14

    katBjurmanhadfoundoutthehardway.
    Blomkvisthadthesametiresomehabitaseveryoneelse,pokingaroundinherlifeandaskingquestions.Ontheotherhand,hedidnotreactatalllikemostothermenshehadmet.
    Whensheignoredhisquestionshesimplyshruggedandleftherinpeace.Astounding.
    Herimmediatemove,whenshegotholdofhisithatfirstmorning,hadnaturallybeentotransferallthermationtoherownputer.ThatwayitwasOKifhedumpedherfromthecase;shewouldstillhaveaesstothematerial.
    Shehadexpectedafuriousoutburstwhenheappearedforhisbreakfast.Insteadhehadlookedalmostresigned,mutteredsomethingsarcastic,andgoneofftotheshower.Thenhebegandiscussingwhatshehadread.Astrangeguy.Shemightevenbedeludedintothinkingthathetrustedher.
    Thatheknewaboutherpropensitiesasahackerwasserious.Sanderwasawarethatthelegaldescriptionofthekindofhackingshedid,bothprofessionallyandasahobby,was“unwfuldatatrespassing”andcouldearnhertwoyearsinprison.Shedidnotwanttobelockedup.Inhercaseaprisonsentencewouldmeanthatherputerswouldbetakenfromher,andwiththemtheonlyoupationthatshewasreallygoodat.ShehadnevertoldArmanskyhowshegatheredthermationtheywerepayinghertofind.
    WiththeexceptionofPgueandafewpeopleonthewho,likeher,devotedthemselvestohackingonaprofessionallevel—andmostofthemknewheronlyas“Wasp”anddidnotknowwhoshewasorwhereshelived—KalleBlomkvistwastheonlyonewhohadstumbledontohersecret.Hehadetoherbecauseshemadeablunderthatnotevenatwelve-year-oldwouldmit,whichonlyprovedthatherbrainwasbeingeatenupbywormsandthatshedeservedtobeflogged.Butinsteadofgoingcrazywithragehehadhiredher.
    Consequentlyshewasmildlyirritatedwithhim.
    Whentheyhadasnackjustbeforeshewenttobed,hehadsuddenlyaskedherifshewasagoodhacker.
    Toherownsurpriseshereplied,“I’mprobablythebestinSweden.Theremaybetwoorthreeothersataboutmylevel.”
    Shedidnotdoubttheauracyofherreply.Pguehadoncebeenbetterthanshewas,butshehadpassedhimlongago.
    Ontheotherhand,itfeltfunnytosaythewords.Shehadneverdoneitbefore.Shehadneverhadanoutsidertohavethissortofconversationwith,andsheenjoyedthefactthatheseemedimpressedbyhertalents.Thenhehadruinedthefeelingbyaskinganotherquestion:howhadshetaughtherselfhacking?
    Whatcouldshesay?I’vealwaysbeenabletodoit.Insteadshewenttobedwithoutsayinggoodnight.
    Irritatingheryetfurther,hedidnotreactwhensheleftsoabruptly.Sheylisteningtohimmovingaboutinthekitchen,clearingthetableandwashingthedishes.Hehadalwaysstayedupterthanshedid,butnowhewasobviouslyonhiswaytobedtoo.Sheheardhiminthebathroom,andthenhewentintohisbedroomandshutthedoor.Afterawhilesheheardthebedcreakwhenhegotintoit,notayardawayfromherownbutontheothersideofthewall.
    Shehadbeensharingahousewithhimforaweek,andhehadnotonceflirtedwithher.Hehadworkedwithher,askedheropinion,sppedherontheknucklesfigurativelyspeakingwhenshewasonthewrongtrack,andacknowledgedthatshewasrightwhenshecorrectedhim.Dammit,hehadtreatedherlikeahumanbeing.
    Shegotoutofbedandstoodbythewindow,restlesslypeeringintothedark.Thehardestthingforherwastoshowherselfnakedtoanotherpersonforthefirsttime.Shewasconvincedthatherskinnybodywasrepulsive.Herbreastswerepathetic.Shehadnohipstospeakof.Shedidnothavemuchtooffer.Apartfromthatshewasaquitenormalwoman,withthesamedesiresandsexdriveaseveryotherwoman.Shestoodthereforthenexttwentyminutesbeforeshemadeuphermind.
    BlomkvistwasreadinganovelbySaraParetskywhenheheardthedoorhandleturnandlookeduptoseeSander.Shehadasheetwrappedroundherbodyandstoodinthedoorwayforamoment.
    “YouOK?”hesaid.
    Sheshookherhead.
    “Whatisit?”
    Shewentovertohisbed,tookthe,andputitonthebedsidetable.Thenshebentdownandkissedhimonthemouth.Shequicklygotintohisbedandsatlookingathim,searchinghim.Sheputherhandonthesheetoverhisstomach.Whenhedidnotprotestsheleanedoverandbithimonthenipple.
    Blomkvistwasfbbergasted.Hetookhershouldersandpushedherawayalittlesothathecouldseeherface.
    “Lisbeth…Idon’tknowifthisissuchagoodidea.Wehavetoworktogether.”
    “Iwanttohavesexwithyou.AndIwon’thaveanyproblemworkingwithyou,butIwillhaveahellofaproblemwithyouifyoukickmeout.”
    “Butwehardlyknoweachother.”
    Sheughed,anabruptughthatsoundedalmostlikeacough.
    “You’veneverletanythinglikethatstandinyourwaybefore.Infact,asIdidn’tsayinmybackgroundreport,you’reoneoftheseguyswhocan’tkeephishandsoffwomen.Sowhat’swrong?Aren’tIsexyenoughforyou?”
    Blomkvistshookhisheadandtriedtothinkofsomethingclevertosay.Whenhecouldn’tshepulledthesheetoffhimandsatastridehim.
    “Idon’thaveanycondoms,”hesaid.
    “Screwit.”
    Whenhewokeup,heheardherinthekitchen.Itwasnotyet7:00.Hemayonlyhavesleptfortwohours,andhestayedinbed,dozing.
    Thiswomanbaffledhim.Atabsolutelynopointhadsheevenwithagnceindicatedthatshewastheleastbitinterestedinhim.
    “Goodmorning,”shesaidfromthedoorway.Sheevenhadthehintofasmile.
    “Hi.”
    “Weareoutofmilk.I’llgotothepetrolstation.Theyopenatseven.”Andshewasgone.
    Heheardhergooutofthefrontdoor.Heshuthiseyes.Thenheheardthefrontdooropenagainandsecondstershewasbackinthedoorway.Thistimeshewasnotsmiling.
    “You’dbettereandlookatthis,”shesaidinastrangevoice.
    Blomkvistwasonhisfeetatonceandpulledonhisjeans.
    Duringthenightsomeonehadbeentothecottagewithanunwelepresent.Ontheporchythehalf-charredcorpseofacat.Thecat’slegsandheadhadbeencutoff,thenthebodyhadbeenfyedandthegutsandstomachremoved,flungnexttothecorpse,whichseemedtohavebeenroastedoverafire.Thecat’sheadwasintact,onthesaddleofSander’smotorcycle.Herecognisedthereddish-brownfur.
    CHAPTER22
    Thursday,July10
    Theyatebreakfastinthegardeninsilenceandwithoutmilkintheircoffee.SanderhadtakenoutaCanondigitalcameraandphotographedthemacabretableaubeforeBlomkvistgotarubbishsackandcleaneditaway.HeputthecatinthebootoftheVolvo.Heoughttofileapolicereportforanimalcruelty,possiblyintimidation,buthedidnotthinkhewouldwanttoexpinwhytheintimidationhadtakenpce.
    At8:30IsabelVangerwalkedpastandontothebridge.Shedidnotseethemoratleastpretendednotto.
    “Howareyoudoing?”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Oh,I’mfine.”Sanderlookedathim,perplexed.OK,then.Heexpectsmetobeupset.“WhenIfindthemotherfuckerwhotorturedaninnocentcattodeathjusttosendusawarning,I’mgoingtoclobberhimwithabaseballbat.”
    “Youthinkit’sawarning?”
    “Haveyougotabetterexpnation?Itdefinitelymeanssomething.”
    “Whateverthetruthisinthisstory,we’veworriedsomebodyenoughforthatpersontodosomethingreallysick.Butthere’sanotherproblemtoo.”
    “Iknow.Thisisananimalsacrificeinthestyleof1954and1960anditdoesn’tseemcrediblethatsomeoneactivefiftyyearsagowouldbeputtingtorturedanimalcorpsesonyourdoorsteptoday.”
    Blomkvistagreed.
    “TheonlyoneswhocouldbesuspectedinthatcaseareHaraldVangerandIsabelVanger.ThereareanumberofolderretivesonJohanVanger’sside,butnoneofthemliveinthearea.”
    Blomkvistsighed.
    “Isabelisarepulsivebitchwhocouldcertainlykilcat,butIdoubtshewasrunningaroundkillingwomeninthefifties.HaraldVanger…Idon’tknow,heseemssodecrepithecanhardlywalk,andIcan’tseehimsneakingoverherestnight,catchingacat,anddoingallthis.”
    “Unlessitwastwopeople.Oneolder,oneyounger.”
    BlomkvistheardacargobyandlookedupandsawCeciliadrivingawayoverthebridge.HaraldandCecilia,hethought,buttheyhardlyspoke.DespiteMartinVanger’spromisetotalktoher,Ceciliahadstillnotansweredanyofhistelephonemessages.
    “Itmustbesomebodywhoknowswe’redoingthisworkandthatwe’remakingprogress,”Sandersaid,gettinguptogoinside.Whenshecamebackoutshehadputonherleathers.
    “I’mgoingtoStockholm.I’llbebacktonight.”
    “Whatareyougoingtodo?”
    “Pickupsomegadgets.Ifsomeoneiscrazyenoughtokilcatinthatdisgustingway,heorshecouldattackusnexttime.Orsetthecottageonfirewhilewe’reasleep.IwantyoutogointoHedestadandbuytwofireextinguishersandtwosmokearmstoday.Oneofthefireextinguishershastobehalon.”
    Withoutanotherword,sheputonherhelmet,kick-startedthemotorcycle,androaredoffacrossthebridge.
    BlomkvisthidthecorpseandtheheadandgutsintherubbishbinbesidethepetrolstationbeforehedroveintoHedestadtodohiserrands.Hedrovetothehospital.HehadmadeanappointmenttomeetFrodeinthecafeteria,andhetoldhimwhathadhappenedthatmorning.Frodebnched.
    “Mikael,Ineverimaginedthatthisstorycouldtakethisturn.”
    “Whynot?Thejobwastofindamurderer,afterall.”
    “Butthisisdisgustingandinhuman.Ifthere’sadangertoyourlifeortoFr?kenSander’slife,wearegoingtocallitoff.LetmetalktoHenrik.”
    “No.Absolutelynot.Idon’twanttoriskhishavinganotherattack.”
    “Heasksmeallthetimehowthingsaregoingwithyou.”
    “Sayhellofromme,please,andtellhimI’mmovingforward.”
    “Whatisnext,then?”
    “Ihaveafewquestions.ThefirstincidentourredjustafterHenrikhadhisheartattackandIwasdowninStockholmfortheday.Somebodywentthroughmyoffice.IhadprintedouttheBibleverses,andthephotographsfromJ?rnv?gsgatanwereonmydesk.YouknewandHenrikknew.MartinknewapartofitsinceheanisedformetogetintotheCourieroffices.Howmanyotherpeopleknew?”
    “Well,Idon’tknowwhoMartintalkedto.ButbothBirgerandCeciliaknewaboutit.Theydiscussedyourhuntinginthepicturesarchivebetweenthemselves.Alexanderknewaboutittoo.And,bytheway,GunnarandHelenaNilssondidtoo.TheywereuptosayhellotoHenrikandgotdraggedintotheconversation.AndAnitaVanger.”
    “Anita?TheoneinLondon?”
    “Cecilia’ssister.ShecamebackwithCeciliawhenHenrikhadhisheartattackbutstayedatahotel;asfarasIknow,shehasn’tbeenouttotheisnd.LikeCecilia,shedoesn’twanttoseeherfather.ButsheflewbackwhenHenrikcameoutofintensivecare.”
    “Where’sCecilialiving?Isawherthismorningasshedroveacrossthebridge,butherhouseisalwaysdark.”
    “She’snotcapableofdoingsuchathing,isshe?”
    “No,Ijustwonderwhereshe’sstaying.”
    “She’sstayingwithherbrother,Birger.It’swithinwalkingdistancetovisitHenrik.”
    “Doyouknowwheresheisrightnow?”
    “No.She’snotvisitingHenrik,atanyrate.”
    “Thanks,”Blomkvistsaid,gettingup.
    TheVangerfamilywashoveringaroundHedestadHospital.InthereceptionBirgerVangerpassedonhiswaytothelifts.Blomkvistwaiteduntilhewasgonebeforehewentouttothereception.InsteadheranintoMartinVangerattheentrance,atexactlythesamespotwherehehadrunintoCeciliaonhispreviousvisit.Theysaidhelloandshookhands.
    “HaveyoubeenuptoseeHenrik?”
    “No,IjusthappenedtomeetDirchFrode.”
    Martinlookedtiredandhollow-eyed.ItourredtoMikaelthathehadagedappreciablyduringthesixmonthssincehehadmethim.
    “Howarethingsgoingwithyou,Mikael?”hesaid.
    “Moreinterestingwitheverydaythatpasses.WhenHenrikisfeelingbetterIhopetobeabletosatisfyhiscuriosity.”
    BirgerVanger’swasawhite-brickterracehouseafive-minutewalkfromthehospital.HehadaviewoftheseaandtheHedestadmarina.No-oneansweredwhenBlomkvistrangthedoorbell.HecalledCecilia’smobilenumberbutgotnoanswerthereeither.Hesatinthecarforawhile,drumminghisfingersonthesteeringwheel.BirgerVangerwasthewildcardinthedeck;bornin1939andsotenyearsoldwhenRebeckaJacobssonwasmurdered;twenty-sevenwhenHarrietdisappeared.
    AordingtoHenrik,BirgerandHarriethardlyeversaweachother.HehadgrownupwithhisfamilyinUppsaandonlymovedtoHedestadtoworkforthefirm.Hejumpedshipafteracoupleofyearsanddevotedhimselftopolitics.ButhehadbeeninUppsaatthetimeLenaAnderssonwasmurdered.
    Theincidentwiththecatgavehimanominousfeeling,asifhewereabouttorunoutoftime.
    OttoFalkwasthirty-sixwhenHarrietvanished.Hewasnowseventy-two,youngerthanHenrikVangerbutinaconsiderablyworsementalstate.BlomkvistsoughthimoutattheSvanconvalescenthome,ayellow-brickbuildingashortdistancefromtheHedeRiverattheotherendofthetown.BlomkvistintroducedhimselftothereceptionistandaskedtobeallowedtospeakwithPastorFalk.Heknew,heexpined,thatthepastorsufferedfromAlzheimer’sandenquiredhowlucidhewasnow.AnurserepliedthatPastorFalkhadfirstbeendiagnosedthreeyearsearlierandthatasthediseasehadtakenanaggressivecourse.Falkcouldmunicate,buthehadaveryfeebleshort-termmemory,anddidnotrecogniseallofhisretives.Hewasonthewholeslippingintotheshadows.Hewasalsoprooanxietyattacksifhewasconfrontedwithquestionshecouldnotanswer.
    Falkwassittingonabenchinthegardenwiththreeotherpatientsandamalenurse.Blomkvistspentanhourtryingtoengagehiminconversation.
    HerememberedHarrietVangerquitewell.Hisfacelitup,andhedescribedherasacharminggirl.ButBlomkvistwassoonawarethatthepastorhadfottenthatshehadbeenmissingthesestthirty-sevenyears.HetalkedaboutherasifhehadseenherrecentlyandaskedBlomkvisttosayhellotoherandurgehertoeandseehim.Blomkvistpromisedtodoso.
    Heobviouslydidnotremembertheaidentonthebridge.ItwasnotuntiltheendoftheirconversationthathesaidsomethingwhichmadeBlomkvistprickuphisears.
    ItwaswhenBlomkviststeeredthetalktoHarriet’sinterestinreligionthatFalksuddenlyseemedhesitant.Itwasasthoughacloudpassedoverhisface.FalksatrockingbackandforthforawhileandthenlookedupatBlomkvistandaskedwhohewas.Blomkvistintroducedhimselfagainandtheoldmanthoughtforawhile.Atlengthhesaid:“She’sstilseeker.Shehastotakecareofherselfandyouhavetowarnher.”
    “WhatshouldIwarnherabout?”
    Falkgrewsuddenlyagitated.Heshookhisheadwithafrown.
    “Shehastoreadsoscripturaandunderstandsufficientiascripturae.That’stheonlywaythatshecanmaintainsofide.Josefwillcertainlyexcludethem.Theywereneveraeptedintothecanon.”
    Blomkvistunderstoodnothingofthis,buttookassiduousnotes.ThenPastorFalkleanedtowardshimandwhispered,“Ithinkshe’saCatholic.ShelovesmagicandhasnotyetfoundherGod.Sheneedsguidance.”
    Theword“Catholic”obviouslyhadanegativeconnotationforPastorFalk.
    “IthoughtshewasinterestedinthePentecostalmovement?”
    “No,no,no,notthePentecostals.She’slookingfortheforbiddentruth.SheisnotagoodChristian.”
    ThenPastorFalkseemedtofetalboutBlomkvistandstartedtalkingwiththeotherpatients.
    HegotbacktoHedebyIsndjustafter2:00.HewalkedovertoCeciliaVanger’sandknockedonthedoor,butwithoutsuess.Hetriedhermobilenumberagainbutnoanswer.
    Heattachedonesmokearmtoawallinthekitchenandonenexttothefrontdoor.Heputonefireextinguishernexttothewoodstovebesidethebedroomdoorandanotheronebesidethebathroomdoor.Thenhemadehimselflunch,whichconsistedofcoffeeandopensandwiches,andsatinthegarden,wherehewastypingupthenotesofhisconversationwithPastorFalk.Whenthatwasdone,heraisedhiseyestothechurch.
    Hedeby’snewparsonagewasquiteanordinarymoderndwellingafewminutes’walkfromthechurch.Blomkvistknockedonthedoorat4:00andexpinedtoPastorMargaretaStrandhthathehadetoseekadviceonatheologicalmatter.MargaretaStrandhwasadark-hairedwomanofabouthisownage,dressedinjeansandafnnelshirt.Shewasbarefootandhadpaintedtoenails.HehadrunintoherbeforeatSusanne’sBridgeCaféonacoupleofoasionsandtalkedtoheraboutPastorFalk.Hewasgivenafriendlyreceptionandinvitedtoeandsitinhercourtyard.
    BlomkvisttoldherthathehadinterviewedOttoFalkandwhattheoldmanhadsaid.PastorStrandhlistenedandthenaskedhimtorepeatitwordforword.
    “IwassenttoservehereinHedebyonlythreeyearsago,andI’veneveractuallymetPastorFalk.Heretiredseveralyearsbeforethat,butIbelievethathewasfairlyhigh-church.Whathesaidtoyoumeantsomethingonthelinesof‘keeptoScripturealone’—soscriptura—andthatitissufficientiascripturae.ThistterisanexpressionthatestablishesthesufficiencyofScriptureamongliteralbelievers.Sofidemeansfaithaloneorthetruefaith.”
    “Isee.”
    “Allthisisbasicdogma,sotospeak.Ingeneralit’stheptformofthechurchandnothingunusuatall.Hewassayingquitesimply:‘ReadtheBible—itwillprovidesufficientknowledgeandvouchesforthetruefaith.’”
    Mikaelfeltabitembarrassed.
    “NowIhavetoaskyouinwhatconnectionthisconversationourred,”shesaid.
    “Iwasaskinghimaboutapersonhehadmetmanyyearsago,someoneI’mwritingabout.”
    “Areligiousseeker?”
    “Somethingalongthatline.”
    “OK.IthinkIunderstandthecontext.YoutoldmethatPastorFalksaidtwootherthings—that‘Josefwillcertainlyexcludethem’andthat‘theywereneveraeptedintothecanon.’IsitpossiblethatyoumisunderstoodandthathesaidJosefusinsteadofJosef?It’sactuallythesamename.”
    “That’spossible,”Blomkvistsaid.“Itapedtheconversationifyouwanttolistentoit.”
    “No,Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary.Thesetwosentencesestablishfairlyunequivocallywhathewasalludingto.JosefuswasaJewishhistorian,andthesentence‘theywereneveraeptedintothecanon’mayhavemeantthattheywereneverintheHebrewcanon.”
    “Andthatmeans?”
    Sheughed.
    “PastorFalkwassayingthatthispersonwasenthralledbyesotericsources,specificallytheApocrypha.TheGreekwordapokryphosmeans‘hidden,’andtheApocryphaarethereforethehiddenswhichsomeconsiderhighlycontroversiandothersthinkshouldbeincludedintheOldTestament.TheyareTobias,Judith,Esther,Baruch,Sirach,thesoftheMaabees,andsomeothers.”
    “Fivemyignorance.I’veheardaboutthesoftheApocryphabuthaveneverreadthem.What’sspeciaboutthem?”
    “There’sreallynothingspeciaboutthematall,exceptthattheycameintoexistencesomewhatterthantherestoftheOldTestament.TheApocryphaweredeletedfromtheHebrewBible—notbecauseJewishschorsmistrustedtheircontentbutsimplybecausetheywerewrittenafterthetimewhenGod’srevetoryworkwasconcluded.Ontheotherhand,theApocryphaareincludedintheoldGreektranstionoftheBible.They’renotconsideredcontroversialin,forexample,theRomanCatholihurch.”
    “Isee.”
    “However,theyarecontroversialintheProtestantChurch.DuringtheReformation,theologianslookedtotheoldHebrewBible.MartinLutherdeletedtheApocryphafromtheReformation’sBibleandterCalvindecredthattheApocryphaabsolutelymustnotserveasthebasisforconvictionsinmattersoffaith.Thustheircontentscontradictorinsomewayconflictwithcritasscripturae—thecrityofScripture.”
    “Inotherwords,censoreds.”
    “Quiteright.Forexample,theApocryphacimthatmagianbepractisedandthatliesincertaincasesmaybepermissible,andsuchstatements,ofcourse,upsetdogmaticinterpretersofScripture.”
    “Soifsomeonehasapassionforreligion,it’snotunthinkablethattheApocryphawillpopupontheirreadinglist,orthatsomeonelikePastorFalkwouldbeupsetbythis.”
    “Exactly.EncounteringtheApocryphaisalmostunavoidableifyou’restudyingtheBibleortheCatholicfaith,andit’sequallyprobablethatsomeonewhoisinterestedinesotericaingeneralmightreadthem.”
    “Youdon’thappentohaveacopyoftheApocrypha,doyou?”
    Sheughedagain.Abright,friendlyugh.
    “OfcourseIdo.TheApocryphawereactuallypublishedasastatereportfromtheBiblemissionintheeighties.”
    ArmanskywonderedwhatwasgoingonwhenSanderaskedtospeaktohiminprivate.Heshutthedoorbehindherandmotionedhertothevisitor’schair.ShetoldhimthatherworkforMikaelBlomkvistwasdone—thewyerwouldbepayingherbeforetheendofthemonth—butthatshehaddecidedtokeeponwiththisparticurinvestigation.Blomkvisthadofferedheraconsiderablyhighersaryforamonth.
    “Iamself-employed,”Sandersaid.“UntilnowI’venevertakenajobthatyouhaven’tgivenme,inkeepingwithouragreement.WhatIwanttoknowiswhatwillhappentoourretionshipifItakeajobonmyown?”
    Armanskyshrugged.
    “You’reafreencer,youcantakeanyjobyouwantandchargewhatyouthinkit’sworth.I’mjustgdyou’remakingyourownmoney.Itwould,however,bedisloyalofyoutotakeonclientsyoufindthroughus.”
    “Ihavenopnstodothat.I’vefinishedthejobaordingtothecontractwesignedwithBlomkvist.WhatthisisaboutisthatIwanttostayonthecase.I’devendoitfornothing.”
    “Don’teverdoanythingfornothing.”
    “YouknowwhatImean.Iwanttoknowwherethisstoryisgoing.I’veconvincedBlomkvisttoaskthewyertokeepmeonasaresearchassistant.”
    ShepassedtheagreementovertoArmansky,whoreadrapidlythroughit.
    “Withthissaryyoumightaswellbeworkingforfree.Lisbeth,you’vegottalent.Youdon’thavetoworkforsmallchange.Youknowyoucanmakeahellofalotmorewithmeifyoueonboardfull-time.”
    “Idon’twanttoworkfull-time.But,Dragan,myloyaltyistoyou.You’vebeengreattomesinceIstartedhere.IwanttoknowifacontractlikethisisOKwithyou,thattherewon’tbeanyfrictionbetweenus.”
    “Isee.”Hethoughtforamoment.“It’s100percentOK.Thanksforasking.IfanymoresituationslikethiscropupinthefutureI’dappreciateitifyouaskedmesotherewon’tbeanymisunderstandings.”
    Sanderthoughtoverwhethershehadanythingtoadd.ShefixedhergazeonArmansky,sayingnotaword.Insteadshejustnoddedandthenstoodupandleft,asusualwithnofarewellgreeting.
    ShegottheanswershewantedandinstantlylostinterestinArmansky.Hesmiledtohimself.Thatshehadevenaskedhimforadvicemarkedanewhighpointinhersocialisationprocess.
    HeopenedafolderwithareportonsecurityatamuseumwhereabigexhibitionofFrenchImpressionistswasopeningsoon.ThenheputdownthefolderandlookedatthedoorthroughwhichSanderhadjustgone.HethoughtabouthowshehadughedwithBlomkvistinherofficeandwonderedifshewasfinallygrowinguporwhetheritwasBlomkvistwhowastheattraction.Healsofeltastrangeuneasiness.HehadneverbeenabletoshakeoffthefeelingthatLisbethSanderwasaperfectvictim.Andhereshewas,huntingamadmanoutinthebackofbeyond.
    Onthewaynorthagain,Sandertookonimpulseadetourbywayof?ppelvikenNursingHometoseehermother.ExceptforthevisitonMidsummerEve,shehadnotseenhermothersinceChristmas,andshefeltbadforsoseldomtakingthetime.Asecondvisitwithinthecourseofafewweekswasquiteunusual.
    Hermotherwasinthedayroom.Sanderstayedagoodhourandtookhermotherforawalkdowntotheduckpondinthegroundsofthehospital.HermotherwasstillmuddlingLisbethwithhersister.Asusual,shewashardlypresent,butsheseemedtroubledbythevisit.
    WhenSandersaidgoodbye,hermotherdidnotwanttoletgoofherhand.Sanderpromisedtovisitheragainsoon,buthermothergazedafterhersadlyandanxiously.
    Itwasasifshehadapremonitionofsomeapproachingdisaster.
    BlomkvistspenttwohoursinthegardenbehindhiscabingoingthroughtheApocryphawithoutgainingasingleinsight.Butathoughthadourredtohim.HowreligioushadHarrietVangeractuallybeen?HerinterestinBiblestudieshadstartedthestyearbeforeshevanished.ShehadlinkedanumberofBiblequotestoaseriesofmurdersandthenhadmethodicallyreadnotonlyherBiblebutalsotheApocrypha,andshehaddevelopedaninterestinCatholicism.
    HadshereallydohesameinvestigationthatBlomkvistandSanderweredoingthirty-sevenyearster?Wasitthehuntforamurdererthathadspurredherinterestratherthanreligiosity?PastorFalkhadindicatedthatinhiseyesshewasmoreofaseeker,lessagoodChristian.
    HewasinterruptedbyBergercallinghimonhismobile.
    “IjustwantedtotellyouthatGregerandIareleavingonholidaynextweek.I’llbegoneforfourweeks.”
    “Whereareyougoing?”
    “NewYork.Gregerhasanexhibition,andthenwethoughtwe’dgototheCaribbean.WehaveachancetoborrowahouseonAntiguafromafriendofGreger’sandwe’restayingtheretwoweeks.”
    “Thatsoundswonderful.Haveagreattime.AndsayhitoGreger.”
    “Thenewissueisfinishedandwe’vealmostwrappedupthenextone.Iwishyoucouldtakeoveraseditor,butChristerhassaidhewilldoit.”
    “Hecancallmeifheneedsanyhelp.How’sitgoingwithJanneDahlman?”
    Shehesitated.
    “He’salsogoingonholiday.I’vepushedHenryintobeingtheactingmanagingeditor.HeandChristeraremindingthestore.”
    “OK.”
    “I’llbebackonAugustseventh.”
    IntheearlyeveningBlomkvisttriedfivetimestotelephoneCeciliaVanger.Hesentheratextaskinghertocallhim.Buthereceivednoanswer.
    HeputawaytheApocryphaandgotintohistracksuit,lockingthedoorbeforehesetoff.
    Hefollowedthenarrowpathalongtheshoreandthenturnedintothewoods.Hegroundhiswaythroughthicketsandarounduprootedtreesasfastashecouldgo,emergingexhaustedattheFortresswithhispulseracing.Hestoppedbyoneoftheoldartillerybatteriesandstretchedforseveralminutes.
    Suddenlyheheardasharpcrackandthegreyconcretewallnexttohisheadexploded.Thenhefeltthepainasfragmentsofconcreteandshrapneltoreadeepgashinhisscalp.
    ForwhatseemedaernityBlomkviststoodparalysed.Thenhethrewhimselfintotheartillerytrench,ndinghardonhisshoulderandknockingthewindoutofhimself.Asecondroundcameattheinstanthedived.Thebulletsmackedintotheconcretefoundation.
    Hegottohisfeetandlookedalround.HewasinthemiddleoftheFortress.Totherightandleftnarrow,overgrownpassagesayarddeeprantothebatteriesthatwerespreadalongalineof250yards.Inacrouch,hestartedrunningsouththroughthebyrinth.
    HesuddenlyheardanechoofCaptainAdolfsson’sinimitablevoicefromwintermanoeuvresattheinfantryschoolinKiruna.Blomkvist,keepyourfuckingheaddownifyoudon’twanttogetyourarseshotoff.YearsterhestillrememberedtheextrapractisedrillsthatCaptainAdolfssonusedtodevise.
    Hestoppedtocatchhisbreath,hisheartpounding.Hecouldhearnothingbuthisownbreathing.Thehumaneyeperceivesmotionmuchquickerthanshapesandfigures.Moveslowlywhenyou’rescouting.Blomkvistslowlypeekedaninchoverthetopedgeofthebattery.Thesunwasstraightaheadandmadeitimpossibletomakeoutdetails,buthecouldseenomovement.
    Hepulledhisheadbackdownandranontothenextbattery.Itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodtheenemy’sweaponsare.Ifhecan’tseeyou,hecan’thityou.Cover,cover,cover.Makesureyou’reneverexposed.
    Hewas300yardsfromtheedgeof?sterg?rdenfarm.Some40yardsfromwhereheknelttherewasanalmostimperablethicketoflowbrush.Buttoreachthethickethewouldhavetosprintdownagrassslopefromtheartillerybattery,andhewouldbepletelyexposed.Itwastheonlyway.Athisbackwasthesea.
    HewassuddenlyawareofpaininhistempleanddiscoveredthathewasbleedingandthathisT-shirtwasdrenchedwithblood.Scalpwoundsneverstopbleeding,hethoughtbeforeheagainconcentratedonhisposition.Oneshotcouldjusthavebeenanaident,buttwomeantthatsomebodywastryingtokillhim.Hehadnowayofknowingifthemarksmanwaswaitingforhimtoreappear.
    Hetriedtobecalm,thinkrationally.Thechoicewastowaitortogetthehellout.Ifthemarksmanwasstillthere,thetteralternativewasassuredlynotagoodidea.Ifhewaitedwherehewas,themarksmanwouldcalmlywalkuptotheFortress,findhim,andshoothimatcloserange.
    Hecan’tknowifI’vegootherightorleft.Rifle,maybeamooserifle.Probablywithtelescopicsights.WhichwouldmeanthatthemarksmanwouldhavealimitedfieldofvisionifhewaslookingforMikaelthroughthesights.
    Ifyou’reinatightspot—taketheinitiative.Betterthanwaiting.Hewatchedandlistenedforsoundsfortwominutes;thenhecmberedoutofthebatteryandraceddowntheslopeasfastashecould.
    Hewashalfwaydowntheslopeasathirdshotwasfired,butheonlyheardavaguesmackbehindhihenhewasonhisfeetandmovingawayfromthedirectionofthefire,crouching,running,stoppingeveryfiftyyards,listening.HeheardabranchcracksomewherebetweenhimandtheFortress.Hedroppedtohisstomach.
    CrawlusingyourelbowswasanotherofCaptainAdolfsson’sfavouriteexpressions.Blomkvistcoveredthenext150yardsonhiskneesandtoesandelbowsthroughtheundergrowth.Hepushedasidetwigsandbranches.Twiceheheardsuddencracksinthethicketbehindhim.Thefirstseemedtobeveryclose,maybetwentypacestotheright.Hefroze,yperfectlystill.Afterawhilehecautiouslyraisedhisheadandlookedaround,buthecouldseeno-one.Heystillforalongtime,hisnervesonfullert,readytofleeorpossiblymakeadesperatecounterattackiftheenemycameathihensilence.
    HeknowsI’mhere.Hashetakenupapositionsomewhere,waitingformetostartmoving,orhasheretreated?
    Blomkvistkeptcrawlingthroughtheundergrowthuntilhereachedthe?sterg?rden’sfence.
    Thiswasthenextcriticalmoment.Apathraninsidethefence.Heystretchedoutontheground,watching.Thefarmhousewas400yardsdownagentleslope.Totherightofthehousehesawcowsgrazing.Whyhadn’tanyoneheardtheshotsandetoinvestigate?Summer.Maybenobodyisathomerightnow.
    Therewasnoquestionofcrossingthepasture—therehewouldhavenocoveratall.Thestraightpathbesidethefencewasthepcehehimselfwouldhavepickedforaclearfieldoffire.Heretreatedintothebrushuntilhecameoutontheothersideintoasparsepinewood.
    Hetookthelongwayaround?sterg?rden’sfieldsandS?derbergettoreachhome.Whenhepassed?sterg?rdenhecouldseethattheircarwasgone.AtthetopofS?derbergethestoppedandlookeddownonHedeby.Intheoldfishingcabinsbythemarinathereweresummervisitors;womeninbathingsuitsweresittingtalkingonadock.Hesmelledsomethingcookingonanoutdoorgrill.Childrenwerespshinginthewaternearthedocksinthemarina.
    Justafter8:00.Itwasfiftyminutessincetheshotshadbeenfired.Nilssonwaswateringhiswn,wearingshortsandnoshirt.Howlonghaveyoubeenthere?Vanger’shousewasemptybutforAnna.HaraldVanger’shouselookeddesertedasalways.ThenhesawIsabelVangerinherbackgarden.Shewassittingthere,obviouslytalkingtosomeone.IttookasecondforBlomkvisttorealiseitwasthesicklyGerdaVanger,bornin1922andlivingwithherson,Alexander,inoneofthehousesbeyondHenrik’s.Hehadnevermether,buthehadseenherafewtimes.CeciliaVanger’shouselookedempty,butthenMikaelsawamovementinherkitchen.She’shome.Wasthemarksmanawoman?HeknewthatCeciliacouldhandleagun.HecouldseeMartinVanger’scarinthedriveinfrontofhishouse.Howlonghaveyoubeenhome?
    Orwasitsomeoneelsethathehadnotthoughtofyet?Frode?Alexander?Toomanypossibilities.
    HeclimbeddownfromS?derbergetandfollowedtheroadintothevilge;hegothomewithoutencounteringanyone.Thefirstthinghesawwasthatthedoorofthecottagewasajar.Hewentintoacrouchalmostinstinctively.ThenhesmelledcoffeeandsawSanderthroughthekitchenwindow.
    Sheheardhimeinthefrontdoorandturnedtowardshim.Shestiffened.Hisfacelookedterrible,smearedwithbloodthathadbeguntocongeal.TheleftsideofhiswhiteT-shirtwascrimson.Hewasholdingasoddenredhandkerchieftohishead.
    “It’sbleedinglikehell,butit’snotdangerous,”Blomkvistsaidbeforeshecouldask.
    Sheturnedandgotthefirst-aidkitfromthecupboard;itcontainedtwopacketsofesticbandages,amosquitostick,andalittlerollofsurgicaltape.Hepulledoffhisclothesanddroppedthemonthefloor;thenhewenttothebathroom.
    Thewoundonhistemplewasagashsodeepthathecouldliftupabigfpofflesh.Itwasstillbleedinganditneededstitches,buthethoughtitwouldprobablyhealifhetapeditclosed.Heranatowelunderthecoldtapandwipedhisface.
    Heheldthetowegainsthistemplewhilehestoodundertheshowerandclosedhiseyes.Thenhesmmedhisfistagainstthetilesohardthathescrapedhisknuckles.Fuckyou,whoeveryouare,hethought.I’mgoingtofindyou,andIwillgetyou.
    WhenSandertouchedhisarmhejumpedasifhehadhadanelectricshockandstaredatherwithsuchangerinhiseyesthatshetookastepback.Shehandedhimthesoapandwentbacktothekitchenwithoutaword.
    Heputonthreestripsofsurgicaltape.Hewentintothebedroom,pulledonacleanpairofjeansandanewT-shirt,takingthefolderofprinted-outphotographswithhim.Hewassofurioushewasalmostshaking.
    “Stayhere,Lisbeth,”heshouted.
    HewalkedovertoCeciliaVanger’shouseandrangthedoorbell.Itwashalfaminutebeforesheopenedthedoor.
    “Idon’twanttoseeyou,”shesaid.Thenshesawhisface,wherebloodwasalreadyseepingthroughthetape.
    “Letmein.Wehavetotalk.”
    Shehesitated.“Wehavenothingtotalkabout.”
    “Wedonow,andyoucandiscussithereonthestepsorinthekitchen.”
    Blomkvist’stonewassodeterminedthatCeciliasteppedbackandlethimin.Hesatatherkitchentable.
    “Whathaveyoudone?”shesaid.
    “YoucimthatmydiggingforthetruthaboutHarrietVangerissomefutileformofoupationaltherapyforHenrik.That’spossible,butanhouragosomeonebloodynearlyshotmyheadoff,andstnightsomeone—maybethesamehumourist—leftahorriblydeadcatonmyporch.”
    Ceciliaopenedhermouth,butBlomkvistcutheroff.
    “Cecilia,Idon’tgiveashitaboutyourhang-upsorwhatyouworryaboutorthefactthatyousuddenlyhatethesightofme.I’llneverenearyouagain,andyoudon’thavetoworrythatI’mgoingtobotheryouorrunafteryou.RightthisminuteIwishI’dneverheardofyouoranyoneelseintheVangerfamily.ButIrequireanswerstomyquestions.Thesooneryouanswerthem,thesooneryou’llberidofme.”
    “Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
    “Numberone:wherewereyouanhourago?”
    Cecilia’sfacecloudedover.
    “AnhouragoIwasinHedestad.”
    “Cananyoneconfirmwhereyouwere?”
    “NotthatIcanthinkof,andIdon’thavetoaounttoyou.”
    “Numbertwo:whydidyouopenthewindowinHarriet’sroomthedayshedisappeared?”
    “What?”
    “Youheardme.ForalltheseyearsHenrikhastriedtoworkoutwhoopenedthewindowinHarriet’sroomduringthosecriticalminutes.Everybodyhasdenieddoingit.Someoneislying.”
    “Andwhatinhellmakesyouthinkitwasme?”
    “Thispicture,”Blomkvistsaid,andflungtheblurryphotographontoherkitchentable.
    Ceciliawalkedovertothetableandstudiedthepicture.Blomkvistthoughthecouldreadshockonherface.Shelookedupathim.Hefeltatrickleofbloodrundownhischeekanddropontohisshirt.
    “Thereweresixtypeopleontheisndthatday,”hesaid.“Andtwenty-eightofthemwerewomen.Fiveorsixofthemhadshoulder-lengthblondehair.Onlyoneofthosewaswearingalight-coloureddress.”
    Shestaredintentlyatthephotograph.
    “Andyouthinkthat’ssupposedtobeme?”
    “Ifitisn’tyou,I’dlikeyoutotellmewhoyouthinkitis.Nobodyknewaboutthispicturebefore.I’vehaditforweeksandtriedtotalktoyouaboutit.Imaybeanidiot,butIhaven’tshowedittoHenrikoranyoneelsebecauseI’mdeathlyafraidofcastingsuspiciononyouordoingyouwrong.ButIdohavetohaveananswer.”
    “You’llgetyouranswer.”Sheheldoutthephotographtohim.“Ididn’tgointoHarriet’sroomthatday.It’snotmeinthepicture.Ididn’thavetheslightestthingtodowithherdisappearance.”
    Shewenttothefrontdoor.
    “Youhaveyouranswer.Nowpleasego.ButIthinkyoushouldhaveadoctorlookatthatwound.”
    SanderdrovehimtoHedestadHospital.Ittookonlytwostitchesandagooddressingtoclosethewound.Hewasgivencortisonesalvefortherashfromthestingingtlesonhisneckandhands.
    AftertheyleftthehospitalBlomkvistsatforalongtimewonderingwhetherheoughttogotothepolice.Hecouldseetheheadlinesnow.“LibelJournalistinShootingDrama.”Heshookhishead.“Let’sgohome,”hesaid.
    ItwasdarkwhentheyarrivedbackatHedebyIsnd,andthatsuitedSanderfine.Sheliftedasportsbagontothekitchentable.
    “IborrowedthisstufffromMiltonSecurity,andit’stimewemadeuseofit.”
    Shepntedfourbattery-operatedmotiondetectorsaroundthehouseandexpinedthatifanyonecamecloserthantwentyfeet,aradiosignalwouldtriggerasmallchirpingarmthatshesetupinBlomkvist’sbedroom.Atthesametime,twolight-sensitivevideocamerasthatshehadputintreesatthefrontandbackofthecabinwouldsendsignalstoaPCptopthatshesetinthecupboardbythefrontdoor.Shecamoufgedthecameraswithdarkcloth.
    Sheputathirdcamerainabirdhouseabovethedoor.Shedrilledaholerightthroughthewallforthecable.Thelenswasaimedattheroadandthepathfromthegatetothefrontdoor.Ittookalow-resolutionimageeverysecondandstoredthemallontheharddriveofanotherPCptopinthewardrobe.
    Thensheputapressure-sensitivedoormatintheentrance.Ifsomeonemanagedtoevadetheinfrareddetectorsandgotintothehouse,15-decibelsirenwouldgooff.Sanderdemonstratedforhimhowtoshutoffthedetectorswithakeytoaboxinthewardrobe.Shehadalsoborrowedanight-visionscope.
    “Youdon’tleavealottochance,”Blomkvistsaid,pouringcoffeeforher.
    “Onemorething.Nomorejogginguntilwecrackthis.”
    “Believeme,I’velostallinterestinexercise.”
    “I’mnotjoking.Thismayhavestartedoutasahistoricalmystery,butwhatwithdeadcatsandpeopletryingtoblowyourheadoffwecanbesurewe’reonsomebody’strail.”
    Theyatedinnerte.Blomkvistwassuddenlydeadtiredandhadasplittingheadache.Hecouldhardlytalkanymore,sohewenttobed.
    Sanderstayedupreadingthereportuntil2:00.
    CHAPTER23
    Friday,July11
    Heawokeat6:00withthesunshiningthroughagapinthecurtainsrightinhisface.Hehadavagueheadache,andithurtwhenhetouchedthebandage.Sanderwasasleeponherstomachwithonearmflungoverhim.Helookeddownatthedragononhershoulderbde.
    Hecountedhertattoos.Aswelsawasponherneck,shehadalooparoundoneankle,anotherlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarm,aChinesesymbolonherhip,andaroseononecalf.
    Hegotoutofbedandpulledthecurtainstight.Hewenttothebathroomandthenpaddedbacktobed,tryingtogetinwithoutwakingher.
    AcoupleofhoursteroverbreakfastBlomkvistsaid,“Howarewegoingtosolvethispuzzle?”
    “Wesumupthefactswehave.Wetrytofindmore.”
    “Forme,theonlyquestionis:why?Isitbecausewe’retryingtosolvethemysteryaboutHarriet,orbecausewe’veuncoveredahithertounknownserialkiller?”
    “Theremustbeaconnection,”Sandersaid.“IfHarrietrealisedthattherewasaserialkiller,itcanonlyhavebeensomeonesheknew.Ifwelookatthecastofcharactersinthesixties,therewereatleasttwodozenpossiblecandidates.TodayhardlyanyofthemareleftexceptHaraldVanger,whoisnotrunningaroundinthewoodsofFr?skogenatalmostniy-threewithagun.Everybodyiseithertoooldtobeofanydangertoday,ortooyoungtohavebeenaroundinthefifties.Sowe’rebacktosquareone.”
    “Unlesstherearetwopeoplewhoarecolborating.Oneolderandoneyounger.”
    “HaraldandCecilia?Idon’tthinkso.Ithinkshewastellingthetruthwhenshesaidthatshewasn’tthepersoninthewindow.”
    “Thenwhowasthat?”
    TheyturnedonBlomkvist’siandspentthenexthourstudyingindetailonceagainallthepeoplevisibleinthephotographsoftheaidentonthebridge.
    “Icanonlyassumethateveryoneinthevilgemusthavebeendownthere,watchingalltheexcitement.ItwasSeptember.Mostofthemarewearingjacketsorsweaters.Onlyonepersonhaslongblondehairandalight-coloureddress.”
    “CeciliaVangerisinalotofthepictures.Sheseemstobeeverywhere.Betweenthebuildingsandthepeoplewhoarelookingattheaident.Hereshe’stalkingtoIsabel.Hereshe’sstandingnexttoPastorFalk.Hereshe’swithGregerVanger,themiddlebrother.”
    “Waitaminute,”Blomkvistsaid.“WhatdoesGregerhaveinhishand?”
    “Somethingsquare-shaped.Itlookslikeaboxofsomekind.”
    “It’saHasselbd.Sohetoohadacamera.”
    Theyscrolledthroughthephotographsonemoretime.Gregerwasinmoreofthem,thoughoftenblurry.Inoneitcouldbeclearlyseenthathewasholdingasquare-shapedbox.
    “Ithinkyou’reright.It’sdefinitelyacamera.”
    “Whichmeansthatwegoonanotherhuntforphotographs.”
    “OK,butlet’sleavethatforamoment,”Sandersaid.“Letmeproposeatheory.”
    “Goahead.”
    “Whatifsomeoneoftheyoungergenerationknowsthatsomeoneoftheoldergenerationisaserialkiller,buttheydon’twantitacknowledged.Thefamily’shonourandallthatcrap.Thatwouldmeanthattherearetwopeopleinvolved,butnotthatthey’reinittogether.Themurderercouldhavediedyearsago,whileournemesisjustwantsustodropthewholethingandgohome.”
    “Butwhy,inthatcase,putamutitedcatonourporch?It’sanunmistakablereferencetothemurders.”BlomkvisttappedHarriet’sBible.“Againaparodyofthewsregardingburntofferings.”
    SanderleanedbackandlookedupatthechurchasshequotedfromtheBible.Itwasasifsheweretalkingtoherself.
    “ThenheshallkillthebullbeforetheLord;andAaron’ssonsthepriestsshallpresenttheblood,andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting.Andheshallfytheburntofferingandcutitintopieces.”
    Shefellsilent,awarethatBlomkvistwaswatchingherwithatenseexpression.HeopenedtheBibletothefirstchapterofLeviticus.
    “Doyouknowversetwelvetoo?”
    Sanderdidnotreply.
    “Andheshall…”hebegan,noddingather.
    “Andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshallytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireuponthealtar.”Hervoicewasice.
    “Andthenextverse?”
    Abruptlyshestoodup.
    “Lisbeth,youhaveaphotographicmemory,”Mikaelexcimedinsurprise.“That’swhyyoucanreadapageoftheinvestigationintenseconds.”
    Herreactionwasalmostexplosive.ShefixedhereyesonBlomkvistwithsuchfurythathewasastounded.Thenherexpressionchangedtodespair,andsheturnedonherheendranforthegate.
    “Lisbeth,”heshoutedafterher.
    Shedisappeareduptheroad.
    Mikaelcarriedherputerinside,setthearm,andlockedthefrontdoorbeforehesetouttolookforher.Hefoundhertwentyminutesteronajettyatthemarina.Shewassittingthere,dippingherfeetinthewaterandsmoking.Sheheardhimingalongthejetty,andhesawhershouldersstiffen.Hestoppedacoupleofpacesaway.
    “Idon’tknowwhatIdid,butIdidn’tmeantoupsetyou.”
    Hesatdownnexttoher,tentativelypcingahandonhershoulder.
    “Please,Lisbeth.Talktome.”
    Sheturnedherheadandlookedathim.
    “There’snothingtotalkabout,”shesaid.“I’mjustafreak,that’sall.”
    “I’dbeoverjoyedifmymemorywaswhatyoursis.”
    Shetossedthecigaretteendintothewater.
    Mikaelsatinsilenceforalongtime.WhatamIsupposedtosay?You’reaperfectlyordinarygirl.Whatdoesitmatterifyou’realittledifferent?Whatkindofself-imagedoyouhave,anyway?
    “IthoughttherewassomethingdifferentaboutyoutheinstantIsawyou,”hesaid.“Andyouknowwhat?It’sbeenareallylongtimesinceI’vehadsuchaspontaneousgoodimpressionofanyonefromtheverybeginning.”
    Somechildrencameoutofacabinontheothersideoftheharbourandjumpedintothewater.Thepainter,EugenNorman,withwhomBlomkviststillhadnotexchangedasingleword,wassittinginachairoutsidehishouse,suckingonhispipeasheregardedBlomkvistandSander.
    “Ireallywanttobeyourfriend,ifyou’llletme,”hesaid.“Butit’suptoyou.I’mgoingbacktothehousetoputonsomemorecoffee.ehomewhenyoufeellikeit.”
    Hegotupandleftherinpeace.Hewasonlyhalfwayupthehillwhenheheardherfootstepsbehindhim.Theywalkedhometogetherwithoutexchangingaword.
    Shestoppedhimjustastheyreachedthehouse.
    “Iwasintheprocessofformutingatheory…WetalkedaboutthefactthatallthisisaparodyoftheBible.It’struethathetookacatapart,butIsupposeitwouldbehardtogetholdofanox.Buthe’sfollowingthebasicstory.Iwonder…”Shelookedupatthechurchagain.“Andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting…”
    Theywalkedoverthebridgetothechurch.Blomkvisttriedthedoor,butitwaslocked.Theywanderedaroundforawhile,lookingathead-stonesuntiltheycametothechapel,whichstoodashortdistanceaway,downbythewater.AllofasuddenBlomkvistopenedhiseyeswide.Itwasnotachapel,itwasacrypt.AbovethedoorhecouldreadthenameVangerchiselledintothestone,alongwithaverseinLatin,buthecouldnotdecipherit.
    “‘Slumbertotheendoftime,’”Sandersaidbehindhim.
    Blomkvistturnedtolookather.Sheshrugged.
    “Ihappenedtoseethatversesomewhere.”
    Blomkvistroaredwithughter.Shestiffenedandatfirstshelookedfurious,butthensherexedwhensherealisedthathewasughingattheedyofthesituation.
    Blomkvisttriedthedoor.Itw