17

    rarrivedintimetostophimkillingme.”
    Harriet’seyessuddenlyburned.
    “Ithinkyou’dbettertellmethestoryfromthebeginning.”
    Ittookmorethananhour.Hetoldherwhohewasandwhathewasworkingon.HedescribedhowhecametobegiventheassignmentbyHenrikVanger.Heexpinedhowthepolice’sinvestigationhadetoadeadend,andhetoldherofHenrik’slonginvestigation,andfinallyhetoldherhowaphotographofherwithfriendsinJ?rnv?gsgataninHedestadhadledtotheuncoveringofthesorrowsbehindthemysteryofherdisappearanceanditsappallingsequel,whichhadendedwithMartinVanger’ssuicide.
    Ashetalked,dusksetin.Themenquitworkfortheday,fireswerestarted,andpotsbegantosimmer.BlomkvistnoticedthatJeffstayedclosetohisbossandkeptawatchfuleyeonhiheyeachhadanotherbeer.WhenhewasfinishedHarrietsatforalongtimeinsilence.
    Atlengthshesaid:“Iwassohappythatmyfatherwasdeadandtheviolencewasover.ItneverourredtomethatMartin…I’mgdhe’sdead.”
    “Icanunderstandthat.”
    “Yourstorydoesn’texpinhowyouknewthatIwasalive.”
    “Afterwerealisedwhathadhappened,itwasn’tsodifficulttoworkouttherest.Todisappear,youneededhelp.Anitawasyourconfidanteandtheonlyoneyoucouldevenconsider.Youwerefriends,andshehadspentthesummerwithyou.Youstayedoutatyourfather’scabin.Iftherewasanyoneyouhadconfidedin,ithadtobeher—andalsoshehadjustgotherdriver’slicence.”
    Harrietlookedathimwithanunreadableexpression.
    “SonowthatyouknowI’malive,whatareyougoingtodo?”
    “IhavetotellHenrik.Hedeservestoknow.”
    “Andthen?You’reajournalist.”
    “I’mnotthinkingofexposingyou.I’vealreadybreachedsomanyrulesofprofessionalconductinthiswholedismalmessthattheJournalistsAssociationwouldundoubtedlyexpelmeiftheyknewaboutit.”Hewastryingtomakelightofit.“Onemorewon’tmakeanydifference,andIdon’twanttomakemyoldbabysitterangry.”
    Shewasnotamused.
    “Howmanypeopleknowthetruth?”
    “Thatyou’realive?Rightnow,youandmeandAnitaandmypartner.Henrik’swyerknowsabouttwo-thirdsofthestory,buthestillthinksyoudiedinthesixties.”
    HarrietVangerseemedtobethinkingsomethingover.Shestaredoutatthedark.Mikaelonceagainhadanuneasyfeelingthathewasinavulnerablesituation,andheremindedhimselfthatHarrietVanger’sownriflewasonacampbedthreepacesaway.Thenheshookhimselfandstoppedimaginingthings.Hechangedthesubject.
    “ButhowdidyouetobeasheepfarmerinAustralia?IalreadyknowthatAnitasmuggledyouoffHedebyIsnd,presumablyinthebootofhercarwhenthebridgere-openedthedayaftertheaident.”
    “Actually,Iyonthefloorofthebackseatwithabnketoverme.Butno-onewaslooking.IwenttoAnitawhenshearrivedontheisndandtoldherthatIhadtoescape.YouguessedrightthatIconfidedinher.Shehelpedme,andshe’sbeenaloyalfriendalltheseyears.”
    “WhyAustralia?”
    “IstayedinAnita’sroominStockholmforafewweeks.Anitahadherownmoney,whichshegenerouslylentme.Shealsogavemeherpassport.Welookedalmostexactlylikeeachother,andallIhadtodowasdyemyhairblonde.ForfouryearsIlivedinaconventinItaly—Iwasn’tanun.Thereareconventswhereyoucanrentaroomcheap,tohavepeaceandquiettothink.ThenImetSpencerCochran.Hewassomeyearsolder;he’djustfinishedhisdegreeinEngndandwashitchhikingaroundEurope.Ifellinlove.Hedidtoo.That’salltherewastoit.‘Anita’Vangermarriedhimin1971.I’veneverhadanyregrets.Hewasawonderfulman.Verysadly,hediedeightyearsago,andIbecametheownerofthestation.”
    “Butyourpassport—surelysomeoneshouldhavediscoveredthatthereweretwoAnitaVangers?”
    “No,whyshouldthey?ASwedishgirlnamedAnitaVangerwho’smarriedtoSpencerCochran.WhethershelivesinLondonorAustraliamakesnodifference.TheoneinLondonhasbeenSpencerCochran’sestrangedwife.TheoneinAustraliawashisverymuchpresentwife.Theydon’tmatchupputerfilesbetweenCanberraandLondon.Besides,IsoongotanAustralianpassportundermymarriedname.Thearrangementfunctionedperfectly.TheonlythingthatcouldhaveupsetthestorywasifAnitaherselfwantedtogetmarried.MymarriagehadtoberegisteredintheSwedishnationalregistrationfiles.”
    “Butsheneverdid.”
    “Shecimsthatsheneverfoundanyone.ButIknowthatshediditformysake.She’sbeenatruefriend.”
    “Whatwasshedoinginyourroom?”
    “Iwasn’tveryrationalthatday.IwasafraidofMartin,butaslongashewasinUppsa,Icouldpushtheproblemoutofmymind.ThentherehewasinHedestad,andIrealisedthatI’dneverbesafetherestofmylife.IwentbackandforthbetweenwantingtotellUncleHenrikandwantingtoflee.WhenHenrikdidn’thavetimetotalktome,Ijustwanderedrestlesslyaroundthevilge.OfcourseIknowthattheaidentonthebridgeovershadowedeverythingelseforeveryone,butnotforme.Ihadmyownproblems,andIwashardlyevenawareoftheaident.Everythingseemedunreal.ThenIranintoAnita,whowasstayinginaguestcottageinthepoundwithGerdaandAlexander.ThatwaswhenImadeupmymind.Istayedwithherthewholetimeanddidn’tdaregooutside.ButtherewasohingIhadtotakewithme—Ihadwrittendowneverythingthathappenedinadiary,andIneededafewclothes.Anitagotthemforme.”
    “Isupposeshecouldn’tresistthetemptationtolookoutattheaidentscene.”Blomkvistthoughtforamoment.“WhatIdon’tunderstandiswhyyoudidn’tjustgotoHenrik,asyouhadintended.”
    “Whydoyouthink?”
    “Ireallydon’tknortinwouldhavebeenremovedimmediately—probablysenttoAustraliaforsomesortoftherapyortreatment.”
    “Youhaven’tunderstoodwhathappened.”
    UptothispointBlomkvisthadonlyreferredtoGottfried’ssexuassaultonMartin,leavingHarriet’sroleoutofit.
    “GottfriedmolestedMartin,”hesaidcautiously.“Isuspectthathealsomolestedyou.”
    HarrietVangerdidnotmoveamuscle.Thenshetookadeepbreathandburiedherfaceinherhands.IttookfivesecondsbeforeJeffwasbesideher,askingifeverythingwasallright.Harrietlookedathimandgavehimafaintsmile.ThensheastonishedBlomkvistbystandingupandgivingherstudsmanagerahugandakissonthecheek.SheturnedtoBlomkvistwithherarmaroundJeff’sshoulder.
    “Jeff,thisisMikael,anold…friendfromthepast.He’sbroughtproblemsandbadnews,butwe’renotgoingtoshootthemessenger.Mikael,thisisJeffCochran,myoldestson.Ialsohaveanothersonandadaughter.”
    BlomkviststooduptoshakehandswithJeff,sayingthathewassorrytohavebroughtbadnewswhichhadupsethismother.HarrietexchangedafewwordswithJeffandthensenthimaway.Shesatdownagainandseemedtohavemadeadecision.
    “Nomorelies.Iaeptthatit’sallover.InsomesenseI’vebeenwaitingforthisdaysince1966.ForyearsIwasterrifiedthatsomeonemighteuptomeandsaymyname.Butyouknowwhat?AllofasuddenIdon’tcareanymore.Mycrimefallsoutsidethestatuteoflimitations.AndIdon’tgiveashitwhatpeoplethinkaboutme.”
    “Crime?”saidMikael.
    Shegavehimanurgentlook,buthestilldidn’tunderstandwhatshewastalkingabout.
    “Iwassixteen.Iwasscared.Iwasashamed.Iwasdesperate.Iwasallone.TheonlyoneswhoknewthetruthwereAnitaandMartin.IhadtoldAnitaaboutthesexuassaults,butIdidn’thavethecouragetotellherthatmyfatherwasalsoaninsanekillerofwomen.Anitahadneverknownaboutthat.ButIdidtellheraboutthecrimethatImittedmyself.Itwassohorriblethatwhenitcamedowntoit,Ididn’tdaretellHenrik.IprayedtoGodtofiveme.AndIhidinsideaconventforseveralyears.”
    “Harriet,yourfatherwasarapistandamurderer.Itwasn’tyourfault.”
    “Iknowthat.Myfathermolestedmeforayear.Idideverythingtoavoid…buthewasmyfatherandIcouldn’trefusetohaveanythingtodowithhimwithoutgivinghimsomeexpnation.SoIliedandpyedaroleandtriedtopretendthateverythingwasOK.AndImadesurethatsomeoneelsewasalwaysaroundwhenIsawhim.Mymotherknewwhathewasdoing,ofcourse,butshedidn’tcare.”
    “Isabelknew?”
    Harriet’svoicetookonanewharshness.
    “Ofcoursesheknew.NothingeverhappenedinourfamilywithoutIsabelknowing.Butsheignoredeverythingthatwasunpleasantorshowedherinabadlight.Myfathercouldhaverapedmeinthemiddleofthelivingroomrightbeforehereyesandshewouldn’thavenoticed.Shewasincapableofacknowledgingthatanythingwaswronginherlifeormine.”
    “I’vemether.She’snotmyfavouriteinthefamily.”
    “She’sbeenlikethatherwholelife.I’veoftenwonderedaboutmyparents’retionship.IrealisedthattheyrarelyormaybeneverhadsexwitheachotherafterIwasborn.Myfatherhadwomen,butforsomestrangereasonhewasafraidofIsabel.Hestayedawayfromher,buthecouldn’tgetadivorce.”
    “No-onedoesintheVangerfamily.”
    Sheughedforthefirsttime.
    “No,theydon’t.ButthepointisthatIcouldn’tbringmyselftosayanything.Thewholeworldwouldhavefoundout.Myschoolmates,allmyretives…”
    “Harriet,I’msosorry.”
    “Iwasfourteenwhenherapedmethefirsttime.Andduringthenextyearhewouldtakemeouttohiscabin.ManytimesMartincamealong.HeforcedbothmeandMartintodothingswithhim.AndheheldmyarmswhileMartin…hadhiswaywithme.Whenmyfatherdied,Martinwasreadytotakeoverhisrole.HeexpectedmetobeehisloverandhethoughtitwasperfectlynaturalformetosubmittohiwasforcedtodowhatMartinsaid.Iwasridofoormentoronlytondintheclutchesofanother,andtheonlythingIcoulddowastomakesuretherewasneveranoasionwhenIwasalonewithhim…”
    “Henrikwouldhave…”
    “Youstilldon’tunderstand.”
    Sheraisedhervoice.Blomkvistsawthatseveralofthemenatthenexttentwerelookingathim.Sheloweredhervoiceagainandleanedtowardshim.
    “Allthecardsareonthetable.You’llhavetoworkouttherest.”
    Shestoodupandgottwomorebeers.Whenshecameback,Mikaelsaidasinglewordtoher.
    “Gottfried.”
    Shenodded.
    “OnAugust7,1965,myfatherforcedmetogoouttohiscabin.Henrikwasaway.Myfatherwasdrinking,andhetriedtoforcehimselfonme.Buthecouldn’tgetitupandheflewintoadrunkenrage.Hewasalways…roughandviolenttowardsmewhenwewerealone,butthistimehecrossedtheline.Heurinatedonme.Thenhestartedtellingmewhathewasgoingtodotome.Thatnighthetoldmeaboutthewomenhehadkilled.Hewasbraggingaboutit.HequotedfromtheBible.Thiswentonforanhour.Ididn’tunderstandhalfofwhathewassaying,butIrealisedthathewastotally,absolutelysick.”
    Shetookagulpofherbeer.
    “Sometimearoundmidnighthehadafit.Hewastotallyinsane.Wewereupinthesleepingloft.HeputaT-shirtaroundmyneckandpulleditastightashecould.Ibckedout.Idon’thavetheslightestdoubtthathereallywastryingtokillme,andforthefirsttimethatnighthemanagedtopletetherape.”
    HarrietlookedatBlomkvist.Hereyesentreatedhimtounderstand.
    “ButhewassodrunkthatsomehowImanagedtogetaway.Ijumpeddownfromtheloftandfled.IwasnakedandIranwithoutthinking,andendeduponthejettybythewater.Hecamestaggeringafterme.”
    Blomkvistsuddenlywishedthatshewouldnottellhimanythingmore.
    “Iwasstrongenoughtoshoveanolddrunkintothewater.Iusedanoartoholdhimunderuntilhewasn’tstrugglinganymore.Itdidn’ttakelong.”
    Whenshestopped,thesilencewasdeafening.
    “AndwhenIlookedup,therestoodMartin.Helookedterrified,butatthesametimehewasgrinning.Idon’tknowhowlonghewasoutsidethecabin,spyingonus.FromthatmomentIwasathismercy.Hecameuptome,grabbedmebythehair,andledmebacktothecabin—toGottfried’sbed.Hetiedmeupandrapedmewhileourfatherwasstillfloatinginthewater.AndIcouldn’tevenofferanyresistance.”
    Blomkvistclosedhiseyes.HewasterriblyashamedandwishedthathehadleftHarrietVangerinpeace.Buthervoicehadtakenonanewforce.
    “Fromthatdayon,Iwasinhispower.Ididwhathetoldmetodo.Ifeltparalysed,andtheonlythingthatsavedmysanitywasthatIsabel—ormaybeitwasUncleHenrik—decidedthatMartinneededachangeofsceneryafterhisfather’stragicdeath,soshesenthimtoUppsa.Ofcoursethiswasbecausesheknewwhathewasdoingtome,anditwasherwayofsolvingtheproblem.YoucanbetthatMartinwasdisappointed.DuringthenextyearhewashomeonlyfortheChristmasholiday.Imanagedtokeepawayfromhim.IwentwithHenrikonatriptoCopenhagenbetweenChristmasandNewYear’s.Andduringthesummerholiday,Anitawasthere.Iconfidedinher,andshestayedwithmethewholetime,makingsurethathedidn’tenearme.”
    “UntilyousawhimonJ?rnv?gsgatan.”
    “Iwastoldthathewouldn’tbeingtothefamilygathering,thathewasstayinginUppsa.Butobviouslyhechangedhismind,andsuddenlytherehewasontheothersideofthestreet,staringatme.Hesmiledatme.Itfeltlikeahideousdream.Ihadmurderedmyfather,andIrealisedthatIwouldneverbefreeofmybrother.Upuntilthen,Ihadthoughtaboutkillingmyself.Ichoseinsteadtoflee.”ShegaveBlomkvistwhatwasalmostalookofrelief.“Itfeelsfantastictotellthetruth.Sonowyouknow.”
    CHAPTER27
    Saturday,July26–Monday,July28
    BlomkvistpickedupSanderbyherfrontdooronLundagatanat10:00anddrovehertotheNorracrematorium.Hestayedathersideduringtheceremony.Foralongtimetheyweretheonlymournersalongwiththepastor,butwhenthefuneralbeganArmanskyslippedin.HenoddedcurtlytoBlomkvistandstoodbehindSander,gentlyputtingahandonhershoulder.Shenoddedwithoutlookingathim,asifsheknewwhowasstandingthere.Thensheignoredthemboth.
    Sanderhadtoldhimnothingabouthermother,butthepastorhadapparentlyspokentosomeoneatthenursinghomewhereshedied,andBlomkvistunderstoodthatthecauseofdeathwasacerebralhaemorrhage.Sanderdidnotsayawordduringtheceremony.Thepastorlosthertrainofthoughttwicewhensheturneddirectlytoher.Sanderlookedherstraightintheeyewithoutexpression.Whenitwasoversheturnedonherheendleftwithoutsayingthankyouorgoodbye.BlomkvistandArmanskytookadeepbreathandlookedateachother.
    “She’sfeelingreallybad,”Armanskysaid.
    “Iknowthat,”Blomkvistsaid.“Itwasgoodofyoutoe.”
    “I’mnotsosureaboutthat.”
    ArmanskyfixedBlomkvistwithhisgaze.
    “Ifyoutwoaredrivingbacknorth,keepaneyeonher.”
    Hepromisedtodothat.Theysaidgoodbye,andtothepastor,atthechurchdoor.Sanderwasalreadyinthecar,waiting.
    ShehadtogobackwithhimtoHedestadtogethermotorcycleandtheequipmentshehadborrowedfromMiltonSecurity.NotuntiltheyhadpassedUppsadidshebreakhersilenceandaskhowthetriptoAustraliahadgone.BlomkvisthadndedatArndatethenightbeforeandhadsleptonlyafewhours.DuringthedrivehetoldherHarrietVanger’sstory.Sandersatinsilenceforhalfanhourbeforesheopenedhermouth.
    “Bitch,”shesaid.
    “Who?”
    “HarrietFuckingVanger.Ifshehaddonesomethingin1966,MartinVangercouldn’thavekeptkillingandrapingforthirty-sevenyears.”
    “Harrietknewaboutherfathermurderingwomen,butshehadnoideathatMartinhadanythingtodowithit.Shefledfromabrotherwhorapedherandthenthreatenedtorevealthatshehaddrownedherfatherifshedidn’tdowhathesaid.”
    “Bullshit.”
    AfterthattheysatinsilenceallthewaytoHedestad.BlomkvistwasteforhisappointmentanddroppedherattheturnofftoHedebyIsnd;heaskedifshewouldpleasebetherewhenhecameback.
    “Areyouthinkingofstayingovernight?”shesaid.
    “Ithinkso.”
    “Doyouwantmetobehere?”
    Heclimbedoutofthecarandwentaroundandputhisarmsaroundher.Shepushedhimaway,almostviolently.Blomkvisttookastepback.
    “Lisbeth,you’remyfriend.”
    “Doyouwantmetostayheresoyou’llhavesomebodytofucktonight?”
    Blomkvistgaveheralonglook.Thenheturnedandgotintothecarandstartedtheengine.Hewounddownthewindow.Herhostilitywaspalpable.
    “Iwanttobeyourfriend,”hesaid.“Ifyouwantotherwise,thenyoudon’tneedtobeherewhenIgethome.”
    HenrikVangerwassittingup,dressed,whenDirchFrodelethimintothehospitalroom.
    “They’rethinkingoflettingmeoutforMartin’sfuneraltomorrow.”
    “HowmuchhasDirchtoldyou?”
    Henriklookeddownatthefloor.
    “HetoldmeaboutwhatMartinandGottfriedgotupto.Thisisfar,farworsethanIcouldhaveimagined.”
    “IknowwhathappenedtoHarriet.”
    “Tellme:howdidshedie?”
    “Shedidn’tdie.She’sstillive.Andifyoulike,shereallywantstoseeyou.”
    Bothmenstaredathimasiftheirworldhadjustbeenturnedupsidedown.
    “Ittookawhiletoconvincehertoe,butshe’salive,she’sdoingfine,andshe’shereinHedestad.Shearrivedthismorningandcanbehereinanhour.Ifyouwanttoseeher,thatis.”
    Blomkvisthadtotellthestoryfrombeginningtoend.AcoupleoftimesHenrikinterruptedwithaquestionoraskedhimtorepeatsomething.Frodesaidnotaword.
    Whenthestorywasdone,Henriksatinsilence.Blomkvisthadbeenafraidthatitwouldbetoomuchfortheoldman,butHenrikshowednosignofemotion,exceptthathisvoicemighthavebeenabitthickerwhenhebrokehissilence
    “Poor,poorHarriet.Ifonlyshehadetome.”
    Blomkvistgncedattheclock.Itwasfiveminutestofour.
    “Doyouwanttoseeher?She’sstilfraidthatyouwon’twanttoafteryoufoundoutwhatshedid.”
    “Whatabouttheflowers?”Henriksaid.
    “Iaskedherthatonthepneinghome.Therewasonepersoninthefamily,apartfromAnita,whomsheloved,andthatwasyou.She,ofcourse,wastheonewhosenttheflowers.Shesaidthatshehopedyouwouldunderstandthatshewasaliveandthatshewasdoingfine,withouthavingtomakeanappearance.ButsinceheronlychannelofrmationwasAnita,whomovedabroadassoonasshefinishedherstudiesandnevervisitedHedestad,Harriet’sawarenessaboutwhatwentonherewaslimited.Sheneverknewhowterriblyyousufferedorthatyouthoughtitwashermurderertauntingyou.”
    “IassumeitwasAnitawhopostedtheflowers.”
    “Sheworkedforanairlineandflewallovertheworld.Shepostedthemfromwherevershehappenedtobe.”
    “ButhowdidyouknowAnitawastheonewhohelpedher?”
    “ShewastheoneinHarriet’swindow.”
    “Butshecouldhavebeenmixedupin…shecouldhavebeenthemurdererinstead.HowdidyoufindoutthatHarrietwasalive?”
    BlomkvistgaveHenrikalonglook.ThenhesmiledforthefirsttimesincehehadreturnedtoHedestad.
    “AnitawasinvolvedinHarriet’sdisappearance,butshecouldn’thavekilledher.”
    “Howcouldyoubesureofthat?”
    “Becausethisisn’tsomedamnedlocked-roommysterynovel.IfAnitahadmurderedHarriet,youwouldhavefoundthebodyyearsago.SotheonlylogicalthingwasthatshehelpedHarrietescapeandhide.Doyouwanttoseeher?”
    “OfcourseIwanttoseeher.”
    BlomkvistfoundHarrietbytheliftinthelobby.Atfirsthedidnotrecogniseher.SincetheyhadpartedatArndaAirportthenightbeforeshehaddyedherhairbrownagain.Shewasdressedinbcktrousers,awhiteblouse,andanelegantgreyjacket.Shelookedradiant,andBlomkvistbentdowntogiveheranencouraginghug.
    HenrikgotupfromhischairwhenMikaelopenedthedoor.Shetookadeepbreath.
    “Hi,Henrik,”shesaid.
    Theoldmanscrutinisedherfromtoptotoe.ThenHarrietwentoverandkissedhim.BlomkvistnoddedtoFrodeandclosedthedoor.
    SanderwasnotinthecottagewhenBlomkvistreturnedtoHedebyIsnd.Thevideoequipmentandhermotorcycleweregone,aswelsthebagwithherextraclothesandherspongebag.Thecottagefeltempty.Itsuddenlyseemedalienandunreal.Helookedatthestacksofpaperintheoffice,whichhewouldhavetopackupinboxesandcarrybacktoHenrik’shouse.Buthecouldnotfacestartingtheprocess.HedrovetoKonsumandboughtbread,milk,cheese,andsomethingforsupper.Whenhereturnedheputonwaterforcoffee,satinthegarden,andreadtheeveningpaperswithoutthinkingofanythingelse.
    At5:30ataxidroveacrossthebridge.Afterthreeminutesitwentbackthewayitcame.BlomkvistcaughtaglimpseofIsabelVangerinthebackseat.
    Around7:00hehaddozedoffinthegardenchairwhenFrodewokehimup.
    “How’sitgoingwithHenrikandHarriet?”hesaid.
    “Thisunhappycloudhasitssilverlining,”Frodesaidwitharestrainedsmile.“Isabel,wouldyoubelieve,camerushingintoHenrik’shospitalroom.She’dobviouslyseenthatyou’debackandwaspletelybesideherself.ShescreamedathimthattherehadtobeanendtothisoutrageousfussaboutherHarriet,addingthatyouweretheonewhodrovehersontohisdeathwithyoursnooping.”
    “Well,she’sright,inaway.”
    “ShemandedHenriktodismissyouforthwithandrunyouoffthepropertyforgood.Andwouldhe,onceandforall,stopsearchingforghosts.”
    “Wow!”
    “Shedidn’tevengnceatthewomansittingbesidethebedtalkingtoHenrik.Shemusthavethoughtitwasoneofthestaff.IwillneverfetthemomentwhenHarrietstoodupandsaid,‘Hello,Mamma.’”
    “Whathappened?”
    “WehadtocaldoctortocheckIsabel’svitalsigns.Rightnowshe’srefusingtobelievethatit’sHarriet.Youareausedofdragginginanimpostor.”
    FrodewasonhiswaytovisitCeciliaandAlexandertogivethemthenewsthatHarriethadrisenfromthedead.Hehurriedaway,leavingBlomkvisttohissolitarymusings.
    SanderstoppedandfilledhertankatapetrolstationnorthofUppsa.Shehadbeenridingdoggedly,staringstraightahead.Shepaidquicklyandgotbackonherbike.Shestarteditupandrodetotheexit,whereshestopped,undecided.
    Shewasstillinaterriblemood.ShewasfuriouswhensheleftHedeby,butherragehadslowlydissolvedduringtheride.ShecouldnotmakeuphermindwhyshewassoangrywithBlomkvist,orevenifhewastheoneshewasangrywith.
    ShethoughtofMartinVangerandHarrietFuckingVangerandDirchFuckingFrodeandthewholedamnedVangercnsittinginHedestadreigningovertheirlittleempireandplottingagainsteachother.Theyhadneededherhelp.Normallytheywouldn’tevenhavesaidhellotoherinthestreet,letaloneentrustherwiththeirrepellentsecrets.
    Fuckingriff-raff.
    Shetookadeepbreathandthoughtabouthermother,whomshehadconsignedtoashesthatverymorning.Shewouldneverbeabletomendthings.Hermother’sdeathmeantthatthewoundwouldneverheal,sinceshewouldnevernowgetananswertothequestionsshehadwantedtoask.
    ShethoughtaboutArmanskystandingbehindheratthecrematoriustgivenhimsomesignthatsheknewhewasthere.Butifshedidthat,hewouldhavetakenitasapretextfortryingtostructureherlife.Ifshegavehimherlittlefingerhe’dtakeherwholearm.Andhewouldneverunderstand.
    Shethoughtaboutthewyer,Bjurman,whowasstillherguardianandwho,atleastforthetimebeing,hadbeenneutralisedandwasdoingashewastold.
    Shefeltanimpcablehatredandclenchedherteeth.
    AndshethoughtaboutMikaelBlomkvistandwonderedwhathewouldsaywhenhefoundoutthatshewasawardofthecourtandthatherentirelifewasafuckingrats’nest.
    Itcametoherthatshereallywasnotangrywithhim.Hewasjustthepersononwhomshehadventedherangerwhenwhatshehadwantedmostofallwastomurdersomebody,severalpeople.Beingangrywithhimwaspointless.
    Shefeltstrangelyambivalenttowardshim.
    Hestuckhisnoseinotherpeople’sbusinessandpokedaroundinherlifeand…but…shehadalsoenjoyedworkingwithhim.Eventhatwasanoddfeeling—toworkwithsomebody.Shewasn’tusedtothat,butithadbeenunexpectedlypainless.Hedidnotmesswithher.Hedidnottrytotellherhowtoliveherlife.
    Shewastheonewhohadseducedhim,notviceversa.
    Andbesides,ithadbeensatisfying.
    Sowhydidshefeesifshewantedtokickhimintheface?
    Shesighedandunhappilyraisedhereyestoseeaninter-continentalroarpastontheE4.
    Blomkvistwasstillinthegardenat8:00whenhewasrousedbytherattleofthemotorcyclecrossingthebridgeandsawSanderridingtowardsthecottage.Sheputherbikeonitsstandandtookoffherhelmet.Shecameuptothegardentableandfeltthecoffeepot,whichwasemptyandcold.Blomkviststoodup,gazingatherinsurprise.Shetookthecoffeepotandwentintothekitchen.WhenshecamebackoutshehadtakenoffherleathersandsatdowninjeansandaT-shirtwiththesloganICANBEAREGULARBITCH.JUSTTRYME.
    “Ithoughtyou’dbeinStockholmbynow,”hesaid.
    “IturnedroundinUppsa.”
    “Quitearide.”
    “I’msore.”
    “Whydidyouturnaround?”
    Noanswer.Hewaitedheroutwhiletheydrankcoffee.Aftertenminutesshesaid,reluctantly,“Ilikeyourpany.”
    Thosewerewordsthathadneverbeforepassedherlips.
    “Itwas…interestingtoworkwithyouonthiscase.”
    “Ienjoyedworkingwithyoutoo,”hesaid.
    “Hmm.”
    “Thefactis,I’veneverworkedwithsuchabrilliantresearcher.OK,Iknowyou’reahackerandhangoutinsuspectcirclesinwhichyoucansetupanillegalwiretapinLondonintwenty-fourhours,butyougetresults.”
    Shelookedathimforthefirsttimesinceshehadsatatthetable.Heknewsomanyofhersecrets.
    “That’sjusthowitis.Iknowputers.I’veneverhadaproblemwithreadingatextandabsorbingwhatitsaid.”
    “Yourphotographicmemory,”hesaidsoftly.
    “Iadmitit.Ijusthavenoideahowitworks.It’snotonlyputersandtelephoneworks,butthemotorinmybikeandTVsetsandvacuumcleanersandchemicalprocessesandformueinastrophysics.I’manutcase,Iadmitit:afreak.”
    Blomkvistfrowned.Hesatquietlyforalongtime.
    Asperger’ssyndrome,hethought.Orsomethinglikethat.Atalentforseeingpatternsandunderstandingabstractreasoningwhereotherpeopleperceiveonlywhitenoise.
    Sanderwasstaringdownatthetable.
    “Mostpeoplewouldgiveaneyetoothtohavesuchagift.”
    “Idon’twanttotalkaboutit.”
    “We’lldropit.Areyougdyoucameback?”
    “Idon’tknow.Maybeitwasamistake.”
    “Lisbeth,canyoudefihewordfriendshipforme?”
    “It’swhenyoulikesomebody.”
    “Sure,butwhatisitthatmakesyoulikesomebody?”
    Sheshrugged.
    “Friendship—mydefinition—isbuiltontwothings,”hesaid.“Respectandtrust.Bothelementshavetobethere.Andithastobemutual.Youcanhaverespectforsomeone,butifyoudon’thavetrust,thefriendshipwillcrumble.”
    Shewasstillsilent.
    “Iunderstandthatyoudon’twanttodiscussyourselfwithme,butsomedayyou’regoingtohavetodecidewhetheryoutrustmeornot.Iwantustobefriends,butIcan’tdoitallbymyself.”
    “Ilikehavingsexwithyou.”
    “Sexhasnothingtodowithfriendship.Sure,friendscanhavesex,butifIhadtochoosebetweensexandfriendshipwhenitestoyou,there’snodoubtwhichIwouldpick.”
    “Idon’tgetit.Doyouwanttohavesexwithmeornot?”
    “Youshouldn’thavesexwithpeopleyou’reworkingwith,”hemuttered.“Itjustleadstotrouble.”
    “DidImisssomethinghere,orisn’tittruethatyouandErikaBergerfuckeverytimeyougetthechance?Andshe’smarried.”
    “ErikaandI…haveahistorythatstartedlongbeforewestartedworkingtogether.Thefactthatshe’smarriedisnoneofyourbusiness.”
    “Oh,Isee,allofasuddenyou’retheonewhodoesn’twanttotalkaboutyourself.AndthereIwas,learningthatfriendshipisamatteroftrust.”
    “WhatImeanisthatIdon’tdiscussafriendbehindherback.I’dbebreakinghertrust.Iwouldn’tdiscussyouwithErikabehindyourbackeither.”
    Sanderthoughtaboutthat.Thishadbeeanawkwardconversation.Shedidnotlikeawkwardconversations.
    “Idolikehavingsexwithyou,”shesaid.
    “Ilikeittoo…butI’mstilloldenoughtobeyourfather.”
    “Idon’tgiveashitaboutyourage.”
    “No,youcan’tignoreouragedifference.It’snosortofbasisforastingretionship.”
    “Whosaidanythingaboutsting?”Sandersaid.“Wejustfinishedupacaseinwhichmenwithfucked-upsexualitypyedaprominentrole.IfIhadtodecide,menlikethatwouldbeexterminated,everystoneofthem.”
    “Well,atleastyoudon’tpromise.”
    “No,”shesaid,givinghimhercrookednon-smile.“Butatleastyou’renotlikethem.”Shegotup.“NowI’mgoingintotakeashower,andthenIthinkI’llgetintoyourbednaked.Ifyouthinkyou’retooold,you’llhavetogoandsleeponthecampbed.”
    Whateverhang-upsSanderhad,modestycertainlywasnotoneofthefterawhilehewashedupthecoffeethingsandwentintothebedroom.
    Theygotupat10:00,tookashowertogether,andatebreakfastoutinthegarden.At11:00DirchFrodecalledandsaidthatthefuneralwouldtakepceat2:00intheafternoon,andheaskediftheywerepnningtoattend.
    “Ishouldn’tthinkso,”saidMikael.
    Frodeaskedifhecouldeoveraround6:00foratalk.Mikaelsaidthatwouldbefine.
    HespentafewhourssortingthepapersintothepackingcratesandcarryingthemovertoHenrik’soffice.FinallyhewasleftwithonlyhisownnotesandthetwobindersabouttheHans-ErikWennerstr?maffairthathehadn’topenedinsixmonths.Hesighedandstuffedthemintohisbag.
    Froderangtosayhewasrunningteanddidnotreachthecottageuntil8:00.HewasstillinhisfuneralsuitandlookedharriedwhenhesatdownonthekitchenbenchandgratefullyaeptedthecupofcoffeethatSanderofferedhim.ShesatatthesidetablewithherputerwhileBlomkvistaskedhowHarriet’sreappearancehadbeenreceivedbythefamilyasawhole.
    “YoumightsaythatithasovershadowedMartin’sdemise.Nowthemediahavefoundoutabouthertoo.”
    “Andhowareyouexpiningthesituation?”
    “HarriettalkedwithareporterfromtheCourier.Herstoryisthatsheranawayfromhomebecauseshedidn’tgetalongwithherfamily,butthatsheobviouslyhasdonewellintheworldsinceshe’stheheadofaverysubstantialenterprise.”
    Blomkvistwhistled.
    “IdiscoveredthattherewasmoneyinAustraliansheep,butIdidn’tknowthestationwasdoingthatwell.”
    “Hersheepstationisgoingsuperbly,butthatisn’theronlysourceofine.TheCochranCorporationisinmining,opals,manufacturing,transport,electronics,andalotofotherthingstoo.”
    “Wow!Sowhat’sgoingtohappennow?”
    “Honestly,Idon’tknow.Peoplehavebeenturningupallday,andthefamilyhasbeentogetherforthefirsttimeinyears.They’reherefrombothFredrikandJohanVanger’ssides,andquiteafewfromtheyoungergenerationtoo—theonesintheirtwentiesandup.ThereareprobablyaroundfortyVangersinHedestadthisevening.HalfofthemareatthehospitalwearingoutHenrik;theotherhalfareattheGrandHoteltalkingtoHarriet.”
    “Harrietmustbethebigsensation.HowmanyofthemknowaboutMartin?”
    “Sofarit’sjustme,Henrik,andHarriet.Wehadalongtalktogether.Martinand…youruncoveringofhisunspeakablelife,it’sovershadowingjustabouteverythingforusatthemoment.Ithasbroughtanenormouscrisisforthepanytoahead.”
    “Icanunderstandthat.”
    “Thereisnonaturalheir,butHarrietisstayinginHedestadforawhile.Thefamilywillworkoutwhoownswhat,howtheinheritanceistobedividedandsoon.Sheactuallyhasashareofitthatwouldhavebeenquitergeifshehadbeenherethewholetime.It’sanightmare.”
    Mikaelughed.Frodewasnotughingatall.
    “Isabelhadacolpseatthefuneral.She’sinthehospitalnow.Henriksayshewon’tvisither.”
    “GoodforHenrik.”
    “However,AnitaisingoverfromLondon.Iamtocalfamilymeetingfornextweek.Itwillbethefirsttimeintwenty-fiveyearsthatshe’sparticipated.”
    “WhowillbethenewCEO?”
    “Birgerisafterthejob,buthe’soutofthequestion.What’sgoingtohappenisthatHenrikwillstepinasCEOprotemfromhissickbeduntilwehireeithersomeonefromoutsideorsomeonefromwithinthefamily…”
    Blomkvistraisedhiseyebrows.
    “Harriet?Youcan’tbeserious.”
    “Whynot?We’retalkingaboutanexceptionallypetentandrespectedbusinesswoman.”
    “ShehasapanyinAustraliatolookafter.”
    “True,buthersonJeffCochranismindingthestoreinherabsence.”
    “He’sthestudsmanageronasheepranch.IfIunderstoodthemattercorrectly,heseestoitthatthecorrectsheepmatewitheachother.”
    “HealsohasadegreeineconomicsfromOxfordandawdegreefromMelbourne.”
    Blomkvistthoughtaboutthesweaty,muscurmanwithhisshirtoffwhohaddrivenhimintoandthroughtheravine;hetriedtoimaginehiminapinstripesuit.Whynot?
    “Allofthiswilltaketimetoworkout,”Frodesaid.“ButshewouldbeaperfectCEO.Withtherightsupportteamshecouldrepresentawholenewdealforthepany.”
    “Shedoesn’thavetheexperience…”
    “That’strue.Shecan’tjustpopupoutofmoreorlessnowhereandstartmicro-managingthepany.ButtheVangerCorporationisinternational,andwecouldcertainlyhaveanAmericanCEOwhodoesn’tspeakawordofSwedish…it’sonlybusiness,whenall’ssaidanddone.”
    “Soonerorteryou’regoingtohavetofaceuptotheproblemofMartin’sbasement.”
    “Iknow.Butwecan’tsayanythingwithoutdestroyingHarriet…I’mgdI’mnottheonewhohastomakethedecisionaboutthis.”
    “Damnit,Dirch,youwon’tbeabletoburythefactthatMartinwasaserialkiller.”
    “Mikael,I’mina…veryunfortableposition.”
    “Tellme.”
    “IhaveamessagefromHenrik.Hethanksyoufortheoutstandingworkyoudidandsaysthatheconsidersthecontractfulfilled.ThatmeansheisreleasingyoufromanyfurtherobligationsandthatyounolongerhavetoliveorworkhereinHedestad,etc.So,takingeffectimmediately,youcanmovebacktoStockholmanddevoteyourselftoyourotherpursuits.”
    “Hewantsmetovanishfromthescene,isthatthegistofit?”
    “Absolutelynot.Hewantsyoutovisithimforaconversationaboutthefuture.HesayshehopesthathisinvolvementontheboardofMillenniumcanproceedwithoutrestrictions.But…”
    Frodelookedevenmoreunfortable,ifthatwaspossible.
    “Don’ttellme,Dirch…henolongerwantsmetowriteahistoryoftheVangerfamily.”
    DirchFrodenodded.Hepickedupanote,openedit,andpusheditovertoMikael.
    “Hewroteyouthisletter.”
    DearMikael,
    Ihavenothingbutrespectforyourintegrity,andIdon’tintendtoinsultyoubytryingtotellyouwhattowrite.Youmaywriteandpublishwhateveryoulike,andIwon’texertanypressureonyouwhatsoever.
    Ourcontractremainsvalid,ifyouwanttocontinue.YouhaveenoughmaterialtofinishthechronicleoftheVangerfamily.
    Mikael,I’veneverbeggedanyoneforanythinginmyentirelife.I’vealwaysthoughtthatapersonshouldfollowhismoralsandhisconvictions.ThistimeIhavenochoice.
    Iam,withthisletter,beggingyou,bothasafriendandaspartownerofMillennium,torefrainfrompublishingthetruthaboutGottfriedandMartin.Iknowthat’swrong,butIseenowayoutofthisdarkness.Ihavetochoosebetweentwoevils,andinthiscasetherearenowinners.
    IbegyounottowriteanythingthatwouldfurtherhurtHarriet.Youknowfirst-handwhatit’sliketobethesubjectofamediacampaign.Thecampaignagainstyouwasofquitemodestproportions.YoucansurelyimaginewhatitwouldbelikeforHarrietifthetruthweretoeout.Shehasbeentormentedforfortyyearsandshouldn’thavetosufferanymoreforthedeedsthatherbrotherandherfathermitted.AndIbegyoutothinkthroughtheconsequencesthisstorymighthaveforthethousandsofemployeesinthepany.Thiscouldcrushherandannihiteus.
    Henrik
    “Henrikalsosaysthatifyourequirepensationforfinanciallossesthatmayarisefromyourrefrainingfrompublishingthestory,heisentirelyopentodiscussion.Youcansetanyfinancialdemandsyouthinkfit.”
    “HenrikVangeristryingtoshutmeup.TellhimthatIwishhehadnevergivenmethisoffer.”
    “ThesituationisjustastroublesomeforHenrikasitisforyou.Helikesyouverymuchandconsidersyouhisfriend.”
    “HenrikVangerisacleverbastard,”Blomkvistsaid.Hewassuddenlyfurious.“Hewantstohushupthestory.He’spyingonmyemotionsandheknowsIlikehimtoo.Andwhathe’salsosayingisthatIhaveafreehandtopublish,andifIdosohewouldhavetorevisehisattitudetowardsMillennium.”
    “EverythingchangedwhenHarrietsteppedontothestage.”
    “AndnowHenrikisfeelingoutwhatmypricetagmightbe.Idon’tintendtohangHarrietouttodry,butsomebodyhastosaysomethingaboutthewomenwhodiedinMartin’sbasement.Dirch,wedon’tevenknowhowmanywomenhetorturedandsughtered.Whoisgoingtospeakupontheirbehalf?”
    Sanderlookedupfromherputer.HervoicewasalmostinaudibleasshesaidtoFrode,“Isn’tthereanyoneinyourpanywho’sgoingtotrytoshutmeup?”
    Frodelookedastonished.Onceagainhehadmanagedtoignoreherexistence.
    “IfMartinVangerwerealiveatthismoment,Iwouldhavehunghimouttodry,”shewenton.“WhateveragreementMikaelmadewithyou,Iwouldhavesenteverydetaibouthimtothenearesteveningpaper.AndifIcould,Iwouldhavestuckhimdowninhisowntortureholeandtiedhimtothattableandstuckneedlesthroughhisballs.Unfortunatelyhe’sdead.”
    SheturnedtoBlomkvist.
    “I’msatisfiedwiththesolution.NothingwedocanrepairtheharmthatMartinVangerdidtohisvictims.Butaninterestingsituationhaseup.You’reinapositionwhereyoucancontinuetoharminnocentwomen—especiallythatHarrietwhomyousowarmlydefendedinthecaronthewayuphere.Somyquestiontoyouis:whichisworse—thefactthatMartinVangerrapedheroutinthecabinorthatyou’regoingtodoitinprint?Youhaveafinedilemma.MaybetheethicsmitteeoftheJournalistsAssociationcangiveyousomeguidance.”
    Shepaused.Blomkvistcouldnotmeethergaze.Hestareddownatthetable.
    “ButI’mnotajournalist,”shesaidatst.
    “Whatdoyouwant?”DirchFrodeasked.
    “Martinvideotapedhisvictims.Iwantyoutodoyourdamnedesttoidentifyasmanyasyoucanandseetoitthattheirfamiliesreceivesuitablepensation.AndthenIwanttheVangerCorporationtodonate2millionkronorannuallyandinperpetuitytotheNationanisationforWomen’sCrisisCentresandGirls’CrisisCentresinSweden.”
    Frodeweighedthepricetagforaminute.Thenhenodded.
    “Canyoulivewiththat,Mikael?”Sandersaid.
    Blomkvistfeltonlydespair.Hisprofessionallifehehaddevotedtouncoveringthingswhichotherpeoplehadtriedtohide,andhecouldnotbepartytothecoveringupoftheappallingcrimesmittedinMartinVanger’sbasement.Hewhohadmbastedhiscolleaguesfornotpublishingthetruth,herehesat,discussing,negotiatingeven,themostmacabrecover-uphehadeverheardof.
    Hesatinsilenceforalongtime.Thenhenoddedhisassent.
    “Sobeit,”Frodesaid.“AndwithregardtoHenrik’sofferforfinancialpensation…”
    “Hecanshoveituphisbackside,andDirch,Iwantyoutoleavenow.Iunderstandyourposition,butrightnowI’msofuriouswithyouandHenrikandHarrietthatifyoustayanylongerwemightnotbefriendsanymore.”
    Frodemadenomovetogo.
    “Ican’tleaveyet.I’mnotdone.Ihaveanothermessagetodeliver,andyou’renotgoingtolikethisoneeither.HenrikisinsistingthatItellyoutonight.Youcangouptothehospitandfyhimtomorrowmorningifyouwish.”
    Blomkvistlookedupandstaredathim.
    Frodewenton.“ThishasgottobethehardestthingI’veeverdoneinmylife.ButIthinkthatonlypletecandourwithallthecardsonthetablecansavethesituationnow.”
    “Soit’scandouratst,isit?”
    “WhenHenrikconvincedyoutotakethejobstChristmas,”Dirchsaid,ignoringhissarcasm,“neitherhenorIthoughtthatanythingwouldeofit.Thatwasexactlywhathesaid,buthewantedtogiveitonesttry.Hehadanalysedyoursituation,particurlywiththehelpofthereportthatFr?kenSanderputtogether.Hepyedonyourisotion,heofferedgoodpay,andheusedtherightbait.”
    “Wennerstr?m.”
    Frodenodded.
    “Youwerebluffing?”
    “No,no,”Frodesaid.
    Sanderraisedaneyebrowwithinterest.
    “Henrikisgoingtomakegoodoneverythinghepromised.He’sarranginganinterviewandisgoingpublicwithadirectassaultonWennerstr?m.Youcanhaveallthedetailster,butroughlythesituationisthis:whenWennerstr?mwasemployedinthefinancedepartmentoftheVangerCorporation,hespentseveralmillionkronorspecutingonforeigncurrency.Thiswaslongbeforeforeignexchangefuturesbecametherage.Hedidthiswithoutauthority.Onedeafteranotherwentbad,andhewassittingtherewithalossofsevenmillionkronorthathetriedtocoverup.Partlybycookingthesandpartlybyspecutingevenharder.Itinevitablycametolightandhewassacked.”
    “Didhemakeanyprofithimself?”
    “Ohyes,hemadeoffwithabouthalfamillionkronor,whichironicallyenoughbecametheseedmoneyfortheWennerstr?mGroup.Wehavedocumentationforallofthis.Youcanusethermationhoweveryoulike,andHenrikwillbackuptheausationspublicly.But…”
    “But,andit’sabigbut,Dirch,thermationisworthless,”Blomkvistsaid,smminghisfistonthetable.“Itallhappenedthirty-plusyearsagoandit’saclosed.”
    “You’llgetconfirmationthatWennerstr?misacrook.”
    “ThatwilnnoyWennerstr?mwhenitesout,butitwon’tdamagehimanymorethanadirecthitfromapeashooter.He’sgoingtoshufflethedeckbyputtingoutapressreleasesayingthatHenrikVangerisanoldhas-beenwho’sstilltryingtostealsomebusinessfromhim,andthenhe’llprobablycimthathewasactingonordersfromHenrik.Evenifhecan’tprovehisinnocence,hecanydownenoughsmokescreensthatno-onewilltakethestoryseriously.”
    Frodelookedunhappy.
    “Youconnedme,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Thatwasn’tourintention.”
    “Ibmemyself.Iwasgraspingatstraws,andIshouldhaverealiseditwassomethinglikethat.”Heughedabruptly.“Henrikisanoldshark.HewassellingaproductandtoldmewhatIwantedtohear.It’stimeyouwent,Dirch.”
    “Mikael…I’msorrythat…”
    “Dirch.Go.”
    SanderdidnotknowwhethertogoovertoBlomkvistortoleavehiminpeace.Hesolvedtheproblemforherbypickinguphisjacketwithoutawordandsmmingthedoorbehindhim.
    Formorethananhourshewaitedrestlesslyinthekitchen.Shefeltsobadthatsheclearedthetableandwashedthedishes—arolesheusuallylefttoBlomkvist.Shewentregurlytothewindowtoseeiftherewasanysignofhim.Finallyshewassonervousthatsheputonherjacketandwentouttolookforhim.
    Firstshewalkedtothemarina,wherelightswerestilloninthecabins,buttherewasnosignofhirtinVanger’shousewasdarkandalreadylookedabandoned.Shewentouttotherocksatthepointwheretheyhadoftensattalking,andthenshewentbackhome.Hestillhadnotreturned.
    Shewenttothechurch.Stillnosign.Shewasatalosstoknowwhattodo.Thenshewentbacktohermotorcycleandgotafshlightfromthesaddlebagandsetoffalongthewateragain.Ittookherawhiletowindherwayalongthehalf-overgrownroad,andevenlongertofindthepathtoGottfried’scabin.Itloomedoutofthedarknessbehindsometreeswhenshehadalmostreachedit.Hewasnotontheporchandthedoorwaslocked.
    Shehadturnedtowardsthevilgewhenshestoppedandwentback,allthewayouttothepoint.ShecaughtsightofBlomkvist’ssilhouetteinthedarknessontheendofthejettywhereHarrietVangerhaddrownedherfather.Shesighedwithrelief.
    Heheardherasshecameoutontothejetty,andheturnedaround.Shesatdownnexttohimwithoutaword.Atsthebrokethesilence.
    “Fiveme.Ihadtobealoneforawhile.”
    “Iknow.”
    Shelittwocigarettesandgavehimone.Blomkvistlookedather.Sanderwasthemostasocialhumanbeinghehadevermet.Usuallysheignoredanyattemptonhisparttotalkaboutanythingpersonal,andshehadneveraeptedasingleexpressionofsympathy.Shehadsavedhislife,andnowshehadtrackedhimouthereinthenight.Heputanarmaroundher.
    “NowIknowwhatmypriceis,”hesaid.“We’veforsakenthosegirls.They’regoingtoburythewholestory.EverythinginMartin’sbasementwillbevacuumedintooblivion.”
    Sanderdidnotanswer.
    “Erikawasright,”hesaid.“IwouldhavedonemoregoodifI’dgooSparamonthandthenehomerefreshedandtakenonWennerstr?m.I’vewastedallthesemonths.”
    “Ifyou’dgooSpain,MartinVangerwouldstillbeoperatinginhisbasement.”
    Theysattogetherforalongtimebeforehesuggestedthattheygohome.
    BlomkvistfelsleepbeforeSander.Sheyawakelisteningtohimbreathe.Afterawhileshewenttothekitchenandsatinthedarkonthekitchenbench,smokingseveralcigarettesasshebrooded.ShehadtakenitforgrantedthatVangerandFrodemightconhim.Itwasintheirnature.ButitwasBlomkvist’sproblem,nothers.Orwasit?
    Atstshemadeadecision.Shestubbedouthercigaretteandwentintothebedroom,turnedonthemp,andshookMikaewake.Itwas2:30inthemorning.
    “What?”
    “I’vegotaquestion.Situp.”
    Blomkvistsatup,drunkwithsleep.
    “Whenyouwereindicted,whydidn’tyoudefendyourself?”
    Blomkvistrubbedhiseyes.Helookedattheclock.
    “It’salongstory,Lisbeth.”
    “I’vegottime.Tellme.”
    Hesatforalongwhile,ponderingwhatheshouldsay.Finallyhedecidedonthetruth.
    “Ihadnodefence.Thermationinthearticlewaswrong.”
    “WhenIhackedyourputerandreadyouremailexchangewithBerger,therewereplentyofreferencestotheWennerstr?maffair,butyoutwokeptdiscussingpracticaldetailsaboutthetriandnothingaboutwhatactuallyhappened.Whatwasitthatwentwrong?”
    “Lisbeth,Ican’tlettherealstorygetout.Ifellintoatrap.ErikaandIarequiteclearthatitwoulddamageourcredibilityevenfurtherifwetoldanyonewhatreallyhappened.”
    “Listen,KalleBlomkvist,yesterdayafternoonyousatherepreachingaboutfriendshipandtrustandst