untillongafterdarkfell,at10:00atnight.thetemperatureovernightdroppedtofreezing.
duringtheafternooninspectormorellsetuphisheadquartersinadrawingroomthathenrikvangerhadputathisdisposalonthegroundfloorofthevangerestateoffice.hehadundertakenanumberofmeasures.
inthepanyofisabellavanger,hehadexaminedharriet’sroomandtriedtoascertainwhetheranythingwasmissing:clothes,asuitcase,orthelike,whichwouldindicatethatharriethadrunawayfromhome.isabella,anoteimplied,hadnotbeenhelpfulanddidnotseemtobefamiliarwithherdaughter’swardrobe.sheoftenworejeans,buttheyalllookthesame,don’tthey?harriet’spursewasonherdesk.itcontainedid,awalletholdingninekronorandfifty?re,ab,amirror,andahandkerchief.aftertheinspection,harriet’sroomwaslocked.
morellhadsummonedmorepeopletobeinterviewed,familymembersandemployees.alltheinterviewsweremeticulouslyreported.
whentheparticipantsinthefirstsearchpartybeganreturningwithdishearteningreports,theinspectordecidedthatamoresystematicsearchhadtobemade.thateveningandnight,rercementswerecalledin.morellcontacted,amongothers,thechairmanofhedestad’sorienteeringclubandappealedforhelpinsummoningvolunteersforthesearchparty.bymidnighthewastoldthatfifty-threemembers,mostlyfromthejuniordivision,wouldbeatthevangerestateat7:00thenextmorning.henrikvangercalledinpartofthemorningshift,numberingfiftymen,fromthepapermill.healsoarrangedforfoodanddrinkforthemall.
blomkvistcouldvividlyimagihescenesplayedoutatthevangerestateduringthosedays.theaidentonthebridgehadcertainlycontributedtotheconfusionduringthefirsthours—bymakingitdifficulttobringinrercements,andalsobecausepeoplesomehowthoughtthatthesetwodramaticeventshappeningatthesameplaceandclosetothesametimemustinsomewayhavebeenconnected.whenthetankertruckwashoistedaway,inspectormorellwentdowntothebridgetobesurethatharrietvangerhadnot,bysomeunlikelyturnofevents,endedupunderthewreck.thatwastheonlyirrationalactionthatmikaelcoulddetectintheinspector’sconduct,sincethemissinggirlhadunquestionablybeenseenontheislandaftertheaidenthadourred.
duringthosefirstconfusedtwenty-fourhours,theirhopesthatthesituationwouldetoaswiftandhappyresolutionsank.instead,theyweregraduallyreplacedbytwotheories.inspiteoftheobviousdifficultiesinleavingtheislandunnoticed,morellrefusedtodiscountthepossibilitythatshehadrunaway.hedecidedthatanall-pointsbulletinshouldbesentoutforharrietvanger,andhegaveinstructionsforthepatrolofficersinhedestadtokeeptheireyesopenforthemissinggirl.healsosentacolleagueinthecriminaldivisiontointerviewbusdriversandstaffattherailwaystation,tofindoutwhetheranyonemighthaveseenher.
asthenegativereportscamein,itbecameincreasinglylikelythatharrietvangerhadfallenvictimtosomesortofmisfortune.thistheoryendedupdominatingtheinvestigativeworkofthefollowingdays.
thebigsearchpartytwodaysafterherdisappearancewasapparently,asfarasblomkvistcouldtell,carriedouteffectively.policeandfirefighterswhohadexperiencewithsimilaroperationshadanisedthesearch.hedebyislanddidhavesomepartsthatwerealmostinaessible,butitwasneverthelessasmallarea,andtheislandwassearchedwithafine-toothbinoneday.apoliceboatandtwovolunteerpetterssonboatsdidwhattheycouldtosearchthewatersaroundtheisland.
onthefollowingdaythesearchwascontinuedwithdecreasedmanpower.patrolsweresentouttomakeasecondsweepoftheparticularlyruggedterrain,aswellasanareaknownas“thefortress”—anow-abandonedbunkersystemthatwasbuiltduringthesecondworldwar.thatdaytheyalsosearchedcubbyholes,wells,vegetablecellars,outhouses,andatticsinthevillage.
acertainfrustrationcouldbereadintheofficialnoteswhenthesearchwascalledoffonthethirddayafterthegirl’sdisappearance.morellwas,ofcourse,notyetawareofit,butatthatmomenthehadactuallyreachedasfarintheinvestigationashewouldeverget.hewaspuzzledandstruggledtoidentifythenaturalnextsteporanyplacewherethesearchoughttobepursued.harrietvangerseemedtohavedissolvedintothinair,andhenrikvanger’syearsoftormenthadbegun.
chapter9
monday,january6–wednesday,january8
blomkvistkeptreadinguntilthesmallhoursanddidnotgetupuntillateonepiphanyday.anavyblue,late-modelvolvowasparkedoutsidevanger’shouse.evenashereachedforthedoorhandle,thedoorwasopenedbyamanonhiswayout.theyalmostcollided.themanseemedtobeinahurry.
“yes?canihelpyou?”
“i’mheretoseehenrikvanger,”blomkvistsaid.
theman’seyesbrightened.hesmiledandstuckouthishand.“youmustbemikaelblomkvist,theonewho’sgoingtohelphenrikwiththefamilychronicle,right?”
theyshookhands.vangerhadapparentlybegunspreadingblomkvist’scoverstory.themanwasoverweight—theresult,nodoubt,oftoomanyyearsofnegotiatinginofficesandconferencerooms—butblomkvistnoticedatoncethelikeness,thesimilaritybetweenhisfaceandharrietvanger’s.
“i’mmartinvanger,”themansaid.“weletohedestad.”
“thankyou.”
“isawyouontvawhileago.”
“everybodyseemstohaveseenmeontv.”
“wennerstr?mis…notverypopularinthishouse.”
“henrikmentionedthat.i’mwaitingtoheartherestofthestory.”
“hetoldmeafewdaysagothathe’dhiredyou.”martinvangerlaughed.“hesaiditwasprobablybecauseofwennerstr?mthatyoutookthejobuphere.”
blomkvisthesitatedbeforedecidingtotellthetruth.“thatwasoneimportantreason.buttobehonest,ineededtogetawayfromstockholm,andhedestadcroppedupattherightmoment.atleastithinkso.ican’tpretendthatthecourtcaseneverhappened.andanyway,i’mgoingtohavetogotoprison.”
martinvangernodded,suddenlyserious.“canyouappeal?”
“itwon’tdoanygood.”
vangerglancedathiswatch.
“ihavetobeinstockholmtonight,soimusthurryaway.i’llbebackinafewdays.eoverandhavedinner.i’dreallyliketohearwhatactuallywentonduringthattrial.henrikisupstairs.gorightin.”
vangerwassittingonasofainhisofficewherehehadthehedestadcourier,dagensindustri,svenskadagbladet,andbothnationaleveningpapersonthecoffeetable.
“iranintomartinoutside.”
“rushingofftosavetheempire,”vangersaid.“coffee?”
“yes,please.”blomkvistsatdown,wonderingwhyvangerlookedsoamused.
“you’rementionedinthepaper.”
vangershovedacrossoneoftheeveningpapers,openatapagewiththeheadline“mediashortcircuit.”thearticlewaswrittenbyacolumnistwhohadpreviouslyworkedformonopolyfinancialmagazine,makinganameforhimselfasonewhocheerfullyridiculedeveryonewhofeltpassionateaboutanyissueorwhostucktheirneckout.feminists,antiracists,andenvironmentalactivistscouldallreckononreceivingtheirshare.thewriterwasnotknownforespousingasingleconvictionofhisown.now,severalweeksafterthetrialinthewennerstr?maffair,hewasbringinghisfiretobearonmikaelblomkvist,whomhedescribedasapleteidiot.erikabergerwasportrayedasaninpetentmediabimbo:
arumouriscirculatingthatmillenniumisonthevergeofcollapseinspiteofthefactthattheeditorinchiefisafeministwhowearsmini-skirtsandpoutsherlipsontv.forseveralyearsthemagazinehassurvivedontheimagethathasbeensuessfullymarketedbytheeditors—youngreporterswhoundertakeinvestigativejournalismandexposethescoundrelsofthebusinessworld.thisadvertisingtrickmayworkwithyounganarchistswhowanttohearjustsuchamessage,butitdoesn’twashinthedistrictcourt.askalleblomkvistrecentlyfoundout.
blomkvistswitchedonhismobileandcheckedtoseeifhehadanycallsfromberger.therewerenomessages.vangerwaitedwithoutsayinganything.blomkvistrealisedthattheoldmanwasallowinghimtobreakthesilence.
“he’samoron,”blomkvistsaid.
vangerlaughed,buthesaid:“thatmaybe.buthe’snottheonewhowassentencedbythecourt.”
“that’strue.andheneverwillbe.heneversaysanythingoriginal;healwaysjustjumpsonthebandwagonandcaststhefinalstoneinthemostdamagingtermshecangetawaywith.”
“i’vehadmanyenemiesovertheyears.ifthere’sohingi’velearned,it’sneverengageinafightyou’resuretolose.ontheotherhand,neverletanyonewhohasinsultedyougetawaywithit.bideyourtimeandstrikebackwhenyou’reinapositionofstrength—evenifyounolongerneedtostrikeback.”
“thankyouforyourwisdom,henrik.nowi’dlikeyoutotellmeaboutyourfamily.”hesetthetaperecorderbetweenthemonthetableandpressedtherecordbutton.
“whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“i’vereadthroughthefirstbinder,aboutthedisappearanceandthesearches,buttherearesomanyvangersmentionedthatineedyourhelpidentifyingthemall.”
fornearlytenminutessalanderstoodintheemptyhallwithhereyesfixedonthebrassplaquethatsaid“advokatn.e.bjurman”beforesherangthebell.thelockontheentrydoorclicked.
itwastuesday.itwastheirsecondmeeting,andshehadabadfeelingaboutit.
shewasnotafraidofbjurman—salanderwasrarelyafraidofanyoneoranything.ontheotherhand,shefeltunfortablewiththisnewguardian.hispredecessor,advokatholgerpalmgren,hadbeenofanentirelydifferentilk:courteousandkind.butthreemonthsagopalmgrenhadhadastroke,andnilserikbjurmanhadinheritedherinaordancewithsomebureaucraticpeckingorder.
inthetwelveyearsthatsalanderhadbeenundersocialandpsychiatricguardianship,twoofthoseyearsinachildren’sclinic,shehadneveroncegiventhesameanswertothesimplequestion:“so,howareyoutoday?”
whensheturnedthirteen,thecourthaddecided,underlawsgoverningtheguardianshipofminors,thatsheshouldbeentrustedtothelockedwardatst.stefan’spsychiatrilinicforchildreninuppsala.thedecisionwasprimarilybasedonthefactthatshewasdeemedtobeemotionallydisturbedanddangerouslyviolenttowardsherclassmatesandpossiblytowardsherself.
allattemptsbyateacheroranyauthorityfiguretoinitiateaconversationwiththegirlaboutherfeelings,emotionallife,orthestateofherhealthweremet,totheirgreatfrustration,withasullensilenceandagreatdealofintensestaringatthefloor,ceiling,andwalls.shewouldfoldherarmsandrefusetoparticipateinanypsychologicaltests.herresistancetoallattemptstomeasure,weigh,chart,analyse,oreducateherappliedalsotoherschoolwork—theauthoritiescouldhavehercarriedtoaclassroomandcouldchainhertothebench,buttheycouldnotstopherfromclosingherearsandrefusingtoliftapentowriteanything.shepletedthenineyearsofpulsoryschoolingwithoutacertificate.
thishadconsequentlybeeassociatedwiththegreatdifficultyofevendiagnosinghermentaldeficiencies.inshort,lisbethsalanderwasanythingbuteasytohandle.
bythetimeshewasthirteen,itwasalsodecidedthatatrusteeshouldbeassignedtotakecareofherinterestsandassetsuntilshecameofage.thistrusteewasadvokatpalmgrenwho,inspiteofaratherdifficultstart,hadsueededwherepsychiatristsanddoctorshadfailed.graduallyhewonnotonlyacertainamountoftrustbutalsoamodestamountofwarmthfromthegirl.
whensheturnedfifteen,thedoctorshadmoreorlessagreedthatshewasnot,afterall,dangerouslyviolent,nordidsherepresentanyimmediatedangertoherself.herfamilyhadbeencategorisedasdysfunctional,andshehadnorelativeswhocouldlookafterherwelfare,soitwasdecidedthatlisbethsalandershouldbereleasedfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildreninuppsalaandeasedbackintosocietybywayofafosterfamily.
thathadnotbeenaneasyjourney.sheranawayfromthefirstfosterfamilyafteronlytwoweeks.thesecondandthirdfosterfamiliesfellbythewaysideinquicksuession.atthatpointpalmgrenhadaseriousdiscussionwithher,explainingbluntlythatifshepersistedonthispathshewouldbeinstitutionalisedagain.thisthreathadtheeffectthatsheaeptedfosterfamilynumberfour—anelderlycouplewholivedinmidsommarkransen.
butitdidnotmean,however,thatshebehavedherself.attheageofseventeen,salanderwasarrestedbythepoliceonfouroasions;twiceshewassointoxicatedthatsheendedupintheemergencyroom,andonceshewasplainlyundertheinfluenceofnarcotics.ononeoftheseoasionsshewasfounddeaddrunk,withherclothesindisarray,inthebackseatofacarparkedats?derm?larstrand.shewaswithanequallydrunkandmucholderman.
thelastarrestourredthreeweeksbeforehereighteenthbirthday,whenshe,perfectlysober,kickedamalepassengerintheheadinsidethegatesofthegamlastantunnelbanastation.shewaschargedwithassaultandbattery.salanderclaimedthatthemanhadgropedher,andhertestimonywassupportedbywitnesses.theprosecutordismissedthecase.butherbackgroundwassuchthatthedistrictcourtorderedapsychiatricevaluation.sincesherefused,aswashercustom,toansweranyquestionsortoparticipateintheexaminations,thedoctorsconsultedbythenationalboardofhealthandwelfarehandeddownanopinionbasedon“observationsofthepatient.”itwasunclearpreciselywhatcouldbeobservedwhenitwasamatterofasilentyoungwomansittingonachairwithherarmsfoldedandherlowerlipstuckout.theonlydeterminationmadewasthatshemustsufferfromsomekindofemotionaldisturbance,whosenaturewasofthesortthatcouldnotbeleftuntreated.themedical/legalreportremendedcareinaclosedpsychiatricinstitution.anassistantheadofthesocialwelfareboardwroteanopinioninsupportoftheconclusionsofthepsychiatricexperts.
withregardtoherpersonalrecord,theopinionconcludedthattherewasgraveriskofalcoholanddrugabuse,andthatshelackedself-awareness.bythenhercasewasfilledwithtermssuchasintroverted,sociallyinhibited,lackinginempathy,ego-fixated,psychopathicandasocialbehaviour,difficultyincooperating,andincapableofassimilatinglearning.anyonewhoreadhercasemightbetemptedtoconcludethatsalanderwasseriouslyretarded.anothermarkagainstherwasthatthesocialservicesstreetpatrolhadonseveraloasionsobservedher“withvariousmen”intheareaaroundmariatet.shewasoncestoppedandfriskedintantolunden,againwithamucholderman.itwasfearedthatsalanderwaspossiblyoperatingas,orrantheriskofbeing,aprostitute.
whenthedistrictcourt—theinstitutionthatwoulddetermineherfuture—mettodecideonthematter,theouteseemedaforegoneconclusion.shewasobviouslyaproblemchild,anditwasunlikelythatthecourtwouldetoanydecisionotherthantoaepttheremendationsofboththepsychiatricandthesocialinquiries.
onthemorningthecourthearingwastotakeplace,salanderwasbroughtfromthepsychiatrilinicforchildrenwhereshehadbeenconfinedsincetheincidentingamlastan.shefeltlikeaprisonerfromaconcentrationcamp:shehadnohopeofsurvivingtheday.thefirstpersonshesawinthecourtroomwaspalmgren,andittookawhileforhertorealisethathewasnotthereintheroleofatrusteebutratherasherlegalrepresentative.
tohersurprise,hewasfirmlyinhercorner,andhemadeapowerfulappealagainstinstitutionalisation.shedidnotbetraywithsomuchasaraisedeyebrowthatshewassurprised,butshelistenedintentlytoeverywordthatwassaid.palmgrenwasbrilliantduringthetwohoursinwhichhecross-examinedthephysician,adr.jesperh.l?derman,whohadsignedhisnametotheremendationthatsalanderbelockedawayinaninstitution.everydetailoftheopinionwasscrutinised,andthedoctorwasrequiredtoexplainthescientificbasisforeachstatement.eventuallyitbecameclearthatsincethepatienthadrefusedtopleteasingletest,thebasisforthedoctor’sconclusionswasinfactnothingmorethanguesswork.
attheendofthehearing,palmgrenintimatedthatpulsoryinstitutionalisationwasinallprobabilitynotonlycontrarytoparliament’sdecisionsinsimilarsituations,butinthisparticularcaseitmightinadditionbethesubjectofpoliticalandmediareprisals.soitwasineveryone’sinteresttofindanappropriatealternativesolution.suchlanguagewasunusualfornegotiationsinthistypeofsituation,andthemembersofthecourthadsquirmednervously.
thesolutionwasalsoapromise.thecourtconcludedthatlisbethsalanderwasindeedemotionallydisturbed,butthatherconditiondidnotnecessarilywarrantinternment.ontheotherhand,thesocialwelfaredirector’sremendationofguardianshipwastakenunderconsideration.thechairmanofthecourtturned,withavenomoussmile,toholgerpalmgren,whoupuntilthenhadbeenhertrustee,andinquiredwhetherhemightbewillingtotakeontheguardianship.thechairmanobviouslythoughtthatpalmgrenwouldbackawayandtrytopushtheresponsibilityontosomeoneelse.onthecontrary,palmgrendeclaredthathewouldbehappytotakeonthejobofservingasfr?kensalander’sguardian—butononecondition:“thatfr?kensalandermustbewillingtotrustmeandaeptmeasherguardian.”
heturnedtofaceher.lisbethsalanderwassomewhatbewilderedbytheexchangethathadgonebackandforthoverherheadallday.untilnowno-onehadaskedforheropinion.shelookedatholgerpalmgrenforalongtimeandthennoddedonce.
palmgrenwasapeculiarmixtureofjuristandsocialworker,oftheoldschool.atfirsthehadbeenapoliticallyappointedmemberofthesocialwelfareboard,andhehadspentnearlyallhislifedealingwithproblemyouths.areluctantsenseofrespect,almostborderingonfriendship,hadintimeformedbetweenpalmgrenandhisward,whowasunquestionablythemostdifficulthehadeverhadtodealwith.
theirrelationshiphadlastedelevenyears,fromherthirteenthbirthdayuntilthepreviousyear,whenafewweeksbeforechristmasshehadgooseepalmgrenathomeafterhemissedoneoftheirscheduledmonthlymeetings.
whenhedidnotopenthedooreventhoughshecouldhearsoundsingfromhisapartment,shebrokeinbyclimbingupadrainpipetothebalconyonthefourthfloor.shefoundhimlyingonthefloorinthehall,consciousbutunabletospeakormove.shecalledforanambulanceandacpaniedhimtos?derhospitalwithagrowingfeelingofpanicinherstomach.forthreedaysshehardlyleftthecorridoroutsidetheintensivecareunit.likeafaithfulwatchdog,shekeptaneyeoneverydoctorandnursewhowentinoroutofthedoor.shewanderedupanddownthecorridorlikealostsoul,fixinghereyesoneverydoctorwhocamenear.finallyadoctorwhosenamesheneverdiscoveredtookherintoaroomtoexplainthegravityofthesituation.herrpalmgrenwasincriticalconditionfollowingaseverecerebralhaemorrhage.hewasnotexpectedtoregainconsciousness.hewasonlysixty-fouryearsold.sheneitherweptnorchangedherexpression.shestoodup,leftthehospital,anddidnotreturn.
fiveweekslatertheguardianshipagencysummonedsalandertothefirstmeetingwithhernewguardian.herinitialimpulsewastoignorethesummons,butpalmgrenhadimprintedinherconsciousnessthateveryactionhasitsconsequences.shehadlearnedtoanalysetheconsequencesandsoshehadetotheconclusionthattheeasiestwayoutofthispresentdilemmawastosatisfytheguardianshipagencybybehavingasifshecaredaboutwhattheyhadtosay.
thus,indecember—takingabreakfromherresearchonmikaelblomkvist—shearrivedatbjurman’sofficeonst.eriksplan,whereanelderlywomanrepresentingtheboardhadhandedoversalander’sextensivefiletoadvokatbjurman.thewomanhadkindlyaskedsalanderhowthingsweregoing,andsheseemedsatisfiedwiththestifledsilenceshereceivedinreply.afterabouthalfanhoursheleftsalanderinthecareofadvokatbjurman.
salanderdecidedthatshedidnotlikeadvokatbjurman.shestudiedhimfurtivelyashereadthroughhercase.age:overfifty.trimbody.tennisontuesdaysandfridays.blond.thinninghair.aslightcleftinhischin.hugobossaftershave.bluesuit.redtiewithagoldtiepinandostentatiouscufflinkswiththeinitialsneb.steel-rimmedglasses.greyeyes.tojudgebythemagazinesonthesidetable,hisinterestswerehuntingandshooting.
duringtheyearsshehadknownpalmgren,hehadalwaysofferedhercoffeeandchattedwithher.notevenherworstescapesfromfosterhomesorherregulartruancyfromschoolhadeverruffledhisposure.theonlytimepalmgrenhadbeenreallyupsetwaswhenshehadbeenchargedwithassaultandbatteryafterthatscumbaghadgropedheringamlastan.doyouunderstandwhatyou’vedone?youhaveharmedanotherhumanbeing,lisbeth.hehadsoundedlikeanoldteacher,andshehadpatientlyignoredeverywordofhisscolding.
bjurmandidnothavetimeforsmalltalk.hehadimmediatelyconcludedthattherewasadiscrepancybetweenpalmgren’sobligations,aordingtotheregulationsofguardianship,andthefactthathehadapparentlyallowedthesalandergirltotakechargeofherownhouseholdandfinances.bjurmanstartedinonasortofinterrogation:howmuchdoyouearn?iwantacopyofyourfinancialrecords.whodoyouspendtimewith?doyoupayyourrentontime?doyoudrink?didpalmgrenapproveofthoseringsyouhaveonyourface?areyoucarefulabouthygiene?
fuckyou.
palmgrenhadbeehertrusteerightafteralltheevilhadhappened.hehadinsistedonmeetingswithheratleastonceamonth,sometimesmoreoften.aftershemovedbacktolundagatan,theywerealsopracticallyneighbours.helivedonhornsgatan,acoupleofblocksaway,andtheywouldrunintoeachotherandgoforcoffeeatgiffy’sorsomeothercafénearby.palmgrenhadnevertriedtoimpose,butafewtimeshehadvisitedher,bringingsomelittlegiftforherbirthday.shehadastandinginvitationtovisithimwheneversheliked,aprivilegethatsheseldomtookadvantageof.butwhenshemovedtos?der,shehadstartedspendingchristmasevewithhimaftershewenttoseehermother.theywouldeatchristmashamandplaychess.shehadnorealinterestinthegame,butaftershelearnedtherules,sheneverlostamatch.hewasawidower,andsalanderhadseenitasherdutytotakepityonhimonthoselonelyholidays.
sheconsideredherselfinhisdebt,andshealwayspaidherdebts.
itwaspalmgrenwhohadsublethermother’sapartmentonlundagatanforheruntilsalanderneededherownplacetolive.theapartmentwasabout500squarefeet,shabbyandunrenovated,butatleastitwasaroofoverherhead.
nowpalmgrenwasgone,andanothertietoestablishedsocietyhadbeensevered.nilsbjurmanwasawhollydifferentsortofperson.nowayshewouldbespendingchristmaseveathishouse.hisfirstmovehadbeentoputinplacenewrulesonthemanagementofheraountathandelsbanken.palmgrenhadneverhadanyproblemsaboutbendingtheconditionsofhisguardianshipsoastoallowhertotakecareofherownfinances.shepaidherbillsandcouldusehersavingsasshesawfit.
priortothemeetingwithbjurmantheweekbeforechristmasshehadpreparedherself;oncethere,shehadtriedtoexplainthathispredecessorhadtrustedherandhadneverbeengivenoasiontodootherwise.palmgrenhadlethertakecareofherownaffairsandnotinterferedinherlife.
“that’soneoftheproblems,”bjurmansaid,tappinghercase.hethenmadealongspeechabouttherulesandgovernmentregulationsonguardianship.
“heletyourunfree,isthatit?iwonderhowhegotawaywithit.”
becausehewasacrazysocialdemocratwhohadworkedwithtroubledkidsallhislife.
“i’mnotachildanymore,”salandersaid,asifthatwereexplanationenough.
“no,you’renotachild.buti’vebeenappointedyourguardian,andaslongasihavethatrole,iamlegallyandfinanciallyresponsibleforyou.”
heopenedanewaountinhername,andshewassupposedtoreportittomilton’spersonnelofficeanduseitfromnowon.thegoodolddayswereover.infuturebjurmanwouldpayherbills,andshewouldbegivenanallowanceeachmonth.hetoldherthatheexpectedhertoprovidereceiptsforallherexpenses.shewouldreceive1,400kronoraweek—“forfood,clothing,filmtickets,andsuchlike.”
salanderearnedmorethan160,000kronorayear.shecoulddoublethatbyworkingfull-timeandaeptingalltheassignmentsarmanskyofferedher.butshehadfewexpensesanddidnotneedmuchmoney.thecostofherapartmentwasabout2,000kronoramonth,andinspiteofhermodestine,shehad90,000kronorinhersavingsaount.butshenolongerhadaesstoit.
“thishastodowiththefactthati’mresponsibleforyourmoney,”hesaid.“youhavetoputmoneyasideforthefuture.butdon’tworry;i’lltakecareofallthat.”
i’vetakencareofmyselfsinceiwasten,youcreep!
“youfunctionwellenoughinsocialtermsthatyoudon’tneedtobeinstitutionalised,butthissocietyisresponsibleforyou.”
hequestionedhercloselyaboutwhatkindofworkassignmentsshewasgivenatmiltonsecurity.shehadinstinctivelyliedaboutherduties.theanswershegavehimwasadescriptionofherveryfirstweeksatmilton.bjurmangottheimpressionthatshemadecoffeeandsortedthepost—suitableenoughtasksforsomeonewhowasalittleslow—andseemedsatisfied.
shedidnotknowwhyshehadlied,butshewassureitwasawisedecision.
blomkvisthadspentfivehourswithvanger,andittookmuchofthenightandalloftuesdaytotypeuphisnotesandpiecetogetherthegenealogyintoaprehensiblewhole.thefamilyhistorythatemergedwasadramaticallydifferentversionfromtheonepresentedastheofficialimageofthefamily.everyfamilyhadafewskeletonsintheircupboards,butthevangerfamilyhadanentiregallimaufryofthem.
blomkvisthadhadtoremindhimselfseveraltimesthathisrealassignmentwasnottowriteabiographyofthevangerfamilybuttofindoutwhathadhappenedtoharrietvanger.thevangerbiographywouldbenomorethanplayingtothegallery.afterayearhewouldreceivehispreposteroussalary—thecontractdrawnupbyfrodehadbeensigned.histruereward,hehoped,wouldbethermationaboutwennerstr?mthatvangerclaimedtopossess.butafterlisteningtovanger,hebegantoseethattheyeardidnothavetobeawasteoftime.aaboutthevangerfamilyhadsignificantvalue.itwas,quitesimply,aterrificstory.
theideathathemightlightuponharrietvanger’skillernevercrossedhismind—assumingshehadbeenmurdered,thatis,anddidnotjustdieinsomefreakaident.blomkvistagreedwithvangerthatthechancesofasixteen-year-oldgirlgoingoffofherownaordandthenstayinghiddenforthirty-sixyears,despitetheoversightofallthegovernmentbureaucracy,werenonexistent.ontheotherhand,hedidnotexcludethepossibilitythatharrietvangerhadrunaway,maybeheadingforstockholm,andthatsomethinghadbefallenhersubsequently—drugs,prostitution,anassault,oranaidentpureandsimple.
vangerwasconvinced,forhispart,thatharriethadbeenmurderedandthatafamilymemberwasresponsible—possiblyincollaborationwithsomeoneelse.hisargumentwasbasedonthefactthatharriethaddisappearedduringtheconfusioninthehourswhentheislandwascutoffandalleyesweredirectedattheaident.
bergerhadbeenrighttosaythathistakingtheassignmentwasbeyondallmonsenseifthegoalwastosolveamurdermystery.butblomkvistwasbeginningtoseethatharriet’sfatehadplayedacentralroleinthefamily,andespeciallyforhenrikvanger.nomatterwhetherhewasrightorwrong,vanger’sausationagainsthisrelativeswasofgreatsignificanceinthefamily’shistory.theausationhadbeenairedopenlyformorethanthirtyyears,andithadcolouredthefamilygatheringsandgivenrisetopoisonousanimositiesthathadcontributedtodestabilisingthecorporation.astudyofharriet’sdisappearancewouldconsequentlyfunctionasachapterallonitsown,aswellasprovidearedthreadthroughthefamilyhistory—andtherewasanabundanceofsourcematerial.onestartingpoint,whetherharrietvangerwashisprimaryassignmentorwhetherhemadedowithwritingafamilychronicle,wouldbetomapoutthegalleryofcharacters.thatwasthegistofhisfirstlongconversationthatdaywithvanger.
thefamilyconsistedofaboutahundredindividuals,countingallthechildrenofcousinsandsecondcousins.thefamilywassoextensivethathewasforcedtocreateadatabaseinhisi.heusedthenotepadprogramme,oneofthosefull-valueproductsthattwomenattheroyaltechnicalcollegehadcreatedanddistributedassharewareforapittanceontheinter.fewprogrammeswereasusefulforaninvestigativejournalist.eachfamilymemberwasgivenhisorherowndocumentinthedatabase.
thefamilytreecouldbetracedbacktotheearlysixteenthcentury,whenthenamewasvangeersad.aordingtovangerthenamemayhaveoriginatedfromthedutchvangeerstat;ifthatwasthecase,thelineagecouldbetracedasfarbackasthetwelfthcentury.
inmoderntimes,thefamilycamefromnorthernfrance,arrivinginswedenwithkingjeanbaptistebernadotteintheearlynieenthcentury.alexandrevangeersadwasasoldierandnotpersonallyacquaintedwiththeking,buthehaddistinguishedhimselfasthecapableheadofagarrison.in1818hewasgiventhehedebyestateasarewardforhisservice.alexandrevangeersadalsohadhisownfortune,whichheusedtopurchaseconsiderablesectionsofforestedlandinnorrland.hisson,adrian,wasborninfrance,butathisfather’srequesthemovedtohedebyinthatremoteareaofnorrland,farfromthesalonsofparis,totakeovertheadministrationoftheestate.hetookupfarmingandforestry,usingnewmethodsimportedfromeurope,andhefoundedthepulpandpapermillaroundwhichhedestadwasbuilt.
alexandre’sgrandsonwasnamedhenrik,andheshortenedhissurnametovanger.hedevelopedtradewithrussiaandcreatedasmallmerchantfleetofschoonersthatservedthebalticsandgermany,aswellasenglandwithitssteelindustryduringthemid-1800s.theelderhenrikvangerdiversifiedthefamilyenterprisesandfoundedamodestminingbusiness,aswellasseveralofnorrland’sfirstmetalindustries.helefttwosons,birgerandgottfried,andtheyweretheoneswholaidthebasisforthehigh-financevangerclan.
“doyouknowanythingabouttheoldinheritancelaws?”vangerhadasked.“no.”
“i’mconfusedaboutittoo.aordingtofamilytradition,birgerandgottfriedfoughtlikecats—theywerelegendarypetitorsforpowerandinfluenceoverthefamilybusiness.inmanyrespectsthepowerstrugglethreatenedtheverysurvivalofthepany.forthatreasontheirfatherdecided—shortlybeforehedied—tocreateasystemwherebyallmembersofthefamilywouldreceiveaportionoftheinheritance—ashare—inthebusiness.itwasnodoubtwell-intentioned,butitledtoasituationinwhichinsteadofbeingabletobringinskilledpeopleandpossiblepartnersfromtheoutside,wehadaboardofdirectorsconsistingonlyoffamilymembers.”
“andthatappliestoday?”
“precisely.ifafamilymemberwishestosellhisshares,theyhavetostaywithinthefamily.todaytheannualshareholders’meetingconsistsof50percentfamilymembers.martinholdsmorethan10percentoftheshares;ihave5percentaftersellingsomeofmyshares,tomartinamongothers.mybrotherharaldowns7percent,butmostofthepeoplewhoetotheshareholders’meetinghaveonlyoneorhalfapercent.”
“itsoundsmedievalinsomeways.”
“it’sludicrous.itmeansthattoday,ifmartinwantstoimplementsomepolicy,hehastowastetimeonalobbyingoperationtoensuresupportfromatleast20percentto25percentoftheshareholders.it’sapatchworkquiltofalliances,factions,andintrigues.”
vangerresumedthehistory:
“gottfriedvangerdiedchildlessin1901.orrather,mayibefiven,hewasthefatheroffourdaughters,butinthosedayswomendidn’treallycount.theyownedshares,butitwasthemeninthefamilywhoconstitutedtheownershipinterest.itwasn’tuntilwomenwontherighttovote,wellintothetwentiethcentury,thattheywereevenallowedtoattendtheshareholders’meetings.”
“veryliberal.”
“noneedtobesarcastic.thoseweredifferenttimes.atanyrate—gottfried’sbrother,birgervanger,hadthreesons:johan,fredrik,andgideonvanger.theywereallborntowardstheendofthenieenthcentury.wecanignoregideon;hesoldhissharesandemigratedtoamerica.thereisstillabranchofthefamilyoverthere.butjohanandfredrikvangermadethepanythemodernvangercorporation.”
vangertookoutaphotographalbumandshowedblomkvistpicturesfromthegalleryofcharactersashetalked.thephotographsfromtheearly1900sshowedtwomenwithsturdychinsandplastered-downhairwhostaredintothecameralenswithoutahintofasmile.
“johanvangerwasthegeniusofthefamily.hetrainedasanengineer,andhedevelopedthemanufacturingindustrywithseveralnewinventions,whichhepatented.steelandironbecamethebasisofthefirm,butthebusinessalsoexpandedintootherareas,includingtextiles.johanvangerdiedin1956andhadthreedaughters:sofia,m?rit,andingrid,whowerethefirstwomenautomaticallytowinadmittancetothepany’sshareholders’meetings.
“theotherbrother,fredrikvanger,wasmyfather.hewasabusinessmanandindustryleaderwhotransformedjohan’sinventionsintoine.myfatherliveduntil1964.hewasactiveinpanymanagementrightupuntilhisdeath,althoughhehadturnedoverdailyoperationstomeinthefifties.
“itwasexactlyliketheprecedinggeneration—butinreverse.johanhadonlydaughters.”vangershowedblomkvistpicturesofbig-bustedwomenwithwide-brimmedhatsandcarryingparasols.“andfredrik—myfather—hadonlysons.wewerefivebrothers:richard,harald,greger,gustav,andmyself.”
blomkvisthaddrawnupafamilytreeonseveralsheetsofa4papertapedtogether.heunderlinedthenamesofallthoseonhedebyislandforthefamilymeetingin1966andthus,atleasttheoretically,whocouldhavehadsomethingtodowithharrietvanger’sdisappearance.
heleftoutchildrenundertheageoftwelve—hehadtodrawthelinesomewhere.aftersomepondering,healsoleftouthenrikvanger.ifthepatriarchhadhadanythingtodowiththedisappearanceofhisbrother’sgranddaughter,hisactionsoverthepastthirty-sixyearswouldfallintothepsychopathicarena.vanger’smother,whoin1966wasalreadyeighty-one,couldreasonablyalsobeeliminated.remainingweretwenty-threefamilymemberswho,aordingtovanger,hadtobeincludedinthegroupof“suspects.”sevenofthesewerenowdead,andseveralhadnowreachedarespectableoldage.
blomkvistwasnotwillingtosharevanger’sconvictionthatafamilymemberwasbehindharriet’sdisappearance.anumberofothershadtobeaddedtothelistofsuspects.
dirchfrodebeganworkingforvangerashislawyerinthespringof1962.andasidefromthefamily,whoweretheservantswhenharrietvanished?gunnarnilsson—alibiornot—wasnieenyearsold,andhisfather,magnus,wasinalllikelihoodpresentonhedebyisland,asweretheartistnormanandthepastorfalk.wasfalkmarried?the?sterg?rdenfarmeraronsson,aswellashissonjerkeraronsson,livedontheisland,closeenoughtoharrietvangerwhileshewasgrowingup—whatsortofrelationshipdidtheyhave?wasaronssonstillmarried?didotherpeopleliveatthattimeonthefarm?
asblomkvistwrotedownallthenames,thelisthadgrowntofortypeople.itwas3:30inthemorningandthethermometerread-6°f.helongedforhisownbedonbellmansgatan.
hewasawokenbytheworkmanfromtelia.by11:00hewashookedupandnolongerfeltquiteasprofessionallyhandicapped.ontheotherhand,hisowntelephoneremainedstubbornlysilent.hewasstartingtofeelquitepig-headedandwouldnotcalltheoffice.
heswitchedonhisemailprogrammeandlookedrapidlythroughthenearly350messagessenttohimoverthepastweek.hesavedadozen;therestwerespamormailingliststhathesubscribedto.thefirstemailwasfrom:ihopeyousuckcockintheslammeryoufuckingmiepig.hefileditinthe“intelligentcritici**”folder.
hewroteto:“hiricky.justtotellyouthati’vegottheworkingandcanbereachedwhenyoucanfiveme.hedebyisarusticplace,wellworthavisit.m.”whenitfeltlikelunchtimeheputhisiinhisbagandwalkedtosusanne’sbridgecafé.heparkedhimselfathisusualcornertable.susannebroughthimcoffeeandsandwiches,castinganinquisitiveglanceathisputer.sheaskedhimwhathewasworkingon.forthefirsttimeblomkvistusedhiscoverstory.theyexchangedpleasantries.susanneurgedhimtocheckwithherwhenhewasreadyfortherealrevelations.
“i’vebeenservingvangersforthirty-fiveyears,andiknowmostofthegossipaboutthatfamily,”shesaid,andsashayedofftothekitchen.withchildren,grandchildren,andgreat-grandchildren—whomhehadnotbotheredtoinclude—thebrothersfredrikandjohanvangerhadapproximatelyfiftylivingoffspringtoday.thefamilyhadatendencytolivetoaripeoldage.fredrikvangerlivedtobeseventy-eight,andhisbrotherjohantoseventy-two.offredrik’ssonswhowereyetalive,haraldwasniy-twoandhenrikwaseighty-two.
theonlyexceptionwasgustav,whodiedoflungdiseaseattheageofthirty-seven.vangerhadexplainedthatgustavhadalwaysbeensicklyandhadgonehisownway,neverreallyfittinginwiththerestofthefamily.henevermarriedandhadnochildren.
theotherswhohaddiedyounghadsuumbedtootherfactorsthanillness.richardvangerwaskilledinthewinterwar,onlythirty-threeyearsold.gottfriedvanger,harriet’sfather,haddrownedtheyearbeforeshedisappeared.andharrietherselfwasonlysixteen.mikaelmadenoteofthestrangesymmetryinthatparticularbranchofthefamily—grandfather,father,anddaughterhadallbeenstruckbymisfortune.richard’sonlyremainingdescendantwasmartinvangerwho,atfifty-four,wasstillunmarried.butvangerhadexplainedthathisnephewwasaveritablehermitwithawomanwholivedinhedestad.
blomkvistnotedtwofactorsinthefamilytree.thefirstwasthatnovangerhadeverdivorcedorremarried,eveniftheirspousehaddiedyoung.hewonderedhowmonthatwas,intermsofstatistics.ceciliavangerhadbeenseparatedfromherhusbandforyears,butapparently,theywerestillmarried.
theotherpeculiaritywasthatwhereasfredrikvanger’sdescendants,includinghenrik,hadplayedleadingrolesinthebusinessandlivedprimarilyinornearhedestad,johanvanger’sbranchofthefamily,whichproducedonlydaughters,hadmarriedanddispersedtostockholm,malm?,andg?teborabroad.andtheyonlycametohedestadforsummerholidaysorthemoreimportantmeetings.thesingleexceptionwasingridvanger,whoseson,gunnarkarlman,livedinhedestad.hewastheeditorinchiefofthehedestadcourier.
thinkingasaprivatedetectivemight,vangerthoughtthattheunderlyingmotiveforharriet’smurdermightbefoundinthestructureofthepany—thefactthatearlyonhehadmadeitknownthatharrietwasspecialtohim;themotivemighthavebeentoharmvangerhimself,orperhapsharriethaddiscoveredsomesensitivermationconcerningthepanyandtherebybecameathreattosomeone.theseweremerespeculations;nevertheless,inthismannerhehadidentifiedacircleconsistingofthirteenindividualswhomheconsideredtobeofpotentialinterest.
blomkvist’sconversationwithvangerthedaybeforehadbeenilluminatingononeotherpoint.fromthestarttheoldmanhadtalkedtoblomkvistaboutsomanymembersofhisfamilyinacontemptuousanddenigratingmanner.itstruckhimasodd.blomkvistwonderedwhetherthepatriarch’ssuspicionsabouthisfamilyhadwarpedhisjudgementinthematterofharriet’sdisappearance,butnowhewasstartingtorealisethatvangerhadmadeanamazinglysoberassessment.
theimagethatwasemergingreveale**milythatwassociallyandfinanciallysuessful,butinallthemoreordinaryaspectswasquiteclearlydysfunctional.
henrikvanger’sfatherhadbeenacold,insensitivemanwhosiredhischildrenandthenlethiswifelookaftertheirupbringingandwelfare.untilthechildrenreachedtheageofsixteentheybarelysawtheirfatherexceptatspecialfamilygatheringswhentheywereexpectedtobepresentbutalsoinvisible.henrikcouldnotrememberhisfathereverexpressinganyformoflove,eveninthesmallestway.onthecontrary,thesonwasoftentoldthathewasinpetentandwasthetargetofdevastatingcriticism.corporalpunishmentwasseldomused;itwasn’tnecessary.theonlytimeshehadwonhisfather’srespectcamelaterinlife,throughhisacplishmentswithinthevangercorporation.
theoldestbrother,richard,hadrebelled.afteranargument—thereasonforwhichwasneverdiscussedinthefamily—theboyhadmovedtouppsalatostudy.therehadbeensowntheseedsofthethenazicareerwhichvangerhadalreadymentioned,andwhichwouldeventuallyleadtothefinnishtrenches.whattheoldmanhadnotmentionedpreviouslywasthattwootherbrothershadhadsimilarcareers.
in1930haraldandgregerhadfollowedinrichard’sfootstepstouppsala.thetwohadbeenclose,butvangerwasnotsuretowhatextenttheyhadspenttimewithrichard.itwasquiteclearthatthebrothersalljoinedperengdahl’sfascistmovement,thenewsweden.haraldhadloyallyfollowedperengdahlovertheyears,firsttosweden’snationalunion,thentotheswedishoppositiongroup,andfinallythenewswedishmovementafterthewar.haraldcontinuedtobeamemberuntilengdahldiedintheniies,andforcertainperiodshewasoneofthekeycontributorstothehibernatingswedishfascistmovement.
haraldvangerstudiedmedicineinuppsalaandlandedalmostimmediatelyincirclesthatwereobsessedwithracehygieneandracebiology.foratimeheworkedattheswedishracebiologyinstitute,andasaphysicianhebecameaprominentcampaignerforthesterilisationofundesirableelementsinthepopulation.
quote,henrikvanger,tape2,02950:
haraldwentevenfurther.in1937heco-authored—underapseudonym,thankgod—aentitledthepeople’sneweurope.ididn’tfindthisoutuntiltheseventies.ihaveacopythatyoucanread.itmustbeoneofthemostdisgustingseverpublishedintheswedishlanguage.haraldarguednotonlyforsterilisationbutalsoforeuthanasia—activelyputtingtodeathpeoplewhooffendedhisaesthetictastesanddidn’tfithisimageoftheperfectswedishrace.inotherwords,hewasappealingforwholesalemurderinatextthatwaswritteninimpeableacademicproseandcontainedalltherequiredmedicalarguments.getridofthosewhoarehandicapped.don’tallowthesaamipeopletospread;theyhaveamongolianinfluence.peoplewhoarementallyillwouldregarddeathasaformofliberation,wouldn’tthey?loosewomen,vagrants,gypsies,andjews—youcanimagine.inmybrother’sfantasies,auschwitzcouldhavebeenlocatedindalarna.
afterthewargregervangerbecameasecondary-schoolteacherandeventuallytheheadmasterofthehedestadpreparatoryschool.vangerthoughtthathenolongerbelongedtoanypartyafterthewarandhadgivenupnazism.hediedin1974,anditwasn’tuntilhewentthroughhisbrother’scorrespondencethathelearnedthatinthefiftiesgregerhadjoinedthepoliticallyineffectualbuttotallycrackpotsectcalledthenordicnationalparty.hehadremainedamemberuntilhisdeath.
quote,henrikvanger,tape2,04167:
consequently,threeofmybrotherswerepoliticallyinsane.howsickweretheyinotherrespects?
theonlybrotherworthyofameasureofempathyinvanger’seyeswasthesicklygustav,whodiedoflungdiseasein1955.gustavhadneverbeeninterestedinpolitics,andheseemedtobesomesortofmisanthropicartisticsoul,withabsolutelynointerestinbusinessorworkinginthevangercorporation.
blomkvistaskedvanger:“nowyouandharaldaretheonlyonesleft.whydidhemovebacktohedeby?”
“hemovedhomein1979.heownsthathouse.”
“itmustfeelstrangelivingsoclosetoabrotherthatyouhate.”
“idon’thatemybrother.ifanything,imaypityhim.he’sapleteidiot,andhe’stheonewhohatesme.”
“hehatesyou?”
“precisely.ithinkthat’swhyhecamebackhere.sothathecouldspendhislastyearshatingmeatclosequarters.”
“whydoeshehateyou?”
“becauseigotmarried.”
“ithinkyou’regoingtohavetoexplainthat.”
vangerhadlostcontactwithhisolderbrothersearlyon.hewastheonlybrothertoshowanaptitudeforbusiness—hewashisfather’slasthope.hehadnointerestinpoliticsandsteeredclearofuppsala.insteadhestudiedeconomicsinstockholm.afterheturnedeighteenhespenteverybreakandsummerholidayworkingatoneoftheofficeswithinthevangercorporationorworkingwiththemanagementofoneofitspanies.hebecamefamiliarwithallthelabyrinthsofthefamilybusiness.
on10june,1941—inthemidstofanall-outwar—vangerwassenttogermanyforasix-weekvisitatthevangercorporationbusinessofficesinhamburg.hewasonlytwenty-oneandthevanger’sgermanagent,apanyveteranbythenameofhermannlobach,washischaperoneandmentor.
“iwon’ttireyouwithallthedetails,butwheniwentthere,hitlerandstalinwerestillgoodfriendsandtherewasn’tyetaneasternfront.everyonestillbelievedthathitlerwasinvincible.therewasafeelingof…bothoptimismanddesperation.ithinkthosearetherightwords.morethanhalfacenturylater,it’sstilldifficulttoputwordstothemood.don’tgetmewrong—iwasnotanazi,andinmyeyeshitlerseemedlikesomeabsurdcharacterinanoperetta.butitwouldhavebeenalmostimpossiblenottobeinfectedbytheoptimismaboutthefuture,whichwasrifeamongordinarypeopleinhamburg.despitethefactthatthewarwasgettingcloser,andseveralbombingraidswerecarriedoutagainsthamburgduringthetimeiwasthere,thepeopleseemedtothinkitwasmostlyatemporaryannoyance—thatsoontherewouldbepeaceandhitlerwouldestablishhisneuropa.peoplewantedtobelievethathitlerwasgod.that’swhatitsoundedlikeinthepropaganda.”
vangeropenedoneofhismanyphotographalbums.
“thisislobach.hedisappearedin1944,presumablylostinsomebombingraid.weneverknewwhathisfatewas.duringmyweeksinhamburgibecameclosetohim.iwasstayingwithhimandhisfamilyinanelegantapartmentinawell-to-doneighbourhoodofhamburg.wespenttimetogethereveryday.hewasnomoreanazithaniwas,butforconveniencehewasamemberoftheparty.hismembershipcardopeneddoorsandfacilitatedopportunitiesforthevangercorporation—andbusinesswaspreciselywhatwedid.webuiltfreightwagonsfortheirtrains—i’vealwayswonderedwhetheranyofourwagonsweredestinedforpoland.wesoldfabricfortheiruniformsandtubesfortheirradiosets—althoughofficiallywedidn’