19

    r’simmediatereactionwasthattheycouldnotusethematerialsinceithadbeenobtainedthroughillegalmeans.
    But,ofcourse,theycoulduseit.Blomkvistpointedoutthattheyhadnoobligationtoexpinhowtheyhadacquiredthematerial.TheycouldjustaswellhaveasourcewithaesstoWennerstr?m’sputerwhohadburnedeverythingonhisharddrivetoaCD.
    FinallyBergerrealisedwhataweaponshehadinherhands.Shefeltexhaustedandstillhadquestions,butshedidnotknowwheretobegin.Atstsheleanedbackagainstthesofaandthrewoutherhands.
    “Mikael,whathappenedupinHedestad?”
    Sanderlookedupsharply.Blomkvistansweredwithaquestion.
    “HowareyougettingalongwithHarrietVanger?”
    “Fine.Ithink.I’vemethertwice.ChristerandIdroveuptoHedestadforaboardmeetingstweek.Wegotdrunkonwine.”
    “Andtheboardmeeting?”
    “Shekeptherword.”
    “Ricky,Iknowyou’refrustratedthatI’vebeenduckingyouandingupwithexcusesnottotellyouwhathappened.YouandIhaveneverhadsecretsfromeachother,andallofasuddenthere’ssixmonthsofmylifethatI’m…notpreparedtotellyouabout.”
    BergermetBlomkvist’sgaze.Sheknewhiminsideandout,butwhatshesawinhiseyeswassomethingshehadneverseenbefore.Hewasbegginghernottoask.Sanderwatchedtheirwordlessdialogue.Shewasnopartofit.
    “Wasitthatbad?”
    “Itwasworse.I’vebeendreadingthisconversation.Ipromisetotellyou,butI’vespentseveralmonthssuppressingmyfeelingswhileWennerstr?mhasabsorbedallmyattention…I’mstillnotready.I’dpreferitifHarriettoldyouinstead.”
    “What’sthatmarkaroundyourneck?”
    “Lisbethsavedmylifeupthere.Ifitweren’tforher,I’dbedead.”
    Berger’seyeswidened.Shestaredatthegirlintheleatherjacket.
    “Andrightnowyouneedtoetoanagreementwithher.Sheisoursource.”
    Bergersatforatime,thinking.ThenshedidsomethingthatastonishedBlomkvistandstartledSander;shesurprisedevenherself.ThewholetimeshehadbeensittingatMikael’sliving-roomtable,shehadfeltSander’seyesonher.Ataciturngirlwithhostilevibrations.
    Bergerstoodupandwentaroundthetableandthrewherarmsaroundthegirl.Sandersquirmedlikeawormabouttobeputonahook.
    CHAPTER29
    Saturday,November1–Tuesday,November25
    SanderwassurfingthroughWennerstr?m’scyber-empire.Shehadbeenstaringatherputerscreenforalmostelevenhours.TheideathathadmaterialisedinsomeunexplorednookofherbrainduringthestweekatSandhamnhadgrownintoamanicpreoupation.ForfourweeksshehadisotedherselfinherapartmentandignoredanymunicationfromArmansky.Shehadspenttwelvehoursadayinfrontofherputer,somedaysmore,andtherestofherwakinghoursshehadbroodedoverthesameproblem.
    DuringthepastmonthshehadhadintermittentcontactwithBlomkvist.Hetoowaspreoupied,busyattheMillenniumoffices.Theyhadconferredbytelephoneacoupleoftimeseachweek,andshehadkepthimupdatedonWennerstr?m’scorrespondenceandotheractivities.
    Forthehundredthtimeshewentovereverydetail.Shewasnotafraidthatshehadmissedanything,butshewasnotsurethatshehadunderstoodhoweveryoneoftheintricateconnectionsfittedtogether.
    Thismuch-discussedempirewaslikealiving,formless,pulsatinganismthatkeptchangingshape.Itconsistedofoptions,bonds,shares,partnerships,loaninterest,ineinterest,deposits,bankaounts,paymenttransfers,andthousandsofotherelements.Anincrediblyrgeproportionoftheassetswasdepositedinpost-office-boxpaniesthatownedoneanother.
    Thefinancialpundits’mostinftedanalysesoftheWennerstr?mGroupestimateditsvalueatmorethan900billionkronor.Thatwasabluff,oratleastafigurethatwasgrosslyexaggerated.ObviouslyWennerstr?mhimselfwasbynomeanspoor.Shecalcutedthereassetstobeworthbetween90and100billionkronor,whichwasnothingtosneezeat.Athoroughauditoftheentirecorporationwouldtakeyears.AllinallSanderhadidentifiedclosetothreethousandseparateaountsandbankholdingsallovertheworld.Wennerstr?mwasdevotinghimselftofraudthatwassoextensiveitwasnolongermerelycriminal—itwasbusiness.
    SomewhereintheWennerstr?manismtherewasalsosubstance.Threeassetskeptshowingupinthehierarchy.ThefixedSwedishassetswereunassaibleandgenuine,avaibletopublicscrutiny,bancesheets,andaudits.TheAmericanfirmwassolid,andabankinNewYorkservedasthebaseforallliquidcapital.Thestorywasinthebusinesswiththepost-office-boxpaniesinpcessuchasGibraltarandCyprusandMacao.Wennerstr?mwaslikeaclearinghousefortheillegalweaponstrade,moneyunderingforsuspectenterprisesinColombia,andextremelyunorthodoxbusinessesinRussia.
    AnanonymousaountintheCaymanIsndswasunique;itwaspersonallycontrolledbyWennerstr?mbutwasnotconnectedtoanypanies.AfewhundredthsofapercentofeverydealthatWennerstr?mmadewouldbesiphonedintotheCaymanIsndsviathepost-office-boxpanies.
    Sanderworkedinatrance-likestate.Theaount—click—email—click—bancesheets—click.Shenoteddownthetesttransfers.ShetrackedasmalltransactioninJapantoSingaporeandonviaLuxembourgtotheCaymanIsnds.Sheunderstoodhowitworked.Itwasasifshewerepartoftheimpulsesincyberspace.Smallchanges.Thetestemail.Onebriefmessageofsomewhatperipheralinterestwassentat10:00p.m.ThePGPencryptionprogrammewasajokeforanyonewhowasalreadyinsidehisputerandcouldreadthemessageinpintext:
    Bergerhasstoppedarguingabouttheads.Hasshegivenupordoesshehavesomethingcooking?Yoursourceattheeditorialofficesassuredusthattheywereonthebrinkofruin,butitsoundsasiftheyjusthiredanewperson.Findoutwhat’shappening.BlomkvisthasbeenworkingatSandhamnforthepastfewweeks,butno-oneknowswhathe’swriting.He’sbeenseenattheeditorialofficesthepastfewdays.Canyouarrangeforanadvancecopyofthenextissue?/HEW/
    Nothingdramatic.Lethimworry.Yourgooseiscooked,oldman.
    At5:30inthemorningsheturnedoffherputerandgotoutanewpackofcigarettes.Shehaddrunkfour,no,fiveCokesduringthenight,andnowshegotoutasixthandwenttositonthesofa.Shewaswearingonlyknickersandawashed-outcamoufgeshirtadvertisingSoldierofFortunemagazine,withthesloganKILLTHEMALLANDLETGODSORTTHEMOUT.Sherealisedthatshewascold,soshereachedforabnket,whichshewrappedaroundherself.
    Shefelthigh,asifshehadconsumedsomeinappropriateandpresumablyillegalsubstance.Shefocusedhergazeonthestreetmpoutsidethewindowandsatstillwhileherbrainworkedattopspeed.Mamma—click—sister—click—Mimmi—click—HolgerPalmgren.EvilFingers.AndArmansky.Thejob.HarrietVanger.Click.MartinVanger.Click.Thegolfclub.Click.ThewyerBjurman.Click.Everysinglefuckingdetailthatshecouldn’tfetevenifshetried.
    ShewonderedwhetherBjurmanwouldevertakehisclothesoffinfrontofawomanagain,andifhedid,howwashegoingtoexpinthetattoosonhisstomach?Andthenexttimehewenttothedoctorhowwouldheavoidtakingoffhisclothes?
    AndMikaelBlomkvist.Click.
    Sheconsideredhimtobeagoodperson,possiblywithaPracticalPigplexthatwassometimesalittletooapparent.Andhewasunbearablynaivewithregardtocertainelementarymoralissues.Hehadanindulgentandfivingpersonalitythatlookedforexpnationsandexcusesforthewaypeoplebehaved,andhewouldnevergetitthattheraptorsoftheworldunderstoodonlyonenguage.Shefeltalmostawkwardlyprotectivewhenevershethoughtofhim.
    Shedidnotrememberfallingasleep,butshewokeupat9:00a.m.withacrickinherneckandwithherheadleaningagainstthewallbehindthesofa.Shetotteredtothebedroomandfellbacktosleep.
    Itwaswithoutadoubtthebiggeststoryoftheirlives.Forthefirsttimeinayearandahalf,Bergerwashappyinthewaythatonlyaneditorwhohasaspectacurscoopintheovencanbe.SheandBlomkvistwerepolishingthearticleonesttimewhenSandercalledhimonhismobile.
    “IfottosaythatWennerstr?misstartingtogetworriedaboutwhatyou’vebeendoingtely,andhe’saskedforanadvancecopyofthenextissue.”
    “Howdoyouknow…ah,fetthat.Anyideawhathepnstodo?”
    “Nix.Justonelogicalguess.”
    Blomkvistthoughtforafewseconds.“Theprinter,”heexcimed.
    Bergerraisedhereyebrows.
    “Ifyou’rekeepingalidontheeditorialoffices,therearen’tmanyotherpossibilities.Providednoneofhisthugsispnningtopayyouanighttimevisit.”
    BlomkvistturnedtoBerger.“anewprinterforthisissue.Now.AndcallDraganArmansky—Iwantsecurityhereatnightforthenextweek.”BacktoSander.“Thanks.”
    “What’sitworth?”
    “Whatdoyoumean?”
    “What’sthetipworth?”
    “Whatwouldyoulike?”
    “I’dliketodiscussitovercoffee.Rightnow.”
    TheymetatKaffebaronHornsgatan.SanderlookedsoseriouswhenBlomkvistsatdownonthebenchnexttoherthathefeltapangofconcern.Asusual,shecamestraighttothepoint.
    “Ineedtoborrowsomemoney.”
    Blomkvistgaveheroneofhismostfoolishgrinsandreachedforhiswallet.
    “Sure.Howmuch?”
    “120,000kronor.”
    “Steady,steady.”Heputhiswalletaway.
    “I’mnotkidding.Ineedtoborrow120,000kronorfor…let’ssaysixweeks.Ihaveachancetomakeaninvestment,butIdon’thaveanyoneelsetoturnto.You’vegotroughly140,000kronorinyourcurrentaountrightnow.You’llgetyourmoneyback.”
    NopointmentingonthefactthatSanderhadhackedhisbankpassword.
    “Youdon’thavetoborrowthemoneyfromme,”hereplied.“Wehaven’tdiscussedyourshareyet,butit’smorethanenoughtocoverwhatyouwanttoborrow.”
    “Myshare?”
    “Lisbeth,IhaveaninsanefeetocashinfromHenrikVanger,andwe’regoingtofinalisethedeattheendoftheyear.Withoutyou,therewouldn’tbeameandMillenniumwouldhavegoneunder.I’mpnningtosplitthefeewithyou.Fifty-fifty.”
    Sandergavehimasearchinglook.Afrownhadappearedonherbrow.Blomkvistwasusedtohersilences.Finallysheshookherhead.
    “Idon’twantyourmoney.”
    “But…”
    “Idon’twantonesinglekronafromyou,unlessitesintheformofpresentsonmybirthday.”
    “etothinkofit,Idon’tevenknowwhenyourbirthdayis.”
    “You’reajournalist.Checkitout.”
    “I’mserious,Lisbeth.Aboutsplittingthemoney.”
    “I’mserioustoo.Ionlywanttoborrowit,andIneedittomorrow.”
    Shedidn’tevenaskhowmuchhersharewouldbe.“I’llbehappytogotothebankwithyoutodayandlendyoutheamountyouneed.Butattheendoftheyearlet’shaveanothertalkaboutyourshare.”Hehelduphishand.“Andbytheway,whenisyourbirthday?”
    “OnWalpurgisNight,”shereplied.“Veryfitting,don’tyouthink?That’swhenIgadaroundwithabroombetweenmylegs.”
    ShendedinZürichat7:30intheeveningandtookataxitotheMatterhornHotel.ShehadedaroomunderthenameofIreneNesser,andsheidentifiedherselfusingaNorwegianpassportinthatname.IreneNesserhadshoulder-lengthblondehair.SanderhadboughtawiginStockholmandused10,000kronorofwhatshehadborrowedfromBlomkvisttobuytwopassportsthroughoneofthecontactsinPgue’sinternationalwork.
    Shewenttoherroom,lockedthedoor,andgotundressed.Sheyonthebedandlookedupattheceilingintheroomthatcost1,600kronorpernight.Shefeltempty.Shehadalreadyrunthroughhalfthesumshe’dborrowed,andeventhoughshehadaddedineverykronaofherownsavings,shewasstillonatightbudget.Shestoppedthinkingandfelsleepalmostatonce.
    Sheawokejustafter5:00inthemorning.Sheshoweredandspentalongtimemaskingthetattooonherneckwithathickyerofskin-colouredlotionandpowderoverit.Theseconditemonherchecklistwastomakeanappointmentatthebeautysaloninthelobbyofasignificantlymoreexpensivehotelfor6:30thatmorning.Sheboughtanotherblondewig,thisoneinapage-boystyle,andthenshehadamanicure,gettingpinknailsattachedtoherownchewedones.Shealsogotfalseeyeshes,morepowder,rouge,andfinallylipstickandothermake-up.Nochangefrom8,000kronor.
    ShepaidwithacreditcardinthenameofMonicaSholes,andsheshowedthemherBritishpassportwiththatname.
    NextstopwasCamille’sHouseofFashiondownthestreet.Afteranhourshecameoutwearingbckboots,asand-colouredskirtwithmatchingblouse,bcktights,awaist-lengthjacket,andaberet.Everyitemboreanexpensivedesignerbel.Shehadletthesalesgirlmaketheselection.ShehadalsochosenanexclusiveleatherbriefcaseandasmallSamsonitesuitcase.Thecrowningtoucheswerediscreetearringsandasimplegoldchainaroundherneck.Thecreditcardhadbeendebited44,000kronor.
    ForthefirsttimeinherlifeSanderhadabustlihatmadeher—whenshegncedatherselfinthefull-lengthmirror—catchherbreath.ThebreastswereasfakeasMonicaSholes’identity.TheyweremadeoftexandhadbeenboughtinCopenhagenwherethetransvestitesshopped.
    Shewasreadyforbattle.
    Justafter9:00shewalkedtwoblockstothevenerableZimmertalHotel,wheresheedaroominMonicaSholes’name.Shegaveageneroustiptoaboywhocarrieduphersuitcase.Thesuitewasasmallone,costing22,000kronoraday.Shehadeditforonenight.Whenshewasaloneshetookalookaround.ShehadadazzlingviewofLakeZürich,whichdidn’tinterestherintheleast.Butshedidspendclosetofiveminutesexaminingherselfinthemirror.Shesawatotalstranger.Big-bustedMonicaSholesinablondepage-boywig,wearingmoremake-upthanLisbethSanderdreamedofusinginawholemonth.Shelooked…different.
    At9:30shehadbreakfastinthehotelbar:twocupsofcoffeeandabagelwithjarethesepeoplesoftinthehead?
    Justbefore10:00MonicaSholessetdownhercoffeecup,openedhermobile,andpunchedinthenumberofamodemuplinkinHawaii.Afterthreerings,thehandshakingtonebegan.Themodemwasconnected.MonicaSholesrepliedbypunchinginasix-digitcodeonhermobileandtextingamessagecontaininginstructionstostartaprogrammethatSanderhadwrittenespeciallyforthispurpose.
    InHonolulutheprogrammecametolifeonananonymoushomepageonaserverthatwasofficiallylocatedattheuniversity.Theprogrammewassimple.Itsonlyfunctionwastosendinstructionstostartanotherprogrammeinanotherserver,whichinthiscasewasaperfectlyordinarymercialISPofferingInterservicesinHolnd.Thefunctionofthatprogramme,inturn,wastolookforthemirroredharddrivebelongingtoHans-ErikWennerstr?mandtakemandoftheprogrammethatshowedthecontentsofhisapproximately3,000bankaountsaroundtheworld.
    Therewasonlyoneaountofanyinterest.SanderhadnotedthatWennerstr?mlookedattheaountacoupleoftimeseachweek.Ifheturnedonhisputerandlookedatthatparticurfile,everythingwouldappeartobenormal.Theprogrammeshowedsmallchanges,whichweretobeexpected,basedonnormalfluctuationsintheaountduringthepastsixmonths.Ifduringthenextforty-eighthoursWennerstr?mshouldgoinandasktohavethefundspaidoutormovedfromtheaount,theprogrammewoulddutifullyreportthatithadbeendone.Inreality,thechangewouldhaveourredonlyonthemirroredharddriveinHolnd.
    MonicaSholesswitchedoffhermobilethemomentsheheardfourshorttonesconfirmingthattheprogrammehadstarted.
    ShelefttheZimmertalHotendwalkedovertoBankHauserGeneral,acrossthestreet,whereshehadmadeanappointmenttoseeHerrWagner,thegeneralmanager,at10:00.Shewastherethreeminutesaheadofschedule,andshespentthewaitingtimeposinginfrontofthesurveilncecamera,whichtookherpictureasshewalkedintothedepartmentwithofficesfordiscreetprivateconsultations.
    “Ineedsomeassistancewithanumberoftransactions,”shesaidinOxfordEnglish.Whensheopenedherbriefcase,sheletdropapenfromtheZimmertalHotel,andHerrWagnerpolitelyretrieveditforher.Shegavehimanarchsmileandwroteanaountnumberonthenotepadonthedeskinfrontofher.
    HerrWagnerpigeonholedherasthespoileddaughter,orpossiblymistress,ofsomebigshot.
    “ThereareanumberofaountsattheBankofKroenenfeldintheCaymanIsnds.Automatictransfercanbedonebysequentialclearingcodes,”shesaid.
    “Fr?uleinSholes,naturallyyouhavealltherequiredclearingcodes?”heasked.
    “Abernatürlich,”sherepliedwithsuchaheavyaentthatitwasobviousshehadonlyschool-levelGerman.
    Shestartedrecitingseveralseriesofsixteen-digitnumberswithoutoncereferringtoanypapers.HerrWagnersawthatitwasgoingtobealongmorning,butfora4percentmissiononthetransactions,hewaspreparedtoskiplunch,andhewasgoingtohavetorevisehispigeonholeforFr?uleinSholes.
    ShedidnotleaveBankHauserGeneraluntiljustpastnoon,slightlyterthanpnned,andshewalkedbacktotheZimmertal.Sheputinanappearanceatthefrontdeskbeforeshewentuptoherroomandtookofftheclothesshehadbought.Shekeptonthetexbreastsbutrepcedthepage-boywigwithIreneNesser’sshoulder-lengthblondehair.Sheputonmorefamiliarclothes:bootswithstilettoheels,bcktrousers,asimpleshirt,andanicebckleatherjacketfromMalungsbodeninStockholunkemptbyanymeans,butshewasnolongeranheiress.BeforeIreneNesserlefttheroom,shesortedthroughanumberofbonds,whichshepcedinsideathinportfolio.
    At1:05,afewminutesbehindschedule,shewentintoBankDorffmann,aboutseventyyardsawayfromBankHauserGeneral.IreneNesserhadmadeanappointmentinadvancewithaHerrHasselmann.Sheapologisedforbeingte.ShespokeimpeableGermanwithaNorwegianaent.
    “Noproblematall,Fr?ulein,”HerrHasselmannsaid.“HowcanIbeofservice?”
    “Iwouldliketoopenanaount.IhaveanumberofprivatebondsthatI’dliketoconvert.”
    IreneNesserpcedherportfolioonthedeskinfrontofhim.
    HerrHasselmannexaminedthecontents,hastilyatfirst,andthenmoreslowly.Heraisedaneyebrowandsmiledpolitely.
    Sheopenedfivenumberedaounts,whichshecouldaessviatheInterandwhichwereownedbyanapparentlyanonymouspost-office-boxpanyinGibraltar.Abrokerhadsetthemupforherfor50,000kronorofthemoneyshehadborrowedfromBlomkvist.Shecashedinfiftyofthebondsanddepositedthemoneyintheaounts.Eachbondwasworththeequivalentofonemillionkronor.
    HerbusinessattheBankDorffmannalsotookmoretimethanexpected,sonowshewasevenmorebehindonherschedule.Shehadnochancetotakecareofherfinaltransactionsbeforethebanksclosedfortheday.SoIreneNesserreturnedtotheMatterhornHotel,whereshespentanhourhangingaroundtoestablishherpresence.Butshehadaheadacheandwenttobedearly.Sheboughtsomeaspirinatthefrontdeskandorderedawake-upcallfor8:00a.m.Thenshewentbacktoherroom.
    Itwascloseto5:00p.m.,andallthebanksinEuropewereclosedforbusiness.ButthebanksinNorthandSouthAmericawereopen.ShebootedupherPoweranduplinkedtothethroughhermobile.ShespentanhouremptyingthenumberedaountsshehadopenedatBankDorffmannearlierintheday.
    Shedividedthemoneyupintosmalmountsandusedittopayinvoicesforargenumberoffictionalpaniesaroundtheworld.Whenshewasdone,themoneyhadstrangelyenoughbeentransferredbacktotheBankofKroenenfeldintheCaymanIsnds,butthistimetoanentirelydifferentaountthantheonefromwhichithadbeenwithdrawnearlierthatday.
    IreneNesserconsideredthisfirststagetobesecureandalmostimpossibletotrace.Shemadeonepaymentfromtheaount:thesumofnearlyonemillionkronorwasdepositedintoanaountlinkedtoacreditcardthatshehadinherwallet.TheaountwasownedbyWaspEnterprises,registeredinGibraltar.
    Severalminutesteragirlwithblondepage-boyhairlefttheMatterhornbyadoorintothehotelbar.MonicaSholeswalkedtotheZimmertalHotel,noddedpolitelytothedeskclerk,andtooktheliftuptoherroom.
    ThereshetookhertimeputtingonMonicaSholes’batuniform,touchinguphermake-up,andapplyinganextrayerofskincreamtothetattoobeforeshewentdowntothehotelrestaurantandhadaninsanelydeliciousfishdinner.Sheorderedabottleofvintagewihatshehadneverheardofbeforethoughitcost1,200kronor,drankonegss,andnonchantlylefttherestbeforeshewentintothehotelbar.Sheleftabsurdtips,whichcertainlymadethestaffnoticeher.
    ShespentquiteawhileallowingherselftobepickedupbyadrunkyoungItalianwithanaristocraticnamewhichshedidnotbothertoremember.Theysharedtwobottlesofchampagne,ofwhichshedrankalmostonegss.
    Around11:00herintoxicatedsuitorleanedforwardandboldlysqueezedherbreast.Shemovedhishanddowntothetable,feelingpleased.Hedidnotseemtohavenoticedthathewassqueezingsofttex.Attimestheyweresoloudthattheycausedacertainamountofirritationamongtheotherguests.Justbeforemidnight,whenMonicaSholesnoticedthatahallporterwaskeepingasterneyeonthem,shehelpedherItalianboyfrienduptohisroom.
    Whenhewenttothebathroom,shepouredonestgssofwine.SheopenedafoldedpieceofpaperandspikedthewinewithacrushedRohypnolsleepingtablet.Hepassedoutinamiserableheaponthebedwithinaminuteaftershedrankatoastwithhim.Sheloosenedhistie,pulledoffhisshoes,anddrewacoveroverhim.Shewipedthebottleclean,thenwashedthegssesinthebathroomandwipedthemofftoobeforegoingbacktoherroom.
    MonicaSholeshadbreakfastinherroomat6:00andcheckedoutoftheZimmertat6:55.Beforeleavingherroom,shespentfiveminuteswipingofffingerprintsfromthedoorhandles,wardrobes,toilet,telephone,andotherobjectsintheroomthatshehadtouched.
    IreneNessercheckedoutoftheMatterhornaround8:30,shortlyafterthewake-upcall.Shetookataxiandleftherluggageinalockerattherailwaystation.Thenshespentthenextfewhoursvisitingnineprivatebanks,whereshedistributedsomeoftheprivatebondsfromtheCaymanIsnds.By3:00intheafternoonshehadconvertedabout10percentofthebondsintocash,whichshedepositedinthirtynumberedaounts.Therestofthebondsshebundledupandputinasafe-depositbox.
    IreneNesserwouldneedtomakeseveralmorevisitstoZürich,buttherewasnoimmediatehurry.
    At4:30thatafternoonIreneNessertookataxitotheairport,whereshewentintothedies’roomandcutupMonicaSholes’passportintolittlepieces,flushingthemdownthetoilet.Thecreditcardshealsocutupandputthebitsinfivedifferentrubbishbins,andthescissorstoo.AfterSeptember11itwasnotagoodideatoattractattentionbyhavinganysharpobjectsinyourbaggage.
    IreneNessertookLufthansaflightGD890toOsloandcaughttheairportbustotheOslotrainstation,whereshewentintothedies’roomandsortedthroughherclothes.ShepcedallitemsbelongingtotheMonicaSholespersona—thepage-boywigandthedesignerclothes—inthreepsticbagsandtossedthemintothreedifferentrubbishcontainersandwastebasketsinthetrainstation.SheputtheemptySamsonitesuitcaseinanunlockedlocker.Thegoldchainandearringsweredesignerjewellerythatcouldbetraced;theydisappeareddownadraininthestreetoutsidethestation.
    Afteramomentofanxioushesitation,IreneNesserdecidedtokeepthefaketexbreasts.
    BythenshedidnothavemuchtimeandtookonsomefuelintheformofahamburgerfromMcDonald’swhileshetransferredthecontentsoftheluxuryleatherbriefcasetohertravelbag.Whensheleft,theemptybriefcaseremainedunderthetable.SheboughtattetogoatakioskandrantocatchthenighttraintoStockholm.Shearrivedasthedoorswereclosing.Shehadedaprivatesleepingberth.
    Whenshelockedthedoortoherpartment,shecouldfeelthatforthefirsttimeintwodays,heradrenalinelevelshadreturnedtonormal.Sheopenedthepartmentwindowanddefiedtheno-smokingregutions.ShestoodtheresippingathercoffeeasthetrainrolledoutofOslo.
    Sheranthroughherchecklisttobesurethatshehadfottennodetail.Afteramomentshefrownedandrummagedthroughherjacketpockets.ShetookouttheplimentarypenfromtheZimmertalHotendstudieditforseveralminutesbeforeshetosseditoutofthewindow.
    Afterfifteenminutesshecreptintobedandfelsleep.
    EPILOGUE:FINALAUDIT
    Thursday,November27–Tuesday,December30
    Millennium’sspecialreportonHans-ErikWennerstr?mtookupallofforty-sixpagesofthemagazineandexplodedlikeatimebombthestweekofNovember.ThemainstoryappearedunderthejointbylineofMikaelBlomkvistandErikaBerger.Forthefirstfewhoursthemediadidnotknowhowtohandlethescoop.AsimirstoryjustayearearlierhadresultedinBlomkvistbeingconvictedoflibel,andithadalsoapparentlyresultedinhisbeingdismissedfromMillenniuwthesamemagazinewasbackwithastorybythesamejournalistcontainingmuchmoreseriousallegationsthanthearticleforwhichhehadrunintosomuchtrouble.Somepartsofthereportweresoabsurdthattheydefiedmonsense.TheSwedishmediasatandwaited,filledwithmistrust.
    ButthateveningSheonTV4ledoffwithaneleven-minutesummaryofthehighlightsinBlomkvist’sausations.Bergerhadlunchedwiththehostseveraldaysearlierandgivenheranadvanceexclusive.
    TV4’sbrutalprofilescoopedthestate-runnewschannels,whichdidnotcmberontothebandwagonuntilthe9:00news.BythentheTTwireservicehadalsosentoutitsfirstwirewiththecautiousheadline:CONVICTEDJOURNALISTAUSESFINANCIEROFSERIOUSCRIME.ThetextwasarewriteoftheTVstory,butthefactthatTTaddressedthesubjectatallunleashedfeverishactivityattheConservativemorningnewspaperandatadozenofthergerregionalpapersastheyresettheirfrontpagesbeforethepressesstartedrolling.Upuntilthen,thepapershadmoreorlessdecidedtoignoretheMillenniumallegations.
    TheLiberalmorningnewspapermentedonMillennium’sscoopintheformofaneditorial,writtenpersonallybytheeditorinchief,earlierintheafternoon.TheeditorinchiefthenwenttoadinnerpartyasTV4startedbroadcastingitsnewsprogramme.Hedismissedhissecretary’sfrantiallsthatthere“mightbesomething”toBlomkvist’scimswiththeseterfamouswords:“Nonsense—iftherewere,ourfinancialreporterswouldhavefoundoutaboutitlongago.”Consequently,theLiberaleditorinchief’seditorialwastheonlymediavoiceinthecountrythatbutcheredMillennium’scims.Theeditorialcontainedphrasessuchas:personalvendetta,criminallysloppyjournalism,anddemandsthatmeasuresbetakenagainstindictableallegationsregardingdecentcitizens.Butthatwastheonlycontributiontheeditorinchiefmadeduringthedebate.
    ThatnighttheMillenniumeditorialofficeswerefullystaffed.Aordingtotheirpns,onlyBergerandthenewmanagingeditor,MalinEriksson,wereduetobetheretohandleanycalls.Butby10:00p.m.theentirestaffwasstillthere,andtheyhadalsobeenjoinedbynofewerthanfourformerstaffmembersandhalfadozenregurfreencers.AtmidnightMalmopenedabottleofchampagne.Thatwaswhenanoldacquaintancesentoveranadvancecopyfromoneoftheeveningpapers,whichdevotedsixteenpagestotheWennerstr?maffairundertheheadliHEFINANCIALMAFIA.Whentheeveningpaperscameoutthenextday,amediafrenzyerupted,thelikesofwhichhadseldombeenseenbefore.
    ErikssonconcludedthatshewasgoingtoenjoyworkingatMillennium.
    Duringthefollowingweek,theSwedishStockExchangetrembledasthesecuritiesfraudpolicebeganinvestigating,prosecutorswerecalledin,andapanickysellingspreesetin.TwodaysafterthepublicationtheMinisterofmercemadeastatementon“theWennerstr?maffair.”
    Thefrenzydidnotmean,however,thatthemediaswallowedMillennium’scimswithoutcriticism—therevetionswerefartooseriousforthat.ButunlikethefirstWennerstr?maffair,thistimeMillenniumcouldpresentaconvincingburdenofproof:Wennerstr?m’sownemailsandcopiesofthecontentsofhisputer,whichcontainedbancesheetsfromsecretbankassetsintheCaymanIsndsandtwodozenothercountries,secretagreements,andotherblundersthatamorecautiousracketeerwouldneverinhislifehaveleftonhisharddrive.ItsoonbecameclearthatifMillennium’scimsheldupinacourtofappeals—andeveryoneagreedthatthecasewouldenduptheresoonerorter—thenitwasbyfarthebiggestbubbletoburstintheSwedishfinancialworldsincetheKreugercrashof1932.TheWennerstr?maffairmadealltheGotabankimbrogliosandTrustorfraudspaleinparison.Thiswasfraudonsuchagrandscalethatno-oneevendaredtospecuteonhowmanywshadbeenbroken.
    ForthefirsttimeinSwedishfinancialreporting,theterms“anisedcrime,”“Mafia,”and“gangsterempire”wereused.Wennerstr?mandhisyoungstockbrokers,partners,andArmani-cdwyersemergedlikeabandofhoodlums.
    Duringthefirstdaysofthemediafrenzy,Blomkvistwasinvisible.Hedidnotanswerhisemailsandcouldnotbereachedbytelephone.AlleditorialmentsonbehalfofMillenniumweremadebyBerger,whopurredlikeacatasshewasinterviewedbytheSwedishnationalmediaandimportantregionalnewspapers,andeventuallyalsobyagrowingnumberofoverseasmedia.EachtimeshewasaskedhowMillenniumhadeintopossessionofallthoseprivateandinternaldocuments,sherepliedsimplythatshewasunabletorevealthemagazine’ssource.
    Whenshewasaskedwhythepreviousyear’sexposéofWennerstr?mhadbeensuchafiasco,shewasevenmoredelphic.Sheneverlied,butshemaynotalwayshavetoldthewholetruth.Offtherecord,whenshedidnothaveamicrophoneunderhernose,shewouldutterafewmysteriouscatchphrases,which,ifpiecedtogether,ledtosomeratherrashconclusions.Thatishowarumourwasbornthatsoonassumedlegendaryproportions,cimingthatMikaelBlomkvisthadnotpresentedanysortofdefenceathistriandhadvoluntarilysubmittedtotheprisonsentenceandheavyfinesbecauseotherwisehisdocumentationwouldhaveledinevitablytotheidentificationofhissource.HewasparedtorolemodelsintheAmericanmediawhohadaeptedgaolratherthanrevealtheirsources,andBlomkvistwasdescribedasaheroinsuchludicrouslyftteringtermsthathewasquiteembarrassed.Butthiswasnotimetodenythemisunderstanding.
    Therewasohingthateveryoneagreedon:thepersonwhohaddeliveredthedocumentationhadtobesomeonewithinWennerstr?m’smosttrustedcircle.Thisledtoadebateaboutwhothe“DeepThroat”was:colleagueswithreasontobedissatisfied,wyers,evenWennerstr?m’scocaine-addicteddaughterandotherfamilymemberswereputupaspossiblecandidates.NeitherBlomkvistnorBergermentedonthesubject.
    Bergersmiledhappily,knowingthattheyhadwonwhenaneveningpaperonthethirddayofthefrenzyrantheheadlineMILLENNIUM’SREVENGE.Thearticlewasaningratiatingportraitofthemagazineanditsstaff,includingillustrationswithaparticurlyfavourableportraitofBerger.Shewasnamedthe“queenofinvestigativejournalism.”Thatsortofthingwonpointsintherankingsoftheentertainmentpages,andtherewastalkoftheBigJournalismPrize.
    FivedaysafterMillenniumfiredthefirstsalvo,Blomkvist’sTheMafiaBankerappearedinshops.ThehadbeenwrittenduringthosefeverishdaysatSandhamninSeptemberandOctober,andingreathasteandundertheutmostsecrecyitwasprintedbyHallvigsRekminMong?va.ItwasthefirsttobepublishedunderMillennium’sownlogo.Itwaseentricallydedicated:ToSally,whoshowedmethebenefitsofthesportofgolf.
    Itwasabrickofa,608pagesinpaperback.Thefirsteditionof2,000copieswasvirtuallyguaranteedtobealosingproposition,buttheprintrunactuallysoldoutinacoupleofdays,andBergerordered10,000morecopies.
    Thereviewersconcludedthatthistime,atanyrate,MikaelBlomkvisthadnointentionofholdingbacksinceitwasamatterofpublishingextensivesourcereferences.Inthisregardtheywereright.Two-thirdsoftheconsistedofappendicesthatwereactualcopiesofthedocumentationfromWennerstr?m’sputer.Atthesametimeasthewaspublished,MillenniumputthetextsfromWennerstr?m’sputerassourcematerialindownloadablePDFfilesontheirwebsite.
    Blomkvist’sextraordinaryabsencewaspartofthemediastrategythatheandBergerhadputtogether.Everynewspaperinthecountrywaslookingforhim.NotuntilthewasuncheddidhegiveanexclusiveinterviewtoSheonTV4,onceagainscoopingthestate-runstations.Butthequestionswereanythingbutsycophantic.
    Blomkvistwasespeciallypleasedwithoneexchangewhenhewatchedavideoofhisappearance.TheinterviewwasbroadcastliveattheverymomentwhentheStockholmStockExchangefounditselfinfreefalndahandfuloffinancialyuppieswerethreateningtothrowthemselvesoutofwindows.HewasaskedwhatwasMillennium’sresponsibilitywithregardtothefactthatSweden’seconomywasnowheadedforacrash.
    “TheideathatSweden’seconomyisheadedforacrashisnonsense,”Blomkvistsaid.
    ThehostofSheonTV4lookedperplexed.Hisreplydidnotfollowthepatternshehadexpected,andshewasforcedtoimprovise.Blomkvistgotthefollow-upquestionhewashopingfor.“We’reexperiencingthergestsingledropinthehistoryoftheSwedishstockexchange—andyouthinkthat’snonsense?”
    “Youhavetodistinguishbetweentwothings—theSwedisheconomyandtheSwedishstockmarket.TheSwedisheconomyisthesumofallthegoodsandservicesthatareproducedinthiscountryeveryday.TherearetelephonesfromEricsson,carsfromVolvo,chickensfromScan,andshipmentsfromKirunatoSk?vde.That’stheSwedisheconomy,andit’sjustasstrongorweaktodayasitwasaweekago.”
    Hepausedforeffectandtookasipofwater.
    “TheStockExchangeissomethingverydifferent.Thereisnoeconomyandnoproductionofgoodsandservices.Thereareonlyfantasiesinwhichpeoplefromonehourtothenextdecidethatthisorthatpanyisworthsomanybillions,moreorless.Itdoesn’thaveathingtodowithrealityorwiththeSwedisheconomy.”
    “Soyou’resayingthatitdoesn’tmatteriftheStockExchangedropslikearock?”
    “No,itdoesn’tmatteratall,”Blomkvistsaidinavoicesowearyandresignedthathesoundedlikesomesortoforacle.Hiswordswouldbequotedmanytimesoverthefollowingyear.Thenhewenton.
    “ItonlymeansthatabunchofheavyspecutorsarenowmovingtheirshareholdingsfromSwedishpaniestoGermanones.Soit’sthefinancialgnomesthatsometoughreportershouldidentifyandexposeastraitors.They’retheoneswhoaresystematicallyandperhapsdeliberatelydamagingtheSwedisheconomyinordertosatisfytheprofitinterestsoftheirclients.”
    ThenSheonTV4madethemistakeofaskingexactlythequestionthatBlomkvisthadhopedfor.
    “Andsoyouthinkthatthemediadon’thaveanyresponsibility?”
    “Ohyes,themediadohaveanenormousresponsibility.ForatleasttwentyyearsmanyfinancialreportershaverefrainedfromscrutinisingHans-ErikWennerstr?m.Onthecontrary,theyhaveactuallyhelpedtobuilduphisprestigebypublishingbrainless,idotrousportraits.Iftheyhadbeendoingtheirworkproperly,wewouldnotfindourselvesinthissituationtoday.”
    Blomkvist’sappearancemarkedaturningpoint.Inhindsight,BergerwasconvincedthatitwasonlywhenBlomkvistwentonTVandcalmlydefendedhiscimsthattheSwedishmedia,inspiteofthefactthatMillenniumhadbeenallovertheheadlinesforaweek,recognisedthatthestoryreallydidholdup.Hisattitudesetthecourseforthestory.
    AftertheinterviewtheWennerstr?maffairimperceptiblyslippedfromthefinancialsectionovertothedesksofthecrimereporters.Inthepast,ordinarycrimereportershadseldomorneverwrittenaboutfinancialcrime,exceptifithadtodowiththeRussianmoborYugosvcigarettesmugglers.CrimereporterswerenotexpectedtoinvestigateintricatedealingsontheStockExchange.OneeveningpapereventookBlomkvistathiswordandfilledtwospreadswithportraitsofseveralofthebrokeragehouses’mostimportantpyers,whowereintheprocessofbuyingupGermansecurities.Thepaper’sheadlinereadSELLINGOUTTHEIRCOUNTRY.Allthebrokerswereinvitedtomentontheallegations.Everyoneofthemdeclined.Butthetradingofsharesdecreasedsignificantlythatday,andsomebrokerswhowantedtolooklikeprogressivepatriotsstartedgoingagainstthestream.Blomkvistburstoutughing.
    ThepressuregottobesogreatthatsombremenindarksuitsputonaconcernedexpressionandbrokewiththemostimportantruleoftheexclusiveclubthatmadeuptheinnermostcirclesofSwedishfinance—theymentedonacolleague.AllofasuddenretiredindustrialleadersandbankpresidentswereappearingonTVandansweringquestionsinanattemptatdamagecontrol.Everyonerealisedtheseriousnessofthesituation,anditwasamatterofdistancingthemselvesasquicklyaspossiblefromtheWennerstr?mGroupandsheddinganysharestheymighthold.Wennerstr?mwasnot,afterall,arealindustrialist,andhehadneverbeentrulyaeptedinto“theclub.”Somepointedoutthathewasjustasimpleworking-cssboyfromNorrndwhosesuessmayhavegoohishead.Somedescribedhisactionsasapersonaltragedy.OthersdiscoveredthattheyhadhadtheirdoubtsaboutWennerstr?mforyears—hewastooboastfundheputonairs.
    Duringthefollowingweeks,asMillennium’sdocumentationwasscrutinised,pulledapart,andpiecedtogetheragain,theWennerstr?mempireofobscurepanieswaslinkedtotheheartoftheinternationalMafia,includingeverythingfromillegarmsdealingandmoneyunderingforSouthAmericandrugcartelstoprostitutioninNewYork,andevenindirectlytothechildsextradeinMexico.OneWennerstr?mpanyregisteredinCypruscausedadramaticstirwhenitwasrevealedthatithadattemptedtobuyenricheduraniumonthebckmarketinUkraine.Wennerstr?m’sapparentlyinexhaustiblesupplyofobscurepost-office-boxpaniesseemedtobecroppingupeverywhere,linkedtoallmannerofshadyenterprises.
    BergerthoughtthatthewasthebestthingBlomkvisthadeverwritten.Itwasunevenstylistically,andinpcesthewritingwasactuallyratherpoor—therehadbeennotimeforanyfinepolishing—butthewasanimatedbyafurythatnoreadercouldhelpbutnotice.
    BychanceBlomkvistranintohisoldadversary,theformerfinancialreporterWilliamB,infrontofKvarnenwhenBlomkvist,Berger,andMalmtooktheeveningofftocelebratetheSantaLuciaholidayalongwiththemagazine’sotheremployees,goingouttodrinkthemselvessenselessatthepany’sexpense.B’spanionwasaverydrunkgirboutSander’sage.
    Blomkvist’sloathingforBwaspalpable.BergerinterruptedthemachoposturingbytakingBlomkvistbythearmandleadinghimintothebar.
    Blomkvistdecidedthatwhentheopportunityarose,hewouldaskSandertodooneofherpersonalinvestigationsofB.Justforform’ssake.
    Duringthewholemediastormthemaincharacterinthedrama,thefinancierWennerstr?m,wasforthemostpartinvisible.OnthedaythatMillenniumpublisheditsarticle,thefinancierwasforcedtomentonthetextatapressconferencethathadbeencalledforadifferentpurpose.Hedecredtheallegationsunfoundedandsaidthatthedocumentationreferredtowasfabricated.Heremindedeveryohatthesamereporterhadbeenconvictedoflibelonlyoneyearbefore.
    AfterthatonlyWennerstr?m’swyerswouldanswerquestionsfromthemedia.TwodaysafterBlomkvist’scameout,apersistentrumourbegancircutingthatWennerstr?mhadleftSweden.Theeveningpapersusedtheword“fled.”Duringthesecondweek,whenthesecuritiesfraudpolicetriedtocontactWennerstr?m,hewasnowheretobefound.Inmid-DecemberthepoliceconfirmedthatWennerstr?mwasformallysought,andonthedaybeforeNewYear’sEve,anall-pointsbulletinwassentoutviatheinternationalpoliceanisations.TheverysamedayoneofWennerstr?m’sadviserswasseizedatArndaashewasboardingapneforLondon.
    SeveralweeksteraSwedishtouristreportedthathehadseenWennerstr?mgetintoacarinBridgetown,thecapitalofBarbados.Asproofofhiscim,thetouristsubmittedaphotograph,takenfromquiteadistanceaway,showingawhitemanwearingsungsses,anopenwhiteshirt,andlight-colouredscks.Hecouldnotbeidentifiedwithcertainty,buttheeveningpaperscontactedstringerswhotriedwithoutsuesstotrackdownthefugitivebillionaire.
    Aftersixmonthsthehuntwascalledoff.ThenWennerstr?mwasfounddeadinanapartmentinMarbel,Spain,wherehehadbeenlivingunderthenameofVictorFleming.Hehadbeenshotthreetimesintheheadatcloserange.TheSpanishpolicewereworkingonthetheory,theirstatementsaid,thathehadsurprisedaburgr.
    Wennerstr?m’sdeathcameasnosurprisetoSander.Shesuspected,withgoodreason,thathisdemisehadtodowiththefactthathenolongerhadaesstothemoneyinacertainbankintheCaymanIsnds,whichhemayhaveneededtopayoffcertaindebtsinColombia.
    IfanyonehadaskedforSander’shelpintrackingWennerstr?m,shecouldhavetoldthemalmostonadailybasiswherehewas.ViatheIntershehadfollowedhisflightthroughadozencountriesandremarkedagrowingdesperationinhisemails.NotevenBlomkvistwouldhavethoughtthatthefugitiveex-billionairewouldbestupidenoughtotakealongtheputerthathadbeensothoroughlyperated.
    AftersixmonthsSandergrewtiredoftrackingWennerstr?m.Thequestionthatremainedtobeansweredwashowfarherowninvolvementshouldreach.Wennerstr?mwaswithoutadoubtanOlympic-csscreep,buthewasnotherpersonalenemy,andshehadnointerestininvolvingherselfagainsthim.ShecouldtipoffBlomkvist,buthewouldprobablyjustpublishastory.Shecouldtipoffthepolice,buttherewasquiteachancethatWennerstr?mwouldbeforewarnedandagaindisappear.Besides,onprinciple,shedidnottalktothepolice.
    Buttherewereotherdebtsthathadtobepaid.Shethoughtabouttheonce-pregnantwaitresswhoseheadhadbeenshovedunderwaterinherownbath.
    FourdaysbeforeWennerstr?m’sbodywasfound,shemadeuphermind.SheswitchedonhermobileandcalledawyerinMiami,whoseemedtobeoneofthepeopleWennerstr?mwasmakingabigefforttohidefrohenameWennerstr?mandanaddressinMarbel.Thatwasall.
    SheturnedofftheTVnewshalfwaythroughadramaticreportaboutWennerstr?m’sdemise.Sheputonsomecoffeeandfixedherselfaliverpatéandcucumbersandwich.
    BergerandMalmweretakingcareoftheannualChristmasarrangementswhileBlomkvistsatinErika’schair,drinkinggl?ggandlookingon.AllthestaffandmanyoftheregurfreencerswouldreceiveaChristmasgift—thisyearashoulderbagwiththenewMillenniumpublishinghouselogo.Afterwrappingthepresents,theysatdowntowriteandstampabout200cardstosendtoprintingpanies,photographers,andmediacolleagues.
    Blomkvisttriedforthelongesttimetowithstandthetemptationbutfinallyhecouldn’tresist.Hepickeduptheverystcardandwrote:MerryChristmasandHappyNewYear.Thanksforyoursplendideffortsduringthepastyear.
    HesignedhisnameandaddressedthecardtoJanneDahlman,c/otheeditorialofficesofMonopolyFinancialMagazine.
    WhenBlomkvistgothomethateveningtherewasaslipnotifyinghimofapostalpackage.Hewenttopickitupthenextmorning,openingitwhenhegottotheoffice.Thepackagecontainedamosquito-repellentstickandabottleofReimersholmsaquavit.Thecardread:Ifyoudon’thaveotherpns,I’llbedockedatArholmaonMidsummerEve.ItwassignedRobertLindberg.
    TraditionallytheMillenniumofficeswereclosedtheweekbeforeChristmasandthroughtheNewYear’sholiday.Thisyearitdidnotworkoutthatway.Thestrainonthesmallstaffhadbeenenormous,andjournalistswerestillcallingfromallovertheworldonadailybasis.ItwasthedaybeforeChristmasEvewhenBlomkvist,almostbychance,happenedtoreadanarticleintheFinancialTimessummingupthefindingsoftheinternationalbankingmissionthathadbeenestablishedinallhastetoscrutinisethecolpseoftheWennerstr?mempire.ThearticlesaidthatthemissionwasworkingonthehypothesisthatWennerstr?mhadprobablybeentippedoffatthestminuteabouttheimpendingdisclosures.
    HisaountatBankofKroenenfeldintheCaymanIsnds,containing260million—approximately2.5billionSwedishkronor—hadbeenemptiedthedaybeforeMillenniumpublisheditsexposé.
    Themoneyhadbeenspreadoveranumberofaounts,andonlyWennerstr?mpersonallycouldmakewithdrawals.Hedidnothavetobepresentatthebank;itwasenoughforhimtopresentaseriesofclearingcodesinordertotransferthemoneytoanybankintheworld.ThemoneyhadbeentransferredtoSwitzernd,whereafemaleassociatehadconvertedthefundsintoanonymousprivatebonds.Alltheclearingcodeswereinorder.
    EuropolhadunchedasearchforthewomanwhohadusedastolenBritishpassportinthenameofMonicaSholesandwhowassaidtohavelivedalifeofluxuryatoneofZürich’smostexpensivehotels.Aretivelyclearpicture,consideringthatitcamefromasurveilncecamera,showedashortwomanwithablondepage-boy,widelips,andprominentbreastswearingfashionabledesignerclothesandgoldjewellery.
    Blomkviststudiedthepicture,givingitfirstaquickgnceandthenlookingatitwithincreasingsuspicion.Afterseveralsecondsherummagedinhisdeskforamagnifyinggssandtriedtomakeoutthedetailsofthefacialfeaturesinthenewspaper’sscreenedimage.
    Atstheputdownthepaperandsatthere,speechless,forseveralminutes.ThenhestartedughingsohystericallythatMalmstuckhisheadroundthedoortofindoutwhatwasgoingon.
    OnthemorningofChristmasEveBlomkvistwentoutto?rstatoseehisex-wifeandhisdaughter,Pernil,andexchangegifts.Pernilgottheputershewanted,whichBlomkvistandMonicahadboughttogether.BlomkvistgotatiefromMonicaandadetectivenovelby?keEdwardsonfromhisdaughter.UnlikethepreviousChristmas,theywereinhighspiritsbecauseofthemedia