16

    dthetableandtossedthembackhandedtothefloornexttoBlomkvist.
    Hetriedtoshouttohertowait,buthemanagedonlyaraspingsoundandbythenshehadvanished.
    SanderhadnotfottenthatMartinVangerhadariflesomewhere,andshestopped,holdingthepistolreadytofireinfrontofher,asshecameupstairstothepassagewaybetweenthegarageandthekitchen.Shelistened,butshecouldhearnosoundtellingherwhereherpreywas.Shemovedstealthilytowardsthekitchen,andshewasalmosttherewhensheheardacarstartingupinthecourtyard.
    FromthedriveshesawapairoftaillightspassingHenrikVanger’shouseandturningdowntothebridge,andsheranasfastasherlegscouldcarryher.Shestuffedthepistolinherjacketpocketanddidnotbotherwiththehelmetasshestartedhermotorcycle.Secondstershewascrossingthebridge.
    Hehadmaybeaniy-secondstartwhenshecameintotheroundaboutattheentrancetotheE4.Shecouldnotseehiscar.Shebrakedandturnedoffthemotortolisten.
    Theskywasfilledwithheavyclouds.Onthehorizonshesawahintofthedawn.ThensheheardthesoundofanengineandcaughtaglimpseoftaillightsontheE4,goingsouth.Sanderkickedthemotorcycle,putitintogear,andracedundertheviaduct.Shewasdoing40milesperhourasshetookthecurveoftheentranceramp.Shesawnotrafficandaeleratedtofullspeedandflewforward.Whentheroadbegantocurvealongaridge,shewasdoing90mph,whichwasaboutthefastesthersouped-uplightweightbikecouldmanagegoingdownhill.Aftertwominutesshesawthelightsabout650yardsahead.
    Analyseconsequences.WhatdoIdonow?
    Shedeceleratedtoamorereasonableseventy-fiveandkeptpacewithhihentheycameontoalongstraight;shewasonlytwohundredyardsbehindhim.
    Hemusthaveseentheheadlightfromhermotorcycle,andhespedupwhentheytookalongcurve.Sheaeleratedagainbutlostgroundonthebends.
    Shesawtheheadlightsofatruckapproaching.MartinVangerdidtoo.Heincreasedhisspeedagainanddrovestraightintotheoningne.Sandersawthetruckswerveandfshitslights,butthecollisionwasunavoidable.MartinVangerdrovestraightintothetruckandthesoundofthecrashwasterrible.
    Sanderbraked.Shesawthetrailerstarttojackknifeacrossherne.Atthespeedshewasgoing,ittooktwosecondsforhertocoverthedistanceuptotheaidentsite.Sheaeleratedandsteeredontothehardshoulder,avoidingthehurtlingbackofthetruckbytwoyardsassheflewpast.Outofthecornerofhereyeshesawfmesingfromthefrontofthetruck.
    Sherodeon,brakingandthinking,foranother150yardsbeforeshestoppedandturnedaround.Shesawthedriverofthetruckclimboutofhiscabonthepassengerside.Thensheaeleratedagain.At?kerby,aboutamilesouth,sheturnedleftandtooktheoldroadbacknorth,paralleltotheE4.Shewentupahillpastthesceneofthecrash.Twocarshadstopped.BigfmeswereboilingoutofthewreckageofMartin’scar,whichwaswedgedunderneaththetruck.Amanwassprayingthefmeswithasmallfireextinguisher.
    Shewassoonrollingacrossthebridgeatalowspeed.SheparkedoutsidethecottageandwalkedbacktoMartinVanger’shouse.
    Mikaelwasstillfumblingwiththehandcuffs.Hishandsweresonumbthathecouldnotgetagriponthekey.Sanderunlockedthecuffsforhimandheldhimtightasthebloodbegantocircuteinhishandsagain.
    “Martin?”hesaidinahoarsevoice.
    “Dead.HedrovespintothefrontofatruckacoupleofmilessouthontheE4.”
    Blomkviststaredather.Shehadonlybeengoneafewminutes.
    “Wehaveto…callthepolice,”hewhispered.Hebegancoughinghard.
    “Why?”Sandersaid.
    FortenminutesBlomkvistwasincapableofstandingup.Hewasstillonthefloor,naked,leaningagainstthewall.Hemassagedhisneckandliftedthewaterbottlewithclumsyfingers.Sanderwaitedpatientlyuntilhissenseoftouchstartedtoreturn.Shespentthetimethinking.
    “Putyourtrouserson.”
    SheusedBlomkvist’scut-upT-shirttowipefingerprintsfromthehandcuffs,theknife,andthegolfclub.ShepickedupherPETbottle.
    “Whatareyoudoing?”
    “Getdressedandhurryup.It’sgettinglightoutside.”
    Blomkviststoodonshakylegsandmanagedtopullonhisboxersandjeans.Heslippedonhistrainers.Sanderstuffedhissocksintoherjacketpocketandthenstoppedhim.
    “Whatexactlydidyoutouchdownhere?”
    Blomkvistlookedaround.Hetriedtoremember.Atsthesaidthathehadtouchednothingexceptthedoorandthekeys.SanderfoundthekeysinMartinVanger’sjacket,whichhehadhungoverthechair.Shewipedthedoorhandleandtheswitchandturnedoffthelight.ShehelpedBlomkvistupthebasementstairsandtoldhimtowaitinthepassagewaywhilesheputthegolfclubbackinitsproperpce.WhenshecamebackshewascarryingadarkT-shirtthatbelongedtoMartinVanger.
    “Putthison.Idon’twantanyooseeyouscamperingaboutwithabarechesttonight.”
    Blomkvistrealisedthathewasinastateofshock.Sanderhadtakencharge,andpassivelyheobeyedherinstructions.SheledhimoutofMartin’shouse.Sheheldontohimthewholetime.Assoonastheysteppedinsidethecottage,shestoppedhim.
    “Ifanyoneseesusandaskswhatweweredoingoutsidetonight,youandIwentouttothepointforanighttimewalk,andwehadsexoutthere.”
    “Lisbeth,Ican’t…”
    “Getintheshower.Now.”
    Shehelpedhimoffwithhisclothesandpropelledhimtothebathroom.Thensheputonwaterforcoffeeandmadehalfadozenthicksandwichesonryebreadwithcheeseandliversausageanddillpickles.Shesatdownatthekitchentableandwasthinkinghardwhenhecamelimpingbackintotheroohenoosehadbeensotightthathehadadarkredmarkaroundhisneck,andtheknifehadmadeabloodygashinhisskinontheleftside.
    “Getintobed,”shesaid.
    Sheimprovisedbandagesandcoveredthewoundwithamakeshiftpress.Thenshepouredthecoffeeandhandedhimasandwich.
    “I’mreallynothungry,”hesaid.
    “Idon’tgiveadamnifyou’rehungry.Justeat,”Sandermanded,takingabigbiteofherowncheesesandwich.
    Blomkvistclosedhiseyesforamoment,thenhesatupandtookabite.Histhroathurtsomuchthathecouldscarcelyswallow.
    SandertookoffherleatherjacketandfromthebathroombroughtajarofTigerBalmfromherspongebag.
    “Letthecoffeecoolforawhile.Liefacedown.”
    Shespentfiveminutesmassaginghisbackandrubbinghimwiththeliniment.Thensheturnedhimoverandgavehimthesametreatmentonthefront.
    “You’regoingtohavesomeseriousbruisesforawhile.”
    “Lisbeth,wehavetocallthepolice.”
    “No,”sherepliedwithsuchvehemencethatBlomkvistopenedhiseyesinsurprise.“Ifyoucallthepolice,I’mleaving.Idon’twanttohaveanythingtodowiththem.MartinVangerisdead.Hediedinacaraident.Hewasaloneinthecar.Therearewitnesses.Letthepoliceorsomeoneelsediscoverthatfuckingtorturechamber.YouandIarejustasignorantaboutitsexistenceaseveryoneelseinthisvilge.”
    “Why?”
    Sheignoredhimandstartedmassaginghisachingthighs.
    “Lisbeth,wecan’tjust…”
    “Ifyougoonnagging,I’lldragyoubacktoMartin’sgrottoandchainyouupagain.”
    Asshesaidthis,Blomkvistfelsleep,assuddenlyasifhehadfainted.
    CHAPTER25
    Saturday,July12–Monday,July14
    Blomkvistwokewithastartat5:00inthemorning,scrabblingathisnecktogetridofthenoose.Sandercameinandtookholdofhishands,keepinghimstill.Heopenedhiseyesandlookedatherblearily.
    “Ididn’tknowthatyoupyedgolf,”hesaid,closinghiseyesagain.Shesatwithhimforacoupleofminutesuntilshewassurehewasasleep.Whileheslept,SanderhadgonebacktoMartinVanger’sbasementtoexamineandphotographthecrimescene.Inadditiontothetortureinstruments,shehadfoundacollectionofviolentpornographicmagazinesandargenumberofPoroidphotographspastedintoalbums.
    Therewasnodiary.Ontheotherhand,shedidfindtwoA4binderswithpassportphotographsandhandwrittennotesaboutthewomen.SheputthebindersinanylonbagalongwithMartin’sDellPCptop,whichshefoundonthehalltableupstairs.WhileBlomkvistsleptshecontinuedherexaminationofMartin’sputerandbinders.Itwasafter6:00bythetimesheturnedofftheputer.Shelitacigarette.
    TogetherwithMikaelBlomkvistshehadtakenupthehuntforwhattheythoughtwasaserialkillerfromthepast.Theyhadfoundsomethingappallinglydifferent.ShecouldhardlyimagihehorrorsthatmusthavepyedoutinMartinVanger’sbasement,inthemidstofthiswell-ordered,idyllicspot.
    Shetriedtounderstand.
    MartinVangerhadbeenkillingwomensincethesixties,duringthepastfifteenyearsoneortwovictimsperyear.Thekillinghadbeendonesodiscreetlyandwassowellpnnedthatno-onewasevenawarethataserialkillerwasatwork.Howwasthatpossible?
    Thebindersprovidedapartianswer.
    Hisvictimswereoftennewarrivals,immigrantgirlswhohadnofriendsorsocialcontactsinSweden.Therewerealsoprostitutesandsocialoutcasts,withdrugabuseorotherproblemsintheirbackground.
    Fromherownstudiesofthepsychologyofsexualsadism,Sanderhadlearnedthatthistypeofmurdererusuallycollectedsouvenirsfromhisvictims.Thesesouvenirsfunctionedasremindersthatthekillercouldusetore-createsomeofthepleasurehehadexperienced.MartinVangerhaddevelopedthispeculiaritybykeepinga“death.”Hehadcataloguedandgradedhisvictims.Hehaddescribedtheirsuffering.Hehaddocumentedhiskillingswithvideotapesandphotographs.
    Theviolenceandthekillingwerethegoal,butSanderconcludedthatitwasthehuntthatwasMartinVanger’sprimaryinterest.Inhisptophehadcreatedadatabasewithalistofmorethanahundredwomen.TherewereemployeesfromtheVangerCorporation,waitressesinrestaurantswhereheregurlyate,receptionstaffinhotels,clerksatthesocialsecurityoffice,thesecretariesofbusinessassociates,andmanyotherwomen.ItseemedasifMartinhadpigeonholedpracticallyeverywomanhehadevereintocontactwith.
    Hehadkilledonlyafractionofthesewomen,buteverywomananywherenearhimwasapotentialvictim.Thecataloguinghadthemarkofapassionatehobby,andhemusthavedevotedcountlesshourstoit.
    Isshemarriedorsingle?Doesshehavechildrenandfamily?Wheredoesshework?Wheredoesshelive?Whatkindofcardoesshedrive?Whatsortofeducationdoesshehave?Haircolour?Skincolour?Figure?
    ThegatheringofpersonalrmationaboutpotentialvictimsmusthavebeenasignificantpartofMartinVanger’ssexualfantasies.Hewasfirstofalstalker,andsecondamurderer.
    Whenshehadfinishedreading,shediscoveredasmallenvelopeinoneofthebinders.ShepulledouttwomuchhandledandfadedPoroidpictures.Inthefirstpictureadark-hairedgirlwassittingatatable.Thegirlhadondarkjeansandhadabaretorsowithtiny,pointedbreasts.Shehadturnedherfaceawayfromthecameraandwasintheprocessofliftingonearminagestureofdefence,almostasifthephotographerhadsurprisedher.Inthesecondpictureshewaspletelynaked.Shewaslyingonherstomachonabluebedspread.Herfacewasstillturnedawayfromthecamera.
    Sanderstuffedtheenvelopewiththepicturesintoherjacketpocket.Afterthatshecarriedthebindersovertothewoodstoveandstruckamatch.Whenshewasdonewiththefire,shestirredtheashes.Itwaspouringdownwithrainwhenshetookashortwalkand,kneelingasiftotieashoece,discreetlydroppedMartinVanger’sptopintothewaterunderthebridge.
    WhenFrodemarchedthroughtheopendoorat7:30thatmorning,Sanderwasatthekitchentablesmokingacigaretteanddrinkingcoffee.Frode’sfacewasashen,andhelookedasifhehadhadacruewakening.
    “Where’sMikael?”hesaid.
    “He’sstilsleep.”
    Frodesatdownheavilyonakitchenchair.Sanderpouredcoffeeandpushedthecupovertohim.
    “Martin…IjustfoundoutthatMartinwaskilledinacaraidentstnight.”
    “That’ssad,”Sandersaid,takingasipofherowncoffee.
    Frodelookedup.Atfirsthestaredather,unprehending.Thenhiseyesopenedwide.
    “What…?”
    “Hecrashed.Howannoying.”
    “Whatdoyouknowaboutthis?”
    “Hedrovehiscarrightintothefrontofatruck.Hemittedsuicide.Thepress,thestress,aflounderingfinancialempire,dot,dot,dot,toomuchforhim.Atleastthat’swhatIsupposeitwillsayonthepcards.”
    Frodelookedasifhewereabouttohaveacerebralhaemorrhage.Hestoodupswiftlyandwalkedunsteadilytothebedroom.
    “Lethimsleep,”Sandersnapped.
    Frodelookedatthesleepingfigure.HesawthebckandbluemarksonBlomkvist’sfaceandthecontusionsonhischest.Thenhesawthefminglinewherethenoosehadbeen.Sandertouchedhisarmandclosedthedoor.Frodebackedoutandsankontothekitchenbench.
    LisbethSandertoldhimsuinctlywhathadhappenedduringthenight.ShetoldhimwhatMartinVanger’schamberofhorrorslookedlikeandhowshehadfoundMikaelwithanoosearoundhisneckandtheCEOoftheVangerCorporationstandinginfrontofhisnakedbody.Shetoldhimwhatshehadfoundinthepany’sarchivesthedaybeforeandhowshehadestablishedapossiblelinkbetweenMartin’sfatherandthemurdersofatleastsevenwomen.
    Frodeinterruptedherrecitationonlyonce.Whenshestoppedtalking,hesatmutelyforseveralminutesbeforehetookadeepbreathandsaid:“Whatarewegoingtodo?”
    “That’snotformetosay,”Sandersaid.
    “But…”
    “AsIseeit,I’veneversetfootinHedestad.”
    “Idon’tunderstand.”
    “UndernocircumstancesdoIwantmynameinanypolicereport.Idon’texistinconnectionwithanyofthis.Ifmynameismentionedinconnectionwiththisstory,I’lldenythatI’veeverbeenhere,andI’llrefusetoanswerasinglequestion.”
    Frodegaveherasearchinglook.
    “Idon’tunderstand.”
    “Youdon’tneedtounderstand.”
    “ThenwhatshouldIdo?”
    “You’llhavetoworkthatoutforyourself.OnlyleavemeandMikaeloutofit.”
    Frodewasdeathlypale.
    “Lookatitthisway:theonlythingyouknowisthatMartinVangerdiedinatrafficaident.Youhavenoideathathewasalsoaninsane,nauseatingserialkiller,andyou’veneverheardabouttheroominhisbasement.”
    Sheputthekeyonthetablebetweenthem.
    “You’vegottime—beforeanyoneisgoingtocleanoutMartin’shouseanddiscoverthebasement.”
    “Wehavetogotothepoliceaboutthis.”
    “Notwe.Youcangotothepoliceifyoulike.It’syourdecision.”
    “Thiscan’tbebrushedunderacarpet.”
    “I’mnotsuggestingthatitshouldbebrushedanywhere,justthatyouleavemeandMikaeloutofit.Whenyoudiscovertheroom,youdrawyourownconclusionsanddecideforyourselfwhoyouwanttotell.”
    “Ifwhatyousayistrue,itmeansthatMartinhaskidnappedandmurderedwomen…theremustbefamiliesthataredesperatebecausetheydon’tknowwheretheirchildrenare.Wecan’tjust…”
    “That’sright.Butthere’sjustoneprobleybeyou’llfindpassportsorIDcardsinsomedrawer.Maybesomeofthevictimscanbeidentifiedfromthevideotapes.Butyoudon’tneedtodecidetoday.Thinkitover.”
    Frodelookedpanic-stricken.
    “Oh,dearGod.Thiswillbethedeathblowforthepany.ThinkofhowmanyfamilieswilllosetheirlivelihoodifitgetsoutthatMartin…”
    Froderockedbackandforth,jugglingwithamoraldilemma.
    “That’soneissue.IfIsabelVangeristoinherit,youmaythinkitwouldbeinappropriateifshewerethefirstoolightuponherson’shobby.”
    “Ihavetogoandsee…”
    “Ithinkyoushouldstayawayfromthatroomtoday,”Sandersaidsharply.“Youhavealotofthingstotakecareof.YouhavetogoandtellHenrik,andyouhavetocalspecialmeetingoftheboardanddoallthosethingsyouchapsdowhenyourCEOdies.”
    Frodethoughtaboutwhatshewassaying.Hisheartwasthumping.Hewastheoldattorneyandproblem-solverwhowasexpectedtohaveapnreadytomeetanyeventuality,yethefeltpowerlesstoact.Itsuddenlydawnedonhimthatherehewas,takingordersfromachild.Shehadsomehowseizedcontrolofthesituationandgivenhimtheguidelinesthathehimselfwasunabletoformute.
    “AndHarriet…?”
    “MikaendIarenotfinishedyet.ButyoucantellHerrVangerthatIthinknowthatwe’regoingtosolveit.”
    MartinVanger’sunexpecteddemisewasthetopstoryonthe9:00newsontheradiowhenBlomkvistwokeup.Nothingwasreportedaboutthenight’seventsotherthantosaythattheindustrialisthadinexplicablyandathighspeedcrossedtothewrongsideoftheE4,travellingsouth.Hehadbeenaloneinthecar.
    ThelocalradioranastorythatdealtwithconcernforthefutureoftheVangerCorporationandtheconsequencesthatthisdeathwouldinevitablyhaveforthepany.
    AhastilyposedlunchtimeupdatefromtheTTwireservicehadtheheadlineATOWNINSHOCK,anditsummeduptheproblemsoftheVangerCorporation.Itescapedno-one’snoticethatinHedestadalonemorethan3,000ofthetown’s21,000inhabitantswereemployedbytheVangerCorporationorwereotherwisedependentontheprosperityofthepany.Thefirm’sCEOwasdead,andtheformerCEOwasseriouslyilfteraheartattack.Therewasnonaturalheir.Allthisatatimeconsideredtobeamongthemostcriticalinthepany’shistory.
    BlomkvisthadhadtheoptionofgoingtothepoliceinHedestadandtellingthemwhathadhappenedthatnight,butSanderhadalreadysetacertainprocessinmotion.Sincehehadnotimmediatelycalledthepolice,itbecamehardertodosowitheachhourthatpassed.Hespentthemorningingloomysilence,sittingonthekitchenbench,watchingtherainoutside.Around10:00therewasanothercloudburst,butbylunchtimetherainhadstoppedandthewindhaddieddownabit.Hewentoutandwipedoffthegardenfurnitureandthensattherewithamugofcoffee.Hewaswearingashirtwiththecolrturnedup.
    Martin’sdeathcastashadow,ofcourse,overthedailylifeofHedeby.CarsbeganparkingoutsideIsabelVanger’shouseasthecngatheredtooffercondolences.Sanderobservedtheprocessionwithoutemotion.
    “Howareyoufeeling?”shesaidatst.
    “IthinkI’mstillinshock,”hesaid.“Iwashelpless.ForseveralhoursIwasconvincedthatIwasgoingtodie.Ifeltthefearofdeathandtherewasn’tathingIcoulddo.”
    Hestretchedouthishandandpceditonherknee.
    “Thankyou,”hesaid.“Butforyou,Iwouldbedead.”
    Sandersmiledhercrookedsmile.
    “Allthesame…Idon’tunderstandhowyoucouldbesuchanidiotastotacklehimonyourown.Iwaschainedtothefloordownthere,prayingthatyou’dseethepictureandputtwoandtwotogetherandcallthepolice.”
    “IfI’dwaitedforthepolice,youwouldn’thavesurvived.Iwasn’tgoingtoletthatmotherfuckerkillyou.”
    “Whydon’tyouwanttotalktothepolice?”
    “Inevertalktotheauthorities.”
    “Whynot?”
    “That’smybusiness.Butinyourcase,Idon’tthinkitwouldbeaterrifiareermovetobehungouttodryasthejournalistwhowasstrippednakedbyMartinVanger,thefamousserialkiller.Ifyoudon’tlike‘KalleBlomkvist,’youcanthinkupawholenewepithet.Justdon’ttakeitoutofthischapterofyourheroiclife.”
    Blomkvistgaveherasearchinglookanddroppedthesubject.
    “Wedostillhaveaproblem,”shesaid.
    Blomkvistnodded.“WhathappenedtoHarriet.Yes.”
    SanderidthetwoPoroidpicturesonthetableinfrontofhim.Sheexpinedwhereshe’dfoundthem.Mikaelstudiedthepicturesintentlyforawhilebeforehelookedup.
    “Itmightbeher,”hesaidatst.“Iwouldn’tsweartoit,buttheshapeofherbodyandthehairremindmeofthepicturesI’veseen.”
    Theysatinthegardenforanhour,piecingtogetherthedetails.Theydiscoveredthateachofthem,independentlyandfromdifferentdirections,hadidentifiedMartinVangerasthemissinglink.
    SanderneverdidfindthephotographthatBlomkvisthadleftonthekitchentable.ShehadetotheconclusionthatBlomkvisthaddonesomethingstupidafterstudyingthepicturesfromthesurveilncecameras.ShehadgoneovertoMartinVanger’shousebywayoftheshoreandlookedinallthewindowsandseenno-one.Shehadtriedallthedoorsandwindowsonthegroundfloor.Finallyshehadclimbedinthroughanopenbalconydoorupstairs.Ithadtakenalongtime,andshehadmovedextremelycautiouslyasshesearchedthehouse,roombyroortinhadbeencareless.Heleftthedoortohischamberofhorrorsajar,andshewasabletoformaclearimpressionofthesituation.
    BlomkvistaskedherhowmuchshehadheardofwhatMartinsaid.
    “Notmuch.IgottherewhenhewasaskingyouaboutwhathappenedtoHarriet,justbeforehehungyouupbythenoose.Ileftforafewminutestogobackandfindaweapon.”
    “MartinhadnoideawhathappenedtoHarriet,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Doyoubelievethat?”
    “Yes,”Blomkvistsaidwithouthesitation.“Martinwasdafterthanasyphiliticpolecat—wheredoIgetthesemetaphorsfrom?—butheconfessedtoallthecrimeshehadmitted.Ithinkthathewantedtoimpressme.ButwhenitcametoHarriet,hewasasdesperateasHenrikVangertofindoutwhathappened.”
    “So…wheredoesthattakeus?”
    “WeknowthatGottfriedwasresponsibleforthefirstseriesofmurders,between1949and1965.”
    “OK.AndhebroughtonlittleMartin.”
    “Talkaboutadysfunctionalfamily,”Blomkvistsaid.“Martinreallydidn’thaveachance.”
    Sandergavehimastrangelook.
    “WhatMartintoldme—eventhoughitwasrambling—wasthathisfatherstartedhisapprenticeshipafterhereachedpuberty.HewasthereatthemurderofLeainUddevalin1962.Hewasfourteen,forGod’ssake.HewasthereatthemurderofSarain1964andthattimehetookanactivepart.Hewassixteen.”
    “And?”
    “Hesaidthathehadnevertouchedanotherman—excepthisfather.Thatmademethinkthat…well,theonlypossibleconclusionisthathisfatherrapedhim.Martincalledit‘hisduty.’Thesexuassaultsmusthavegoneonforalongtime.Hewasraisedbyhisfather,sotospeak.”
    “Bullshit,”Sandersaid,hervoiceashardasflint.
    Blomkviststaredatherinastonishment.Shehadastubbornlookinhereyes.Therewasnotanounceofsympathyinit.
    “Martinhadexactlythesameopportunityasanyoneelsetostrikeback.Hekilledandherapedbecausehelikeddoingit.”
    “I’mnotsayingotherwise.ButMartinwasarepressedboyandundertheinfluenceofhisfather,justasGottfriedwascowedbyhisfather,theNazi.”
    “Soyou’reassumingthatMartinhadnowillofhisownandthatpeoplebeewhateverthey’vebeenbroughtuptobe.”
    Blomkvistsmiledcautiously.“Isthisasensitiveissue?”
    Sander’seyesbzedwithfury.Blomkvistquicklywenton.
    “I’monlysayingthatIthinkthataperson’supbringingdoespyarole.Gottfried’sfatherbeathimmercilesslyforyears.Thatleavesitsmark.”
    “Bullshit,”Sandersaidagain.“Gottfriedisn’ttheonlykidwhowasevermistreated.Thatdoesn’tgivehimtherighttomurderwomen.Hemadethatchoicehimself.AndthesameistrueofMartin.”
    Blomkvisthelduphishand.
    “Canwenotargue?”
    “I’mnotarguing.Ijustthinkthatit’spatheticthatcreepsalwayshavetohavesomeoneelsetobme.”
    “Theyhaveapersonalresponsibility.We’llworkitalloutter.WhatmattersisthatMartinwasseventeenwhenGottfrieddied,andhedidn’thaveanyooguidehim.Hetriedtocontinueinhisfather’sfootsteps.InFebruary1966,inUppsa.”
    BlomkvistreachedforoneofSander’scigarettes.
    “Iwon’tspecuteaboutwhatimpulsesGottfriedwastryingtosatisfyorhowhehimselfinterpretedwhathewasdoing.There’ssomesortofBiblicalgibberishthatapsychiatristmightbeabletofigureout,somethingtodowithpunishmentandpurificationinafigurativesense.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatitwas.Hewasacutanddriedserialkiller.
    “Gottfriedwantedtokillwomenandclothehisactionsinsomesortofpseudo-religiouscp-trap.Martindidn’tevenpretendtohaveanexcuse.Hewasanisedanddidhiskillingsystematically.Healsohadmoneytoputintohishobby.Andhewasshrewderthanhisfather.EverytimeGottfriedleftabodybehind,itledtoapoliceinvestigationandtheriskthatsomeonemighttrackhimdown,oratleastlinktogetherthevariousmurders.”
    “MartinVangerbuilthishouseintheseventies,”Sandersaidpensively.
    “IthinkHenrikmentioneditwasin1978.Presumablyheorderedasaferoomputrimportantfilesorsomesuchpurpose.Hegotasoundproofed,windowlessroomwithasteeldoor.”
    “He’shadthatroomfortwenty-fiveyears.”
    TheyfellsilentforawhileasBlomkvistthoughtaboutwhatatrocitiesmusthavetakenpcethereforaquarterofacentury.Sanderdidnotneedtothinkaboutthematter;shehadseenthevideotapes.ShenoticedthatBlomkvistwasunconsciouslytouchinghisneck.
    “Gottfriedhatedwomenandtaughthissontohatewomenatthesametimeashewasrapinghim.Butthere’salsosomesortofundertone…IthinkGottfriedfantasisedthathischildrenwouldsharehis,toputitmildly,pervertedworldview.WhenIaskedaboutHarriet,hisownsister,Martinsaid:‘Wetriedtotalktoher.Butshewasjustanordinarycunt.ShewaspnningtotellHenrik.’”
    “IheardhidthatmeansthatweknowwhatherabortedconversationwithHenrikwastohavebeenabout.”
    Blomkvistfrowned.“Notreally.Thinkofthechronology.Wedon’tknowwhenGottfriedfirstrapedhisson,buthetookMartinwithhimwhenhemurderedLeaPerssoninUddevalin1962.Hedrownedin1965.Beforethat,heandMartintriedtotalktoHarriet.Wheredoesthatleadus?”
    “Martinwasn’ttheonlyohatGottfriedassaulted.HealsoassaultedHarriet.”
    “Gottfriedwastheteacher.Martinwasthepupil.Harrietwaswhat?Theirpything?”
    “GottfriedtaughtMartintoscrewhissister.”SanderpointedatthePoroidprints.“It’shardtodetermineherattitudefromthesetwopicturesbecausewecan’tseeherface,butshe’stryingtohidefromthecamera.”
    “Let’ssaythatitstartedwhenshewasfourteen,in1964.Shedefendedherself—couldn’taeptit,asMartinputit.ThatwaswhatshewasthreateningtotellHenrikabout.Martinundoubtedlyhadnothingtosayinthisconnection;hejustdidwhathisfathertoldhim.ButheandGottfriedhadformedsomesortof…pact,andtheytriedtoinitiateHarrietintoittoo.”
    Sandersaid:“InyournotesyouwrotethatHenrikhadletHarrietmoveintohishouseinthewinterof1964.”
    “Henrikcouldseetherewassomethingwronginherfamily.HethoughtitwasthebickeringandfrictionbetweenGottfriedandIsabelthatwasthecause,andhetookherinsothatshecouldhavesomepeaceandquietandconcentrateonherstudies.”
    “AnunforeseenobstacleforGottfriedandMartin.Theycouldn’tgettheirhandsonheraseasilyorcontrolherlife.Buteventually…Wheredidtheassaulttakepce?”
    “ItmusthavebeenatGottfried’scabin.I’malmostpositivethatthesepicturesweretakenthere—itshouldbepossibletocheck.Thecabinisinaperfectlocation,isotedandfarfromthevilge.ThenGottfriedgotdrunkonesttimeanddiedinamostbanalway.”
    “SoHarriet’sfatherhadattemptedtohavesexwithher,butmyguessisthathedidn’tinitiateherintothekilling.”
    Blomkvistrealisedthatthiswasaweakpoint.HarriethadmadenoteofthenamesofGottfried’svictims,pairingthemupwithBiblequotes,butherinterestintheBibledidnotemergeuntilthestyear,andbythenGottfriedwasalreadydead.Hepaused,tryingtoeupwithalogicalexpnation.
    “SometimealongthewayHarrietdiscoveredthatGottfriedhadnotonlymittedincest,buthewasalsoaserialsexmurderer,”hesaid.
    “Wedon’tknowwhenshefoundoutaboutthemurders.ItcouldhavebeenrightbeforeGottfrieddrowned.Itmightalsohavebeenafterhedrowned,ifhehadadiaryorhadsavedpresscuttingsaboutthem.Somethingputheronhistrack.”
    “Butthatwasn’twhatshewasthreateningtotellHenrik,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “ItwasMartin,”Sandersaid.“Herfatherwasdead,butMartinwasgoingonabusingher.”
    “Exactly.”
    “Butitwasayearbeforeshetookanyaction.”
    “Whatwouldyoudoifyoufoundoutthatyourfatherwasamurdererwhohadbeenrapingyourbrother?”
    “I’dkillthefucker,”SandersaidinsuchasobertohatBlomkvistbelievedher.HerememberedherfaceasshewasattackingMartinVanger.Hesmiledjoylessly.
    “OK,butHarrietwasn’tlikeyou.Gottfrieddiedbeforeshemanagedtodoanything.Thatalsomakessense.WhenGottfrieddied,IsabelsentMartintoUppsa.HemighthaveehomeforChristmasorotherholidays,butduringthatfollowingyearhedidn’tseeHarrietveryoften.Shewasabletogetsomedistancefromhim.”
    “AndshestartedstudyingtheBible.”
    “Andinlightofwhatwenowknow,itdidn’thavetobeforanyreligiousreasons.Maybeshesimplywantedtoknowwhatherfatherhadbeenupto.ShebroodedoverituntiltheChildren’sDaycelebrationin1966.ThensuddenlysheseesherbrotheronJ?rnv?gsgatanandrealisesthathe’sback.Wedon’tknowiftheytalkedtoeachotherorifhesaidanything.Butnomatterwhathappened,HarriethadanurgetogostraighthomeandtalktoHenrik.”
    “Andthenshedisappeared.”
    Aftertheyhadgoneoverthechainofevents,itwasnothardtounderstandwhattherestofthepuzzlemusthavelookedlike.BlomkvistandSanderpackedtheirbags.Beforetheyleft,BlomkvistcalledFrodeandtoldhimthatheandSanderhadtogoawayforawhile,butthatheabsolutelywantedtoseeHenrikVangerbeforetheyleft.
    BlomkvistneededtoknowwhatFrodehadtoldHenrik.ThemansoundedsostressedonthetelephohatBlomkvistfeltconcernedforhim.FrodesaidthathehadonlytoldhimthatMartinhaddiedinacaraident.
    ItwasthunderingagainwhenBlomkvistparkedoutsideHedestadHospital,andtheskywasfilledoncemorewithheavyrainclouds.Hehurriedacrossthecarparkjustasitstartedtorain.
    Vangerwaswearingabathrobe,sittingatatablebythewindowofhisroom.Hisillnesshadleftitsmark,butVangerhadregainedsomecolourinhisfaceandlookedasifhewereonthepathtorecovery.Theyshookhands.Blomkvistaskedthenursetoleavethemaloneforafewminutes.
    “You’vebeenavoidingme,”Vangersaid.
    Mikaelnodded.“Onpurpose.Yourfamilydidn’twantmetoeatall,buttodayeveryoneisoveratIsabel’shouse.”
    “PoorMartin,”Vangersaid.
    “Henrik.YougavemeanassignmenttodigupthetruthaboutwhathappenedtoHarriet.Didyouexpectthetruthtobepainless?”
    Theoldmanlookedathim.Thenhiseyeswidened.
    “Martin?”
    “He’spartofthestory.”
    Henrikclosedhiseyes.
    “NowIhavegotaquestionforyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Tellme.”
    “Doyoustillwanttoknowwhathappened?Evenifitturnsouttobepainfundevenifthetruthisworsethanyouimagined?”
    HenrikgaveBlomkvistalonglook.Thenhesaid,“Iwanttoknow.Thatwasthepointofyourassignment.”
    “OK.IthinkIknowwhathappenedtoHarriet.Butthere’sonestpieceofthepuzzlemissingbeforeI’msure.”
    “Tellme.”
    “No.Nottoday.WhatIwantyoutodorightnowistorest.Thedoctorssaythatthecrisisisoverandthatyou’regettingbetter.”
    “Don’tyoutreatmelikeachild,youngman.”
    “Ihaven’tworkeditalloutyet.WhatIhaveisatheory.Iamgoingouttofindthestpieceofthepuzzle.Thenexttimeyouseeme,I’lltellyouthewholestory.Itmaytakeawhile,butIwantyoutoknowthatI’mingbackandthatyou’llknowthetruth.”
    Sanderpulledatarpaulinoverhermotorcycleandleftitontheshadysideofthecabin.ThenshegotintoBlomkvist’sborrowedcar.Thethunderstormhadreturnedwithrenewedforce,andjustsouthofG?vletherewassuchafiercedownpourthatBlomkvistcouldhardlyseetheroad.Justtobesafe,hepulledintoapetrolstation.Theywaitedfortheraintoletup,sotheydidnotarriveinStockholmuntil7:00thatevening.BlomkvistgaveSanderthesecuritycodetohisbuildinganddroppedheroffatthecentraltunnelbana.Hisapartmentseemedunfamiliar.
    HevacuumedanddustedwhileSanderwenttoseePgueinSundbyberg.ShearrivedatBlomkvist’sapartmentataroundmidnightandspenttenminutesexaminingeverynookandcrannyofit.Thenshestoodatthewindowforalongtime,lookingattheviewfacingtheSlussenlocks.
    Theygotundressedandslept.
    AtnoonthenextdaytheyndedatLondon’sGatwickAirport.Theyweremetwithrain.BlomkvisthadedaroomattheHotelJamesnearHydePark,anexcellenthotelparedtoalltheone-starpcesinBayswaterwherehehadalwaysendeduponhisprevioustripstoLondon.
    At5:00p.m.theywerestandingatthebarwhenayoungishmancametowardsthem.Hewasalmostbald,withablondbeard,andhewaswearingjeansandajacketthatwastoobigforhim.
    “Wasp?”
    “Trinity?”shesaid.Theynoddedtoeachother.HedidnotaskforBlomkvist’sname.
    Trinity’spartnerwasintroducedasBobtheDog.HewasinanoldVWvanaroundthecorner.Theyclimbedinthroughtheslidingdoorsandsatdownonfoldingchairsfastenedtothesides.WhileBobnavigatedthroughtheLondontraffic,WaspandTrinitytalked.
    “Pguesaidthishadtodowithsomecrash-bangjob.”
    “Telephoappingandcheckingemailsinaputer.Itmightgofast,oritcouldtakeacoupleofdays,dependingonhowmuchpressureheapplies.”LisbethgesturedtowardsBlomkvistwithherthumb.“Canyoudoit?”
    “Dodogshavefleas?”Trinitysaid.
    AnitaVangerlivedinaterracehouseintheattractivesuburbofSt.Albans,aboutanhour’sdrivenorth.Fromthevantheysawherarrivehomeandunlockthedoorsometimeafter7:30thatevening.Theywaiteduntilshehadsettled,hadhersupper,andwassittinginfrontoftheTVbeforeBlomkvistrangthedoorbell.
    AnalmostidenticalcopyofCeciliaVangeropenedthedoor,herexpressionpolitelyquestioning.
    “Hi,Anita.MynameisMikaelBlomkvist.HenrikVangeraskedmetoeandseeyou.Iassumethatyou’veheardthenewsaboutMartin.”
    Herexpressionchangedfromsurprisetowariness.SheknewexactlywhoMikaelBlomkvistwas.ButHenrik’snamemeantthatshewasforcedtoopenthedoor.SheshowedBlomkvistintoherlivingroowasaltogetheracharmingroom.
    “Fivemeforbotheringyououtoftheblue,butIhappenedtobeinSt.Albans,andItriedtocallyouduringtheday.”
    “Iunderstand.Pleasetellmewhatthisisabout?”
    “Areyoupnningtobeatthefuneral?”
    “No,asamatteroffact,I’mnot.MartinandIweren’tclose,andanyway,Ican’tgetawayatthemoment.”
    AnitaVangerhadstayedawayfromHedestadforthirtyyears.AfterherfathermovedbacktoHedebyIsnd,shehadhardlysetfootthere.
    “IwanttoknowwhathappenedtoHarrietVanger,Anita.It’stimeforthetruth.”
    “Harriet?Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
    Blomkvistsmiledatherfeignedsurprise.
    “YouwereHarriet’sclosestfriendinthefamily.Youweretheonesheturnedtowithherhorriblestory.”
    “Ican’tthinkwhatyou’retalkingabout,”Anitasaid.
    “Anita,youwereinHarriet’sroomthatday.Ihavephotographicproofofit,inspiteofwhatyousaidtoInspectorMorell.InafewdaysI’mgoingtoreporttoHenrik,andhe’lltakeitfromthere.Itwouldbebettertotellmewhathappened.”
    AnitaVangerstoodup.
    “Getoutofmyhousethisminute.”
    Blomkvistgotup.
    “Soonerorteryou’regoingtohavetotalktome.”
    “Ihavenothingnow,noreverwillhave,anythingtosaytoyou.”
    “Martinisdead,”Blomkvistsaid.“YouneverlikedMartin.IthinkthatyoumovedtoLondonnotonlytoavoidseeingyourfatherbutalsosothatyouwouldn’thavetoseeMartin.ThatmeansthatyoualsoknewaboutMartin,andtheonlyonewhocouldhavetoldyouwasHarriet.Thequestionis:whatdidyoudowiththatknowledge?”
    AnitaVangersmmedherfrontdoorinhisface.
    Sandersmiledwithsatisfactionassheunfastenedthemicrophonefromunderhisshirt.
    “Shepickedupthetelephoneabouttwentysecondsaftershenearlytookthedooroffitshinges,”shesaid.
    “ThecountrycodeisAustralia,”Trinitysaid,puttingdowntheearphonesonthelittledeskinthevan.“Ineedtochecktheareacode.”Heswitchedonhisptop.“OK,shecalledthefollowingnumber,whichisatelephoneinatowncalledTennantCreek,northofAliceSpringsintheNorthernTerritory.Doyouwanttoheartheconversation?”
    Blomkvistnodded.“WhattimeisitinAustraliarightnow?”
    “About5:00inthemorning.”Trinitystartedthedigitalpyerandattachedaspeaker.Mikaelcountedeightringsbeforesomeonepickedupthetelephone.TheconversationtookpceinEnglish.
    “Hi.It’sme.”
    “Hmm,IknowI’mamorningpersonbut…”
    “Ithoughtofcallingyouyesterday…Martinisdead.Heseemstohavedrivenhiscarintoatruckthedaybeforeyesterday.”
    Silence.Thenwhatsoundedlikesomeoneclearingtheirthroat,butitmighthavebeen:“Good.”
    “Butwehavegotaproblem.AdisgustingjournalistthatHenrikdugupfromsomewherehasjustknockedonmydoor,hereinSt.Albans.He’saskingquestionsaboutwhathappenedin1966.Heknowssomething.”
    Againsilence.Thenamandingvoice.
    “Anita.Putdownthetelephonerightnow.Wecan’thaveanycontactforawhile.”
    “But…”
    “Writealetter.Tellmewhat’sgoingon.”Thentheconversationwasover.
    “Sharpchick,”Sandersaid.
    Theyreturnedtotheirhoteljustbefore11:00.ThefrontdeskmanagerhelpedthemtoreserveseatsonthenextavaibleflighttoAustralia.Soontheyhadreservationsonapneleavingat7:05thefollowingevening,destinationMelbourne,changinginSingapore.
    ThiswasSander’sfirstvisittoLondon.TheyspentthemorningwalkingfromCoventGardenthroughSoho.TheystoppedtohaveacaffetteonOldptonStreet.Around3:00theywerebackatthehoteltocollecttheirluggage.WhileBlomkvistpaidthebill,Sanderturnedonhermobile.Shehadatextmessage.
    “Armanskysaystocaltonce.”
    Sheusedatelephoneinthelobby.Blomkvist,whowasstandingashortdistanceaway,noticedSanderturntohimwithafrozenexpressiononherface.Hewasathersideatonce.
    “Whatisit?”
    “Mymotherdied.Ihavetogohome.”
    Sanderlookedsounhappythatheputhisarmsaroundher.Shepushedhimaway.
    Theysatinthehotelbar.WhenBlomkvistsaidthathewouldcancelthereservationstoAustraliaandgobacktoStockholmwithher,sheshookherhead.
    “No,”shesaid.“Wecan’tscrewupthejobnow.You’llhavetogobyyourself.”
    Theypartedoutsidethehotel,eachofthemmakingforadifferentairport.
    CHAPTER26
    Tuesday,July15–Thursday,July17
    BlomkvistflewfromMelbouroAliceSprings.Afterthathehadtochooseeithertocharterapneortorentacarfortheremaining250-miletripnorth.Hechosetogobycar.
    AnunknownpersonwiththebiblicalsignatureofJoshua,whowaspartofPgue’sorpossiblyTrinity’smysteriousinternationalwork,hadleftanenvelopeforhimatthecentralrmationdeskatMelbourneairport.
    ThenumberthatAnitahadcalledbelongedtoapcecalledCochranFarrticlepulledofftheIntergaveasnapshotguide.
    Australia:poputionof18million;sheepfarmers,53,000;approx.120millionheadofsheep.Theexportofwoopprox.3.5billiondolrsannually.Australiaexports700milliontonsofmuttonandmb,plusskinsforclothing.binedmeatandwoolproductiononeofthecountry’smostimportantindustries…
    CochranFarm,founded1891byJeremyCochran,Australia’sfifthrgestagriculturalenterprise,approx60,000Merinosheep.Thestationalsoraisedcattle,pigs,andchickens.CochranFarmhadimpressiveannualexportstotheU.S.A.,Japan,China,andEurope.
    Thepersonalbiographieswerefascinating.
    In1972CochranFarmpasseddownfromRaymondCochrantoSpencerCochran,educ.Oxford.Spencerd.in1994,andfarmrunbywidow.Blomkvistfoundherinablurry,low-resolutionphotographdownloadedfromtheCochranFarmwebsite.Itshowedawomanwithshortblondehair,herfacepartiallyhidden,shearingasheep.
    AordingtoJoshua’snote,thecouplehadmarriedinItalyin1971.
    HernamewasAnitaCochran.
    Blomkviststoppedovernightinadried-upholeofatownwiththehopefulnameofWannado.Atthelocalpubheateroastmuttonanddownedthreepintsalongwithsomelocalswhoallcalledhim“mate.”
    LastthingbeforehewenttobedhecalledBergerinNewYork.
    “I’msorry,Ricky,butI’vebeensobusythatIhaven’thadtimetocall.”
    “Whatthehellisgoingon?”sheexploded.“ChristercalledandtoldmethatMartinVangerhadbeenkilledinacaraident.”
    “It’salongstory.”
    “Andwhydon’tyouansweryourtelephone?I’vebeencallinglikecrazyfortwodays.”
    “Itdoesn’tworkhere.”
    “Whereishere?”
    “RightnowI’maboutonehundredtwenty-fivemilesnorthofAliceSprings.InAustralia,thatis.”
    MikaelhadrarelymanagedtosurpriseBerger.Thistimeshewassilentfornearlytenseconds.
    “AndwhatareyoudoinginAustralia?IfImightask.”
    “I’mfinishingupthejob.I’llbebackinafewdays.IjustcalledtotellyouthatmyworkforHenrikVangerisalmostdone.”
    HearrivedatCochranFarmaroundnoonthefollowingday,tobetoldthatAnitaCochranwasatasheepstationnearapcecalledMakawakaseventy-fivemilesfartherwest.
    Itwas4:00intheafternoonbythetimeMikaelfoundhiswaythereondustybackroads.HestoppedatagatewheresomesheepranchersweregatheredaroundthehoodofaJeephavingcoffee.BlomkvistgotoutandexpinedthathewaslookingforAnitaCochran.Theyallturnedtowardsamuscuryoungman,clearlythedecision-makerofthegroup.HewasbarechestedandverybrownexceptforthepartsnormallycoveredbyhisT-shirt.Hewaswearingawide-brimmedhat.
    “Thebossisabouteighteenmilesoffinthatdirection,”hesaid,pointingwithhisthumb.
    HecastascepticalgnceatBlomkvist’svehicleandsaidthatitmightnotbesuchagoodideatogooninthatJapanesetoycar.FinallythetannedathletesaidthathewasheadingthatwayandwoulddriveBlomkvistinhisJeep.Blomkvistthankedhimandtookalonghisputercase.
    ThemanintroducedhimselfasJeffandsaidthathewasthe“studsmanager”atthestation.Blomkvistaskedhimtoexpinwhatthatmeant.JeffgavehimasidelonglookandconcludedthatBlomkvistwasnotfromtheseparts.Heexpinedthatastudsmanagerwasrathertheequivalentofafinancialmanagerinabank,althoughheadministeredsheep,andthata“station”wastheAustralianwordforranch.
    TheycontinuedtoconverseasJeffcheerfullysteeredtheJeepatabouttenkilometresanhourdownintoaravinewith0°slope.Blomkvistthankedhisluckystarsthathehadnotattemptedthedriveinhisrentalcar.Heaskedwhatwasdownintheravineandwastoldthatitwasthepasturendfor700headofsheep.
    “AsIunderstandit,CochranFarmisoneofthebiggerranches.”
    “We’reoneofthergestinallofAustralia,”Jeffsaidwithacertainprideinhisvoice.“Werunabout9,000sheephereintheMakawakadistrict,butwehavestationsinbothNewSouthWalesandWesternAustralia.Wehave60,000plushead.”
    Theycameoutfromtheravineintoahillybutgentlerndscape.Blomkvistsuddenlyheardshots.Hesawsheepcadavers,bigbonfires,andadozenranchhands.Severalmenseemedtobecarryingrifles.Theywereapparentlysughteringsheep.
    Involuntarily,hethoughtofthebiblicalsacrificialmbs.
    Thenhesawawomanwithshortblondehairwearingjeansandared-and-whitecheckedshirt.Jeffstoppedafewyardsawayfromher.
    “Hi,Boss.We’vegotatourist,”hesaid.
    BlomkvistgotoutoftheJeepandlookedather.Shelookedbackwithaninquisitiveexpression.
    “Hi,Harriet.It’sbeenalongtime,”hesaidinSwedish.
    NoneofthemenwhoworkedforAnitaCochranunderstoodwhathesaid,buttheyallsawherreaction.Shetookastepback,lookingshocked.Themensawherresponse,stoppedtheirjoking,andstraightenedup,readytointerveneagainstthisoddstranger.Jeff’sfriendlinesssuddenlyevaporatedandheadvancedtowardBlomkvist.
    Blomkvistwaskeenlyawarehowvulnerablehewas.AwordfromAnitaCochranandhewouldbedonefor.
    Thenthemomentpassed.HarrietVangerwavedherhandinapeacefulgestureandthemenmovedback.ShecameovertoBlomkvistandmethisgaze.Herfacewassweatyanddirty.Herblondehairhaddarkerroots.Herfacewasolderandthinner,butshehadgrownintothebeautifulwomanthatherconfirmationportraithadpromised.
    “Havewemetbefore?”shesaid.
    “Yes,wehave.IamMikaelBlomkvist.YouweremybabysitteronesummerwhenIwasthreeyearsold.Youweretwelveorthirteenatthetime.”
    Ittookafewsecondsforherpuzzledexpressiontoclear,andthenhesawthatsheremembered.Shelookedsurprised.
    “Whatdoyouwant?”
    “Harriet,I’mnotyourenemy.I’mnotheretomaketroubleforyou.ButIneedtotalkwithyou.”
    SheturnedtoJeffandtoldhimtotakeover,thensignalledtoBlomkvisttofollowher.Theywalkedafewhundredfeetovertoagroupofwhitecanvastentsinagroveoftrees.Shemotionedhimtoacampstootaricketytableandpouredwaterintoabasin.Sherinsedherface,driedit,andwentinsidethetenttochangehershirt.Shegottwobeersoutofacooler.
    “So.Talk.”
    “Whyareyoushootingthesheep?”
    “Wehaveacontagiousepidemic.Mostofthesesheepareprobablyhealthy,butwecan’triskitspreading.We’regoingtohavetosughtermorethansixhundredintheingweek.SoI’mnotinaverygoodmood.”
    Blomkvistsaid:“Yourbrothercrashedhiscarintoatruckafewdaysago.Hemusthavediedinstantaneously.”
    “Iheardthat.”
    “FromAnita,whocalledyou.”
    Shescrutinisedhimforalongmoment.Thenshenodded.Sheknewthatitwaspointlesstodenythefact.
    “Howdidyoufindme?”
    “WetappedAnita’stelephone.”Blomkvistdidnotthinktherewasanyreasontolie.“Isawyourbrotherafewminutesbeforehedied.”
    HarrietVangerfrowned.Hemethergaze.Thenhetookofftheridiculousscarfhewaswearing,turneddownhiscolr,andshowedherthestripeleftfromthenoose.Itwasstillredandinfmed,andhewouldprobablyalwayshaveascartoremindhimofMartinVanger.
    “Yourbrotherhadhungmefromahook,butbythegraceofGodmypartne