timesoverintenyears.latelyanewclientgrouphadarisen:affluentwomenseekingprotectionfromformerboyfriendsorhusbandsorfromstalkers.inaddition,miltonsecurityhadacooperativearrangementwithsimilarfirmsofgoodreputeineuropeandtheunitedstates.thepanyalsohandledsecurityformanyinternationalvisitorstosweden,includinganamericanactresswhowasshootingafilmfortwomonthsintrollh?ttan.heragentfeltthatherstatuswarrantedhavingbodyguardsacpanyherwhenevershetookherinfrequentwalksnearthehotel.
afourth,considerablysmallerareathatoupiedonlyafewemployeeswaswhatwascalledpiorp-in,ininternaljargonpinders,whichstoodforpersonalinvestigations.
armanskywasnotaltogetherenamouredofthispartoftheirbusiness.itwastroublesomeandlesslucrative.itputgreaterdemandsontheemployees’judgementandexperiencethanontheirknowledgeoftelemunicationstechnologyortheinstallationofsurveillanceapparatus.personalinvestigationswereaeptablewhenitwasamatterofcreditrmation,backgroundchecksbeforehiring,ortoinvestigatesuspicionsthatsomeemployeehadleakedpanyrmationorengagedincriminalactivity.insuchcasesthepinderswereanintegralpartoftheoperationalactivity.butnotinfrequentlyhisbusinessclientswoulddraginprivateproblemsthathadatendencytocreateunweleturmoil.iwanttoknowwhatsortofcreepmydaughterisgoingoutwith…ithinkmywifeisbeingunfaithful…theguyisokbuthe’smixedupwithbadpany…i’mbeingblackmailed…armanskyoftengavethemastraightforwardno.ifthedaughterwasanadult,shehadtherighttogooutwithanycreepshewantedto,andhethoughtinfidelitywassomethingthathusbandsandwivesoughttoworkoutontheirown.hiddeninallsuchinquiriesweretrapsthatcouldleadtoscandalandcreatelegalproblemsformiltonsecurity.whichwaswhydraganarmanskykeptaclosewatchontheseassignments,inspiteofhowmodesttherevenuewas.
themorning’stopicwasjustsuchapersonalinvestigation.armanskystraightenedthecreaseinhistrousersbeforeheleanedbackinhisfortablechair.heglancedsuspiciouslyathiscolleaguelisbethsalander,whowasthirty-twoyearshisjunior.hethoughtforthethousandthtimethatnobodyseemedmoreoutofplaceinaprestigioussecurityfirmthanshedid.hismistrustwasbothwiseandirrational.inarmansky’seyes,salanderwasbeyonddoubtthemostableinvestigatorhehadmetinallhisyearsinthebusiness.duringthefouryearsshehadworkedforhimshehadneveroncefumbledajoborturnedinasinglemediocrereport.
onthecontrary,herreportswereinaclassbythemselves.armanskywasconvincedthatshepossessedauniquegift.anybodycouldfindoutcreditrmationorrunacheckwithpolicerecords.butsalanderhadimagination,andshealwayscamebackwithsomethingdifferentfromwhatheexpected.howshedidit,hehadneverunderstood.sometimeshethoughtthatherabilitytogatherrmationwassheermagic.sheknewthebureaucraticarchivesinsideout.aboveall,shehadtheabilitytogetundertheskinofthepersonshewasinvestigating.iftherewasanydirttobedugup,shewouldhomeinonitlikeacruisemissile.
somehowshehadalwayshadthisgift.
herreportscouldbeacatastrophefortheindividualwholandedinherradar.armanskywouldneverfetthetimeheassignedhertodoaroutinecheckonaresearcherinthepharmaceuticalindustrybeforeacorporatebuyout.thejobwasscheduledtotakeaweek,butitdraggedonforawhile.afterfourweeks’silenceandseveralreminders,whichsheignored,salandercamebackwithareportdocumentingthatthesubjectinquestionwasapaedophile.ontwooasionshehadboughtsexfromathirteen-year-oldchildprostituteintallinn,andtherewereindicationsthathehadanunhealthyinterestinthedaughterofthewomanwithwhomhewascurrentlyliving.
salanderhadhabitsthatsometimesdrovearmanskytotheedgeofdespair.inthecaseofthepaedophile,shedidnotpickupthetelephoneandcallarmanskyoreintohisofficewantingtotalktohim.no,withoutindicatingbyasinglewordthatthereportmightcontainexplosivematerial,shelaiditonhisdeskoneevening,justasarmanskywasabouttoleavefortheday.hereaditonlylatethatevening,ashewasrelaxingoverabottleofwineinfrontofthetvwithhiswifeintheirvillaonliding?.
thereportwas,asalways,almostscientificallyprecise,withfootnotes,quotations,andsourcereferences.thefirstfewpagesgavethesubject’sbackground,education,career,andfinancialsituation.notuntilpage24didsalanderdropthebombshellaboutthetripstotallinn,inthesamedry-as-dusttonesheusedtoreportthathelivedinsollentunaanddroveadarkbluevolvo.shereferredtodocumentationinanexhaustiveappendix,includingphotographsofthethirteen-year-oldgirlinthepanyofthesubject.thepictureshadbeentakeninahotelcorridorintallinn,andthemanhadhishandunderthegirl’ssweater.salanderhadtrackeddownthegirlinquestionandshehadprovidedheraountontape.
thereporthadcreatedpreciselythechaosthatarmanskyhadwantedtoavoid.firsthehadtoswallowafewulcertabletsprescribedbyhisdoctor.thenhecalledintheclientforasombreemergencymeeting.finally—overtheclient’sfierceobjections—hewasforcedtoreferthematerialtothepolice.thismeantthatmiltonsecurityriskedbeingdrawnintoatangledweb.ifsalander’sevidencecouldnotbesubstantiatedorthemanwasacquitted,thepanymightriskalibelsuit.itwasanightmare.
however,itwasnotlisbethsalander’sastonishinglackofemotionalinvolvementthatmostupsethim.milton’simagewasoneofconservativestability.salanderfittedintothispictureaboutaswellasabuffaloataboatshow.armansky’sstarresearcherwasapale,anorexicyoungwomanwhohadhairasshortasafuse,andapiercednoseandeyebrows.shehadawasptattooaboutaninchlongonherneck,atattooedlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarmandanotheraroundherleftankle.onthoseoasionswhenshehadbeenwearingatanktop,armanskyalsosawthatshehadadragontattooonherleftshoulderblade.shewasanaturalredhead,butshedyedherhairravenblack.shelookedasthoughshehadjustemergedfromaweek-longywithagangofhardrockers.
shedidnotinfacthaveaneatingdisorder,armanskywassureofthat.onthecontrary,sheseemedtoconsumeeverykindofjunkfood.shehadsimplybeenbornthin,withslenderbonesthatmadeherlookgirlishandfine-limbedwithsmallhands,narrowwrists,andchildlikebreasts.shewastwenty-four,butshesometimeslookedfourteen.
shehadawidemouth,asmallnose,andhighcheekbonesthatgaveheranalmostasianlook.hermovementswerequickandspidery,andwhenshewasworkingattheputerherfingersflewoverthekeys.herextremeslendernesswouldhavemadeacareerinmodellingimpossible,butwiththerightmake-upherfacecouldhaveputheronanybillboardintheworld.sometimessheworeblacklipstick,andinspiteofthetattoosandthepiercednoseandeyebrowsshewas…well…attractive.itwasinexplicable.
thefactthatsalanderworkedfordraganarmanskyatallwasastonishing.shewasnotthesortofwomanwithwhomhewouldnormallyeintocontact.
shehadbeenhiredasajill-of-all-trades.holgerpalmgren,asemi-retiredlawyerwholookedafteroldj.f.milton’spersonalaffairs,hadtoldarmanskythatthislisbethsalanderwasaquick-wittedgirlwith“arathertryingattitude.”palmgrenhadappealedtohimtogiveherachance,whicharmanskyhad,againsthisbetterjudgement,promisedtodo.palmgrenwasthetypeofmanwhowouldonlytake“no”asanencouragementtoredoublehisefforts,soitwaseasiertosay“yes”rightaway.armanskyknewthatpalmgrendevotedhimselftotroubledkidsandothersocialmisfits,buthedidhavegoodjudgement.
hehadregrettedhisdecisiontohirethegirlthemomenthemether.shedidnotjustseemdifficult—inhiseyesshewastheveryquintessenceofdifficult.shehaddroppedoutofschoolandhadnosortofhighereducation.
thefirstfewmonthsshehadworkedfulltime,well,almostfulltime.sheturnedupattheofficenowandthen.shemadecoffee,wenttothepostoffice,andtookcareofthecopying,butconventionalofficehoursorworkroutineswereanathematoher.ontheotherhand,shehadatalentforirritatingtheotheremployees.shebecameknownas“thegirlwithtwobraincells”—oneforbreathingandoneforstandingup.shenevertalkedaboutherself.colleagueswhotriedtotalktoherseldomgotaresponseandsoongaveup.herattitudeencouragedneithertrustnorfriendship,andshequicklybecameanoutsiderwanderingthecorridorsofmiltonlikeastraycat.shewasgenerallyconsideredahopelesscase.
afteramonthofnothingbuttrouble,armanskysentforher,fullyintendingtolethergo.shelistenedtohiscatalogueofheroffenceswithoutobjectionandwithoutevenraisinganeyebrow.shedidnothavethe“rightattitude,”heconcluded,andwasabouttotellherthatitwouldprobablybeagoodideaifshelookedforemploymentwithanotherfirmthatcouldmakebetteruseofherskills.onlythendidsheinterrupthim.
“youknow,ifyoujustwantanofficeserfyoucangetonefromthetempagency.icanhandleanythingandanyoneyouwant,andifyoudon’thaveanybetteruseformethansortingpost,thenyou’reanidiot.”
armanskysatthere,stunnedandangry,andshewentonunperturbed.
“youhaveamanherewhospentthreeweekswritingapletelyuselessreportaboutthatyuppiethey’rethinkingofrecruitingforthatdot-pany.icopiedthepieceofcrapforhimlastnight,andiseeit’slyingonyourdesknow.”
armansky’seyeswenttothereport,andforachangeheraisedhisvoice.
“you’renotsupposedtoreadconfidentialreports.”
“apparentlynot,butthesecurityroutinesinyourfirmhaveanumberofshortings.aordingtoyourdirectivehe’ssupposedtocopysuchthingshimself,buthechuckedthereportatmebeforeheleftforthebaryesterday.andbytheway,ifoundhispreviousreportinthecanteen.”
“youdidwhat?”
“calmdown.iputitinhisin-box.”
“didhegiveyouthebinationtohisdocumentsafe?”armanskywasaghast.
“notexactly;hewroteitonapieceofpaperhekeptunderneathhisblotteralongwiththepasswordtohisputer.butthepointisthatyourjokeofaprivatedetectivehasdoneaworthlesspersonalinvestigation.hemissedthefactthattheguyhasoldgamblingdebtsandsnortscocainelikeavacuumcleaner.orthathisgirlfriendhadtoseekhelpfromthewomen’scrisiscentreafterhebeatthe**outofher.”
armanskysatforacoupleofminutesturningthepagesofthereport.itwaspetentlysetout,writteninclearlanguage,andfilledwithsourcereferencesaswellasstatementsfromthesubject’sfriendsandacquaintances.finallyheraisedhiseyesandsaidtwowords:“proveit.”
“howmuchtimehaveigot?”
“threedays.ifyoucan’tproveyourallegationsbyfridayafternoonyou’refired.”
threedayslatershedeliveredareportwhich,withequallyexhaustivesourcereferences,transformedtheoutwardlypleasantyoungyuppieintoanunreliablebastard.armanskyreadherreportovertheweekend,severaltimes,andspentpartofmondaydoingahalf-hearteddouble-checkofsomeofherassertions.evenbeforehebeganheknewthatherrmationwouldprovetobeaurate.
armanskywasbewilderedandalsoangrywithhimselfforhavingsoobviouslymisjudgedher.hehadtakenherforstupid,maybeevenretarded.hehadnotexpectedthatagirlwhohadcutsomanyclassesinschoolthatshedidnotgraduatecouldwriteareportsogrammaticallycorrect.italsocontaineddetailedobservationsandrmation,andhequitesimplycouldnotprehendhowshecouldhaveacquiredsuchfacts.
hecouldnotimagihatanyoneelseatmiltonsecuritywouldhaveliftedexcerptsfromtheconfidentialjournalofadoctoratawomen’scrisiscentre.whenheaskedherhowshehadmanagedthat,shetoldhimthatshehadnointentionofburninghersources.itbecameclearthatsalanderwasnotgoingtodiscussherworkmethods,eitherwithhimorwithanyoneelse.thisdisturbedhim—butnotenoughforhimtoresistthetemptationtotesther.
hethoughtaboutthematterforseveraldays.herecalledholgerpalmgren’ssayingwhenhehadsenthertohim,“everyonedeservesachance.”hethoughtabouthisownmuslimupbringing,whichhadtaughthimthatitwashisdutytogodtohelptheoutcasts.ofcoursehedidnotbelieveingodandhadnotbeeninamosquesincehewasateenager,butherecognisedlisbethsalanderasapersoninneedofresolutehelp.hehadnotdonemuchalongtheselinesoverthepastfewdecades.
insteadofgivingsalandertheboot,hesummonedherforameetinginwhichhetriedtoworkoutwhatmadethedifficultgirltick.hisimpressionwasconfirmedthatshesufferedfromsomeseriousemotionalproblem,buthealsodiscoveredthatbehindhersullenfacadetherewasanunusualintelligence.hefoundherpricklyandirksome,butmuchtohissurprisehebegantolikeher.
overthefollowingmonthsarmanskytooksalanderunderhiswing.intruth,hetookheronasasmallsocialproject.hegaveherstraightforwardresearchtasksandtriedtogiveherguidelinesonhowtoproceed.shewouldlistenpatientlyandthensetofftocarryouttheassignmentjustasshesawfit.heaskedmilton’stechnicaldirectortogiveherabasiourseinitscience.theysattogetherallafternoonuntilhereportedbackthatsheseemedtohaveabetterunderstandingofputersthanmostofthestaff.
butdespitedevelopmentdiscussions,offersofin-housetraining,andotherformsofenticement,itwasevidentthatsalanderhadnointentionofadaptingtomilton’sofficeroutines.thisputarmanskyinadifficultspot.
hewouldnothaveputupwithanyotheremployeeingandgoingatwill,andundernormalcircumstanceshewouldhavedemandedthatshechangeorgo.buthehadahunchthatifhegavesalanderanultimatumorthreatenedtofirehershewouldsimplyshrughershouldersandbegone.
amoreseriousproblemwasthathecouldnotbesureofhisownfeelingsfortheyoungwoman.shewaslikeanaggingitch,repellentandatthesametimetempting.itwasnotasexualattraction,atleasthedidnotthinkso.thewomenhewasusuallyattractedtowereblondeandcurvaceous,withfulllipsthatarousedhisfantasies.andbesides,hehadbeenmarriedfortwentyyearstoafinnishwomannamedritvawhostillmorethansatisfiedtheserequirements.hehadneverbeenunfaithful,well…somethingmayhavehappenedjustonce,andhiswifemighthavemisunderstoodifshehadknownaboutit.butthemarriagewashappyandhehadtwodaughtersofsalander’sage.inanycase,hewasnotinterestedinflat-chestedgirlswhomightbemistakenforskinnyboysatadistance.thatwasnothisstyle.
evenso,hehadcaughthimselfhavinginappropriatedaydreamsaboutlisbethsalander,andherecognisedthathewasnotpletelyunaffectedbyher.buttheattraction,armanskythought,wasthatsalanderwasaforeigncreaturetohim.hemightjustaswellhavefalleninlovewithapaintingofanymphoragreekamphora.salanderrepresentedalifethatwasnotrealforhim,thatfascinatedhimthoughhecouldnotshareit—andinanycasesheforbadehimfromsharingit.
ononeoasionarmanskywassittingatacaféonstortetingamlastanwhensalandercamesaunteringupandsatatatableashortdistanceaway.shewaswiththreegirlsandaboy,alldressedinmuchthesameway.armanskyhadwatchedherwithinterest.sheseemedtobejustasreservedasshewasatwork,butshehadactuallyalmostsmiledatastorytoldbyoneofherpanions,agirlwithpurplehair.
armanskywonderedhowshewouldreactifonedayhecametoworkwithgreenhair,worn-outjeans,andaleatherjacketcoveredwithgraffitiandrivets.sheprobablywouldjustsmirkathim.
shehadbeensittingwithherbacktohimanddidnotturnaroundonce,obviouslyunawarethathewasthere.hefeltstrangelydisturbedbyherpresence.whenatlasthegotuptoslinkawayunnoticed,shesuddenlyturnedandstaredstraightathim,asthoughshehadbeenawareallthetimethathewassittingthereandhadhimonherradar.hergazehadesosurprisinglythatitfeltlikeanattack,andhepretendednottoseeherandhurriedlyleftthecafé.shehadnotsaidhelloeven,butshefollowedhimwithhereyes,hewassureofit,andnotuntilheturnedthecornerdidtheystopburningintohisneck.
sherarelylaughed.butovertimearmanskythoughthenoticedasofteningofherattitude.shehadadrysenseofhumour,toputitmildly,whichcouldpromptacrooked,ironicsmile.
armanskyfeltsoprovokedbyherlackofemotionalresponsethatsometimeshewantedtograbholdofherandshakeher.toforcehiswayintohershellandwinherfriendship,oratleastherrespect.
onlyonce,aftershehadbeenworkingforhimforninemonths,hadhetriedtodiscussthesefeelingswithher.itwasatmiltonsecurity’schristmaspartyoneeveningindecember,andforoncehewasnotsober.nothinginappropriatehadhappened—hehadjusttriedtotellherthatheactuallylikedher.mostofallhewantedtoexplainthathefeltprotectivetowardsher,andifsheeverneededhelpwithanything,sheshouldnothesitatetoetohim.hehadeventriedtogiveherahug.allinfriendliness,ofcourse.
shehadwriggledoutofhisclumsyembraceandlefttheparty.afterthatshehadnotappearedattheofficeoransweredhermobile.herabsencehadfeltliketorture—almostaformofpersonalpunishment.hehadnobodytodiscusshisfeelingswith,andforthefirsttimeherealisedwithappallingclaritywhatadestructiveholdshehadoverhim.
threeweekslater,whenarmanskywasworkinglateoneeveninggoingovertheyear-endkeeping,salanderreappeared.shecameintohisofficeassilentlyasaghost,andhebecameawarethatshewasstandingintheshadowsinsidethedoorway,watchinghim.hehadnoideahowlongshehadbeenthere.
“wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”sheasked.shehandedhimacupfromtheespressomachineinthecanteen.mutelyheaeptedit,feelingbothreliefandterrorwhensheshovedthedoorclosedwithherfoot.shesatdownoppositehisdeskandlookedhimstraightintheeye.thensheaskedthequestioninawaythatcouldneitherbelaughedoffnoravoided.
“dragan,areyouattractedtome?”
armanskysatasifparalysed,whiledesperatelywonderinghowtoanswer.hisfirstimpulsewastopretendtobeinsulted.thenhesawherexpressionanditcametohimthatthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverutteredanysuchpersonalquestion.itwasseriouslymeant,andifhetriedtolaughitoffshewouldtakeitasanaffront.shewantedtotalktohim,andhewonderedhowlongithadtakenhertogetupthecouragetoaskthatquestion.heslowlyputdownhispenandleanedbackinhischair.finallyherelaxed.
“whatmakesyouthinkthat?”hesaid.
“thewayyoulookatme,andthewayyoudon’tlookatme.andthetimesyouwereabouttoreachoutyourhandandtouchmebutstoppedyourself.”
hesmiledather.“ireckonyou’dbiteoffmyhandifilaidafingeronyou.”
shedidnotsmile.shewaswaiting.
“lisbeth,i’myourboss,andevenifiwereattractedtoyou,i’dneveractonit.”
shewasstillwaiting.
“betweenus—yes,therehavebeentimeswhenihavefeltattractedtoyou.ican’texplainit,butthat’sthewayitis.forsomereasonidon’treallyunderstand,ilikeyoualot.butit’snotaphysicalthing.”
“that’sgood.becauseit’llneverhappen.”
armanskylaughed.thefirsttimeshehadsaidsomethingpersonalanditwasthemostdishearteningnewsamancouldimaginereceiving.hestruggledtofindtherightwords.
“lisbeth,iunderstandthatyou’renotinterestedinanoldmanoffiftyplus.”
“i’mnotinterestedinanoldmanoffiftypluswho’smyboss.”sheheldupahand.“wait,letmespeak.you’resometimesstupidandmaddeninglybureaucratic,butyou’reactuallyanattractiveman,and…icanalsofeel…butyou’remybossandi’vemetyourwifeandiwanttokeepmyjobwithyou,andthemostidioticthingicoulddoisgetinvolvedwithyou.”
armanskysaidnothing,hardlydaringtobreathe.
“i’mawareofwhatyou’vedoneforme,andi’mnotungrateful.iappreciatethatyouactuallyshowedyourselftobegreaterthanyourprejudicesandhavegivenmeachancehere.butidon’twantyouformylover,andyou’renotmyfather.”
afterawhilearmanskysighedhelplessly.“whatexactlydoyouwantfromme?”
“iwanttocontinueworkingforyou.ifthat’sokwithyou.”
henoddedandthenansweredherashonestlyashecould.“ireallydowantyoutoworkforme.butialsowantyoutofeelsomesortoffriendshipandtrustinme.”
shenodded.
“you’renotapersonwhoencouragesfriendship,”hesaid.sheseemedtowithdraw,buthewenton.“iunderstandthatyoudon’twantanyoneinterferinginyourlife,andi’lltrynottodothat.butisitallrightificontinuetolikeyou?”
salanderthoughtaboutitforalongtime.thensherepliedbygettingup,walkingaroundthedesk,andgivinghimahug.hewastotallyshocked.onlywhenshereleasedhimdidhetakeherhand.
“wecanbefriends?”
shenoddedonce.
thatwastheonlytimesheevershowedhimanytenderness,andtheonlytimesheevertouchedhim.itwasamomentthatarmanskyfondlyremembered.
afterfouryearsshehadstillvouchsafedhardlyadetailaboutherprivatelifeorherbackgroundtoarmansky.onceheappliedhisownknowledgeofthepinder’sartonher.healsohadalongtalkwithholgerpalmgren—whodidnotseemsurprisedtoseehim—andwhathefinallyfoundoutdidnotincreasehistrustinher.henevermentionedawordaboutthistoherorletherknowthathehadbeensnoopingintoherlife.insteadhehidhisuneasinessandincreasedhiswatchfulness.
beforethatstrangeeveningwasover,armanskyandsalanderhadetoanagreement.infutureshewoulddoresearchprojectsforhimonafreelancebasis.shewouldreceiveasmallmonthlyinewhethershedidanyassignmentsornot.therealmoneywouldbemadewhenshewaspaidperassignment.shecouldworkthewayshewantedto;inreturnshepledgednevertodoanythingthatmightembarrasshimorrisksubjectingmiltonsecuritytoscandal.
forarmanskythiswasasolutionthatwasadvantageoustohim,thepany,andsalanderherself.hecutthetroublesomepidepartmentdowntoasinglefull-timeemployee,anoldercolleaguewhohandledroutinejobsperfectlywellandrancreditchecks.allplicatedortrickyassignmentsheturnedovertosalanderandafewotherfreelancerswho—inthelastresort—wereindependentcontractorsforwhommiltonsecurityhadactuallynoresponsibility.sinceheregularlyengagedherservices,sheearnedagoodsalary.itcouldhavebeenmuchhigher,butsalanderworkedonlywhenshefeltlikeit.
armanskyaeptedherasshewas,butshewasnotallowedtomeettheclients.today’sassignmentwasanexception.
salanderwasdressedforthedayinablackt-shirtwithapictureonitofe.t.withfangs,andthewordsiamalsoanalien.shehadonablackskirtthatwasfrayedatthehem,aworn-outblack,mid-lengthleatherjacket,rivetbelt,heavydocmartenboots,andhorizontallystriped,green-and-redkneesocks.shehadputonmake-upinacolourschemethatindicatedshemightbecolourblind.inotherwords,shewasexceptionallydeckedout.
armanskysighedandshiftedhisgazetotheconservativelydressedguestwiththethickglasses.dirchfrode,alawyer,hadinsistedonmeetingandbeingabletoaskquestionsoftheemployeewhopreparedthereport.armanskyhaddoneallhecivillycouldtopreventthemeetingtakingplace,sayingthatsalanderhadacold,wasaway,orwasswampedwithotherwork.thelawyerrepliedcalmlythatitmadenodifference—thematterwasnoturgentandhecouldeasilywaitacoupleofdays.atlasttherewasnowaytoavoidbringingthemtogether.nowfrode,whoseemedtobeinhislatesixties,waslookingatlisbethsalanderwithevidentfascination.salandergloweredbackwithanexpressionthatdidnotindicateanywarmfeelings.
armanskysighedandlookedoncemoreatthefoldershehadplacedonhisdesklabelledcarlmikaelblomkvist.thenamewasfollowedbyasocialsecuritynumber,neatlyprintedonthecover.hesaidthenameoutloud.herrfrodesnappedoutofhisbewitchedstateandturnedtoarmansky.
“sowhatcanyoutellmeaboutmikaelblomkvist?”hesaid.
“thisisms.salander,whopreparedthereport.”armanskyhesitatedasecondandthenwentonwithasmilethatwasintendedtoengenderconfidence,butwhichseemedhelplesslyapologetic.“don’tbefooledbyheryouth.sheisourabsolutebestresearcher.”
“i’mpersuadedofthat,”frodesaidinadrytohathintedattheopposite.“tellmewhatshefoundout.”
itwasclearthatfrodehadnoideahowtoacttowardssalander.heresortedtodirectingthequestiontoarmansky,asifshehadnotbeenintheroom.salanderblewabigbubblewithhergum.beforearmanskycouldanswer,shesaid,“couldyouasktheclientwhetherhewouldpreferthelongortheshortversion?”
therewasabrief,embarrassedsilencebeforefrodefinallyturnedtosalanderandtriedtorepairthedamagebyassumingafriendly,avunculartone.
“iwouldbegratefuliftheyoungladywouldgivemeaverbalsummaryoftheresults.”
foramomentherexpressionwassosurprisinglyhostilethatitsentacoldshiverdownfrode’sspine.thenjustasquicklyherexpressionsoftenedandfrodewonderedwhetherhehadimaginedthatlook.whenshebegantospeakshesoundedlikeacivilservant.
“allowmetosayfirstthatthiswasnotaveryplicatedassignment,apartfromthefactthatthedescriptionofthetaskitselfwassomewhatvague.youwantedtoknow‘everythingthatcouldbedugup’abouthim,butgavenoindicationofwhethertherewereanythinginparticularyouwerelookingfor.forthisreasonit’ssomethingofapotpourriofhislife.thereportis193pageslong,but120pagesarecopiesofarticleshewroteorpressclippings.blomkvistisapublicpersonwithfewsecretsandnotverymuchtohide.”
“buthedoeshavesomesecrets?”frodesaid.
“everyonehassecrets,”sherepliedneutrally.“it’sjustamatteroffindingoutwhattheyare.”
“let’shear.”
“mikaelblomkvistwasbornonjanuary18,1960,whichmakeshimforty-twoyearsold.hewasborninborl?ngebuthasneverlivedthere.hisparents,kurtandanitablomkvist,werearoundthirty-fivewhenthechildwasborn.bothhavesincedied.hisfatherwasamachineryinstallerandmovedaroundagooddeal.hismother,asfarasicouldsee,wasneveranythingbutahousewife.thefamilymovedhousetostockholmwhenmikaelstartedschool.hehasasisterthreeyearsyoungernamedannikawhoisalawyer.healsohassomecousins,bothmaleandfemale.wereyouplanningtoservecoffee?”
thislastwasdirectedatarmansky,whohastilypumpedthreecupsofcoffeefromthethermoshehadorderedforthemeeting.hemotionedforsalandertogoon.
“soin1966thefamilylivedinlillaessingen.blomkvistwenttoschoolfirstinblommaandthentoprepschoolonkungsholmen.hehaddecentgraduatingmarks—therearecopiesinthefolder.duringhisprepschooldayshestudiedmusicandplayedbassinarockbandnamedbootstrap,whichactuallyputoutasinglethatwasplayedontheradiointhesummerof1979.afterprepschoolheworkedasaticketcollectorinthetunnelbana,savedsomemoney,andtravelledabroad.hewasawayforayear,mostlybummingaroundasia—india,thailand—andaswingdowntoaustralia.hebeganstudyingtobeajournalistinstockholmwhenhewastwenty-one,butinterruptedhisstudiesafterthefirstyeartodohismilitaryserviceasariflemaninkirunainlapland.itwassomesortofmachounit,andheleftwithgoodmarks.aftermilitaryservicehepletedhisjournalismdegreeandhasworkedinthefieldeversince.howdetaileddoyouwantmetobe?”
“justtellwhatyouthinkisimportant.”
“heesoffalittlelikepracticalpiginthethreelittlepigs.sofarhehasbeenanexcellentjournalist.intheeightieshehadalotoftemporaryjobs,firstintheprovincialpressandtheninstockholm.there’salist.hisbreakthroughcamewiththestoryaboutthebeargang—thebankrobbersheidentified.”
“kalleblomkvist.”
“hehatesthenickname,whichisunderstandable.somebody’dgetafatlipiftheyevercalledmepippilongstockingonanewspaperplacard.”
shecastadarklookatarmansky,whoswallowedhard.onmorethanoneoasionhehadthoughtofsalanderaspreciselypippilongstocking.hewavedforhertogetonwithit.
“onesourcedeclaresthatuptothenhewantedtobeacrimereporter—andheinternedasoneataneveningpaper.buthehasbeeknownforhisworkasapoliticalandfinancialreporter.hehasprimarilybeenafreelancer,withonefull-timepositionataneveningpaperinthelateeighties.heleftin1990whenhehelpedstartthemonthlymagazinemillennium.themagazinebeganasarealoutsider,withoutanybigpublishingpanytoholditshand.itscirculationhasgrownandtodayis21,000copiesmonthly.theeditorialofficeisong?tgatanonlyafewblocksfromhere.”
“aleft-wingmagazine.”
“thatdependsonhowyoudefiheconcept‘left-wing.’millenniumisgenerallyviewedascriticalofsociety,buti’mguessingtheanarchiststhinkit’sawimpybourgeoiscrapmagazinealongthelinesofarenaorordfront,whilethemoderatestudentsassociationprobablythinksthattheeditorsareallbolsheviks.thereisnothingtoindicatethatblomkvisthaseverbeenactivepolitically,evenduringtheleft-wingwavewhenhewasgoingtoprepschool.whilehewaspluggingawayattheschoolofjournalismhewaslivingwithagirlwhoatthetimewasactiveinthesyndicalistsandtodaysitsinparliamentasarepresentativeoftheleftparty.heseemstohavebeengiventheleft-wingstampprimarilybecauseasafinancialjournalisthespecialisesininvestigativereportingaboutcorruptionandshadytransactionsinthecorporateworld.hehasdonesomedevastatingindividualportraitsofcaptainsofindustryandpoliticians—whichweremostlikelywelldeserved—andcausedanumberofresignationsandlegalrepercussions.themostwell-knownwasthearbogaaffair,whichresultedintheforcedresignationofaconservativepoliticianandthesentencingofaformercouncillortoayearinprisonforembezzlement.callingattentiontocrimescanhardlybeconsideredanindicationthatsomeoneisleft-wing.”
“iunderstandwhatyoumean.whatelse?”
“hehaswrittentwos.oneaboutthearbogaaffairandoneaboutfinancialjournalismentitledtheknightstemplar,whichcameoutthreeyearsago.ihaven’treadthe,butjudgingfromthereviewsitseemstohavebeencontroversial.itpromptedagooddealofdebateinthemedia.”
“money?”frodesaid.
“he’snotrich,buthe’snotstarving.iaxreturnsareattachedtothereport.hehasabout250,000sekinthebank,inbotharetirementfundandasavingsaount.hehasanaountofaround100,000kronorthatheusesascashforworkingexpenses,travelandsuch.heownsaco-opapartmentthat’spaidoff—700squarefeetonbellmansgatan—andhehasnoloansordebts.hehasoneotherasset—somepropertyinsandhamnoutinthearchipelago.it’sacottageof270squarefeet,furnishedasasummercabinandbythewater,rightinthemostattractivepartofthevillage.apparentlyanuncleofhisboughtitintheforties,whensuchthingswerestillpossiblefornormalmortals,andthecabinendedupinblomkvist’shands.theydividedthingsupsothathissistergottheparents’apartmentinlillaessingenandblomkvistgotthecabin.ihavenoideawhatitmightbeworthtoday—certainlyafewmillion—butontheotherhandhedoesn’tseemtowanttosell,andhegoesouttosandhamnfairlyoften.”
“ine?”
“he’spartownerofmillennium,butheonlytakesoutabout12,000insalaryeachmonth.therestheearnsfromhisfreelancejobs—thetotalvaries.hehadabigyearthreeyearsagowhenhetookinaround450,000.lastyearheonlymade120,000fromfreelancejobs.”
“hehastopay150,000intaxesinadditiontolawyer’sfees,etcetera,”frodesaid.“let’sassumethatthetotalisratherhigh.he’llalsobelosingmoneywhileservinghisgaolterm.”
“whichmeansthathe’sgoingtobecleanedout,”salandersaid.
“ishehonest?”
“that’shistrustcapital,sotospeak.hisimageistoappearastheguardianofrobustmoralityasopposedtothebusinessworld,andheisinvitedprettyregularlytopontificateontelevision.”
“thereprobablyisn’tmuchleftofthatcapitalafterhisconvictiontoday,”frodesaid.
“idon’twanttoclaimthatiknowexactlywhatdemandsaremadeonajournalist,butafterthissetbackitwillprobablybealongtimebeforemasterdetectiveblomkvistwinsthegrandprizeforjournalism.he’sreallymadeafoolofhimselfthistime,”salandersaid.“ifimaymakeapersonalment…”
armanskyopenedhiseyeswide.intheyearssalanderhadworkedforhim,shehadnevermadeasinglepersonalmentinaninvestigationofanindividual.bone-dryfactswereallthatmatteredtoher.
“itwasn’tpartofmyassignmenttolookatthequestionoffactinthewennerstr?maffair,butididfollowthetrialandhavetoadmitthatiwasactuallyflabbergasted.thethingfeltwrong,andit’stotally…outofcharacterformikaelblomkvisttopublishsomethingthatseemstobesooffthewall.”
salanderscratchedherneck.frodelookedpatient.armanskywonderedwhetherhemightbemistakenorwhethersalanderreallywasunsurehowtocontinue.thesalanderheknewwasneverunsureorhesitant.finallysheseemedtomakeuphermind.
“quiteofftherecord,sotospeak…ihaven’tstudiedthewennerstr?maffairproperly,butireallythinkthatmikaelblomkvistwassetup.ithinkthere’ssomethingtotallydifferentinthisstorythanwhatthecourt’sverdictisindicating.”
thelawyerscrutinisedsalanderwithsearchingeyes,andarmanskynoticedthatforthefirsttimesinceshebeganherreport,theclientwasshowingmorethanapoliteinterest.hemadeamentalnotethatthewennerstr?maffairheldacertaininterestforfrode.correction,armanskythoughtatonce,frodewasnotinterestedinthewennerstr?maffair—itwaswhensalanderhintedthatblomkvistwassetupthatfrodereacted.
“howdoyoumean,exactly?”frodesaid.
“it’sspeculationonmypart,buti’mconvincedthatsomeorickedhim.”
“andwhatmakesyouthinkso?”
“everythinginblomkvist’sbackgroundshowsthathe’saverycarefulreporter.everycontroversialrevelationhepublishedbeforewasalwayswelldocumented.iwenttocourtonedayandlistened.heseemedtohavegivenupwithoutafight.thatdoesn’taordwithhischaracteratall.ifwearetobelievethecourt,hemadeupastoryaboutwennerstr?mwithoutashredofevidenceandpublisheditlikesomesortofjournalisticsuicidebomber.that’ssimplynotblomkvist’sstyle.”
“sowhatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“icanonlyguess.blomkvistbelievedinhisstory,butsomethinghappenedalongthewayandthermationturnedouttobefalse.thisinturnmeansthatthesourcewassomeonehetrustedorthatsomeonedeliberatelyfedhimfalsermation—whichsoundsimprobablyplicated.thealternativeisthathewassubjectedtosuchaseriousthreatthathethrewinthetowelandwouldratherbeseenasaninpetentidiotthanfightback.buti’mjustspeculating,asisaid.”
whensalandermadeanattempttocontinueheraount,frodehelduphishand.hesatforamoment,drumminghisfingersonthearmrestofhischairbeforehehesitantlyturnedtoheragain.
“ifweshoulddecidetoengageyoutounravelthetruthinthewennerstr?maffair…howmuchchanceistherethatyou’dfindoutanything?”
“ican’tanswerthat.theremaynotbeanythingtofind.”
“butwouldyoubewillingtomakeanattempt?”
sheshrugged.“it’snotmyplacetodecide.iworkforherrarmansky,andhedecideswhatjobshewantstoassigntome.andthenitdependswhatsortofrmationyou’relookingfor.”
“letmeputitthisway…anditakeitthatwe’respeakinginconfidence?”armanskynodded.“idon’tknowanythingaboutthisparticularmatter,butidoknowbeyondanydoubtthatinothersituationswennerstr?mhasacteddishonestly.thewennerstr?mcasehasseriouslyaffectedmikaelblomkvist’slife,andihaveaninterestindiscerningwhetherthere’sanythinginyourspeculations.”
theconversationhadtakenanunexpectedturn,andarmanskywasinstantlyonthealert.whatfrodewasaskingwasformiltonsecuritytopokearoundinacasethathadalreadybeenconcluded.acaseinwhichtheremayhavebeensomesortofthreattothemanblomkvist,andiftheytookthison,miltonwouldriskcollidingwithwennerstr?m’sregimentoflawyers.armanskywasnotintheleastfortedbythethoughtofturningsalanderlooseinsuchasituation,likeacruisemissileoutofcontrol.
itwasnotmerelyamatterofconcernforthepany.salanderhadmadeplainthatshedidnotwantarmanskytoactassomesortofworriedstepfather,andsincetheiragreementhehadbeencarefulnevertobehavelikeone,butinrealityhewouldneverstopworryingabouther.hesometimescaughthimselfparingsalandertohisdaughters.heconsideredhimselfagoodfatherwhodidnotinterfereunnecessarilyintheirlives.butheknewthathewouldnottolerateitifhisdaughtersbehavedlikesalanderorlivedthelifesheled.
inthedepthsofhiscroatian—orpossiblybosnianorarmenian—hearthehadneverbeenabletoshedtheconvictionthatsalander’slifewasheadingfordisaster.sheseemedtheperfectvictimforanyonewhowishedherill,andhedreadedthemorninghewouldbeawakenedbythenewsthatsomeonehaddoneherharm.
“aninvestigationofthiskindcouldgetexpensive,”armanskysaid,issuingawarningsoastogaugetheseriousnessoffrode’sinquiry.
“thenwe’llsetaceiling,”frodesaid.“idon’tdemandtheimpossible,butit’sobviousthatyourcolleague,justasyouassuredme,isexceedinglypetent.”
“salander?”armanskysaid,turningtoherwitharaisedeyebrow.
“i’mnotworkingonanythingelserightnow.”
“ok.butiwantustobeinagreementabouttheconstraintsofthejob.let’sheartherestofyourreport.”
“thereisn’tmuchmoreapartfromhisprivatelife.in1986hemarriedmonicaabrahamssonandthesameyeartheyhadadaughter,pernilla.themarriagedidn’tlast;theyweredivorcedin1991.abrahamssonhasremarried,buttheyseemtobefriendsstill.thedaughterliveswithhermotheranddoesn’tseeblomkvistoften.”
frodeaskedformorecoffeeandthenturnedtosalander.
“yousaidthateveryonehassecrets.didyoufindany?”
“imeantthatallpeoplehavethingstheyconsidertobeprivateandthattheydon’tgoaroundairinginpublic.blomkvistisobviouslyabighitwithwomen.he’shadseveralloveaffairsandagreatmanycasualflings.butonepersonhaskeptturningupinhislifeovertheyears,andit’sanunusualrelationship.”
“inwhatway?”
“erikaberger,editorinchiefofmillennium:upper-classgirl,swedishmother,belgianfatherresidentinsweden.bergerandblomkvistmetinjournalismschoolandhavehadanon-and-offrelationshipeversince.”
“thatmaynotbesounusual,”frodesaid.
“no,possiblynot.butbergerhappenstobemarriedtotheartistgregerbeckman,aminorcelebritywhohasdonealotofterriblethingsinpublicvenues.”
“soshe’sunfaithful.”
“beckmanknowsabouttheirrelationship.it’sasituationapparentlyaeptedbyallpartiesconcerned.sometimesshesleepsatblomkvist’sandsometimesathome.idon’tknowexactlyhowitworks,butitwasprobablyacontributingfactortothebreakupofblomkvist’smarriagetoabrahamsson.”
chapter3
friday,december20–saturday,december21
erikabergerlookedupquizzicallywhenanapparentlyfreezingblomkvistcameintotheeditorialoffice.millennium’sofficeswereinthecentreofthetrendysectionofg?tgatan,abovetheofficesofgreenpeace.therentwasactuallyabittoosteepforthemagazine,buttheyhadallagreedtokeepthespace.
sheglancedattheclock.itwas5:10,anddarknesshadfallenoverstockholmlongbefore.shehadbeenexpectinghimaroundlunchtime.
“i’msorry,”hesaidbeforeshemanagedtosayanything.“butiwasfeelingtheweightoftheverdictanddidn’tfeelliketalking.iwentforalongwalktothinkthingsover.”
“iheardtheverdictontheradio.shefromtv4calledandwantedament.”
“what’dyousay?”
“somethingtotheeffectthatweweregoingtoreadthejudgementcarefullybeforewemakeanystatements.soisaidnothing.andmyopinionstillholds:it’sthewrongstrategy.weeofflookingweakwiththemedia.theywillrunsomethingontvthisevening.”
blomkvistlookedglum.
“howareyoudoing?”
blomkvistshruggedandploppeddowninhisfavouritearmchairnexttothewindowinerika’soffice.thedecorwasspartan,withadeskandfunctionalcasesandcheapofficefurniture.allofitwasfromikeaapartfromthetwofortableandextravagantarmchairsandasmallendtable—aconcessiontomyupbringing,shelikedtosay.shewouldsitreadinginoneofthearmchairswithherfeettuckedunderneathherwhenshewantedtogetawayfromthedesk.blomkvistlookeddownong?tgatan,wherepeoplewerehurryingbyinthedark.christmasshoppingwasinfullswing.
“isupposeit’llpass,”hesaid.“butrightnowitfeelsasifi’vegotmyselfaveryrawdeal.”
“yes,icanimagine.it’sthesameforallofus.jannedahlmanwenthomeearlytoday.”
“iassumehewasn’toverthemoonabouttheverdict.”
“he’snotthemostpositivepersonanyway.”
mikaelshookhishead.forthepastninemonthsdahlmanhadbeenmanagingeditor.hehadstartedtherejustasthewennerstr?maffairgotgoing,andhefoundhimselfonaneditorialstaffincrisismode.blomkvisttriedtorememberwhattheirreasoninghadbeenwhenheandbergerdecidedtohirehim.hewaspetent,ofcourse,andhadworkedatthettnewsbureau,theeveningpapers,andekoontheradio.butheapparentlydidnotlikesailingagainstthewind.duringthepastyearblomkvisthadoftenregrettedthattheyhadhireddahlman,whohadanenervatinghabitoflookingateverythinginasnegativealightaspossible.
“haveyouheardfromchrister?”blomkvistaskedwithouttakinghiseyesoffthestreet.
christermalmwastheartdirectoranddesignerofmillennium.hewasalsopartownerofthemagaziogetherwithbergerandblomkvist,buthewasonatripabroadwithhisboyfriend.
“hecalledtosayhello.”
“he’llhavetobetheonewhotakesoveraspublisher.”
“layoff,micke.aspublisheryouhavetocountonbeingpunchedinthenoseeverysooften.it’spartofthejobdescription.”
“you’rerightaboutthat.butiwastheonewhowrotethearticlethatwaspublishedinamagazineofwhichialsohappentobethepublisher.thatmakeseverythinglookdifferentallofasudden.thenit’samatterofbadjudgement.”
bergerfeltthatthedisquietshehadbeencarryingwithheralldaywasabouttoexplode.intheweeksbeforethetrialstarted,blomkvisthadbeenwalkingaroundunderablackcloud.butshehadneverseenhimasgloomyanddejectedasheseemedtobenowinthehourofhisdefeat.shewalkedtohissideofthedeskandsatonhislap,straddlinghim,andputherarmsroundhisneck.
“mikael,listentome.webothknowexactlyhowithappened.i’masmuchtoblameasyouare.wesimplyhavetorideoutthestorm.”
“thereisn’tanystormtorideout.asfarasthemediaareconcerned,theverdictmeansthati’vebeenshotinthebackofthehead.ican’tstayonasthepublisherofmillennium.thevitalthingistomaintainthemagazine’scredibility,tostopthebleeding.youknowthataswellasido.”
“ifyouthinkiintendtoletyoutaketherapallbyyourself,thenyouhaven’tlearnedadamnthingaboutmeintheyearswe’veworkedtogether.”
“iknowhowyouoperate,ricky.you’re100percentloyaltoyourcolleagues.ifyouhadtochoose,you’dkeepfightingagainstwennerstr?m’slawyersuntilyourcredibilitywasgooo.wehavetobesmarterthanthat.”
“andyouthinkit’ssmarttojumpshipandmakeitlookasifisackedyou?”
“ifmillenniumisgoingtosurvive,itdependsonyounow.christerisgreat,buthe’sjustaniceguywhoknowsaboutimagesandlayoutanddoesn’thaveaclueaboutstreetfightingwithbillionaires.it’sjustnothisthing.i’mgoingtohavetodisappearforawhile,aspublisher,reporter,andboardmember.wennerstr?mknowsthatiknowwhathedid,andi’mabsolutelysurethataslongasi’manywherenearmillenniumhe’sgoingtotrytoruinus.”
“sowhynotpublisheverythingweknow?sinkorswim?”
“becausewecan’tproveadamnthing,andrightnowihavenocredibilityatall.let’saeptthatwennerstr?mwonthisround.”
“ok,i’llfireyou.whatareyougoingtodo?”
“ineedabreak,tobehonest.i’mburnedrightout.i’mgoingtotakesometimeformyselfforawhile,someofitinprison.thenwe’llsee.”
bergerputherarmsaroundhimandpulledhisheaddowntoherbreasts.shehuggedhimhard.
“wantsomepanytonight?”shesaid.
blomkvistnodded.
“good.i’vealreadytoldgregeri’matyourplacetonight.”
thestreetlightsreflectingoffthecornersofthewindowswereallthatlittheroom.whenbergerfellasleepsometimeafter2:00inthemorning,blomkvistlayawakestudyingherprofileinthedimness.thecoversweredownaroundherwaist,andhewatchedherbreastsslowlyrisingandfalling.hewasrelaxed,andtheanxiousknotinhisstomachhadeased.shehadthateffectonhim.shealwayshadhad.andheknewthathehadthesameeffectonher.
twentyyears,hethought.that’showlongithadbeen.asfarashewasconcerned,theycouldgoonsleepingtogetherforanothertwodecades.atleast.theyhadneverseriouslytriedtohidetheirrelationship,evenwhenitledtoawkwardnessintheirdealingswithotherpeople.
theyhadmetatapartywhentheywerebothintheirsecondyearatjournalismschool.beforetheysaidgoodnighttheyhadexchangedtelephonenumbers.theybothknewthattheywouldendupinbedtogether,andinlessthanaweektheyrealisedthisconvictionwithouttellingtheirrespectivepartners.
blomkvistwassurethatitwasnottheold-fashionedkindoflovethatleadstoasharedhome,asharedmortgage,christmastrees,andchildren.duringtheeighties,whentheywerenotboundbyotherrelationships,theyhadtalkedofmovingintogether.hehadwantedto,buterikaalwaysbackedoutatthelastminute.itwouldn’twork,shesaid,theywouldriskwhattheyhadiftheyfellinlovetoo.blomkvisthadoftenwonderedwhetheritwerepossibletobemorepossessedbydesireforanyotherwoman.thefactwasthattheyfunctionedwelltogether,andtheyhadaconnectionasaddictiveasheroin.
sometimestheyweretogethersooftenthatitfeltasthoughtheyreallywereacouple;sometimesweeksandmonthswouldgobybeforetheysaweachother.butevenasalcoholicsaredrawntothestateliquorstoreafterastintonthewagon,theyalwayscamebacktoeachother.
inevitablyitdidnotworkinthelongrun.thatkindofrelationshipwasalmostboundtocausepain.theyhadbothleftbrokenpromisesandunhappyloversbehind—hisownmarriagehadcollapsed