13
ne“ManyMurderersofWomenGoFree.”Itwasashortarticle,butitincludedthenamesandphotographsofseveralnoteworthymurdervictims.TherewastheSolveigcaseinNorrt?lje,theAnitamurderinNorrk?ping,MargaretainHelsingb,andanumberofothers.
Theoldestcasetoberecountedwasfromthesixties,andnoneofthemurdersmatchedthelistthatSanderhadbeengivenbyBlomkvist.Butonecasedidattractherattention.
InJune1962aprostitutebythenameofLeaPerssonfromG?tebhadgooUddevaltovisithermotherandhernine-year-oldson,whomhermotherwastakingcareof.OnaSundayevening,afteravisitofseveraldays,Leahadhuggedhermother,saidgoodbye,andcaughtthetrainbacktoG?teb.Shewasfoundtwodaysterbehindacontaineronanindustrialsitenolongerinuse.Shehadbeenraped,andherbodyhadbeensubjectedtoextraordinaryviolence.
TheLeamurderarousedagreatdealofattentionasasummerserialstoryinthenewspaper,butnokillerhadeverbeenidentified.TherewasnoLeaonHarrietVanger’slist.NordidthemannerofherdeathfitwithanyofHarriet’sBiblequotes.
Ontheotherhand,therewassuchaarrecoincidencethatSander’santennaeinstantlybuzzed.AbouttenyardsfromwhereLea’sbodywasfoundyaflowerpotwithapigeoninside.Someonehadtiedastringroundthepigeon’sneckandpulleditthroughtheholeinthebottomofthepot.Thenthepotwasputonalittlefirethathadbeenidbetweentwobricks.TherewasnocertaintythatthiscrueltyhadanyconnectionwiththeLeamurder.Itcouldhavebeenachildpyingahorriblegame,butthepressdubbedthemurderthePigeonMurder.
SanderwasnoBiblereader—shedidnotevenownone—butthateveningshewentovertoH?galidChurchandwithsomedifficultyshemanagedtoborrowaBible.ShesatonaparkbenchoutsidethechurchandreadLeviticus.WhenshereachedChapter12,verse8,hereyebrowswentup.Chapter12dealtwiththepurificationofwomenafterchildbirth.
Andifshecannotaffordamb,thensheshalltaketwoturtledovesortwoyoungpigeons,oneforaburntofferingandtheotherforasinoffering;andthepriestshallmakeatonementforher,andsheshallbeclean.
LeacouldverywellhavebeenincludedinHarriet’sdateas:Lea—31208.
Sanderthoughtthatnoresearchshehadeverdonebeforehadcontainedevenafractionofthescopeofthisassignment.
MildredBr?nnlund,remarriedandnowMildredBerggren,openedthedoorwhenBlomkvistknockedaround10:00onSundaymorning.Thewomanwasmucholder,ofcourse,andhadbynowfilledoutagooddeal,butherecognisedheratonce.
“Hi,mynameisMikaelBlomkvist.YoumustbeMildredBerggren.”
“That’sright.”
“I’msorryforknockingonyourdoorlikethis,butI’vebeentryingtofindyou,andit’sratherplicatedtoexpin.”Hesmiledather.“IwonderifIcouldeinandtakeupasmalmountofyourtime.”
Mildred’shusbandandasonwhowasaboutthirty-fivewerehome,andwithoutmuchhesitationsheinvitedBlomkvisttoeandsitintheirkitchen.Heshookhandswitheachofthem.Hehaddrunkmorecoffeeduringthepasttwenty-fourhoursthanatanytimeinhislife,butbynowhehadlearnedthatinNorrnditwasrudetosayno.Whenthecoffeecupswereonthetable,Mildredsatdownandaskedwithsomecuriosityhowshecouldhelphim.ItwasobviousthathedidnoteasilyunderstandherNorsj?dialect,sosheswitchedtostandardSwedish.
Blomkvisttookadeepbreath.“Thisisalongandpeculiarstory,”hesaid.“InSeptember1966youwereinHedestadwithyourthenhusband,GunnarBr?nnlund.”
Shelookedsurprised.HewaitedforhertonodbeforeheidthephotographfromJ?rnv?gsgatanonthetableinfrontofher.
“Whenwasthispicturetaken?Doyouremembertheoasion?”
“Oh,mygoodness,”MildredBerggrensaid.“Thatwasalifetimeago.”
Herpresenthusbandandsoncametostandnexttohertolookatthepicture.
“Wewereonourhoneymoon.WehaddrivendowntoStockholmandSigtunaandwereonourwayhomeandhappenedtostopsomewhere.WasitinHedestad,yousaid?”
“Yes,Hedestad.Thisphotographwastakenatabout1:00intheafternoon.I’vebeentryingtofindyouforsometimenow,andithasn’tbeenasimpletask.”
“Youseeanoldphotographofmeandthenactuallytrackmedown.Ican’timaginehowyoudidit.”
Blomkvistputthephotographfromthecarparkonthetable.
“Iwasabletofindyouthankstothispicture,whichwastakenalittleterintheday.”Heexpinedhow,viatheNorsj?CarpentryShop,hehadfoundBurman,whointurnhadledhimtoHenningForsmaninNorsj?vallen.
“Youmusthaveagoodreasonforthislongsearch.”
“Ido.ThisgirlstandingclosetoyouinthisphotographiscalledHarriet.Thatdayshedisappeared,andshewasneverseenorheardofagain.Thegenerassumptionisthatshefellpreytoamurderer.CanIshowyousomemorephotographs?”
Hetookouthisiandexpinedthecircumstanceswhiletheputerbootedup.ThenhepyedhertheseriesofimagesshowinghowHarriet’sfacialexpressionchanged.
“ItwaswhenIwentthroughtheseoldimagesthatIfoundyou,standingwithacamerarightbehindHarriet,andyouseemtobetakingapictureinthedirectionofwhateveritisshe’slookingat,whatevercausedhertoreactinthatway.Iknowthatthisisareallylongshot,butthereasonI’vebeenlookingforyouistoaskyouifbyanymiracleyoustillhavethepicturesfromthatday.”
HewaspreparedforMildredBerggrentodismisstheideaandtellhimthatthephotographshadlongsincevanished.Insteadshelookedathimwithherclearblueeyesandsaid,asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld,thatofcourseshestillhadheroldhoneymoonpictures.
Shewenttoanotherroomandcamebackafterseveralminuteswithaboxinwhichshehadstoredaquantityofpicturesinvariousalbums.Ittookawhiletofindthehoneymoonones.ShehadtakenthreephotographsinHedestad.Onewasblurryandshowedthemainstreet.Anothershowedherhusbandatthetime.Thethirdshowedtheclownsintheparade.
Blomkvisteagerlyleanedforward.Hecouldseeafigureontheothersideofthestreetbehindaclown.Butthephotographtoldhimabsolutelynothing.
CHAPTER20
Tuesday,July1–Wednesday,July2
ThefirstthingBlomkvistdidthemorninghereturnedtoHedestadwastogotoFrode’shousetoaskaboutVanger’scondition.Helearnedtohisdelightthattheoldmanhadimprovedquiteabitduringthepastweek.Hewasweakstill,andfragile,butnowhecouldsitupinbed.Hisconditionwasnolongerregardedascritical.
“ThankGod,”hesaid.“IrealisedthatIactuallylikehim.”
Frodesaid:“Iknowthat.AndHenriklikesyoutoo.HowwasNorrnd?”
“Suessfulyetunsatisfying.I’llexpinalittleter.RightnowIhaveaquestion.”
“Goahead.”
“WhatrealisticallywillhappentoyourinterestinMillenniumifHenrikdies?”
“Nothingatall.Martinwilltakehispceontheboard.”
“Isthereanyrisk,hypotheticallyspeaking,thatMartinmightcreateproblemsforMillenniumifIdon’tputastoptotheinvestigationofHarriet’sdisappearance?”
Frodegavehimasharplook.
“What’shappened?”
“Nothing,actually.”MikaeltoldhimabouttheconversationhehadhadwithMartinVangeronMidsummerEve.“WhenIwasinNorsj?ErikatoldmethatMartinhadcalledherandsaidthathethoughtIwasverymuchneededbackattheoffice.”
“Iunderstand.MyguessisthatCeciliawasafterhim.ButIdon’tthinkthatMartinwouldputpressureonyoulikethatonhisown.He’smuchtoosavvy.Andremember,I’malsoontheboardofthelittlesubsidiaryweformedwhenweboughtintoMillennium.”
“Butwhatifaticklishsituationcameup—howwouldyouactthen?”
“Contractsexisttobehonoured.IworkforHenrik.HenrikandIhavebeenfriendsforforty-fiveyears,andweareinpleteagreementinsuchmatters.IfHenrikshoulddieitisinpointoffactI—notMartin—whowouldinheritHenrik’sshareinthesubsidiary.WehaveacontractinwhichwehaveundertakentobackMillenniumforthreeyears.ShouldMartinwishtostartanymischief—whichIdon’tbelievehewill—thentheoreticallyhecouldputthebrakesonasmallnumberofnewadvertisers.”
“ThelifebloodofMillennium’sexistence.”
“Yes,butlookatitthisway—worryingaboutsuchtriviaisawasteoftime.Martinispresentlyfightingforhisindustrialsurvivandworkingfourteenhoursaday.Hedoesn’thavetimeforanythingelse.”
“MayIask—Iknowit’snoneofmybusiness—whatisthegeneralconditionofthecorporation?”
Frodelookedgrave.
“Wehaveproblems.”
“Yes,evenamonfinancialreporterlikemyselfcanseethat.Imean,howseriousisit?”
“Offtherecord?”
“Betweenus.”
“We’velosttworgeordersintheelectronicsindustryinthepastfewweeksandareabouttobeejectedfromtheRussianmarket.InSeptemberwe’regoingtohavetoyoff1,600employeesin?rebroandTrollh?ttan.Notmuchofarewardtogivetopeoplewho’veworkedforthepanyformanyyears.Eachtimeweshutdownafactory,confidenceinthepanyisfurtherundermined.”
“Martinisunderpressure.”
“He’spullingtheloadofanoxandwalkingoneggshells.”
BlomkvistwentbacktohiscottageandcalledBerger.Shewasnotattheoffice,sohespoketoMalm.
“Here’sthedeal:ErikacalledwhenIwasinNorsj?.MartinVangerhasbeenafterherandhas,howshallIputit,encouragedhertoproposethatIstarttotakeoneditorialresponsibility.”
“Ithinkyoushouldtoo,”Malmsaid.
“Iknowthat.Butthethingis,IhaveacontractwithHenrikVangerthatIcan’tbreak,andMartinisactingonbehalfofsomeoneupherewhowantsmetostopwhatIamdoingandleavetown.Sohisproposamountstoanattempttogetridofme.”
“Isee.”
“SayhitoErikaandtellherI’llebacktoStockholmwhenI’mfinishedhere.Notbefore.”
“Iunderstand.You’restarkravingmad,ofcourse,butI’llgiveherthemessage.”
“Christer.Somethingisgoingonuphere,andIhavenointentionofbackingout.”
BlomkvistknockedonMartinVanger’sdoor.EvaHasselopeneditandgreetedhimwarmly.
“Hi.IsMartinhome?”
Asifinreplytothequestion,MartinVangercamewalkingoutwithabriefcaseinhishand.HekissedEvaonthecheekandsaidhellotoMikael.
“I’monmywaytotheoffice.Doyouwanttotalktome?”
“Wecandoitterifyou’reinahurry.”
“Let’shearit.”
“Iwon’tbegoingbacktoMillennium’seditorialboardbeforeI’mfinishedwiththeassignmentthatHenrikgaveme.I’mrmingyouofthisnowsothatyouwon’tcountonmebeingontheboardbeforeNewYear’s.”
MartinVangerteeteredbackandforthforabit.
“Isee.YouthinkIwanttogetridofyou.”Hepaused.“Mikael,we’llhavetotalkaboutthister.Idon’treallyhavetimetodevotetomyhobbyonMillennium’sboard,andIwishI’dneveragreedtoHenrik’sproposal.Butbelieveme—I’mgoingtodomybesttomakesurethatMillenniumsurvives.”
“I’veneverhadanydoubtaboutthat,”Blomkvistsaid.
“IfwemakeanappointmentforsometimenextweekwecangooverthefinancesandIcangiveyoumyviewsonthematter.ButmybasicattitudeisthatMillenniumcannotactuallyaffordtohaveoneofitskeypeoplesittinguphereonHedebyIsndtwiddlinghisthumbs.IlikethemagazineandIthinkwecanmakeitstrongertogether,butyou’recrucialtothattask.I’vewoundupinaconflictofloyaltieshere.EitherIfollowHenrik’swishesorcarryoutmyjobonMillennium’sboard.”
BlomkvistchangedintohistracksuitandwentforarunouttotheFortressanddowntoGottfried’scabinbeforeheheadedhomeataslowerpacealongthewater.Frodewassittingatthegardentable.HewaitedpatientlyasMikaeldrankabottleofwaterandtowelledthesweatfromhisface.
“Thatdoesn’tlooksohealthyinthisheat.”
“Oh,eon,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Iwaswrong.Ceciliaisn’tthemainpersonwho’safterMartin.It’sIsabel.She’sbusymobilisingtheVangercntotarandfeatheryouandpossiblyburnyouatthestaketoo.She’sbeingbackedupbyBirger.”
“Isabel?”
“She’samalicious,pettywomanwhodoesn’tlikeotherpeopleingeneral.Rightnowitseemsthatshedetestsyouinparticur.She’sspreadingstoriesthatyou’reaswindlerwhodupedHenrikintohiringyou,andthatyougothimsoworkedupthathehadaheartattack.”
“Ihopeno-onebelievesthat?”
“There’salwayssomeonewillingtobelievemaliciousrumours.”
“I’mtryingtoworkoutwhathappenedtoherdaughter—andshehatesme.IfHarrietweremydaughter,Iwouldhavereactedabitdifferently.”
At2:00intheafternoon,hismobilerang.
“Hello,mynameisConnyTorssonandIworkattheHedestadCourier.Doyouhavetimetoanswerafewquestions?Wegotatipthatyou’relivinghereinHedeby.”
“Well,HerrTorsson,yourtipmachineisalittleslow.I’vebeenlivingheresincethefirstoftheyear.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.WhatareyoudoinginHedestad?”
“Writing.Andtakingasortofsabbatical.”
“Whatareyouworkingon?”
“You’llfindoutwhenIpublishit.”
“Youwerejustreleasedfromprison…”
“Yes?”
“Doyouhaveaviewonjournalistswhofalsifymaterial?”
“Journalistswhofalsifymateriareidiots.”
“Soinyouropinionyou’reanidiot?”
“WhyshouldIthinkthat?I’veneverfalsifiedmaterial.”
“Butyouwereconvictedoflibel.”
“So?”
TorssonhesitatedlongenoughthatBlomkvisthadtogivehimapush.
“Iwasconvictedoflibel,notoffalsifyingmaterial.”
“Butyoupublishedthematerial.”
“Ifyou’recallingtodiscussthejudgementagainstme,Ihavenoment.”
“I’dliketoeoutanddoaninterviewwithyou.”
“Ihavenothingtosaytoyouonthistopic.”
“Soyoudon’twanttodiscussthetrial?”
“That’scorrect,”hesaid,andhungup.Hesatthinkingforalongtimebeforehewentbacktohisputer.
SanderfollowedtheinstructionsshehadreceivedanddroveherKawasakiacrossthebridgetoHedebyIsnd.Shestoppedatthefirstlittlehouseontheleft.Shewasreallyoutinthesticks.Butaslongasheremployerwaspaying,shedidnotmindifshewenttotheNorthPole.Besides,itwasgreattogiveherbikeitsheadonalongrideuptheE4.Sheputthebikeonitsstandandloosenedthestrapthatheldherovernightduffelbaginpce.
Blomkvistopenedthedoorandwavedtoher.Hecameoutandinspectedhermotorcyclewithobviousastonishment.
Hewhistled.“You’reridingamotorbike!”
Sandersaidnothing,butshewatchedhimintentlyashetouchedthehandlebarsandtriedtheaelerator.Shedidnotlikeanyoouchingherstuff.Thenshesawhischildlike,boyishsmile,whichshetookforaredeemingfeature.Mostpeoplewhowereintomotorcyclesusuallyughedatherlightweightbike.
“IhadamotorbikewhenIwasnieen,”hesaid,turningtoher.“Thanksforingup.einandlet’sgetyousettled.”
HehadborrowedacampbedfromtheNilssons.Sandertookatouraroundthecabin,lookingsuspicious,butsheseemedtorexwhenshecouldfindnoimmediatesignsofanyinsidioustrap.Heshowedherwherethebathroomwas.
“Incaseyouwanttotakeashowerandfreshenup.”
“Ihavetochange.Iamnotgoingtowanderaroundinmyleathers.”
“OK,whileyouchangeI’llmakedinner.”
HesautéedmbchopsinredwinesauceandsetthetableoutdoorsintheafternoonsunwhileSandershoweredandchanged.Shecameoutbarefootwearingabckcamisoleandashort,worndenimskirt.Thefoodsmelledgood,andsheputawaytwostouthelpings.Fascinated,Blomkvistsneakedalookatthetattoosonherback.
“Fiveplusthree,”Sandersaid.“FivecasesfromyourHarriet’slistandthreecasesthatIthinkshouldhavebeenonthelist.”
“Tellme.”
“I’veonlybeenonthisforelevendays,andIhaven’thadachancetodigupallthereports.Insomecasesthepolicereportshadbeenputinthenationarchive,andinothersthey’restillstoredinthelocalpolicedistrict.Imadethreedaytripstodifferentpolicedistricts,butIdidn’thavetimetogettoallofthem.Thefiveareidentified.”
Sanderputasolidheapofpaperonthekitchentable,around500pages.Shequicklysortedthematerialintodifferentstacks.
“Let’staketheminchronologicalorder.”ShehandedBlomkvistalist.
1949—REBECKAJACOBSSON,Hedestad
1954—MARIHOLMBERG,Kalmar
1957—RAKELLUNDE,Landskrona
1960—
1960—LIVGUSTAVSSON,Stockholm
1962—LEAPERSSON,Uddeval
1964—SARAWITT,Ronneby
1966—LENAANDERSSON,Uppsa
“ThefirstcaseinthisseriesisRebeckaJacobsson,1949,thedetailsofwhichyoualreadyknow.ThenextcaseIfoundwasMariHolmberg,athirty-two-year-oldprostituteinKalmarwhowasmurderedinherapartmentinOctober1954.It’snotclearexactlywhenshewaskilled,sinceherbodywasn’tfoundrightaway,probablynineortendayster.”
“AndhowdoyouconnecthertoHarriet’slist?”
“Shewastiedupandbadlyabused,butthecauseofdeathwasstrangution.Shehadasanitarytoweldownherthroat.”
BlomkvistsatinsilenceforamomentbeforehelookeduptheversethatwasLeviticus20:18.
“Ifamanlieswithawomanhavinghersickness,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuncoveredthefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
Sandernodded.
“HarrietVangermadethesameconnection.OK.Next?”
“May1957,RakelLunde,forty-five.Sheworkedasacleaningwomanandwasabitofahappyeentricinthevilge.Shewasafortune-tellerandherhobbywasdoingTarotreadings,palms,etcetera.ShelivedoutsideLandskronainahousealongwayfromanywhere,andshewasmurderedtheresometimeearlyinthemorning.Shewasfoundnakedandtiedtoaundry-dryingframeinherbackgarden,withhermouthtapedshut.Causeofdeathwasaheavyrockbeingrepeatedlythrownather.Shehadcountlesscontusionsandfractures.”
“JesusChrist.Lisbeth,thisisfuckingdisgusting.”
“Itgetsworse.TheinitialsR.L.arecorrect—youfoundtheBiblequote?”
“Overlyexplicit.Amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestonedwithstones,theirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
“Thenthere’sSj?berginRanmooutsideKarlstad.She’stheoneHarrietlistedasMagda.HerfullnamewasMagdaLovisa,butpeoplecalledherLovisa.”
BlomkvistlistenedwhileSanderrecountedthearredetailsoftheKarlstadmurder.Whenshelitacigarettehepointedatthepack,andshepusheditovertohim.
“Sothekillerattackedtheanimaltoo?”
“TheLeviticusversesaysthatifawomanhassexwithananimal,bothmustbekilled.”
“Thelikelihoodofthiswomanhavingsexwithacowmustbe…well,non-existent.”
“Theversecanbereadliterally.It’senoughthatshe‘approaches’theanimal,whichafarmer’swifewouldundeniablydoeveryday.”
“Understood.”
“ThenextcaseonHarriet’slistisSara.I’veidentifiedherasSaraWitt,thirty-seven,livinginRonneby.ShewasmurderedinJanuary1964,foundtiedtoherbed,subjectedtoaggravatedsexuassault,butthecauseofdeathwasasphyxiation;shewasstrangled.Thekilleralsostartedafire,withtheprobableintentionofburningthewholehousedowntotheground,butpartofthefirewentoutbyitself,andtherestwastakencareofbythefireservice,whowerethereinaveryshorttime.”
“Andtheconnection?”
“Listentothis.SaraWittwasboththedaughterofapastorandmarriedtoapastor.Herhusbandwasawaythatweekend.”
“Andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbypyingtheharlot,profanesherfather;sheshallbeburnedwithfire.OK.Thatfitsonthelist.Yousaidyou’dfoundmorecases.”
“I’vefoundthreeotherwomenwhoweremurderedundersuchsimirlystrangecircumstancesandtheycouldhavebeenonHarriet’slist.ThefirstisayoungwomannamedLivGustavsson.Shewastwenty-twoandlivedinFarsta.Shewasahorse-lovinggirl—sherodeinpetitionsandwasquiteapromisingtalent.Shealsoownedasmallpetshopwithhersister.Shewasfoundintheshop.Shehadworkedteonthekeepingandwastherealone.Shemusthaveletthekillerinvoluntarily.Shewasrapedandstrangledtodeath.”
“Thatdoesn’tsoundquitelikeHarriet’slist,doesit?”
“Notexactly,ifitweren’tforohing.Thekillerconcludedhisbarbaritiesbyshovingaparakeetuphervaginaandthenletalltheanimalsoutintotheshop.Cats,turtles,whitemice,rabbits,birds.Eventhefishintheaquarium.Soitwasquiteanappallingscenehersisterencounteredinthemorning.”
Blomkvistmadeanote.
“ShewasmurderedinAugust1960,fourmonthsafterthemurderofthefarmer’swifeMagdaLovisainKarlstad.Inbothinstancestheywerewomenwhoworkedprofessionallywithanimals,andinbothcasestherewasananimalsacrifice.ThecowinKarlstadmayhavesurvived—butIcanimagineitwouldbedifficulttostabacowtodeathwithaknife.Aparakeetismorestraightforward.Andbesides,therewasanadditionanimalsacrifice.”
“What?”
Sandertoldthestoryofthe“pigeonmurder”ofLeaPersson.BlomkvistsatforsolonginsilenceandinthoughtthatevenSandergrewimpatient.
“I’llbuyyourtheory,”hesaidatst.“There’sonecaseleft.”
“AcasethatIdiscoveredbychance.Idon’tknowhowmanyImayhavemissed.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
“February1966inUppsa.Thevictimwasaseventeen-year-oldgymnastcalledLenaAndersson.ShedisappearedafteracsspartyandwasfoundthreedaysterinaditchontheUppsapin,quiteawayoutoftown.Shehadbeenmurderedsomewhereelseandherbodydumpedthere.Thismurdergotalotofattentioninthemedia,butthetruecircumstancessurroundingherdeathwereneverreported.Thegirlhadbeengrotesquelytortured.Ireadthepathologist’sreport.Shewastorturedwithfire.Herhandsandbreastswereatrociouslyburned,andshehadbeenburnedrepeatedlyatvariousspotsalloverherbody.Theyfoundparaffinstainsonher,whichshowedthatcandleshadbeenused,butherhandsweresocharredthattheymusthavebeenheldoveramorepowerfulfire.Finally,thekillersawedoffherheadandtosseditnexttothebody.”
Blomkvistbnched.“GoodLord,”hesaid.
“Ican’tfindanyBiblequotethatfits,butthereareseveralpassagesthatdealwithafireofferingandasinoffering,andinsomepcesit’sremendedthatthesacrificianimal—mostoftenabull—becutupinsuchawaythattheheadisseveredfromthefat.Firealsoremindsmeofthefirstmurder,ofRebeckahereinHedestad.”
Towardseveningwhenthemosquitoesbegantoswarmtheyclearedoffthegardentableandmovedtothekitchentogoonwiththeirtalk.
“Thefactthatyoudidn’tfindanexactBiblequotationdoesn’tmeanmuch.It’snotamatterofquotations.ThisisagrotesqueparodyofwhatiswrittenintheBible—it’smorelikeassociationstoquotationspulledoutofcontext.”
“Iagree.Itisn’tevenlogical.Takeforexamplethequotethatbothhavetobecutofffromtheirpeopleifsomeonehassexwithagirlwho’shavingherperiod.Ifthat’sinterpretedliterally,thekillershouldhavemittedsuicide.”
“Sowheredoesallthislead?”Blomkvistwonderedaloud.
“YourHarrieteitherhadquiteastrangehobbyorelseshemusthaveknownthattherewasaconnectionbetweenthemurders.”
“Between1949and1966,andmaybebeforeandafteraswell.Theideathataninsanelysicksadisticserialkillerwassughteringwomenforatleastseventeenyearswithoutanyoneseeingaconnectionsoundsutterlyunbelievabletome.”
Sanderpushedbackherchairandpouredmorecoffeefromthepotonthestove.Shelitacigarette.Mikaelcursedhimselfandstoleanotherfromher.
“No,it’snotsounbelievable,”shesaid,holdinguponefinger.“WehaveseveraldozenunsolvedmurdersofwomeninSwedenduringthetwentiethcentury.Thatprofessorofcriminology,Persson,saidonceonTVthatserialkillersareveryrareinSweden,butthatprobablywehavehadsomethatwerenevercaught.”
Sheheldupanotherfinger.
“Thesemurdersweremittedoveraverylongperiodoftimeandalloverthecountry.Twoourredclosetogetherin1960,butthecircumstanceswerequitedifferent—afarmer’swifeinKarlstadandatwenty-two-year-oldinStockholm.”
Threefingers.
“Thereisnoimmediatelyapparentpattern.Themurderswerecarriedoutatdifferentpcesandthereisnorealsignature,buttherearecertainthingsthatdorecur.Animals.Fire.Aggravatedsexuassault.And,asyoupointedout,aparodyofBiblicalquotations.ButitseemsthatnotoneoftheinvestigatingdetectivesinterpretedanyofthemurdersintermsoftheBible.”
Blomkvistwaswatchingher.Withherslenderbody,herbckcamisole,thetattoos,andtheringspiercingherface,Sanderlookedoutofpce,tosaytheleast,inaguestcottageinHedeby.Whenhetriedtobesociableoverdinner,shewastaciturntothepointofrudeness.Butwhenshewasworkingshesoundedlikeaprofessionaltoherfingertips.HerapartmentinStockholmmightlookasifabombhadgoneoffinit,butmentallySanderwasextremelywelnised.
“It’shardtoseetheconnectionbetweenaprostituteinUddevalwho’skilledinanindustrialyardandapastor’swifewhoisstrangledinRonnebyandhasherhousesetonfire.Ifyoudon’thavethekeythatHarrietgaveus,thatis.”
“Whichleadstothenextquestion,”Sandersaid.
“HowonearthdidHarrietgetmixedupinallthis?Asixteen-year-oldgirlwholivedinareallyshelteredenvironment.”
“There’sonlyoneanswer,”Sandersaid.“TheremustbesomeconnectiontotheVangerfamily.”
By11:00thatnighttheyhadgoneovertheseriesofmurdersanddiscussedtheconceivableconnectionsandthetinydetailsofsimirityanddifferencesooftenthatBlomkvist’sheadwasspinning.HerubbedhiseyesandstretchedandaskedSanderifshefeltlikeawalk.Herexpressionsuggestedthatshethoughtsuchpracticeswereawasteoftime,butsheagreed.Blomkvistadvisedhertochangeintolongtrousersbecauseofthemosquitoes.
Theystrolledpastthesmall-boatharbourandthenunderthebridgeandouttowardsMartinVanger’spoint.Blomkvistpointedoutthevarioushousesandtoldheraboutthepeoplewholivedinthem.HehadsomedifficultywhentheycametoCeciliaVanger’shouse.Sandergavehimacuriouslook.
TheypassedMartinVanger’smotoryachtandreachedthepoint,andtheretheysatonarockandsharedacigarette.
“There’sonemoreconnection,”Blomkvistsaidsuddenly.“Maybeyou’vealreadythoughtofit.”
“What?”
“Theirnames.”
Sanderthoughtforamomentandshookherhead.
“They’reallBiblicalnames.”
“Nottrue,”shesaid.“WhereisthereaLivorLenaintheBible?”
“Theyarethere.Livmeanstolive,inotherwordsEva.Andeon—what’sLenashortfor?”
Sandergrimacedinannoyance.Hehadbeenquickerthanshewas.Shedidnotlikethat.
“Magdalena,”shesaid.
“Thewhore,thefirstwoman,theVirginMary…they’reallthereinthisgroup.Thisissofreakyit’dmakeapsychologist’sheadspin.Butthere’ssomethingelseIthoughtofwithregardtothenames.”
Sanderwaitedpatiently.
“They’reobviouslyalltraditionalJewishnames.TheVangerfamilyhashadmorethanitsshareoffanaticanti-Semites,Nazis,andconspiracytheorists.TheonlytimeImetHaraldVangerhewasstandingintheroadsnarlingthathisowndaughterwasawhore.Hecertainlyhasproblemswithwomen.”
Whentheygotbacktothecabintheymadeamidnightsnackandheatedupthecoffee.Mikaeltookalookatthealmost500pagesthatDraganArmansky’sfavouriteresearcherhadproducedforhim.
“You’vedoneafantasticjobofdiggingupthesefactsinsuchashorttime,”hesaid.“Thanks.Andthanksalsoforbeingniceenoughtoeuphereandreportonit.”
“Whathappensnow?”Sanderwantedtoknow.
“I’mgoingtotalktoDirchFrodetomorrowandarrangeforyourfeetobepaid.”
“Thatwasn’twhatImeant.”
Blomkvistlookedather.
“Well…IreckonthejobIhiredyouforisdone,”hesaid.
“I’mnotdonewiththis.”
Blomkvistleanedbackagainstthekitchenwalndmethergaze.Hecouldn’treadanythingatallinhereyes.ForhalfayearhehadbeenworkingaloneonHarriet’sdisappearance,andherewasanotherperson—anexperiencedresearcher—whograspedtheimplications.Hemadethedecisiononimpulse.
“Ikno’lltalktoFrode.We’llhireyouforaweekortwomoreas…aresearchassistant.Idon’tknowifhe’llwanttopaythesameratehepaystoArmansky,butweshouldbeabletoarrangeabasiclivingwageforyou.”
Sandersuddenlygavehimasmile.Shehadnowishtobeshutoutandwouldhavegdlydohejobforfree.
“I’mfallingasleep,”shesaid,andwithoutfurtheradoshewenttoherroomandclosedthedoor.
Twominutestersheopenedthedoorandputoutherhead.
“Ithinkyou’rewrong.It’snotaninsaneserialkillerwhoreadhisBiblewrong.It’sjustamonorgardenbastardwhohateswomen.”
CHAPTER21
Thursday,July3–Thursday,July10
SanderwasupbeforeBlomkvist,around6:00.Sheputonsomewaterforcoffeeandwenttotakeashower.WhenBlomkvistwokeat7:30,shewasreadinghissummaryoftheHarrietVangercaseonhisi.Hecameouttothekitchenwithatowelroundhiswaist,rubbingthesleepoutofhiseyes.
“There’scoffeeonthestove,”shesaid.
Helookedoverhershoulder.
“Thatdocumentwaspasswordprotected,dammit,”hesaid.
Sheturnedandpeeredupathim.
“IttakesthirtysecondstodownloadaprogrammefromthethatcancrackWord’sencryptionprotection.”
“Weneedtohaveatalkonthesubjectofwhat’syoursandwhat’smine,”hesaid,andwenttotakeashower.
Whenhecameback,Sanderhadturnedoffhisputerandputitbackinitspceinhisoffice.ShehadbootedupherownPower.Blomkvistfeltsurethatshehadalreadytransferredthecontentsofhisputertoherown.
Sanderwasanrmationjunkiewithadelinquentchild’stakeonmoralsandethics.
Hehadjustsatdowntobreakfastwhentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor.MartinVangerlookedsosolemnthatforasecondBlomkvistthoughthehadetobringthenewsofhisuncle’sdeath.
“No,Henrik’sconditionisthesameasyesterday.I’mhereforaquitedifferentreason.CouldIeramoment?”
Blomkvistlethimin,introducinghimto“myresearchassistant”LisbethSander.Shegavethecaptainofindustrybarelyagnceandaquicknodbeforeshewentbacktoherputer.MartinVangergreetedherautomaticallybutlookedsodistractedthathehardlyseemedtonoticeher.Blomkvistpouredhimacupofcoffeeandinvitedhimtohaveaseat.
“What’sthisalbout?”
“Youdon’tsubscribetotheHedestadCourier?”
“No.ButsometimesIseeitatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.”
“Thenyouhaven’treadthismorning’spaper.”
“YoumakeitsoundasifIoughtto.”
MartinVangerputtheday’spaperonthetableinfrontofhim.Hehadbeengiventwocolumnsonthefrontpage,continuedonpagefour.“ConvictedLibelJournalistHidingHere.”AphotographtakenwithatelephotolensfromthechurchhillontheothersideofthebridgeshowedBlomkvistingoutofthecottage.
Thereporter,Torsson,hadcobbledtogetherascurrilouspiece.HerecapitutedtheWennerstr?maffairandexpinedthatBlomkvisthadleftMillenniumindisgraceandthathehadrecentlyservedaprisonterveryself-respectingresidentofHedestadwasputonnoticethatanOlympic-cssshitfromStockholmwasskulkingaroundthearea.Noneofthecimsinthearticlewaslibellous,buttheyweresntedtopresentBlomkvistinanunftteringlight;theyoutandtypestylewasofthekindthatsuchnewspapersusedtodiscusspoliticalterrorists.Millenniumwasdescribedasamagazinewithlowcredibility“bentonagitation,”andBlomkvist’sonfinancialjournalismwaspresentedasacollectionof“controversialcims”aboutothermorerespectedjournalists.
“Mikael…Idon’thavewordstoexpresswhatIfeltwhenIreadthisarticle.It’srepulsive.”
“It’saput-upjob,”Blomkvistsaidcalmly.
“IhopeyouunderstandthatIdidn’thavetheslightestthingtodowiththis.IchokedonmymorningcoffeewhenIreadit.”
“Thenwhodid?”
“Imadesomecalls.ThisTorssonisasummerworkexperiencekid.HedidthepieceonordersfromBirger.”
“IthoughtBirgerhadnosayinthenewsroom.Afterall,heisacouncillorandpoliticalfigure.”
“Technicallyhehasnoinfluence.ButtheeditorinchiefoftheCourierisGunnarKarlman,Ingrid’sson,who’spartoftheJohanVangerbranchofthefamily.BirgerandGunnarhavebeencloseformanyyears.”
“Isee.”
“Torssonwillbefiredforthwith.”
“Howoldishe?”
“Totellyouthetruth,Idon’tknow.I’venevermethim.”
“Don’tfirehim.Whenhecalledmehesoundedlikeaveryyoungandinexperiencedreporter.”
“Thiscan’tbeallowedtopasswithoutconsequences.”
“Ifyouwantmyopinion,thesituationseemsabitabsurd,whentheeditorinchiefofapublicationownedbytheVangerfamilygoesontheattackagainstanotherpublicationinwhichHenrikVangerisapartownerandonwhoseboardyousit.Youreditor,Karlman,isattackingyouandHenrik.”
“Iseewhatyoumean,andIoughttoythebmewhereitbelongs.Karlmanisapartownerinthecorporationandhasalwaystakenpot-shotsatme,butthisseemsmorelikeBirger’srevengebecauseyouhadarun-inwithhimatthehospital.You’reathorninhisside.”
“Ibelieveit.That’swhyIthinkTorssonisthestpersontobme.Ittakesalotforaninterntosaynowhenthebossinstructshimtowritesomethinginacertainway.”
“Icoulddemandthatyoubegivenanapologytomorrow.”
“Betternot.Itwouldjustturnintoalong,drawn-outsquabblethatwouldmakethesituationworse.”
“Soyoudon’tthinkIshoulddoanything?”
“Itwouldn’tbeanyuse.Karlmanwouldkickupafussandintheworstcaseyou’dbepaintedasavilinwho,inhiscapacityasowner,istryingtostamponthefreedomofexpression.”
“Pardonme,Mikael,butIdon’tagreewithyou.Asamatteroffact,Ialsohavetherighttoexpressmyopinion.Myviewisthatthisarticlestinks—andIintendtomakemyownpointofviewclear.Howeverreluctantly,I’mHenrik’srepcementonMillennium’sboard,andinthatroleIamnotgoingtoletanoffensivearticlelikethisonepassunchallenged.”
“Fairenough.”
“SoI’mgoingtodemandtherighttorespond.AndifImakeKarlmanlooklikeanidiot,hehasonlyhimselftobme.”
“Youmustdowhatyoubelieveisright.”
“Forme,it’salsoimportantthatyouabsolutelyunderstandthatIhavenothingwhatsoevertodowiththisvitriolicattack.”
“Ibelieveyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Besides—Ididn’treallywanttobringthisupnow,butthisjustservestoillustratewhatwe’vealreadydiscussed.It’simportanttore-installyouonMillennium’seditorialboardsothatwecanshowaunitedfronttotheworld.Aslongasyou’reaway,thegossipwillcontinue.IbelieveinMillennium,andI’mconvincedthatwecanwinthisfighttogether.”
“Iseeyourpoint,butnowit’smyturntodisagreewithyou.Ican’tbreakmycontractwithHenrik,andthefactisthatIwouldn’twanttobreakit.Yousee,Ireallylikehim.AndthisthingwithHarriet…”
“Yes?”
“Iknowit’sarunningsoreforyouandIrealisethatHenrikhasbeenobsessedwithitformanyyears.”
“Justbetweenthetwoofus—IdoloveHenrikandheismymentor—butwhenitestoHarriet,he’salmostoffhisrocker.”
“WhenIstartedthisjobIcouldn’thelpthinkingthatitwasawasteoftime.ButIthinkwe’reonthevergeofabreakthroughandthatitmightnowbepossibletoknowwhatreallyhappened.”
BlomkvistreaddoubtinMartinVanger’seyes.Atsthemadeadecision.
“OK,inthatcasethebestthingwecandoistosolvethemysteryofHarrietasquicklyaspossible.I’llgiveyouallthesupportIcansothatyoufinishtheworktoyoursatisfaction—and,ofcourse,Henrik’s—andthenreturntoMillennium.”
“Good.SoIwon’thavetofightwithyoutoo.”
“No,youwon’t.Youcanaskformyhelpwheneveryourunintoaproblem.I’llmakedamnsurethatBirgerwon’tputanysortofobstaclesinyourway.AndI’lltrytotalktoCecilia,tocalmherdown.”
“Thankyou.Ineedtoaskhersomequestions,andshe’sbeenresistingmyattemptsatconversationforamonthnow.”
MartinVangerughed.“Perhapsyouhaveotherissuestoironout.ButIwon’tgetinvolvedinthat.”
Theyshookhands.
Sanderhadlistenedtotheconversation.WhenMartinVangerleftshereachedfortheHedestadCourierandscannedthearticle.Sheputthepaperdownwithoutmakinganyment.
Blomkvistsatinsilence,thinking.GunnarKarlmanwasbornin1948andwouldhavebeeneighteenin1966.HewasoneofthepeopleontheisndwhenHarrietdisappeared.
Afterbreakfastheaskedhisresearchassistanttoreadthroughthepolicereport.Hegaveherallthephotographsoftheaident,aswelsthelongsummaryofVanger’sowninvestigations.
BlomkvistthendrovetoFrode’shouseandaskedhimkindlytodrawupanagreementforSanderasaresearchassistantforthenextmonth.
Bythetimehereturnedtothecottage,Sanderhaddecampedtothegardenandwasimmersedinthepolicereport.Blomkvistwentintoheatupthecoffee.Hewatchedherthroughthekitchenwindow.Sheseemedtobeskimming,spendingnomorethantenorfifteensecondsoneachpage.Sheturnedthepagesmechanically,andBlomkvistwasamazedatherckofconcentration;itmadenosense,sinceherownreportwassometiculous.Hetooktwocupsofcoffeeandjoinedheratthegardentable.
“Yournotesweredonebeforeyouknewwewerelookingforaserialkiller.”
“That’strue.IsimplywrotedownquestionsIwantedtoaskHenrik,andsomeotherthings.Itwasquiteunstructured.UpuntilnowI’vereallybeenstrugglinginthedark,tryingtowriteastory—achapterintheautobiographyofHenrikVanger.”
“Andnow?”
“InthepastalltheinvestigationsfocusedonHedebyIsnd.NowI’msurethatthestory,thesequenceofeventsthatendedinherdisappearance,startedinHedestad.Thatshiftstheperspective.”
Sandersaid:“Itwasamazingwhatyoudiscoveredwiththepictures.”
Blomkvistwassurprised.Sanderdidnotseemthetypetothrowplimentsaround,andhefeltfttered.Ontheotherhand—fromapurelyjournalisticpointofview—itwasquiteanachievement.
“It’syourturntofillinthedetails.HowdiditgowiththatpictureyouwerechasingupinNorsj??”
“Youmeanyoudidn’tchecktheimagesinmyputer?”
“Therewasn’ttime.Ineededtoreadtherésumés,yoursituationreportstoyourself.”
Blomkviststartedhisiandclickedonthephotographfolder.
“It’sfascinating.ThevisittoNorsj?wasasortofprogress,butitwasalsoadisappointment.Ifoundthepicture,butitdoesn’ttellusmuch.
“Thatwoman,MildredBerggren,hadsavedallherholidaypicturesinalbums.ThepictureIwaslookingforwasoneofthem.Itwastakenoncheapcolourfilmandafterthirty-sevenyearstheprintwasincrediblyfaded—withastrongyellowtinge.But,wouldyoubelieve,shestillhadthenegativeinashoebox.SheletmeborrowallthenegativesfromHedestadandI’vescannedthemin.ThisiswhatHarrietsaw.”
HeclickedonanimagewhichnowhadthefilenameHARRIET/bd-19.eps.
Sanderimmediatelyunderstoodhisdismay.ShesawanunfocusedimagethatshowedclownsintheforegroundoftheChildren’sDayparade.InthebackgroundcouldbeseenthecornerofSundstr?m’sHaberdashery.AbouttenpeoplewerestandingonthepavementinfrontofSundstr?m’s.
“Ithinkthisisthepersonshesaw.PartlybecauseItriedtotriangutewhatshewaslookingat,judgingbytheanglethatherfacewasturned—Imadeadrawingofthecrossroadsthere—andpartlybecausethisistheonlypersonwhoseemstobelookingstraightintothecamera.Meaningthat—perhaps—hewasstaringatHarriet.”
WhatSandersawwasablurryfigurestandingalittlebitbehindthespectators,almostinthesidestreet.Hehadonadarkpaddedjacketwitharedpatchontheshouldersanddarktrousers,possiblyjeans.Blomkvistzoomedinsothatthefigurefromthewaistupfilledthescreen.Thephotographbecameinstantlyfuzzierstill.
“It’saman.He’saboutfive-footeleven,normalbuild.Hehasdark-blond,semi-longhairandisclean-shaven.Butit’simpossibletomakeouthisfacialfeaturesorevenestimatehisage.Hecouldbeanywherebetweenhisteensandmiddleage.
“Youcouldmaniputetheimage…”
“Ihavemaniputedtheimage,dammit.IevensentacopytotheimageprocessingwizardatMillennium.”Blomkvistclickedupanewshot.“ThisistheabsolutebestIcangetoutofit.Thecameraissimplytoolousyandthedistancetoofar.”
“Haveyoushownthepicturetoanyone?Someonemightrecognisetheman’sbearingor…”
“IshowedittoFrode.Hehasnoideawhothemanis.”
“HerrFrodeprobablyisn’tthemostobservantpersoninHedestad.”
“No,butI’mworkingforhimandHenrikVanger.IwanttoshowthepicturetoHenrikbeforeIcastthewider.”
“Perhapshe’snothingmorethanaspectator.”
“That’spossible.ButhemanagedtotriggerastrangeresponsefromHarriet.”
DuringthenextseveraldaysBlomkvistandSanderworkedontheHarrietcasevirtuallyeverywakingmoment.Sanderwentonreadingthepolicereport,rattlingoffonequestionafteranother.Therecouldonlybeoruth,andeachvagueansweroruncertaintyledtomoreintenseinterrogation.Theyspentonewholedayexaminingtimetablesforthecastofcharactersatthesceneoftheaidentonthebridge.
Sanderbecamemoreandmoreofanenigmatohim.Despitethefactthatsheonlyskimmedthedocumentsinthereport,shealwaysseemedtosettleonthemostobscureandcontradictorydetails.
Theytookabreakintheafternoons,whentheheatmadeitunbearableoutinthegarden.TheywouldswiminthechannelorwalkuptotheterraceatSusanne’sBridgeCafé.SusannenowtreatedBlomkvistwithanundisguisedcoolness.HerealisedthatSanderlookedbarelylegandshewasobviouslylivingathiscottage,andthat—inSusanne’seyes—madehimadirtyoldmiddle-agedman.Itwasnotpleasant.
Blomkvistwentouteveryeveningforarun.Sandermadenomentwhenhereturnedoutofbreathtothecottage.Runningwasobviouslynotherthing.
“I’moverforty,”hesaid.“Ihavetoexercisetokeepfromgettingtoofataroundthemiddle.”
“Isee.”
“Don’tyoueverexercise?”
“Iboxonceinawhile.”
“Youbox?”
“Yeah,youknow,withgloves.”
“Whatweightdoyouboxin?”hesaid,whenheemergedfromtheshower.
“Noneatall.IsparalittlenowandthenagainsttheguysinaclubinS?der.”
Whyisthatnosurprise?hethought.Butatleastshehadtoldhimsomethingaboutherself.Heknewnobasicfactsabouther.HowdidsheetobeworkingforArmansky?Whatsortofeducationdidshehave?Whatdidherparentsdo?AssoonasBlomkvisttriedtoaskaboutherlifesheshutuplikeacm,answeredinsinglesylblesorignoredhim.
OneafternoonSandersuddenlyputdownabinder,frowning.
“WhatdoyouknowaboutOttoFalk?Thepastor.”
“Notmuch.Imetthepresentincumbentafewtimesearlierintheyear,andshetoldmethatFalklivesinsomegeriatrichomeinHedestad.Alzheimer’s.”
“Wheredidheefrom?”
“FromHedestad.HestudiedinUppsa.”
“Hewasunmarried.AndHarriethungoutwithhim.”
“Whydoyouask?”
“I’mjustsayingthatMorellwentprettyeasyonhimintheinterview.”
“Inthesixtiespastorsenjoyedaconsiderablydifferentstatusinsociety.Itwasnaturalforhimtoliveouthereontheisnd,closetothepowerbrokers,sotospeak.”
“Iwonderhowcarefullythepolicesearchedtheparsonage.Inthephotographsitlookslikeitwasabigwoodenhouse,andtheremusthavebeenplentyofpcestohideabodyforawhile.”
“That’strue,butthere’snothinginthematerialtoindicatethathewouldhaveanyconnectiontotheserialmurdersortoHarriet’sdisappearance.”
“Actually,thereis,”Sandersaid,withawrysmile.“Firstofallhewasapastor,andpastorsmorethananyoneelsehaveaspecialretionshiptotheBible.Second,hewasthestpersonknowntohaveseenandtalkedwithHarriet.”
“Buthewentdowntothesceneoftheaidentandstayedthereforseveralhours.He’sinlotsofthepictures,especiallyduringthetimewhenHarrietmusthavevanished.”
“Allright,Ican’tcrackhisalibi.ButIwasactuallythinkingaboutsomethingelse.Thisstoryisaboutasadistickillerofwomen.”
“So?”
“Iwas…Ihadalittletimetomyselfthisspringandreadquiteabitaboutsadistsinaratherdifferentcontext.OneofthethingsIreadwasanFBImanual.Itcimedthatastrikingportionofconvictedserialkillerscamefromdysfunctionalhomesandtorturedanimalsintheirchildhood.SomeoftheconvictedAmericanserialkillerswerealsoarrestedforarson.TorturedanimalsandarsoncropupinseveralofHarriet’smurdercases,butwhatIwasreallythinkingaboutwasthefactthattheparsonageburneddownintheteseventies.”
“It’salongshot,”Blomkvistsaid.
Lisbethnodded.“Agreed.ButIfindnothinginthepolicereportaboutthecauseofthefire,anditwouldbeveryinterestingtoknowiftherewereotherunexpinedfireshereaboutsinthesixties.Itwouldalsobeworthcheckingtoseeiftherewereanycasesofanimabuseormutitionintheareabackthen.”
WhenSanderwenttobedonherseventhnightinHedeby,shewasmildlyirritatedwithBlomkvist.Foralmostaweekshehadspentpracticallyeverywakingminutewithhim.Normallysevenminutesofanotherperson’spanywasenoughtogiveheraheadache,soshesetthingsuptoliveasarecluse.Shewasperfectlycontentaslongaspeopleleftherinpeace.Unfortunatelysocietywasnotverysmartorunderstanding;shehadtoprotectherselffromsociauthorities,childwelfareauthorities,guardianshipauthorities,taxauthorities,police,curators,psychologists,psychiatrists,teachers,andbouncers,whowouldneverletherintothebareventhoughshewastwenty-five.Therewasawholearmyofpeoplewhoseemednottohaveanythingbettertodothantotrytodisruptherlife,and,iftheyweregiventheopportunity,tocorrectthewayshehadchosentoliveit.
Itdidnogoodtocry,shehadlearnedthatearlyon.Shehadalsolearnedthateverytimeshetriedtomakesomeoneawareofsomethinginherlife,thesituationjustgotworse.Consequentlyitwasuptohertosolveherproblemsbyherself,usingwhatevermethodsshedeemednecessary.SomethingthatAdvo