18

    uff.I’mnotgoingtoputthestoryonthe.”
    Blomkvistprotested.Itwasthemiddleofthenight.Hecouldnotfacethinkingaboutthewholethingnow.Shewentonstubbornlysittingthereuntilhegavein.Hewenttothebathroomandwashedhisfaceandputthecoffeepoton.ThenhecamebacktothebedandtoldherabouthowhisoldschoolfriendRobertLindberg,inayellowM?r-30intheguestmarinainArholma,hadarousedhiscuriosity.
    “Youmeanthatyourbuddywaslying?”
    “No,notatall.Hetoldmeexactlywhatheknew,andIcouldverifyeachandeverywordindocumentsfromtheauditatSIB.IevenwenttoPondandphotographedthesheet-metalshackwherethishugebigMinospanywashoused.Iinterviewedseveralofthepeoplewhohadbeenemployedatthepany.Theyallsaidexactlythesamething.”
    “Idon’tgetit.”
    Blomkvistsighed.Itwasawhilebeforehespokeagain.
    “Ihadadamnedgoodstory.Istillhadn’tconfrontedWennerstr?mhimself,butthestorywasairtight;ifIhadpublisheditatthatmomentIreallywouldhaveshookhimup.Itmightnothaveledtoanindictmentforfraud—thedealhadalreadybeenapprovedbytheauditors—butIwouldhavedamagedhisreputation.”
    “Whatwentwrong?”
    “SomewherealongthewaysomebodyheardaboutwhatIwaspokingmynoseinto,andWennerstr?mwasmadeawareofmyexistence.Andallofasuddenawholebunchofstrangethingsstartedhappening.FirstIwasthreatened.Anonymouscallsfromcardtelephonesthatwereimpossibletotrace.Erikawasalsothreatened.Itwastheusualnonsense:liedownorelsewe’regoingtonailyoutoabarndoor,andsoon.She,ofcourse,wasmadasahellcat.”
    HetookacigarettefromSander.
    “Thensomethingextremelyunpleasanthappened.LateonenightwhenIlefttheofficeIwasattackedbytwomenwhojustwalkeduptomeandgavemeacoupleofpunches.Igotafatlipandfelldowninthestreet.Icouldn’tidentifythem,butoneofthemlookedlikeanoldbiker.”
    “So,next…”
    “Allthesegoings-on,ofcourse,onlyhadtheeffectofmakingErikaverycrossindeed,andIgotstubborn.WebeefedupsecurityatMillennium.Theproblemwasthattheharassmentwasoutofallproportiontothecontentofthestory.Wecouldn’tfathomwhyallthiswashappening.”
    “Butthestoryyoupublishedwassomethingquitedifferent.”
    “Exactly.Suddenlywemadeabreakthrough.Wefoundasource,aDeepThroatinWennerstr?m’scircle.Thissourcewasliterallyscaredtodeath,andwewereonlyallowedtomeethiminhotelrooms.HetoldusthatthemoneyfromtheMinosaffairhadbeenusedforweaponsdealsinthewarinYugosvia.Wennerstr?mhadbeenmakingdealswiththeright-wingUstasheinCroatia.Notonlythat,thesourcewasabletogiveuscopiesofdocumentstobackitup.”
    “Youbelievedhim?”
    “Hewasclever.Heonlyevergaveusenoughrmationtoleadustothenextsource,whowouldconfirmthestory.WewereevengivenaphotographofoneofWennerstr?m’sclosestcolleaguesshakinghandswiththebuyer.Itwasdetailedblockbustermaterial,andeverythingseemedverifiable.Sowepublished.”
    “Anditwasafake.”
    “Itwasalfakefrombeginningtoend.Thedocumentswereskilfulferies.Wennerstr?m’swyerwasabletoprovethatthephotographofWennerstr?m’ssubordinateandtheUstasheleaderwasamontageoftwodifferentimages.”
    “Fascinating,”Sandersaid.
    “Inhindsightitwasveryeasytoseehowwehadbeenmaniputed.OuroriginalstoryreallyhaddamagedWennerstr?m.Nowthatstorywasdrownedinacleverfery.WepublishedastorythatWennerstr?mcouldpickapartpointbypointandprovehisinnocence.”
    “Youcouldn’tbackdownandtellthetruth?YouhadabsolutelynoproofthatWennerstr?mhadmittedthefalsification?”
    “IfwehadtriedtotellthetruthandausedWennerstr?mofbeingbehindthewholething,nobodywouldhavebelievedus.Itwouldhavelookedlikeadesperateattempttoshiftthebmefromourstupidityontoaninnocentleaderofindustry.”
    “Isee.”
    “Wennerstr?mhadtwoyersofprotection.Ifthefakehadbeenrevealed,hewouldhavebeenabletocimthatitwasoneofhisenemiestryingtosnderhim.AndweatMillenniumwouldonceagainhavelostallcredibility,sincewefellforsomethingthatturnedouttobefalse.”
    “Soyouchosenottodefendyourselfandtaketheprisonsentence.”
    “Ideservedit,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ihadmittedlibel.Nowyouknow.CanIgobacktosleepnow?”
    Heturnedoffthempandshuthiseyes.Sanderydownnexttohim.
    “Wennerstr?misagangster.”
    “Iknow.”
    “No,Imean,Iknowthathe’sagangster.HeworkswitheverybodyfromtheRussianmafiatotheColombiandrugcartels.”
    “Whatdoyoumean?”
    “WhenIturnedinmyreporttoFrodehegavemeanextraassignment.Heaskedmetotrytofindoutwhatreallyhappenedatthetrial.IhadjuststartedworkingonitwhenhecalledArmanskyandcancelledthejob.”
    “Iwonderwhy.”
    “IassumethattheyscrappedtheinvestigationassoonasyouaeptedHenrikVanger’sassignment.Itwouldnolongerhavebeenofimmediateinterest.”
    “And?”
    “Well,Idon’tlikeleavingthingsunresolved.Ihadafewweeks…freestspringwhenArmanskydidn’thaveanyjobsforme,soIdidsomediggingintoWennerstr?mforfun.”
    BlomkvistsatupandturnedonthempandlookedatSander.Hemethereyes.Sheactuallylookedguilty.
    “Didyoufindoutanything?”
    “Ihavehisentireharddiskonmyputer.Youcanhaveasmuchproofasyouneedthathe’sagangster.”
    CHAPTER28
    Tuesday,July29–Friday,October24
    BlomkvisthadbeenporingoverSander’sputerprintoutsforthreedays—boxesfullofpapers.Theproblemwasthatthesubjectskeptchangingallthetime.AnoptiondealinLondon.AcurrencydealinParisthroughanagent.Apanywithapost-officeboxinGibraltar.AsuddendoublingoffundsinanaountattheChaseManhattanBankinNewYork.
    Andthenallthosepuzzlingquestionmarks:atradingpanywith200,000kronorinanuntouchedaountregisteredfiveyearsearlierinSantiago,Chile—oneofnearlythirtysuchpaniesintwelvedifferentcountries—andnotahintofwhattypeofactivitywasinvolved.Adormantpany?Waitingforwhat?Afrontforsomeotherkindofactivity?TheputergavenoclueastowhatwasgoingoninWennerstr?m’smindorwhatmayhavebeenperfectlyobvioustohimandsowasneverformutedinanelectronicdocument.
    Sanderwaspersuadedthatmostofthesequestionswouldneverbeanswered.Theycouldseethemessage,butwithoutakeytheywouldneverbeabletointerpretthemeaning.Wennerstr?m’sempirewaslikeanonionfromwhichoneyerafteranothercouldberemoved;abyrinthofenterprisesownedbyoneanother.panies,aounts,funds,securities.Theyreckonedthatnobody—perhapsnotevenWennerstr?mhimself—couldhaveapleteoverview.Wennerstr?m’sempirehadalifeofitsown.
    Buttherewasapattern,oratleastahintofapattern.Abyrinthofenterprisesownedbyeachother.Wennerstr?m’sempirewasvariouslyvaluedatbetween100and400billionkronor,dependingonwhomyouaskedandhowitwascalcuted.Butifpaniesowneachother’sassets—whatthenwouldbetheirvalue?
    TheyhadleftHedebyIsndingreathasteearlyinthemorningafterSanderdroppedthebombthatwasnowoupyingeverywakingmomentofBlomkvist’slife.TheydrovetoSander’spceandspenttwodaysinfrontofherputerwhilesheguidedhimthroughWennerstr?m’suniverse.Hehadplentyofquestions.Oneofthemwaspurecuriosity.
    “Lisbeth,howareyouabletooperatehisputer,fromapurelypracticalpointofview?”
    “It’salittleinventionthatmyfriendPguecameupwith.Wennerstr?mhasanIBMptopthatheworkson,bothathomeandattheoffice.Thatmeansthatallthermationisonasingleharddrive.Hehasabroadbandconnectiontohispropertyathome.Pgueinventedatypeofcuffthatyoufastenaroundthebroadbandcable,andI’mtestingitoutforhim.EverythingthatWennerstr?mseesisregisteredbythecuff,whichforwardsthedatatoaserversomewhereelse.”
    “Doesn’thehaveafirewall?”
    Sandersmiled.
    “Ofcoursehehasafirewall.Butthepointisthatthecuffalsofunctionsasatypeoffirewall.Ittakesawhiletohacktheputerthisway.Let’ssaythatWennerstr?mgetsanemail;itgoesfirsttoPgue’scuffandwecanreaditbeforeitevenpassesthroughhisfirewall.Buttheingeniouspartisthattheemailisrewrittenandafewbytesofsourcecodeareadded.Thisisrepeatedeverytimehedownloadsanythingtohisputer.Picturesareevenbetter.Hedoesalotofsurfingonthe.Eachtimehepicksupapornpictureoropensanewhomepage,weaddseveralrowsofsourcecode.Afterawhile,inseveralhoursorseveraldays,dependingonhowmuchheusestheputer,Wennerstr?mhasdownloadedanentireprogrammeofapproximatelythreemegabytesinwhicheachbitislinkedtothenextbit.”
    “And?”
    “Whenthestbitsareinpce,theprogrammeisintegratedwithhisInterbrowser.Tohimitwilllookasthoughhisputerhaslockedup,andhehastorestartit.Duringtherestartawholenewsoftwareprogrammeisinstalled.HeusesInterExplorer.ThenexttimehestartsExplorer,he’sreallystartingawholedifferentprogrammethat’sinvisibleonhisdesktopandlooksandfunctionsjustlikeExplorer,butitalsodoesalotofotherthings.Firstittakescontrolofhisfirewalndmakessurethateverythingisworking.Thenitstartstoscantheputerandtransmitsbitsofrmationeverytimeheclicksthemousewhilehe’ssurfing.Afterawhile,againdependingonhowmuchhesurfs,we’veaumutedapletemirrorimageofthecontentsofhisharddriveonaserversomewhere.Andthenit’stimefortheHT.”
    “HT?”
    “Sorry.PguecallsittheHT.HostileTakeover.”
    “Isee.”
    “Thereallysubtlethingiswhathappensnext.Whenthestructureisready,Wennerstr?mhastwopleteharddrives,oneonhisownmachineandoneonourserver.Thenexttimehebootsuphisputer,it’sactuallythemirroredputerthat’sstarting.He’snolongerworkingonhisownputer;inrealityhe’sworkingonourserver.Hisputerwillrunalittleslower,butit’svirtuallynotnoticeable.AndwhenI’mconnectedtotheserver,Icantaphisputerinrealtime.EachtimeWennerstr?mpressesakeyonhisputerIseeitonmine.”
    “Yourfriendisalsoahacker?”
    “HewastheonewhoarrangedthetelephoapinLondon.He’salittleoutofitsocially,butonthehe’salegend.”
    “OK,”Blomkvistsaid,givingheraresignedsmile.“Questionnumbertwo:whydidn’tyoutellmeaboutWennerstr?mearlier?”
    “Youneveraskedme.”
    “AndifIneverdidaskyou—let’ssupposethatInevermetyou—youwouldhavesathereknowingthatWennerstr?mwasagangsterwhileMillenniumwentbankrupt?”
    “NobodyaskedmetoexposeWennerstr?mforwhatheis,”Sanderrepliedinaknow-it-allvoice.
    “Yes,butwhatif?”
    “Ididtellyou,”shesaid.
    Blomkvistdroppedthesubject.
    SanderburnedthecontentsofWennerstr?m’sharddrive—aboutfivegigabytes—ontotenCDs,andshefeltasifshehadmoreorlessmovedintoBlomkvist’sapartment.Shewaitedpatiently,answeringallthequestionsheasked.
    “Ican’tunderstandhowhecanbesofuckingdimtoputallhisdirtyundryononeharddrive,”hesaid.“Ifitevergotintothehandsofthepolice…”
    “Peoplearen’tveryrational.Hehastobelievethatthepolicewouldneverthinkofconfiscatinghisputer.”
    “Abovesuspicion.Iagreethathe’sanarrogantbastard,buthemusthavesecurityconsultantstellinghimhowtohandlehisputer.There’smaterialonthismachinegoingallthewaybackto1993.”
    “Theputeritselfisretivelynew.Itwasmanufacturedayearago,butheseemstohavetransferredallhisoldcorrespondenceandeverythingelseontotheharddriveinsteadofstoringitonCDs.Butatleasthe’susinganencryptionprogramme.”
    “Whichistotallyuselessifyou’reinsidehisputerandreadingthepasswordseverytimehetypesthemin.”
    Afterthey’dbeenbackinStockholmforfourdays,MalmcalledonBlomkvist’smobileat3:00inthemorning.
    “HenryCortezwasatabarwithhisgirlfriendtonight.”
    “Uh-huh,”Blomkvistsaid,sleepily.
    “OnthewayhometheyendedupatCentralen’sbar.”
    “Notaverygoodpceforaseduction.”
    “Listen.Dahlmanisonholiday.Henrydiscoveredhimsittingatatablewithsomeguy.”
    “And?”
    “Henryrecognisedthemanfromhisbylinepic.KristerS?der.”
    “Idon’tthinkIrecognisethename,but…”
    “HeworksforMonopolyFinancialMagazine,whichisownedbytheWennerstr?mGroup.”
    Blomkvistsatupstraightinbed.
    “Areyouthere?”
    “I’mhere.Thatmightnotmeananything.S?derisajournalist,andhemightbeanoldfriend.”
    “MaybeI’mbeingparanoid.ButawhileagoMillenniumboughtastoryfromafreencer.Theweekbeforeweweregoingtopublishit,S?derrananexposéthatwasalmostidentical.Itwasthestoryaboutthemobiletelephonemanufacturerandthedefectiveponent.”
    “Ihearwhatyou’resaying.Butthatsortofthingdoeshappen.HaveyoutalkedtoErika?”
    “No,she’snotbackuntilnextweek.”
    “Don’tdoanything.I’llcallyoubackter,”Blomkvistsaid.
    “Problems?”Sanderasked.
    “Millennium,”Blomkvistsaid.“Ihavetogothere.Wanttoealong?”
    Theeditorialofficesweredeserted.IttookSanderthreeminutestocrackthepasswordprotectiononDahlman’sputer,andanothertwominutestotransferitscontentstoBlomkvist’si.
    MostofDahlman’semailswereprobablyonhisownptop,andtheydidnothaveaesstoit.ButthroughhisdesktopputeratMillennium,SanderwasabletodiscoverthatDahlmanhadaHotmaiountinadditiontohismillenniukhersixminutestocrackthecodeanddownloadhiscorrespondencefromthepastyear.FiveminutesterBlomkvisthadevidencethatDahlmanhadleakedrmationaboutthesituationatMillenniumandkepttheeditorofMonopolyFinancialMagazineupdatedonwhichstoriesBergerwaspnningforwhichissues.Thespyinghadbeengoingonatleastsincethepreviousautumn.
    TheyturnedofftheputersandwentbacktoMikael’sapartmenttosleepforafewhours.HecalledChristerMalmat10:00a.m.
    “IhaveproofthatDahlmanisworkingforWennerstr?m.”
    “Iknewit.Great,I’mgoingtofirethatfuckingpigtoday.”
    “No,don’t.Don’tdoanythingatall.”
    “Nothing?”
    “Christer,trustme.IsDahlmanstillonholiday?”
    “Yes,he’sbackonMonday.”
    “Howmanyareintheofficetoday?”
    “Well,abouthalf.”
    “Canyoucalmeetingfor2:00?Don’tsaywhatit’sabout.I’mingover.”
    Thereweresixpeoplearoundtheconferencetable.Malmlookedtired.Cortezlookedlikesomeonenewlyinlove,thewaythatonlytwenty-four-year-oldscanlook.Nilssonlookedonedge—Malmhadnottoldanyonewhatthemeetingwasabout,butshehadbeenwiththepanylongenoughtoknowthatsomethingoutoftheordinarywasgoingon,andshewasannoyedthatshehadbeenkeptoutoftheloop.Theonlyonewholookedthesameasusualwasthepart-timerIngeOskarsson,whoworkedtwodaysaweekdealingwithsimpleadministrativetasks,thesubscriberlistandthelike;shehadnotlookedtrulyrexedsinceshebecameamothertwoyearsago.Theotherpart-timerwasthefreencereporterLottaKarim,whohadacontractsimirtoCortez’sandhadjuststartedbacktoworkafterherholiday.MalmhadalsomanagedtogetMagnussontoein,althoughhewasstillonholiday.
    Blomkvistbeganbygreetingeveryonewarmlyandapologisingforbeingsolongabsent.
    “Whatwe’regoingtodiscusstodayissomethingthatChristerandIhaven’ttakenupwithErika,butIcanassureyouthatinthiscaseIspeakforhertoo.Todaywe’regoingtodetermineMillennium’sfuture.”
    Hepausedtoletthewordssinkin.No-oneaskedanyquestions.
    “Thepastyearhasbeenrough.I’msurprisedandproudthatnoneofyouhasreconsideredandfoundajobsomewhereelse.Ihavetoassumethateitheryou’restarkravingmadorwonderfullyloyandactuallyenjoyworkingonthismagazine.That’swhyI’mgoingtoythecardsonthetableandaskyouforonesteffort.”
    “Onesteffort?”Nilssonsaid.“Thatsoundsasifyou’rethinkingofshuttingdownthemagazine.”
    “Exactly,Monika,”Blomkvistsaid.“Andthankyouforthat.WhenshegetsbackErikaisgoingtogatherusalltogetherforagloomyeditorialmeetingandtotellusthatMillenniumwillfoldatChristmasandthatyou’reallfired.”
    Nowarmbeganspreadingthroughthegroup.EvenMalmthoughtforamomentthatBlomkvistwasserious.Thentheyallnoticedhisbroadsmile.
    “Whatyouhavetodothisautumnispyadoublegame.Thedisagreeablefactisthatourdearmanagingeditor,JanneDahlman,ismoonlightingasanrmerforHans-ErikWennerstr?m.Thismeansthattheenemyisbeingkeptrmedofexactlywhat’sgoingoninoureditorialoffices.Thisexpinsanumberofsetbackswe’veexperienced.Youespecially,Sonny,whenadvertiserswhoseemedpositivepulledoutwithoutwarning.”
    Dahlmanhadneverbeenpopurintheoffice,andtherevetionwasapparentlynotashocktoanyone.Blomkvistcutshortthemurmuringthatstartedup.
    “ThereasonthatI’mtellingyouthisisbecauseIhaveabsoluteconfidenceinallofyou.Iknowthatyou’veallgotyourheadsscrewedonstraight.That’swhyIalsoknowthatyou’llpyalongwithwhattakespcethisautumn.It’sveryimportantthatWennerstr?mbelievesthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpse.Itwillbeyourjobtomakesurehedoes.”
    “What’sourrealsituation?”Cortezsaid.
    “OK,hereitis:byalountsMillenniumshouldbeonitswaytothegrave.Igiveyoumywordthatthat’snotgoingtohappen.Millenniumisstrongertodaythanitwasayearago.Whenthismeetingisover,I’mgoingtodisappearagarabouttwomonths.TowardstheendofOctoberI’llbeback.Thenwe’regoingtoclipWennerstr?m’swings.”
    “Howarewegoingtodothat?”Nilssonsaid.
    “Sorry,Monika.Idon’twanttogiveyouthedetails,butI’mwritinganewstory,andthistimewe’regoingtodoitright.I’mthinkingofhavingroastWennerstr?mfortheChristmaspartyandvariouscriticsfordessert.”
    Themoodturnedcheerful.Blomkvistwonderedhowhewouldhavefeltifhewereoneofthemsittinglisteningtoallthis.Dubious?Mostlikely.Butapparentlyhestillhadsome“trustcapital”amongMillennium’ssmallgroupofemployees.Hehelduphishand.
    “Ifthisisgoingtowork,it’simportantthatWennerstr?mbelievesthatMillenniumisonthevergeofcolpsebecauseIdon’twanthimtostartsomesortofretaliationorindeedgetridoftheevidencewhichwemeantoexpose.Sowe’regoingtostartwritingascriptthatyou’llfollowduringtheingmonths.Firstofall,it’simportantthatnothingwediscussheretodayiswrittendownorisreferredtoinemails.Wedon’tknowtowhatifanyextentDahlmanhasbeendiggingaroundinourputers,andI’vebeeawarethatit’sarminglysimpletoreadcoworkers’privateemail.So—we’regoingtodothisorally.Ifyoufeeltheneedtoairanything,goandseeChristerathome.Verydiscreetly.”
    Blomkvistwrote“noemail”onthewhiteboard.
    “Second,Iwantyoutostartsquabblingamongyourselves,piningaboutmewhenDahlmanisaround.Don’texaggerate.Justgiveyournaturalbitchyselvesfullrein.Christer,IwantyouandErikatohaveaseriousdisagreement.Useyourimaginationandbesecretiveaboutthecause.”
    Hewrote“startbitching”onthewhiteboard.
    “Third,whenErikaeshome,herjobwillbetoseetoitthatJanneDahlmanthinksouragreementwiththeVangerCorporation—whichisinfactgivingusitsfullsupport—hasfallenthroughbecauseHenrikVangerisseriouslyilndMartinVangerdiedinacarcrash.”
    Hewrotetheword“disrmation.”
    “Buttheagreementreallyissolid?”Nilssonsaid.
    “Believeme,”Blomkvistsaid,“theVangerCorporationwillgotogreatlengthstoensurethatMillenniumsurvives.Inafewweeks,let’ssayattheendofAugust,Erikawillcalmeetingtowarnyouaboutyoffs.Youallknowthatit’sascam,andthattheonlyonewho’sgoingtobeleavingisDahlman.ButstarttalkingaboutlookingfornewjobsandsaywhatalousyreferenceitistohaveMillenniumonyourC.V.”
    “AndyoureallythinkthatthisgamewillendupsavingMillennium?”Magnussonsaid.
    “Iknowitwill.AndSonny,Iwantyoutoputtogetherafakereporteachmonthshowingfallingadvertisingsalesandshowingthatthenumberofsubscribershasalsodropped.”
    “Thissoundsfun,”Nilssonsaid.“Shouldwekeepitinternalhereintheoffice,orshouldweleakittoothermediatoo?”
    “Keepitinternal.Ifthestoryshowsupanywhere,we’llknowwhoputitthere.Inaveryfewmonths,ifanyoneasksusaboutit,we’llbeabletotellthem:you’vebeenlisteningtobaselessrumours,andwe’veneverconsideredclosingMillenniumdown.ThebestthingthatcouldhappenisforDahlmantogooutandtipofftheothermassmedia.Ifyou’reabletogiveDahlmanatipaboutapusiblebutfundamentallyidioticstory,somuchthebetter.”
    Theyspentanhourconcoctingascriptanddividingupthevariousroles.
    AfterthemeetingBlomkvisthadcoffeewithMalmatJavaonHorngatspuckeln.
    “Christer,it’sreallyimportantthatyoupickupErikaattheairportandfillherin.Youhavetoconvincehertopyalongwiththegame.IfIknowher,she’llwanttoconfrontDahlmaninstantly—butthatcan’thappen.Idon’twantWennerstr?mtohearanykindofbuzzandthenmanagetoburytheevidence.”
    “Willdo.”
    “AndseetoitthatErikastaysawayfromheremailuntilsheinstallsthePGPencryptionprogrammeandlearnshowtouseit.It’sprettylikelythatthroughDahlman,Wennerstr?misabletoreadeverythingweemailtoeachother.IwantyouandeveryoneelseintheeditorialofficestoinstallPGP.Doitinanaturalway.Getthenameofaputerconsultanttocontactandhavehimeovertoinspecttheworkandalltheputersintheoffice.Lethiminstallthesoftwareasifitwereaperfectlynaturalpartoftheservice.”
    “I’lldomybest.ButMikael—whatareyouworkingon?”
    “Wennerstr?m.”
    “Whatexactly?”
    “Forthetimebeing,thathastoremainmysecret.”
    Malmlookedunfortable.“I’vealwaystrustedyou,Mikael.Doesthismeanthatyoudon’ttrustme?”
    Blomkvistughed.
    “OfcourseItrustyou.ButrightnowI’minvolvedinratherseriouscriminactivitiesthatcouldgetmetwoyearsinprison.It’sthenatureofmyresearchthat’salittledubious…I’mpyingwiththesameunderhandmethodsasWennerstr?muses.Idon’twantyouorErikaoranyoneelseatMillenniumtobeinvolvedinanyway.”
    “You’remakingmeawfullynervous.”
    “Staycool,Christer,andtellErikathatthestoryisgoingtobeabigone.Reallybig.”
    “Erikawillinsistonknowingwhatyou’reworkingon…”
    Mikaelthoughtforasecond.Thenhesmiled.
    “TellherthatshemadeitverycleartomeinthespringwhenshesignedacontractwithHenrikVangerbehindmybackthatI’mnowjustanordinarymortalfreencerwhonolongersitsontheboardandhasnoinfluenceonMillenniumpolicy.WhichmeansthatInolongerhaveanyobligationtokeepherrmed.ButIpromisethatifshebehavesherself,I’llgiveherfirstoptiononthestory.”
    “She’sgoingtogothroughtheroof,”Malmsaidcheerfully.
    BlomkvistknewthathehadnotbeenentirelyhonestwithMalhemostnaturalthingwouldhavebeentocontactheratonceandtellheraboutthermationinhispossession.Buthedidnotwanttotalktoher.Adozentimeshehadstoodwithhismobileinhishand,startingtocallher.Eachtimehechangedhismind.
    Heknewwhattheproblemwas.Hecouldnotlookherintheeyes.
    Thecover-upinwhichhehadparticipatedinHedestadwasunfivablefromaprofessionalpointofview.Hehadnoideahowhecouldexpinittoherwithoutlying,andiftherewasohinghehadneverthoughtofdoing,itwaslyingtoErikaBerger.
    Aboveall,hedidnothavetheenergytodealwiththatproblematthesametimeashewastacklingWennerstr?m.Soheputoffseeingher,turnedoffhismobile,andavoidedtalkingtoher.Butheknewthatthereprievecouldonlybetemporary.
    Rightaftertheeditorialmeeting,MikaelmovedouttohiscabininSandhamn;hehadn’tbeenthereinoverayear.HisbaggageincludedtwoboxesofprintoutsandtheCDsthatSanderhadgivenhim.Hestockeduponfood,lockedthedoor,openedhisi,andstartedwriting.Eachdayhetookashortwalk,boughtthenewspapers,andshoppedforgroceries.Theguestmarinawasstillfilledwithyachts,andyoungpeoplewhohadborrowedtheirfather’sboatwereusuallysittingintheDivers’Bar,drinkingthemselvessilly.Blomkvistscarcelytookinhissurroundings.Hesatinfrontofhisputermoreorlessfromthemomentheopenedhiseyesuntilhefellintobedatnight,exhausted.
    Encryptedemailfromeditorinchieftopublisheronleaveofabsence:Mikael.Iwanttoknowwhat’sgoingon—goodgrief,I’veebackfromholidaytototalchaos.ThenewsaboutJanneDahlmanandthisdoublegameyou’veeupwith.MartinVangerdead.HarrietVangeralive.What’sgoingoninHedeby?Whereareyou?Isthereastory?Whydon’tyouansweryourmobile?/E.
    P.S.IunderstoodtheinsinuationthatChristerreyedwithsuchglee.You’regoingtohavetoeatyourwords.Areyouseriouslycrosswithme?
    P.P.S.Iamtrustingyouforthetimebeing,butyouaregoingtohavetogiveproof—youremember,thestuffthatstandsupincourt—onJ.D.
    From
    To:
    HiRicky.No,forGod’ssake,I’mnotcross.Fivemefornotkeepingyouupdated,butthepastfewmonthsofmylifehavebeentopsy-turvy.I’lltellyoueverythingwhenweseeeachother,butnotbyemail.I’matSandhamn.Thereisastory,butthestoryisnotHarrietVanger.I’mgoingtobegluedtomyputerhereforawhile.Thenit’llbeover.Trustme.Hugsandkisses.M.
    From
    To:
    Sandhamn?I’mingtoseeyouimmediately.
    From
    To:
    Notrightnow.Waitacoupleofweeks,atleastuntilI’vegotthestoryanised.Besides,I’mexpectingpany.
    From
    To:
    Inthatcase,ofcourseI’llstayaway.ButIhavetoknowwhat’sgoingon.HenrikVangerhasbeeCEOagain,andhedoesn’tanswermycalls.IfthedealwithVangerisoff,Iabsolutelyneedtoknow.Ricky
    P.S.Whoisshe?
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    Firstofall:noquestionofHenrikpullingout.Butheisstillworkingonlyashortday,andI’mguessingthatthechaosafterMartin’sdeathandHarriet’sresurrectionistakingitstollonhisstrength.
    Second:Millenniumwillsurvive.I’mworkingonthemostimportantreportofourlives,andwhenwepublishit,it’sgoingtosinkWennerstr?monceandforall.
    Third:Mylifeisupanddownrightnow,butasforyouandmeandMillennium—nothinghaschanged.Trustme.Kisses/Mikael.
    P.S.I’llintroduceyouassoonasanopportunitypresentsitself.
    WhenSanderwentouttoSandhamnshefoundanunshavenandhollow-eyedBlomkvist,whogaveheraquickhugandaskedhertomakesomecoffeeandwaitwhilehefinishedwhathewaswriting.
    Sanderlookedaroundhiscabinanddecidedalmostatoncethatshelikedit.Itwasrightnexttoajetty,withthewaterthreepacesfromthedoor.Itwasonlyfifteenbyeighteenfeetbutithadsuchahighceilingthattherewasspaceforasleepingloft.Shecouldstandupstraightthere,just.Blomkvistwouldhavetostoop.Thebedwaswideenoughforbothofthem.
    Thecabinhadonergewindowfacingthewater,rightnexttothefrontdoor.Thatwaswherehiskitchentablestood,doublingashisdesk.OnthewallnearthedeskwasashelfwithaCDpyerandabigcollectionofElvisandhardrock,whichwasnotSander’sfirstchoice.
    Inacornerwasawoodstovemadeofsoapstonewithagzedfront.Therestofthesparsefurnishingsconsistedofargewardrobeforclothesandlinenandasinkthatalsofunctionedasawashingalcovebehindashowercurtain.Nearthesinkwasasmallwindowononesideofthecabin.UnderthespiralstairstotheloftBlomkvisthadbuiltaseparatespaceforapostingtoilet.Thewholecabinwasarrangedlikethecabinonaboat,withclevercubbyholesforstowingthings.
    DuringherpersonalinvestigationofMikaelBlomkvist,Sanderhadfoundoutthathehadremodelledthecabinandbuiltthefurniturehimself—aconclusiondrawnfromthementsofanacquaintancewhohadsentMikaenemaiftervisitingSandhamnandwasimpressedbyhishandiwork.Everythingwasclean,unpretentious,andsimple,borderingonspartan.ShecouldseewhyhelovedthiscabininSandhamnsomuch.
    AftertwohoursshemanagedtodistractMikaelenoughthatheturnedoffhisputerinfrustration,shaved,andtookheroutforaguidedtour.Itwasrainingandwindy,andtheyquicklyretreatedtotheinn.Blomkvisttoldherwhathewaswriting,andSandergavehimaCDwithupdatesfromWennerstr?m’sputer.
    Thenshetookhimuptotheloftandmanagedtogethisclothesoffanddistracthimevenfurther.Shewokeuptethatnighttofindherselfalone.Shepeereddownfromtheloftandsawhimsittinghunchedoverhisputer.Sheythereforalongtime,leaningononehand,watchinghim.Heseemedhappy,andshetoofeltstrangelycontentwithlife.
    SanderstayedonlyfivedaysbeforeshewentbacktoStockholmtodoajobforArmansky.Shespentelevendaysontheassignment,madeherreport,andthenreturnedtoSandhamn.ThestackofprintedpagesnexttoMikael’siwasgrowing.
    Thistimeshestayedforfourweeks.Theyfellintoaroutine.Theygotupat8:00,atebreakfast,andspentanhourtogether.ThenMikaelworkedintentlyuntilteintheafternoon,whentheytookawalkandtalked.Sanderspentmostofthedaysinbed,eitherreadingsorsurfingtheusingBlomkvist’sADSLmodeheyatedinnerratherteandonlythendidSandertaketheinitiativeandforcehimuptothesleepingloft,whereshesawtoitthathedevotedallhisattentiontoher.
    Itwasasifshewereontheveryfirstholidayofherlife.
    Encryptedemailfrom
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    HiM.It’snowofficial.JanneDahlmanhasresignedandstartsworkingatMonopolyFinancialMagazineinthreeweeks.I’vedoneasyouaskedandsaidnothing,andeveryoneisgoingaroundpyingmonkeygames.E.
    P.S.Theyseemtobehavingfun.HenryandLottahadafightandstartedthrowingthingsateachotheracoupleofdaysago.They’vebeenmessingwithDahlman’sheadsobtantlythatIcan’tunderstandhowhecanmissseeingthatit’salput-upjob.
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    Wishhimgoodluckfromme,willyou,andlethimgostraightaway.Butlockupthesilverware.Hugsandkisses/M.
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    Ihavenomanagingeditortwoweeksbeforewegotopress,andmyinvestigativereporterissittingoutinSandhamnrefusingtotalktome.Micke,I’monmyknees.Canyouein?/Erika.
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    Holdoutanothercoupleofweeks,thenwe’llbehomefree.AndstartpnningforaDecemberissuethat’sgoingtobeunlikeanythingwe’veeverdone.Thepiecewilltakeup40pages.M.
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    40PAGES!!!Areyououtofyourmind?
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    It’sgoingtobeaspecialissue.Ineedthreemoreweeks.Couldyoudothefollowing:findagoodprinterthatcanproduceapaperbackquicklyandcheaply.Andbytheway,we’regoingtoneedcapitaltoprintourfirst.Kisses/Mikael
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    Specialissue.publisher.Money.Yes,master.AnythingelseIcandoforyou?DancenakedatSlusspn?/E.
    P.S.Iassumeyouknowwhatyou’redoing.ButwhatdoIdoaboutDahlman?
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    Don’tdoanythingaboutDahlman.Tellhimhe’sfreetogorightawayandyouaren’tsureyoucanpayhiswagesanyway.Monopolyisn’tgoingtosurviveforlong.Bringinmorefreencematerialforthisissue.Andhireanewmanagingeditor,forGod’ssake./M.
    P.S.Slusspn?It’sadate.
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    Slusspn—inyourdreams.Butwe’vealwaysdohehiringtogether./Ricky.
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    Andwe’vealwaysagreedaboutwhoweshouldhire.Wewillthistimetoo,nomatterwhoyouchoose.We’regoingtoscupperWennerstr?m.That’sthewholestory.Justletmefinishthisinpeace./M.
    InearlyOctoberSanderreadanarticleontheIntereditionoftheHedestadCourier.ShetoldBlomkvistaboutit.IsabelVangerhaddiedafterashortillness.Shewasmournedbyherdaughter,HarrietVanger,telyreturnedfromAustralia.
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    HiMikael.
    HarrietVangercametoseemeattheofficetoday.Shecalledfiveminutesbeforeshearrived,andIwastotallyunprepared.Abeautifulwoman,elegantclothesandacoolgaze.
    Shecametotellmethatshe’llberepcingMartinVangerasHenrik’srepresentativeonourboard.ShewaspoliteandfriendlyandassuredmethattheVangerCorporationhadnopnstobackoutoftheagreement.Onthecontrary,thefamilystandsfullybehindHenrik’sobligationstothemagazine.Sheaskedforatouroftheeditorialoffices,andshewantedtoknowhowIseethesituation.
    Itoldherthetruth.ThatitfeelsasifIdon’thavesolidgroundundermyfeet,thatyouhaveforbiddenmetoetoSandhamn,andthatIdon’tknowwhatyou’reworkingon,otherthanthatyouarepnningtosinkWennerstr?m.SheraisedaneyebrowandsmiledandaskedifIhaddoubtsthatyou’dsueed.WhatwasIsupposedtosaytothat?IsaidthatIwouldsleepalittleeasierifIknewexactlywhatyouwerewriting.Jeez,ofcourseItrustyou.Butyou’redrivingmecrazy.
    Iaskedherifsheknewwhatyouwereworkingon.Shedenieditbutsaidthatitwasherimpressionthatyouwereextremelyresourceful,withaninnovativewayofthinking.
    IsaidthatIalsogatheredthatsomethingdramatichadhappenedupinHedestadandthatIwaseversoslightlycuriousaboutthestoryregardingHarrietVangerherself.Inshort,Ifeltlikeanidiot.Sheaskedmewhetheryoureallyhadn’ttoldmeanything.ShesaidthatsheunderstoodthatyouandIhaveaspecialretionshipandthatyouwouldundoubtedlytellmethestorywhenyouhadtime.Thensheaskedifshecouldtrustme.WhatwasIsupposedtosay?She’sontheMillenniumboard,andyou’veleftmeheretotallyinthedark.
    Thenshesaidsomethingodd.Sheaskedmenottojudgeeitherheroryoutooharshly.Shesaidsheowedyousomesortofdebtofgratitude,andshewouldreallylikeitifsheandIcouldalsobefriends.Thenshepromisedtotellmethestorysomedayifyoucouldn’tdoit.Halfanhouragosheleft,andI’mstillinadaze.IthinkIlikeher,butwhoisthisperson?/Erika
    P.S.Imissyou.IhaveafeelingthatsomethingnastyhappenedinHedestad.Christersaysthatyouhaveastrangemarkonyourneck.
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    HiRicky.ThestoryaboutHarrietissomiserablyawfulthatyoucan’tevenimagineit.Itwouldbegreatifshecouldtellyouaboutitherself.Icanhardlybringmyselftothinkaboutit.
    Bytheway,youcantrusther.Shewastellingthetruthwhenshesaidthatsheowesadebtofgratitudetome—andbelieveme,shewillneverdoanythingtoharmMillennium.Beherfriendifyoulikeher.Shedeservesrespect.Andshe’sahellofabusinesswoman./M.
    ThenextdayMikaelreceivedanotheremail.
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    HiMikael.I’vebeentryingtofindtimetowritetoyouforseveralweeksnow,butitseemsthereareneverenoughhoursintheday.YouleftsosuddenlyfromHedebythatIneverhadachancetosaygoodbye.
    SincemyreturntoSweden,mydayshavebeenfilledwithbewilderingimpressionsandhardwork.TheVangerCorporationisinchaos,andalongwithHenrikI’vebeenworkinghardtoputitsaffairsinorder.YesterdayIvisitedtheMillenniumoffices;I’llbeHenrik’srepresentativeontheboard.Henrikhasfilledmeinonallthedetailsofthemagazine’ssituationandyours.
    Ihopethatyouwilepthavingmeshowuplikethis.Ifyoudon’twantmeontheboard,I’llunderstand,butIdoassureyouthatI’lldoallIcantosupportMillennium.Iamingreatdebttoyou,andIwillwayshavethebestofintentionsinthisregard.
    ImetyourcolleagueErikaBerger.I’mnotsurewhatshethoughtofme,andIwassurprisedtohearthatyouhadn’ttoldheraboutwhathappened.
    Iwouldverymuchliketobeyourfriend.IfyoucanstandtohaveanythingmoretodowiththeVangerfamily.Bestregards,Harriet
    P.S.IunderstoodfromErikathatyou’repnningtotackleWennerstr?magain.DirchFrodetoldmehowHenrikpulledaswiftyonyou,astheysayinAustralia.WhatcanIsay?I’msorry.Ifthere’sanythingIcando,letmeknow.
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    HiHarriet.IleftHedebyinabighurryandamnowworkingonwhatIreallyshouldhavebeenspendingmytimeonthisyear.You’llbeadvisedinplentyoftimebeforethearticlegoestopress,butIthinkIcansaythattheproblemsofthepastyearwillsoonbeover.
    IhopeyouandErikawillbefriends,and,ofcourse,IhavenoproblemwithyoubeingonMillennium’sboard.I’lltellErikaaboutwhathappened,ifyouthinkthat’swise.Henrikwantedmenevertosayanythingtoanyone.Let’ssee,butrightnowIdon’thavethetimeortheenergyandIneedalittledistancefirst.
    Let’skeepintouch.Best/Mikael
    SanderwasnotespeciallyinterestedinwhatMikaelwaswriting.ShelookedupfromherwhenBlomkvistsaidsomething,butatfirstshecouldnotmakeitout.
    “Sorry.Iwastalkingaloud.Isaidthatthisishorrible.”
    “What’shorrible?”
    “Wennerstr?mhadanaffairwithatwenty-two-year-oldwaitressandhegotherpregnant.Haveyoureadhiscorrespondencewithhiswyer?”
    “MydearMikael—youhavetenyearsofcorrespondence,emails,agreements,traverrangements,andGodknowswhatonthatharddrive.Idon’tfindWennerstr?msofascinatingthatI’dcramsixgigsofgarbageintomyhead.Ireadthroughafractionofit,mostlytosatisfymycuriosity,andthatwasenoughtotellmethathe’sagangster.”
    “OK.Hegotherpregnantin1997.Whenshewantedpensation,hiswyergotsomeootrytoconvincehertohaveanabortion.Iassumetheintentionwastoofferherasumofmoney,butshewasn’tinterested.ThenthepersuadingendedupwiththeheavyholdingherunderwaterinabathuntilsheagreedtoleaveWennerstr?minpeace.AndWennerstr?m’sidiotwritesallthistothewyerinanemail—ofcourseencrypted,butevenso…Itdoesn’tsaymuchfortheIQofthisbunch.”
    “Whathappenedtothegirl?”
    “Shehadanabortion,andWennerstr?mwaspleased.”
    Sandersaidnothingfortenminutes.Hereyeshadsuddenlyturneddark.
    “Onemoremanwhohateswomen,”shemutteredatst.
    SheborrowedtheCDsandspentthenextfewdaysreadingthroughWennerstr?m’semailsandotherdocuments.WhileBlomkvistkeptworking,SanderwasupinthesleepingloftwithherPoweronherknees,ponderingWennerstr?m’speculiarempire.
    Anideahadourredtoherandshecouldnotletitgo.Mostofallshewonderedwhyithadnotourredtohersooner.
    InteOctoberMikaelturnedoffhisputerwhenitwasonly11:00inthemorning.HeclimbeduptothesleepingloftandhandedSanderwhathehadwritten.Thenhefelsleep.Shewokehimthateveningandgavehimheropinionofthearticle.
    Justafter2:00inthemorning,Blomkvistmadethestbackupofhiswork.
    Thenextdayheclosedtheshuttersonthewindowsandlockedup.Sander’sholidaywasover.TheywentbacktoStockholmtogether.
    HebroughtupthesubjectastheyweredrinkingcoffeefrompapercupsontheVaxholmferry.
    “WhatthetwoofusneedtodecideiswhattotellErika.She’sgoingtorefusetopublishthisifIcan’texpinhowIgotholdofthematerial.”
    ErikaBerger.Blomkvist’seditorinchiefandlong-timelover.Sanderhadnevermetherandwasnotsurethatshewantedtoeither.Bergerseemedlikesomeindefinabledisturbanceinherlife.
    “Whatdoessheknowaboutme?”
    “Nothing.”Hesighed.“ThefactisthatI’vebeenavoidinghereversincethesummer.She’sveryfrustratedaboutthefactthatIcouldn’ttellherwhathappenedinHedestad.Sheknows,ofcourse,thatI’vebeenstayingoutatSandhamnandwritingthisstory,butshedoesn’tknowwhatit’sabout.”
    “Hmm.”
    “Inacoupleofhoursshe’llhavethemanuscript.Thenshe’sgoingtogivemethethirddegree.Thequestionis,whatshouldItellher?”
    “Whatdoyouwanttotellher?”
    “I’dliketotellherthetruth.”
    Sanderfrowned.
    “Lisbeth,ErikaandIarguealmostallthetime.Itseemstobepartofhowwemunicate.Butshe’sabsolutelytrustworthy.You’reasource.Shewouldratherdiethanrevealwhoyouare.”
    “Howmanyotherswouldyouhavetotell?”
    “Absolutelyno-one.ItwillgotothegravewithmeandErika.ButIwon’ttellheryoursecretifyoudon’twantmeto.Ontheotherhand,it’snotanoptionformetolietoErika,makeupsomesourcethatdoesn’texist.”
    SanderthoughtaboutituntiltheydockedbytheGrandHotel.Analysisofconsequences.ReluctantlyshefinallygaveBlomkvistpermissiontointroducehertoErika.Heswitchedonhismobileandmadethecall.
    BergerwaslunchingwithMalinEriksson,whomshewasconsideringhiringasmanagingeditor.Erikssonwastwenty-nineyearsoldandhadbeenworkingasatempforfiveyears.Shehadneverheldapermanentjobandhadstartedtodoubtthatsheeverwould.BergercalledherontheverydaythatMalin’stesttempjobendedtoaskifshewouldliketoapplyfortheMillenniumposition.
    “It’satemporarypostforthreemonths,”Bergersaid.“Butifthingsworkout,itcouldbepermanent.”
    “I’veheardrumoursthatMillenniumishavingadifficulttime.”
    Bergersmiled.
    “Youshouldn’tbelieverumours.”
    “ThisDahlmanthatIwouldberepcing…”Erikssonhesitated.“He’sgoingtoworkatamagazineownedbyHans-ErikWennerstr?m…”
    Bergernodded.“It’shardlyatradesecretthatwe’reinconflictwithWennerstr?m.Hedoesn’tlikepeoplewhoworkforMillennium.”
    “SoifItakethejobatMillennium,Iwouldendupinthatcategorytoo.”
    “It’sverylikely,yes.”
    “ButDahlmangotajobwithMonopolyFinancialMagazine,didn’the?”
    “Youmightsaythatit’sWennerstr?m’swayofpayingforservicesrendered.Areyoustillinterested?”
    Erikssonnodded.
    “Whendoyouwantmetostart?”
    That’swhenBlomkvistcalled.
    Sheusedherownkeytoopenthedoortohisapartment.ItwasthefirsttimesincehisbriefvisittotheofficeatMidsummerthatshewasmeetinghimfacetoface.Shewentintothelivingroomandfoundananorexicallythingirlsittingonthesofa,wearingawornleatherjacketandwithherfeetproppeduponthecoffeetable.Atfirstshethoughtthegirlwasaboutfifteen,butthatwasbeforeshelookedintohereyes.ShewasstilllookingatthiscreaturewhenBlomkvistcameinwithacoffeepotandcoffeecake.
    “Fivemeforbeingpletelyimpossible,”hesaid.
    Bergertiltedherhead.Therewassomethingdifferentabouthim.Helookedhaggard,thinnerthansheremembered.Hiseyeshadashamedexpression,andforamomentheavoidedhergaze.Shegncedathisneck.Shesawapaleredline,clearlydistinguishable.
    “I’vebeenavoidingyou.It’saverylongstory,andI’mnotproudofmyroleinit.Butwe’lltalkaboutthatter…NowIwanttointroduceyoutothisyoungwoman.Erika,thisisLisbethSander.Lisbeth,ErikaBerger,editorinchiefofMillenniumandmybestfriend.”
    SanderstudiedBerger’selegantclothesandself-confidentmanneranddecidedaftertensecondsthatshewasmostlikelynotgoingtobeherbestfriend.
    Theirmeetingstedfivehours.Bergertwicemadecallstocancelothermeetings.ShespentanhourreadingpartsofthemanuscriptthatBlomkvistputinherhands.Shehadathousandquestionsbutrealisedthatitwouldtakeweeksbeforeshegotthemanswered.Theimportantthingwasthemanuscript,whichshefinallyputdown.Ifevenafractionofthesecimswereaurate,awholenewsituationhademerged.
    BergerlookedatBlomkvist.Shehadneverdoubtedthathewasanhonestperson,butnowshefeltdizzyandwonderedwhethertheWennerstr?maffairhadbrokenhim—thatwhathehadbeenworkingonwasalfigmentofhisimagination.Blomkvistwasatthatmomentunpackingtwoboxesofprinted-outsourcematerial.Bergerbnched.Shewanted,ofcourse,toknowhowithadeintohispossession.
    Ittookawhiletoconvinceherthatthisoddgirl,whohadsaidnotonewordduringthemeeting,hadunlimitedaesstoWennerstr?m’sputer.Andnotjusthis—shehadalsohackedintotheputersofseveralofhiswyersandcloseassociates.
    Berge