis?”
    “JanneDahlman.”
    “Ofcourse.”
    “IhadatalkwithhiminApril,afterwereleasedthenewsthatHenrikhadbeeapartner.Idon’tknowifit’sjustJanne’snaturetobenegativeorifthere’ssomethingmoreseriousgoingon,ifhe’spyingsomesortofgame.”
    “Whathappened?”
    “It’snothingIcanputafingeron,ratherthatInolongertrusthim.AfterwesignedtheagreementwithVanger,ChristerandIhadtodecidewhethertormthewholestaffthatwewerenolongeratriskofgoingunderthisautumn,or…”
    “Ortotelljustachosenfew.”
    “Exactly.Imaybeparanoid,butIdidn’twanttoriskhavingDahlmanleakthestory.Sowedecidedtormthewholestaffonthesamedaytheagreementwasmadepublic.Whichmeantthatwekeptthelidonitforoveramonth.”
    “And?”
    “Well,thatwasthefirstpieceofgoodnewsthey’dhadinayear.EveryonecheeredexceptforDahlman.Imean—wedon’thavetheworld’sbiggesteditorialstaff.Therewerethreepeoplecheering,plustheintern,andonepersonwhogothisnoseoutofjointbecausewehadn’ttoldeverybodyearlier.”
    “Hehadapoint…”
    “Iknow.Butthethingis,hekeptonbitchingabouttheissuedayafterday,andmoraleintheofficewasaffected.AftertwoweeksofthisshitIcalledhimintomyofficeandtoldhimtohisfacethatmyreasonfornothavingrmedthestaffearlierwasthatIdidn’ttrusthimtokeepthenewssecret.”
    “Howdidhetakeit?”
    “Hewasterriblyupset,ofcourse.Istoodmygroundandgavehimanultimatum—eitherhehadtopullhimselftogetherorstartlookingforanotherjob.”
    “And?”
    “Hepulledhimselftogether.Buthekeepstohimself,andthere’satensionbetweenhimandtheothers.Christercan’tstandhim,andhedoesn’thideit.”
    “WhatdoyoususpectDahlmanofdoing?”
    “Idon’tknow.Wehiredhimayearago,whenwewerefirsttalkingabouttroublewithWennerstr?m.Ican’tproveathing,butIhaveanastyfeelingthathe’snotworkingforus.”
    “Trustyourinstincts.”
    “Maybehe’sjustasquarepeginaroundholewhojusthappenstobepoisoningtheatmosphere.”
    “It’spossible.ButIagreethatwemadeamistakewhenwehiredhim.”
    HalfanhourterhewasonhiswaynorthacrossthelocksatSlusseninthecarhehadborrowedfromFrode’swife.Itwasaten-year-oldVolvosheneverused.Blomkvisthadbeengivenleavetoborrowitwheneverheliked.
    Itwasthetinydetailsthathecouldeasilyhavemissedifhehadnotbeenalert:somepapersnotasevenlystackedasheremembered;abindernotquiteflushontheshelf;hisdeskdrawerclosedalltheway—hewaspositivethatitwasaninchopenwhenheleft.
    Someonehadbeeninsidehiscottage.
    Hehadlockedthedoor,butitwasanordinaryoldlockthatalmostanyonecouldpickwithascrewdriver,andwhoknewhowmanykeyswereincircution.Hesystematicallysearchedhisoffice,lookingforwhatmightbemissing.Afterawhilehedecidedthateverythingwasstillthere.
    Neverthelesssomeonehadbeeninthecottageandgohroughhispapersandbinders.Hehadtakenhisputerwithhim,sotheyhadnotbeenabletoaessthat.Twoquestionsarose:whowasit?andhowmuchhadhisvisitorbeenabletofindout?
    ThebindersbelongedtothepartofVanger’scollectionthathebroughtbacktotheguesthouseafterreturningfromprison.Therewasnothingofthenewmaterialinthem.Hisnotesinthedeskwouldreadlikecodetotheuninitiated—butwasthepersonwhohadsearchedhisdeskuninitiated?
    Inapsticfolderonthemiddleofthedeskhehadputacopyofthedatelistandacopyoftheverses.Thatwasserious.Itwouldtellwhoeveritwasthatthedatecodewascracked.
    Sowhowasit?
    Vangerwasinthehospital.HedidnotsuspectAnna.Frode?Hehadalreadytoldhimallthedetails.CeciliaVangerhadcancelledhertriptoFloridaandwasbackfromLondon—alongwithhersister.Blomkvisthadonlyseenheronce,drivinghercaracrossthebridgethedaybefore.MartinVanger.HaraldVanger.BirgerVanger—hehadturnedupforafamilygatheringtowhichBlomkvisthadnotbeeninvitedonthedayafterVanger’sheartattack.AlexanderVanger.IsabelVanger.
    WhomhadFrodetalkedto?Whatmighthehaveletslipthistime?HowmanyoftheanxiousretiveshadpickeduponthefactthatBlomkvisthadmadeabreakthroughinhisinvestigation?
    Itwasafter8:00.HecalledthelocksmithinHedestadandorderedanewlock.Thelocksmithsaidthathecouldeoutthefollowingday.Blomkvistsaidhewouldpaydoubleifhecameatonce.Theyagreedthathewouldeataround10:30thatnightandinstalnewdeadboltlock.
    BlomkvistdrovetoFrode’shouse.HiswifeshowedhimintothegardenbehindthehouseandofferedhimacoldPilsner,whichhegratefullyaepted.HeaskedhowHenrikVangerwas.
    Frodeshookhishead.
    “Theyoperatedonhihedoctorssaythatthenextfewdaysarecritical.”
    TheythoughtaboutthisforawhileastheydranktheirPilsners.
    “Youhaven’ttalkedtohim,Isuppose?”
    “No.He’snotwellenoughtotalk.HowdiditgoinStockholm?”
    “TheSandergireptedthejob.Here’sthecontractfromMiltonSecurity.Youhavetosignitandputitinthepost.”
    Frodereadthroughthedocument.
    “She’sexpensive,”hesaid.
    “Henrikcanaffordit.”
    Frodenodded.Hetookapenoutofhisbreastpocketandscrawledhisname.
    “It’sagoodthingthatI’msigningitwhilehe’sstillive.CouldyouputitintheletterboxatKonsumonyourwayhome?”
    Blomkvistwasinbedbymidnight,buthecouldnotsleep.UntilnowhisworkonHedebyIsndhadseemedlikeresearchonahistoricalcuriosity.Butifsomeonewassufficientlyinterestedinwhathewasdoingtobreakintohisoffice,thenthesolutionhadtobeclosertothepresentthanhehadthought.
    Thenitourredtohimthattherewereotherswhomightbeinterestedinwhathewasworkingon.Vanger’ssuddenappearanceontheboardofMillenniumhadnotgoneunnoticedbyWennerstr?m.Orwasthisparanoia?
    Mikaelgotoutofbedandwenttostandnakedatthekitchenwindow,gazingatthechurchontheothersideofthebridge.Helitacigarette.
    Hecouldn’tfigureoutLisbethSander.Shewasaltogetherodd.Longpausesinthemiddleoftheconversation.Herapartmentwasmessy,borderingonchaotic.Bagsfilledwithnewspapersinthehall.Akitchenthathadnotbeencleanedortidiedinyears.Clotheswerescatteredinheapsonthefloor.Shehadobviouslyspenthalfthenightinabar.Shehadlovebitesonherneckandshehadclearlyhadpanyovernight.Shehadheavenknowshowmanytattoosandtwopiercingsonherfaceandmaybeinotherpces.Shewasweird.
    Armanskyassuredhimthatshewastheirverybestresearcher,andherreportonhimwasexcruciatinglythorough.Astrangegirl.
    SanderwassittingatherPower,butshewasthinkingaboutMikaelBlomkvist.Shehadneverinheradultlifeallowedanyoocrossherthresholdwithoutanexpressinvitation,andshecouldcountthoseshehadinvitedononehand.Blomkvisthadnonchantlybargedintoherlife,andshehadutteredonlyafewmeprotests.
    Notonlythat,hehadteasedher.
    Undernormalcircumstancesthatsortofbehaviourwouldhavemadehermentallycockapistol.Butshehadnotfeltaniotaofthreatoranysortofhostilityfromhisside.Hehadgoodreasontoreadhertheriotact,evenreporthertothepolice.Insteadhehadtreatedevenherhackingintohisputerasajoke.
    Thathadbeenthemostsensitivepartoftheirconversation.Blomkvistseemedtobedeliberatelynotbroachingthesubject,andfinallyshecouldnothelpaskingthequestion.
    “YousaidthatyouknewwhatIdid.”
    “You’vebeeninsidemyputer.You’reahacker.”
    “Howdoyouknowthat?”Sanderwasabsolutelypositivethatshehadleftnotracesandthathertrespassingcouldnotbediscoveredbyanyoneunlessatopsecurityconsultantsatdownandscannedtheharddriveatthesametimeasshewasaessingtheputer.
    “Youmadeamistake.”
    Shehadquotedfromatextthatwasonlyonhisputer.
    Sandersatinsilence.Finallyshelookedupathim,hereyesexpressionless.
    “Howdidyoudoit?”heasked.
    “Mysecret.Whatareyouthinkingofdoingaboutit?”
    Mikaelshrugged.
    “WhatcanIdo?”
    “It’sexactlywhatyoudoasajournalist.”
    “Ofcourse.Andthat’swhywejournalistshaveahicsmitteethatkeepstrackofthemoralissues.WhenIwriteanarticleaboutsomebastardinthebankingindustry,Ileaveout,forinstance,hisorherprivatelife.Idon’tsaythataferisalesbianorgetsturnedonbyhavingsexwithherdogoranythinglikethat,evenifithappenstobetrue.Bastardstoohavearighttotheirprivatelives.Doesthatmakesense?”
    “Yes.”
    “Soyouencroachedonmyintegrity.Myemployerdoesn’tneedtoknowwhoIhavesexwith.That’smybusiness.”
    Sander’sfacewascreasedbyacrookedsmile.
    “YouthinkIshouldn’thavementionedthat?”
    “Inmycaseitdidn’tmakealotofdifference.HalfthecityknowsaboutmyretionshipwithErika.Butit’samatterofprinciple.”
    “Inthatcase,itmightamuseyoutoknowthatIalsohaveprinciplesparabletoyourethicsmittee’s.IcallthemSander’sPrinciples.Oneofthemisthatabastardisalwaysabastard,andifIcanhurtabastardbydiggingupshitabouthim,thenhedeservesit.”
    “OK,”Blomkvistsaid.“Myreasoningisn’ttoodifferentfromyours,but…”
    “ButthethingisthatwhenIdoaPI,IalsolookatwhatIthinkabouttheperson.I’mnotneutral.Ifthepersonseemslikeagoodsort,Imighttonedownmyreport.”
    “Really?”
    “InyourcaseItoneditdown.Icouldhavewrittenaaboutyoursexlife.IcouldhavementionedtoFrodethatErikaBergerhasapastinClubXtremeandpyedaroundwithBDSMintheeighties—whichwouldhavepromptedcertainunavoidablenotionsaboutyoursexlifeandhers.”
    BlomkvistmetSander’sgaze.Afteramomentheughed.
    “You’rereallymeticulous,aren’tyou?Whydidn’tyouputitinthereport?”
    “Youareadultswhoobviouslylikeeachother.Whatyoudoinbedisnobody’sbusiness,andtheonlythingIwouldhaveachievedbytalkingaboutherwastohurtbothofyou,ortoprovidesomeonewithbckmailmaterial.Idon’tknowFrode—thermationcouldhaveendedupwithWennerstr?m.”
    “Andyoudon’twanttoprovideWennerstr?mwithrmation?”
    “IfIhadtochoosebetweenyouandhim,I’dprobablyendupinyourcourt.”
    “ErikaandIhavea…ourretionshipis…”
    “Please,Ireallydon’tgiveatossaboutwhatsortofretionshipyouhave.Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion:whatdoyoupntodoaboutmyhackingintoyourputer?”
    “Lisbeth,I’mnotheretobckmailyou.I’mheretoaskyoutohelpmedosomeresearch.Youcansayyesorno.Ifyousayno,fine,I’llfindsomeoneelseandyou’llneverhearfrommeagain.”
    CHAPTER19
    Thursday,June19–Sunday,June29
    WhilehewaitedforwordonwhetherVangerwasgoingtopullthroughornot,Blomkvistspentthedaysgoingoverhismaterials.HekeptinclosetouchwithFrode.OnThursdayeveningFrodebroughthimthenewsthattheimmediatecrisisseemedtobeover.
    “Iwasabletotalktohimforawhiletoday.Hewantstoseeyouassoonaspossible.”
    Soitwasthat,around1:00ontheafternoonofMidsummerEve,BlomkvistdrovetoHedestadHospitandwentinsearchoftheward.HeencounteredanangryBirgerVanger,whoblockedhisway.Henrikcouldnotpossiblyreceivevisitors,hesaid.
    “That’sodd,”Blomkvistsaid,“Henriksentwordsayingthatheexpresslywantedtoseemetoday.”
    “You’renotamemberofthefamily;youhavenobusinesshere.”
    “You’reright.I’mnotamemberofthefamily.ButI’mworkingforHenrikVanger,andItakeordersonlyfromhim.”
    ThismighthaveledtoaheatedexchangeifFrodehadnotatthatmomenteoutofVanger’sroom.
    “Oh,thereyouare.Henrikhasbeenaskingafteryou.”
    FrodeheldopenthedoorandBlomkvistwalkedpastBirgerintotheroom.
    Vangerlookedtohaveagedtenyears.Hewaslyingwithhiseyeshalfclosed,anoxygentubeinhisnose,andhishairmoredishevelledthanever.AnursestoppedBlomkvist,puttingahandfirmlyonhisarm.
    “Twominutes.Nomore.Anddon’tupsethim.”Blomkvistsatonavisitor’schairsothathecouldseeVanger’sface.Hefeltatendernessthatastonishedhim,andhestretchedouthishandtogentlysqueezetheoldman’shand.
    “Anynews?”Thevoicewasweak.
    Blomkvistnodded.
    “I’llgiveyouareportassoonasyou’rebetter.Ihaven’tsolvedthemysteryyet,butI’vefoundmorenewstuffandI’mfollowingupanumberofleads.Inaweek,perhapstwo,I’llbeabletotelltheresults.”
    ThemostVangercouldmanagewastoblink,indicatingthatheunderstood.
    “Ihavetobeawayforafewdays.”
    Henrikraisedhiseyebrows.
    “I’mnotjumpingship.Ihavesomeresearchtodo.I’vereachedanagreementwithDirchthatIshouldreporttohim.IsthatOKwithyou?”
    “Dirchis…myman…inallmatters.”
    BlomkvistsqueezedVanger’shandagain.
    “Mikael…ifIdon’t…Iwantyouto…finishthejob.”
    “Iwillfinishthejob.”
    “Dirchhas…full…”
    “Henrik,Iwantyoutogetbetter.I’dbefuriouswithyouifyouwentanddiedafterI’vemadesuchprogress.”
    “Twominutes,”thenursesaid.
    “Nexttimewe’llhavealongtalk.”
    BirgerVangerwaswaitingforhimwhenhecameout.Hestoppedhimbyyingahandonhisshoulder.
    “Idon’twantyoubotheringHenrikanymore.He’sveryill,andhe’snotsupposedtobeupsetordisturbed.”
    “Iunderstandyourconcern,andIsympathise.AndI’mnotgoingtoupsethim.”
    “EveryoneknowsthatHenrikhiredyoutopokearoundinhislittlehobby…Harriet.DirchsaidthatHenrikbecameveryupsetafteraconversationyouhadwithhimbeforehehadtheheartattack.Heevensaidthatyouthoughtyouhadcausedtheattack.”
    “Idon’tthinksoanymore.Henrikhadsevereblockagesinhisarteries.Hecouldhavehadaheartattackjustbyhavingapee.I’msureyouknowthatbynow.”
    “Iwantfulldisclosureintothislunacy.Thisismyfamilyyou’remuckingaroundin.”
    “Itoldyou,IworkforHenrik,notforthefamily.”
    BirgerVangerwasapparentlynotusedtohavinganyonestanduptohim.ForamomenthestaredatBlomkvistwithanexpressionthatwaspresumablymeanttoinstilrespect,butwhichmadehimlookmorelikeaninftedmoose.BirgerturnedandwentintoVanger’sroom.
    Blomkvistrestrainedtheurgetough.Thiswasnopceforughter,inthecorridoroutsideVanger’ssickbed,whichmightalsoturnouttobehisdeathbed.ButhethoughtofaversefromLennartHynd’srhymingalphabet.ItwastheletterM.Andallohemoosehestood,ughinginashot-upwood.
    InthehospitallobbyheranintoCeciliaVanger.Hehadtriedcallinghermobileadozentimessinceshecamebackfromherinterruptedholiday,butshehadneveransweredorreturnedhiscalls.AndshewasneverhomeatherpceonHedebyIsndwheneverhewalkedpastandknockedonthedoor.
    “Hi,Cecilia,”hesaid.“I’msosorryaboutallthiswithHenrik.”
    “Thanks,”shesaid.
    “Weneedtotalk.”
    “I’msorrythatI’veshutyououtlikethis.Icanunderstandthatyoumustbecross,butI’mnothavinganeasytimeofitthesedays.”
    Mikaelputhishandonherarmandsmiledather.
    “Wait,you’vegotitwrong,Cecilia.I’mnotcrossatall.Iamstillhopingthatwecanbefriends.Canwehaveacupofcoffee?”Henoddedinthedirectionofthehospitalcafeteria.
    CeciliaVangerhesitated.“Nottoday.IneedtogoandseeHenrik.”
    “OK,butIstillneedtotalktoyou.It’spurelyprofessional.”
    “Whatdoesthatmean?”Shewassuddenlyalert.
    “Doyourememberthefirsttimewemet,whenyoucametothecottageinJanuary?Isaidthatweweretalkingofftherecord,andthatifIneededtoaskyouanyrealquestions,Iwouldtellyou.IthastodowithHarriet.”
    CeciliaVanger’sfacewassuddenlyflushedwithanger.
    “Youreallyarethefuckingpits.”
    “Cecilia,I’vefoundsomethingsthatIreallydohavetotalktoyouabout.”
    Shetookastepawayfromhim.
    “Don’tyourealisethatthisbloodyhuntforthatcursedHarrietisjustoupationaltherapyforHenrik?Don’tyouseethathemightbeuptheredying,andthattheverystthingheneedsistogetupsetagainandbefilledwithfalsehopesand…”
    “ItmaybeahobbyforHenrik,butthereisnowmorematerialtogoonthananyonehashadtoworkwithinaverylongtime.Therearequestionsthatdonowneedtobeanswered.”
    “IfHenrikdies,thatinvestigationisgoingtobeoverawfullydamnedfast.Thenyou’llbeoutonyourgrubby,snivellinginvestigativebackside,”Ceciliasaid,andshewalkedaway.
    Everythingwasclosed.Hedestadwaspracticallydeserted,andtheinhabitantsseemedtohaveretreatedtotheirMidsummerpolesattheirsummercottages.BlomkvistmadefortheStadshotelterrace,whichwasactuallyopen,andtherehewasabletoordercoffeeandasandwichandreadtheeveningpapers.Nothingofimportancewashappeningintheworld.
    HeputthepaperdownandthoughtaboutCeciliaVanger.Hehadtoldno-one—apartfromtheSandergirl—thatshewastheonewhohadopenedthewindowinHarriet’sroom.Hewasafraidthatitwouldmakeherasuspect,andthestthinghewantedtodowashurther.Butthequestionwasgoingtohavetobeasked,soonerorter.
    HesatontheterraceforanhourbeforehedecidedtosetthewholeproblemasideanddevoteMidsummerEvetosomethingotherthantheVangerfamily.Hismobilewassilent.Bergerwasawayamusingherselfsomewherewithherhusband,andhehadno-ootalkto.
    HewentbacktoHedebyIsndataround4:00intheafternoonandmadeanotherdecision—tostopsmoking.Hehadbeenworkingoutregurlyeversincehedidhismilitaryservice,bothatthegymandbyrunningalongS?derM?rstrand,buthadfallenoutofthehabitwhentheproblemswithWennerstr?mbegan.ItwasatRull?kerPrisonthathehadstartingpumpingironagain,mostlyastherapy.Butsincehisreleasehehadtakenalmostnoexercise.Itwastimetostartagain.HeputonhistracksuitandsetoffatazypacealongtheroadtoGottfried’scabin,turnedofftowardstheFortress,andtookaroughercoursecrosscountry.Hehaddonenoorienteeringsincehewasinthemilitary,buthehadalwaysthoughtitwasmorefuntorunthroughawoodedterrainthanonafttrack.Hefollowedthefencearound?sterg?rdenbacktothevilge.Hewasachingalloverandoutofbreathbythetimehetooktheststepsuptotheguesthouse.
    At6:00hetookashower.Heboiledsomepotatoesandhadopensandwichesofpickledherringinmustardsaucewithchivesandeggonaricketytableoutsidethecottage,facingthebridge.Hepouredhimselfashotofaquavitanddrankatoasttohimself.AfterthatheopenedacrimenovelbyValMcDermidentitledTheMermaidsSinging.
    Ataround7:00Frodedroveupandsatheavilyinthechairacrossfromhim.BlomkvistpouredhimashotofSk?neaquavit.
    “Youstirredupsomeratherlivelyemotionstoday,”Frodesaid.
    “Icouldseethat.”
    “Birgerisaconceitedfool.”
    “Iknowthat.”
    “ButCeciliaisnotaconceitedfool,andshe’sfurious.”
    Mikaelnodded.
    “Shehasinstructedmetoseethatyoustoppokingaroundinthefamily’saffairs.”
    “Isee.Andwhatdidyousaytoher?”
    FrodelookedathisgssofSk?neanddownedtheliquorinonegulp.
    “MyresponsewasthatHenrikhasgivenmeclearinstructionsaboutwhathewantsyoutodo.Aslongashedoesn’tchangethoseinstructions,youwillcontinuetobeemployedunderthetermsofyourcontract.Iexpectyoutodoyourbesttofulfilyourpartofthecontract.”
    Blomkvistlookedupatthesky,whereraincloudshadbeguntogather.
    “Lookslikeastormisbrewing,”Frodesaid.“Ifthewindsgettoostrong,I’llhavetobackyouup.”
    “Thankyou.”
    Theysatinsilenceforawhile.
    “CouldIhaveanotherdrink?”
    OnlyminutesafterFrodehadgonehome,MartinVangerdroveupandparkedhiscarbytheroadinfrontofthecottage.Hecameoverandsaidhello.MikaelwishedhimahappyMidsummerandaskedifhe’dlikeadrink.
    “No,it’sbetterifIdon’t.I’mjustheretochangemyclothesandthenI’mgoingtodrivebacktotowntospendtheeveningwithEva.”
    Blomkvistwaited.
    “I’vetalkedtoCecilia.She’salittletraumatisedjustnow—sheandHenrikhavealwaysbeenclose.Ihopeyou’llfiveherifshesaysanything…unpleasant.”
    “I’mveryfondofCecilia.”
    “Iknowthat.Butshecanbedifficult.Ijustwantyoutoknowthatshe’sverymuchagainstyourgoingondiggingintoourpast.”
    Blomkvistsighed.EveryoneinHedestadseemedtoknowwhyVangerhadhiredhim.
    “What’syourfeeling?”
    “ThisthingwithHarriethasbeenHenrik’sobsessionfordecades.Idon’tknow…Harrietwasmysister,butsomehowitfeelsallsofaraway.DirchsaysthatyouhaveacontractthatonlyHenrikcanbreak,andI’mafraidthatinhispresentconditionitwoulddomoreharmthangood.”
    “Soyouwantmetocontinue?”
    “Haveyoumadeanyprogress?”
    “I’msorry,Martin,butitwouldbeabreachofthatcontractifItoldyouanythingwithoutHenrik’spermission.”
    “Iunderstand.”Suddenlyhesmiled.“Henrikisabitofaconspiracyfanatic.Butaboveall,Idon’twantyoutogethishopesupunnecessarily.”
    “Iwon’tdothat.”
    “Good…Bytheway,tochangethesubject,wenowhaveanothercontracttoconsideraswell.GiventhatHenrikisilndcan’tintheshorttermfulfilhisobligationsontheMillenniumboard,it’smyresponsibilitytotakehispce.”
    Mikaelwaited.
    “Isupposeweshouldhaveaboardmeetingtolookatthesituation.”
    “That’sagoodidea.ButasfarasIknow,it’sbeendecidedthatthenextboardmeetingwon’tbehelduntilAugust.”
    “Iknowthat,butmaybeweshouldholditearlier.”
    Blomkvistsmiledpolitely.
    “You’rereallytalkingtothewrongperson.AtthemomentI’mnotontheboard.IleftinDecember.YoushouldgetintouchwithErikaBerger.SheknowsthatHenrikhasbeentakenill.”
    MartinVangerhadnotexpectedthisresponse.
    “You’reright,ofcourse.I’lltalktoher.”HepattedBlomkvistontheshouldertosaygoodbyeandwasgone.
    Nothingconcretehadbeensaid,butthethreathungintheair.MartinVangerhadsetMillenniumonthebancetray.AfteramomentBlomkvistpouredhimselfanotherdrinkandpickeduphisValMcDermid.
    Themottledbrowncatcametosayhelloandrubbedonhisleg.Heliftedherupandscratchedbehindherears.
    “ThetwoofusarehavingaveryboringMidsummerEve,aren’twe?”hesaid.
    Whenitstartedtorain,hewentinsideandwenttobed.Thecatpreferredtostayoutdoors.
    SandergotoutherKawasakionMidsummerEveandspentthedaygivingitagoodoverhaul.Alightweight125mightnotbethetoughestbikeintheworld,butitwashers,andshecouldhandleit.Shehadrestoredit,onenutatatime,andshehadsoupeditupjustabitoverthelegallimit.
    Intheafternoonsheputonherhelmetandleathersuitanddroveto?ppelvikenNursingHome,whereshespenttheeveningintheparkwithhermother.Shefeltapangofconcernandguilt.Hermotherseemedmoreremotethaneverbefore.Duringthreehourstheyexchangedonlyafewwords,andwhentheydidspeak,hermotherdidnotseemtoknowwhoshewastalkingto.
    BlomkvistwastedseveraldaystryingtoidentifythecarwiththeACptes.AfteralotoftroubleandfinallybyconsultingaretiredmechanicinHedestad,hecametotheconclusionthatthecarwasaFordAnglia,amodelthathehadneverheardofbefore.ThenhecontactedaclerkatthemotorvehicledepartmentandenquiredaboutthepossibilityofgettingalistofalltheFordAngliasin1966thathadalicenceptebeginningAC3.Hewaseventuallytoldthatsuchanarchaeologicalexcavationintherecordspresumablycouldbedone,butthatitwouldtaketimeanditwasbeyondtheboundariesofwhatcouldbeconsideredpublicrmation.
    NotuntilseveraldaysafterMidsummerdidBlomkvistgetintohisborrowedVolvoanddrivenorthontheE4.Hedroveataleisurelypace.JustshortoftheH?rn?sandBridgehestoppedtohavecoffeeattheVesterlundpastryshop.
    ThenextstopwasUme?,wherehepulledintoaninnandhadthedailyspecial.HeboughtaroadatsandcontinuedontoSkellefte?,whereheturnedtowardsNorsj?.Hearrivedaround6:00intheeveningandtookaroomintheHotelNorsj?.
    Hebeganhissearchearlythenextmorning.TheNorsj?CarpentryShopwasnotinthetelephone.ThePorHoteldeskclerk,agirlinhertwenties,hadneverheardofthebusiness.
    “WhoshouldIask?”
    Theclerklookedpuzzledforafewsecondsuntilherfacelitupandshesaidthatshewouldcallherfather.TwominutestershecamebackandexpinedthattheNorsj?CarpentryShopclosedintheearlyeighties.Ifheneededtotalktosomeonewhoknewmoreaboutthebusiness,heshouldgoandseeacertainBurman,whohadbeentheforemanandwhonowlivedonastreetcalledSolv?ndan.
    Norsj?wasasmalltownwithonemainstreet,appropriatelyenoughcalledStatan,thatranthroughthewholemunity.Itwaslinedwithshopswithresidentialsidestreetsoffit.Attheeastendtherewasasmallindustriareaandastable;atthewesternendstoodanunmonlybeautifulwoodenchurch.BlomkvistnotedthatthevilgealsohadaMissionarychurchandaPentecostalchurch.Aposteronabulletinboardatthebusstationadvertisedahuntingmuseumandaskiingmuseum.AleftoverflyerannouncedthatVeronikawouldsingatthefair-groundsatMidsummer.Hecouldwalkfromoneendofthevilgetotheotherinlessthantwentyminutes.
    ThestreetcalledSolv?ndanconsistedofsingle-familyhomesandwasaboutfiveminutesfromthehotel.TherewasnoanswerwhenBlomkvistrangthebell.Itwas9:30,andheassumedthatBurmanhadleftforworkor,ifhewasretired,wasoutonanerrand.
    HisnextstopwasthehardwarestoreonStatan.HereasonedthatanyonelivinginNorsj?wouldsoonerorterpayavisittothehardwarestore.Thereweretwosalesclerksintheshop.Blomkvistchosetheolderone,maybefiftyorso.
    “Hi.I’mlookingforacouplewhoprobablylivedinNorsj?inthesixties.ThemanmighthaveworkedfortheNorsj?CarpentryShop.Idon’tknowtheirname,butIhavetwopicturesthatweretakenin1966.”
    Theclerkstudiedthephotographsforalongtimebutfinallyshookhishead,sayinghecouldnotrecogniseeitherthemanorthewoman.
    Atlunchtimehehadaburgeratahot-dogstandnearthebusstation.Hehadgivenupontheshopsandhadmadehiswaythroughthemunicipaloffice,thelibrary,andthepharmacy.Thepolicestationwasempty,andhehadstartedapproachingolderpeopleatrandom.Earlyintheafternoonheaskedtwoyoungwomen:theydidnotrecognisethecoupleinthephotographs,buttheydidhaveagoodidea.
    “Ifthepicturesweretakenin1966,thepeoplewouldhavetobeintheirsixtiestoday.Whydon’tyougoovertotheretirementhomeonSolbackaandaskthere?”
    Blomkvistintroducedhimselftoawomanatthefrontdeskoftheretirementhome,expiningwhathewantedtoknow.Shegredathimsuspiciouslybutfinallyallowedherselftobepersuaded.Sheledhimtothedayroom,wherehespenthalfanhourshowingthepicturestoagroupofelderlypeople.Theywereveryhelpful,butnoneofthemcouldidentifythecouple.
    At5:00hewentbacktoSolv?ndanandknockedonBurman’sdoor.Thistimehehadbetterluck.TheBurmans,boththemanandthewife,wereretired,andtheyhadbeenoutallday.TheyinvitedBlomkvistintotheirkitchen,wherehiswifepromptlymadecoffeewhileMikaelexpinedhiserrand.Aswithallhisotherattemptsthatday,heagaindrewabnk.Burmanscratchedhishead,litapipe,andthenconcludedafteramomentthathedidnotrecognisethecoupleinthephotographs.TheBurmansspokeinadistinctNorsj?dialecttoeachother,andBlomkvistoasionallyhaddifficultyunderstandingwhattheyweresaying.Thewifemeant“curlyhair”whensheremarkedthatthewomaninthepicturehadkn?velh?ra.
    “Butyou’requiterightthatit’sastickerfromthecarpentryshop,”herhusbandsaid.“Thatwascleverofyoutorecogniseit.Buttheproblemwasthatwehandedoutthosestickersleftandright.Tocontractors,peoplewhoboughtordeliveredtimber,joiners,machinists,allsorts.”
    “It’sturningouttobehardertofindthiscouplethanIthought.”
    “Whydoyouwanttofindthem?”
    Blomkvisthaddecidedtotellthetruthifanyoneaskedhim.Anyattempttomakeupastoryaboutthecoupleinthepictureswouldjustsoundfalseandcreateconfusion.
    “It’salongstory.I’minvestigatingacrimethatourredinHedestadin1966,andIthinkthere’sapossibility,althoughaverysmallone,thatthepeopleinthephotographsmighthaveseenwhathappened.They’renotinanywayundersuspicion,andIdon’tthinkthey’reevenawarethattheymighthavermationthatcouldsolvethecrime.”
    “Acrime?Whatkindofcrime?”
    “I’msorry,butIcan’ttellyouanymorethanthat.Iknowitsoundsarrethatsomeonewouldeherealmostfortyyearster,tryingtofindthiscouple,butthecrimeisstillunsolved,andit’sonlytelythatnewfactshaveetolight.”
    “Isee.Yes,thisiscertainlyanunusuassignmentthatyou’reon.”
    “Howmanypeopleworkedatthecarpentryshop?”
    “Thenormalworkforcewasfortyorso.Iworkedtherefromtheageofseventeeninthemid-fiftiesuntiltheshopclosed.ThenIbecameacontractor.”Burmanthoughtforamoment.“ThismuchIcantellyou.Theguyinyourpicturesneverworkedthere.Hemighthavebeenacontractor,butIthinkI’drecognisehimifhewas.Butthereisoneotherpossibility.Maybehisfatherorsomeotherretiveworkedattheshopandthat’snothiscar.”
    Mikaelnodded.“Irealisetherearelotsofpossibilities.CanyousuggestanyoneIcouldtalkto?”
    “Yes,”saidBurman,nodding.“ebytomorrowmorningandwe’llgoandhaveatalkwithsomeoftheoldguys.”
    Sanderwasfacingamethodologyproblemofsomesignificance.Shewasanexpertatdigginguprmationonjustaboutanybody,butherstartingpointhadalwaysbeenanameandasocialsecuritynumberforalivingperson.Iftheindividualwaslistedinaputerfile,whicheveryoneinevitablywas,thenthesubjectquicklyndedinherspider’sweb.IftheindividualownedaputerwithanInterconnection,anemaiddress,andmaybeevenapersonalwebsite,whichnearlyeveryonedidwhocameunderherspecialtypeofresearch,shecouldsoonerorterfindouttheirinnermostsecrets.
    TheworkshehadagreedtodoforBlomkvistwasaltogetherdifferent.Thisassignment,insimpleterms,wastoidentifyfoursocialsecuritynumbersbasedonextremelyvaguedata.Inaddition,theseindividualsmostlikelydiedseveraldecadesago.Soprobablytheywouldnotbeonanyputerfiles.
    Blomkvist’stheory,basedontheRebeckaJacobssoncase,wasthattheseindividualshadfallenvictimtoamurderer.Thismeantthattheyshouldbefoundinvariousunsolvedpoliceinvestigations.Therewasnoclueastowhenorwherethesemurdershadtakenpce,exceptthatithadtobebefore1966.Intermsofresearch,shewasfacingawholenewsituation.
    So,howdoIgoaboutthis?
    ShepulleduptheGooglesearchengine,andtypedinthekeywords.Thatwasthesimplestformofresearchshecoulddo.Tohersurprise,shemadeaninstantbreakthroughintheinvestigation.HerfirsthitwastheprogrammelistingsforTVV?rmndinKarlstad,advertisingasegmentintheseries“V?rmndMurders”thatwasbroadcastin1999.AfterthatshefoundabriefmentioninaTVlistinginV?rmndsFolkbd.
    Intheseries“V?rmndMurders”thefocusnowturnstoMagdaLovisaSj?berginRanmotr?sk,agruesomemurdermysterythatoupiedtheKarlstadpoliceseveraldecadesago.InApril1960,the46-year-oldfarmer’swifewasfoundmurderedinthefamily’sbarn.ThereporterCesGunnarsdescribesthesthoursofherlifeandthefruitlesssearchforthekiller.Themurdercausedagreatstiratthetime,andmanytheorieshavebeenpresentedaboutwhotheguiltypartywas.Ayoungretivewilppearontheshowtotalkabouthowhislifewasdestroyedwhenhewasausedofthemurder.8:00p.m.
    Shefoundmoresubstantialrmationinthearticle“TheLovisaCaseShooktheWholeCountryside,”whichwaspublishedinthemagazineV?rmndskultur.Allofthemagazine’stextshadbeenloadedontothe.Writtenwithobviousgleeandinachattyandtitiltingtone,thearticledescribedhowLovisaSj?berg’shusband,thelumberjackHolgerSj?berg,hadfoundhiswifedeadwhenhecamehomefromworkaround5:00.Shehadbeensubjectedtogrosssexuassault,stabbed,andfinallymurderedwiththeprongsofapitchfork.Themurderourredinthefamilybarn,butwhatarousedthemostattentionwasthefactthattheperpetrator,aftermittingthemurder,hadtiedherupinakneelingpositioninsideahorsestall.
    Itwasterdiscoveredthatoneoftheanimalsonthefarm,acow,hadsufferedastabwoundonthesideofitsneck.
    Initiallythehusbandwassuspectedofthemurder,buthehadbeeninthepanyofhisworkcolleaguesfrom6:00inthemorningataclearingtwenty-fivemilesfromhishome.ItcouldbeverifiedthatLovisaSj?berghadbeenaliveasteas10:00inthemorning,whenshehadavisitfromawomanfriend.No-onehadseenorheardanything;thefarmwasfivehundredyardsfromitsnearestneighbour.
    Afterdroppingthehusbandasasuspect,thepoliceinvestigationfocusedonthevictim’stwenty-three-year-oldnephew.Hehadrepeatedlyfallenfoulofthew,wasextremelyshortofcash,andmanytimeshadborrowedsmallsumsfromhisaunt.Thenephew’salibiwassignificantlyweaker,andhewastakenintocustodyforawhile,butreleasedforckofevidence.Evenso,manypeopleinthevilgethoughtithighlyprobablethathewasguilty.
    Thepolicefollowedanotherlead.Apartoftheinvestigationconcernedthesearchforapedrwhowasseeninthearea;therewasalsoarumourthatagroupof“thievinggypsies”hadcarriedoutaseriesofraids.Whytheyshouldhavemittedasavage,sexuallyretedmurderwithoutstealinganythingwasneverexpined.
    Foratimesuspicionwasdirectedataneighbourinthevilge,abachelorwhoinhisyouthwassuspectedofanallegedlyhomosexualcrime—thiswasbackwhenhomosexualitywasstilpunishableoffence—andaordingtoseveralstatements,hehadareputationforbeing“odd.”Whysomeonewhowassupposedlyhomosexualwouldmitasexcrimeagainstawomanwasnotexpinedeither.Noneoftheseleads,oranyothers,ledtoacharge.
    SanderthoughttherewasaclearlinktothelistinHarrietVanger’sdate.Leviticus20:16said:“Ifawomanapproachesanybeastandlieswithit,youshallkillthewomanandthebeast;theyshallbeputtodeath,theirbloodisuponthem.”Itcouldn’tbeacoincidencethatafarmer’swifebythenameofMagdahadbeenfoundmurderedinabarn,withherbodysoarrangedandtiedupinahorsestall.
    ThequestionwaswhyhadHarrietVangerwrittendownthenameMagdainsteadofLovisa,whichwasapparentlythenamethevictimwentunder.IfherfullnamehadnotbeenprintedintheTVlisting,Sanderwouldhavemissedit.
    And,ofcourse,themoreimportantquestionwas:wastherealinkbetweenRebecka’smurderin1949,themurderofMagdaLovisain1960,andHarrietVanger’sdisappearancein1966?
    OnSaturdaymorningBurmantookBlomkvistonanextensivetourofNorsj?.InthemorningtheycalledonfiveformeremployeeswholivedwithinwalkingdistanceofBurman’shouse.Everyoneofferedthemcoffee.Allofthemstudiedthephotographsandshooktheirheads.
    AfterasimplelunchattheBurmanhome,theygotinthecarforadrive.TheyvisitedfourvilgesnearNorsj?,whereformeremployeesofthecarpentryshoplived.AteachstopBurmanwasgreetedwithwarmth,butno-onewasabletohelpthem.Blomkvistwasbeginningtodespair.
    At4:00intheafternoon,BurmanparkedhiscaroutsideatypicalredV?sterbottenfarmnearNorsj?vallen,justnorthofNorsj?,andintroducedMikaeltoHenningForsman,aretiredmastercarpenter.
    “Yes,that’sAssarBr?nnlund’sd,”ForsmansaidassoonasBlomkvistshowedhimthephotographs.Bingo.
    “Oh,sothat’sAssar’sboy,”Burmansaid.“Assarwasabuyer.”
    “HowcanIfindhim?”
    “Thed?Well,you’llhavetodig.HisnamewasGunnar,andheworkedattheBolidenmine.Hediedinabstingaidentinthemid-seventies.”
    Blomkvist’sheartsank.
    “Buthiswifeisstillive.Theoneinthepicturehere.HernameisMildred,andshelivesinBjursele.”
    “Bjursele?”
    “It’saboutsixmilesdowntheroadtoBastutr?sk.Shelivesinthelongredhouseontheright-handsideasyou’reingintothevilge.It’sthethirdhouse.Iknowthefamilywell.”
    “Hi,mynameisLisbethSander,andI’mwritingmythesisonthecriminologyofviolenceagainstwomeninthetwentiethcentury.I’dliketovisitthepolicedistrictinLandskronaandreadthroughthedocumentsofacasefrom1957.IthastodowiththemurderofawomanbythenameofRakelLunde.Doyouhaveanyideawherethosedocumentsaretoday?”
    BjurselewaslikeaposterfortheV?sterbottencountryvilge.Itconsistedofabouttwentyhousessetretivelyclosetogetherinasemicircleatoneendofake.InthecentreofthevilgewasacrossroadswithanarrowpointingtowardsHemmingen,101/2miles,andanotherpointingtowardsBastutr?sk,7miles.NearthecrossroadswasasmallbridgewithacreekthatBlomkvistassumedwasthewater,thesel.Attheheightofsummer,itwasasprettyasapostcard.
    HeparkedinthecourtyardinfrontofaKonsumthatwasnolongeropen,almostoppositethethirdhouseontheright-handside.Whenheknockedonthedoor,no-oneanswered.
    Hetookanhour-longwalkalongtheroadtowardsHemmingen.Hepassedaspotwherethestreambecamerushingrapids.Hemettwocatsandsawadeer,butnotasingleperson,beforeheturnedaround.MildredBr?nnlund’sdoorwasstillshut.
    OnapostnearthebridgehefoundapeelingflyerannouncingtheBT,somethingthatcouldbedecipheredastheBjurseleTuktingCarChampionship2002.“Tukting”acarwasapparentlyawintersportthatinvolvedsmashingupavehicleontheice-coveredke.
    Hewaiteduntil10:00p.m.beforehegaveupanddrovebacktoNorsj?,wherehehadatedinnerandthenwenttobedtoreadthedenouementofValMcDermid’snovel.
    Itwasgrisly.
    At10:00SanderaddedonemorenametoHarrietVanger’slist.Shedidsowithsomehesitation.
    Shehaddiscoveredashortcut.Atquiteregurintervalsarticleswerepublishedaboutunsolvedmurders,andinaSundaysupplementtotheeveningnewspapershehadfoundanarticlefrom1999withtheheadli