tknowwhattheywereusingthegoodsfor.andlobachknewhowtolandacontract;hewasentertainingandgood-natured.theperfectnazi.graduallyibegantoseethathewasalsoamanwhowasdesperatelytryingtohideasecret.
“intheearlyhoursofjune22in1941,lobachknockedonthedoorofmybedroom.myroomwasnexttohiswife’sbedroom,andhesignalledmetobequiet,getdressed,andewithhim.wewentdownstairsandsatinthesmokingsalon.lobachhadbeenupallnight.hehadtheradioon,andirealisedthatsomethingserioushadhappened.operationbarbarossahadbegun.germanyhadinvadedthesovietuniononmidsummereve.”vangergesturedinresignation.“lobachtookouttwoglassesandpouredagenerousaquavitforeachofus.hewasobviouslyshaken.wheniaskedhimwhatitallmeant,herepliedwithforesightthatitmeanttheendforgermanyandnazism.ionlyhalfbelievedhim—hitlerseemedundefeatable,afterall—butlobachandidrankatoasttothefallofgermany.thenheturnedhisattentiontopracticalmatters.”
blomkvistnoddedtosignalthathewasstillfollowingthestory.
“first,hehadnopossibilityofcontactingmyfatherforinstructions,butonhisowninitiativehehaddecidedtocutshortmyvisittogermanyandsendmehome.second,heaskedmetodosomethingforhim.”
vangerpointedtoayellowedportraitofadark-hairedwoman,inthree-quarterview.
“lobachhadbeenmarriedforfortyyears,butin1919hemetawildlybeautifulwomanhalfhisage,andhefellhopelesslyinlovewithher.shewasapoor,simpleseamstress.lobachcourtedher,andlikesomanyotherwealthymen,hecouldaffordtoinstallherinanapartmentaconvenientdistancefromhisoffice.shebecamehismistress.in1921shehadadaughter,whowaschristenededith.”
“richolderman,pooryoungwoman,andalovechild—thatcan’thavecausedmuchofascandalintheforties,”blomkvistsaid.
“absolutelyright.ifithadn’tbeenforohing.thewomanwasjewish,andconsequentlylobachwasthefatherofajewinthemidstofnazigermany.hewaswhattheycalleda‘traitortohisrace.’”
“ah…thatdoeschangethesituation.whathappened?”
“edith’smotherhadbeenpickedupin1939.shedisappeared,andwecanonlyguesswhatherfatewas.itwasknown,ofcourse,thatshehadadaughterwhowasnotyetincludedonanytransportlist,andwhowasnowbeingsoughtbythedepartmentofthegestapowhosejobitwastotrackdownfugitivejews.inthesummerof1941,theweekthatiarrivedinhamburg,edith’smotherwassomehowlinkedtolobach,andhewassummonedforaninterview.heacknowledgedtherelationshipandhispaternity,buthestatedthathehadnoideawherehisdaughtermightbe,andhehadnothadanycontactwithherintenyears.”
“sowherewasthedaughter?”
“ihadseenhereverydayinthelobachs’home.asweetandquiettwenty-year-oldgirlwhocleanedmyroomandhelpedservedinner.by1937thepersecutionofthejewshadbeengoingonforseveralyears,andedith’smotherhadbeggedlobachforhelp.andhedidhelp—lobachlovedhisillegitimatechildjustasmuchashislegitimatechildren.hehidherinthemostunlikelyplacehecouldthinkof—rightinfrontofeveryone’snose.hehadarrangedforcounterfeitdocuments,andhehadtakenherinastheirhousekeeper.”
“didhiswifeknowwhoshewas?”
“no,itseemedshehadnoidea.ithadworkedforfouryears,butnowlobachfeltthenoosetightening.itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforethegestapowouldeknockingonthedoor.thenhewenttogethisdaughterandintroducedhertomeassuch.shewasveryshyanddidn’tevendarelookmeintheeye.shemusthavebeenuphalfthenightwaitingtobecalled.lobachbeggedmetosaveherlife.”
“how?”
“hehadarrangedthewholething.iwassupposedtobestayinganotherthreeweeksandthentotakethenighttraintocopenhagenandcontinuebyferryacrossthesound—arelativelysafetrip,eveninwartime.buttwodaysafterourconversationafreighterownedbythevangercorporationwastoleavehamburgheadedforsweden.lobachwantedtosendmewiththefreighterinstead,toleavegermanywithoutdelay.thechangeinmytravelplanshadtobeapprovedbythesecurityservice;itwasaformality,butnotaproblem.butlobachwantedmeonboardthatfreighter.”
“togetherwithedith,ipresume.”
“edithwassmuggledonboard,hiddeninsideoneofthreehundredcratescontainingmachinery.myjobwastoprotectherifsheshouldbediscoveredwhilewewerestillingermanterritorialwaters,andtopreventthecaptainoftheshipfromdoinganythingstupid.otherwiseiwassupposedtowaituntilwewereagooddistancefromgermanybeforeiletherout.”
“itsoundsterrifying.”
“itsoundedsimpletome,butitturnedintoanightmarejourney.thecaptainwascalledoskargranath,andhewasfarfrompleasedtobemaderesponsibleforhisemployer’ssnottylittleheir.welefthamburgaround9:00intheeveninginlatejune.wewerejustmakingourwayoutoftheinnerharbourwhentheair-raidsirenswentoff.abritishbombingraid—theheaviestihadthenexperienced,andtheharbourwas,ofcourse,themaintarget.butsomehowwegotthrough,andafteranenginebreakdownandamiserablystormynightinmine-filledwaterswearrivedthefollowingafternoonatkarlskrona.you’reprobablygoingtoaskmewhathappenedtothegirl.”
“ithinkiknow.”
“myfatherwasunderstandablyfurious.ihadputeverythingatriskwithmyidioticventure.andthegirlcouldhavebeendeportedfromswedenatanytime.butiwasalreadyjustashopelesslyinlovewithheraslobachhadbeenwithhermother.iproposedtoherandgavemyfatheranultimatum—eitherheaeptedourmarriageorhe’dhavetolookforanotherfattedcalfforthefamilybusiness.hegavein.”
“butshedied?”
“yes,fartooyoung,in1958.shehadacongenitalheartdefect.anditturnedoutthaticouldn’thavechildren.andthat’swhymybrotherhatesme.”
“becauseyoumarriedher.”
“because—tousehisownwords—imarriedafilthyjewishwhore.”
“buthe’sinsane.”
“icouldn’thaveputitbettermyself.”
chapter10
thursday,january9-friday,january31
aordingtothehedestadcourier,blomkvist’sfirstmonthoutinthecountrywasthecoldestinrecordedmemory,oratleastsincethewartimewinterof1942.afteronlyaweekinhedebyhehadlearnedallaboutlongunderwear,woollysocks,anddoubleundershirts.
hehadseveralmiserabledaysinthemiddleofthemonthwhenthetemperaturedroppedto-35°f.hehadexperiencednothinglikeit,notevenduringtheyearhespentinkirunainlaplanddoinghismilitaryservice.
onemorningthewaterpipesfroze.nilssongavehimtwobigplastiontainersofwaterforcookingandwashing,butthecoldwasparalysing.iceflowersformedontheinsidesofthewindows,andnomatterhowmuchwoodheputinthestove,hewasstillcold.hespentalongtimeeachdaysplittingwoodintheshednexttothehouse.
attimeshewasonthebrinkoftearsandtoyedwithtakingthefirsttrainheadingsouth.insteadhewouldputononemoresweaterandwrapupinablanketashesatatthekitchentable,drinkingcoffeeandreadingoldpolicereports.
thentheweatherchangedandthetemperaturerosesteadilytoabalmy14°f.
mikaelwasbeginningtogettoknowpeopleinhedeby.martinvangerkepthispromiseandinvitedhimforamealofmoosesteak.hisladyfriendjoinedthemfordinner.evawasawarm,sociable,andentertainingwoman.blomkvistfoundherextraordinarilyattractive.shewasadentistandlivedinhedestad,butshespenttheweekendsatmartin’shome.blomkvistgraduallylearnedthattheyhadknowneachotherformanyyearsbutthattheyhadnotstartedgoingouttogetheruntiltheyweremiddle-aged.evidentlytheysawnoreasontomarry.
“she’sactuallymydentist,”saidmartinwithalaugh.
“andmarryingintothiscrazyfamilyisn’treallymything,”evasaid,pattingmartinaffectionatelyontheknee.
martinvanger’svillawasfurnishedinblack,white,andchrome.therewereexpensivedesignerpiecesthatwouldhavedelightedtheconnoisseurchristermalm.thekitchenwasequippedtoaprofessionalchef’sstandard.inthelivingroomtherewasahigh-endstereowithanimpressivecollectionofjazzrecordsfromtommydorseytojohncoltrane.martinvangerhadmoney,andhishomewasbothluxuriousandfunctional.itwasalsoimpersonal.theartworkonthewallswasreproductionsandposters,ofthesortfoundinikea.theshelves,atleastinthepartofthehousethatblomkvistsaw,housedaswedishencyclopediaandsomecoffeetablesthatpeoplemighthavegivenhimaschristmaspresents,forwantofabetteridea.allinall,hecoulddiscernonlytwopersonalaspectsofmartinvanger’slife:musicandcooking.his3,000orsolpsspokefortheoneandtheothercouldbededucedfromthefactofmartin’sstomachbulgingoverhisbelt.
themanhimselfwasamixtureofsimplicity,shrewdness,andamiability.ittooknogreatanalyticalskilltoconcludethatthecorporateceowasamanwithproblems.astheylistenedto“nightintunisia,”theconversationwasdevotedtothevangercorporation,andmartinmadenosecretofthefactthatthepanywasfightingforsurvival.hewascertainlyawarethathisguestwasafinancialreporterwhomhehardlyknew,yethediscussedtheinternalproblemsofhispanysoopenlythatitseemedreckless.perhapsheassumedthatblomkvistwasoneofthefamilysincehewasworkingforhisgreat-uncle;andliketheformerceo,martintooktheviewthatthefamilymembersonlyhadthemselvestoblameforthesituationinwhichthepanyfounditself.ontheotherhand,heseemedalmostamusedbyhisfamily’sincorrigiblefolly.evanoddedbutpassednojudgementofherown.theyhadobviouslybeenoverthesamegroundbefore.
martinaeptedthestorythatblomkvisthadbeenhiredtowriteafamilychronicle,andheinquiredhowtheworkwasgoing.blomkvistsaidwithasmilethathewashavingthemosttroublerememberingthenamesofalltherelatives.heaskedifhemightebacktodoaninterviewinduecourse.twiceheconsideredturningtheconversationtotheoldman’sobsessionwithharriet’sdisappearance.vangermusthavepesteredherbrotherwithhistheories,andmartinmustrealisethatifblomkvistwasgoingtowriteaboutthevangers,hecouldnotignorethefactthatonefamilymemberhadvanishedindramatiircumstances.butmartinshowednosignofwantingtodiscussthesubject.
theeveningended,afterseveralroundsofvodka,at2:00inthemorning.blomkvistwasfairlydrunkasheskiddedthethreehundredyardstotheguesthouse.ithadbeenapleasantevening.
oneafternoonduringblomkvist’ssecondweekinhedebytherewasaknockonthedoor.heputasidethebinderfromthepolicereportthathehadjustopened—thesixthintheseries—andclosedthedoortohisofficebeforeheopenedthefrontdoortoablondewomanwellwrappedupagainstthecold.
“hi.ijustthoughti’deandsayhello.i’mceciliavanger.”
theyshookhandsandhegotoutthecoffeecups.cecilia,daughterofharaldvanger,appearedtobeanopenandengagingwoman.blomkvistrememberedthatvangerhadspokenofherappreciatively;hehadalsosaidthatshewasnotonspeakingtermswithherfather,hernext-doorneighbour.theychattedforawhilebeforeshebroughtupthereasonforhervisit.
“iunderstandthatyou’rewritingaaboutthefamily,”shesaid.“i’mnotsurethaticarefortheidea.iwantedtoseewhatsortofpersonyouare.”
“well,henrikvangerhiredme.it’shisstory,sotospeak.”
“andourgoodhenrikisn’texactlyneutralinhisattitudetowardsthefamily.”
blomkviststudiedher,unsurewhatshewasgettingat.“you’reopposedtohavingawrittenaboutthevangerfamily?”
“ididn’tsaythat.anditdoesn’treallymatterwhatithink.butbynowyoumusthaverealisedthatithasn’talwaysbeenplainsailingtobepartofthisfamily.”
blomkvisthadnoideawhatvangerhadsaidorhowmuchceciliaknewabouthisassignment.hethrewouthishands.
“i’mcontractedbyyouruncletowriteafamilychronicle.hehassomeverycolourfulviewsaboutmembersofthefamily,buti’llbestickingstrictlytowhatcanbedocumented.”
ceciliavangersmiledbutwithoutwarmth.“whatiwanttoknowis:willihavetogointoexileoremigratewhentheesout?”
“idon’texpectso,”blomkvistsaid.“peoplewillbeabletotellthesheepfromthegoats.”
“likemyfather,forinstance?”
“yourfatherthefamousnazi?”blomkvistsaid.
ceciliavangerrolledhereyes.“myfatheriscrazy.ionlyseehimafewtimesayear.”
“whydon’tyouwanttoseehim?”
“waitaminute—beforeyoustartinaskingalotofquestions…areyouplanningtoquoteanythingisay?orcanicarryonanormalconversationwithyou?”
“myjobistowriteastartingwithalexandrevangeersad’sarrivalinswedenwithbernadotteandgoinguptothepresent.it’stocoverthebusinessempireovermanydecades,butitwillalsodiscusswhytheempireisindifficultyanditwilltouchontheanimositythatexistswithinthefamily.insuchasurveyit’simpossibletoavoidhavingsomedirtylinenfloattothesurface.butthatdoesn’tmeanthati’mgoingtosetouttopresentamaliciousportraitofanyone.forexample,i’vemetmartinvanger;heseemstomeaverysympatheticperson,andthat’showi’mgoingtodescribehim.”
ceciliavangerdidnotreply.
“whatiknowaboutyouisthatyou’reateacher…”
“it’sactuallyworsethanthat—i’mtheheadmistressofhedestadpreparatoryschool.”
“i’msorry.iknowthatyouruncleisfondofyou,thatyou’remarriedbutseparated…andthat’saboutallsofar.sodopleasegoaheadandtalktomewithoutfearofbeingquoted.i’msurei’lleknockingonyourdoorsomedaysoon.thenitwillbeanofficialinterview,andyoucanchoosewhetheryouwanttoanswermyquestionsornot.”
“soicantalktoyouthenornow…offtherecord,astheysay?”
“ofcourse.”
“andthisisofftherecord?”
“ofcourse.thisisasocialvisitafterall.”
“ok.thencaniaskyousomething?”
“please.”
“howmuchofthisisgoingtodealwithharriet?”
blomkvistbithislipandthensaidascasuallyashecould:“tobehonest,ihavenoidea.itmightfillachapter.itwasadramaticeventthathascastashadowoveryouruncle,attheveryleast.”
“butyou’renotheretolookintoherdisappearance?”
“whatmakesyouthinkthat?”
“well,thefactthatnilssonluggedfourmassiveboxesoverhere.thatcouldbehenrik’sprivateinvestigationsovertheyears.ilookedinharriet’soldroom,wherehenrikkeepsit,anditwasgone.”
ceciliavangerwasnofool.
“you’llhavetotakethematterupwithhenrik,notwithme,”blomkvistsaid.“butitwon’tsurpriseyoutoknowthathenrikhastalkedalotaboutthegirl’sdisappearance,andithoughtitwouldbeinterestingtoreadthroughwhathadbeencollected.”
ceciliagavehimanotherofherjoylesssmiles.“iwondersometimeswho’scrazier,myfatherormyuncle.imusthavelistenedtohimonharriet’sdisappearanceathousandtimes.”
“whatdoyouthinkhappenedtoher?”
“isthisaninterviewquestion?”
“no,”hesaidwithalaugh.“i’mjustcurious.”
“whati’mcuriousaboutiswhetheryou’reanutcasetoo.whetheryou’veswallowedhenrik’sconvictionorwhetherinfactyou’retheonewho’segginghimon.”
“youthinkthathenrik’sanutcase?”
“don’tgetmewrong.he’soneofthewarmestandmostthoughtfulpeopleiknow.i’mveryfondofhim.butonthisparticulartopic,he’sobsessive.”
“butharrietreallydiddisappear.”
“i’mjustsodamnsickofthewholestory.it’spoisonedourlivesfordecades,anditdoesn’tstopdoingso.”shegotupabruptlyandputonherfurcoat.“ihavetogo.youseemlikeapleasantsort.martinthinkssotoo,buthisjudgementisn’talwaysreliable.you’reweletoeforcoffeeatmyhousewheneveryoulike.i’malmostalwayshomeintheevening.”
“thankyou,”blomkvistsaid.“youdidn’tanswerthequestionthatwasn’taninterviewquestion.”
shepausedatthedoorandrepliedwithoutlookingathim.
“ihavenoidea.ithinkitwasanaidentthathassuchasimpleexplanationthatitwillastonishusifweeverfindout.”
sheturnedtosmileathim—forthefirsttimewithwarmth.thenshewasgone.
ifithadbeenanagreeablefirstmeetingwithceciliavanger,thesamecouldnotbesaidofhisfirstencounterwithisabella.harriet’smotherwasexactlyashenrikvangerhadwarned:sheprovedtobeanelegantwomanwhoremindedhimvaguelyoflaurenbacall.shewasthin,dressedinablackpersianlambcoatwithmatchingcap,andshewasleaningonablackcanewhenblomkvistranintoheronemorningonhiswaytosusanne’s.shelookedlikeanageingvampire—stillstrikinglybeautifulbutasvenomousasasnake.isabellavangerwasapparentlyonherwayhomeaftertakingawalk.shecalledtohimfromthecrossroad.
“hellothere,youngman.ehere.”
themandingtonewashardtomistake.blomkvistlookedaroundandconcludedthathewastheonesummoned.hedidasinstructed.
“iamisabellavanger,”thewomansaid.
“hello.mynameismikaelblomkvist.”hestuckouthishand,whichsheignored.
“areyouthatpersonwho’sbeensnoopingaroundinourfamilyaffairs?”
“well,ifyoumeanamithepersonthathenrikvangerhasputundercontracttohelphimwithhisaboutthevangerfamily,thenyes.”
“that’snoneofyourbusiness.”
“which?thefactthathenrikvangerofferedmeacontractorthefactthatiaepted?”
“youknowperfectlywellwhatimean.idon’tcareforpeoplepokingaroundinmylife.”
“iwon’tpokearoundinyourlife.therestyou’llhavetodiscusswithhenrik.”
isabellaraisedhercaneandpressedthehandleagainstmikael’schest.shedidnotusemuchforce,buthetookastepbackinsurprise.
“justyoukeepawayfromme,”shesaid,andturnedonherheelandwalkedunsteadilytowardsherhouse.blomkvistwentonstandingwherehewas,lookinglikeamanwhohasjustmetarealliveic-character.whenhelookeduphesawvangerinthewindowofhisoffice.inhishandhewasholdingacup,whichheraisedinanironicsalute.
theonlytravellingthatblomkvistdidduringthatfirstmonthwasadrivetoabayonlakesiljan.heborrowedfrode’smercedesanddrovethroughasnowylandscapetospendtheafternoonwithdetectivesuperintendentmorell.blomkvisthadtriedtoformanimpressionofmorellbasedonthewayhecameacrossinthepolicereport.whathefoundwasawiryoldmanwhomovedsoftlyandspokeevenmoreslowly.
blomkvistbroughtwithhimanotewithtenquestions,mainlyideasthathadcroppedupwhilehewasreadingthepolicereport.morellansweredeachquestionputtohiminaschoolmasterlyway.finallyblomkvistputawayhisnotesandexplainedthatthequestionsweresimplyanexcuseforameeting.whathereallywantedwastohaveachatwithhimandaskonecrucialquestion:wasthereanysinglethingintheinvestigationthathadnotbeenincludedinthewrittenreport?anyhunches,even,thattheinspectormightbewillingtosharewithhim?
becausemorell,likevanger,hadspentthirty-sixyearsponderingthemystery,blomkvisthadexpectedacertainresistance—hewasthenewmanwhohadeinandstartedtrampingaroundinthethicketwheremorellhadgoneastray.buttherewasnotahintofhostility.morellmethodicallyfilledhispipeandlititbeforehereplied.
“wellyes,obviouslyihadmyownideas.butthey’resovagueandfleetingthaticanhardlyputthemintowords.”
“whatdoyouthinkhappened?”
“ithinkharrietwasmurdered.henrikandiagreeonthat.it’stheonlyreasonableexplanation.butweneverdiscoveredwhatthemotivemighthavebeen.ithinkshewasmurderedforaveryspecificreason—itwasn’tsomeactofmadnessorarapeoranythinglikethat.ifwehadknownthemotive,we’dhaveknownwhokilledher.”morellstoppedtothinkforamoment.“themurdermayhavebeenmittedspontaneously.bythatimeanthatsomeoneseizedanopportunitywhenitpresenteditselfintheingandgoinginthewakeoftheaident.themurdererhidthebodyandthenatsomelatertimeremoveditwhileweweresearchingforher.”
“we’retalkingaboutsomeonewhohasnervesofice.”
“there’sonedetail…harrietwenttohenrik’sroomwantingtospeaktohim.inhindsight,itseemstomeastrangewaytobehave—sheknewhehadhishandsfullwithalltherelativeswhowerehangingaround.ithinkharrietaliverepresentedagravethreattosomeone,thatshewasgoingtotellhenriksomething,andthatthemurdererknewshewasaboutto…well,spillthebeans.”
“andhenrikwasbusywithseveralfamilymembers?”
“therewerefourpeopleintheroom,besideshenrik.hisbrothergreger,acousinnamedmagnussj?gren,andtwoofharald’schildren,birgerandcecilia.butthatdoesn’ttellusanything.let’ssupposethatharriethaddiscoveredthatsomeonehadembezzledmoneyfromthepany—hypothetically,ofcourse.shemayhaveknownaboutitformonths,andatsomepointshemayevenhavediscusseditwiththepersoninquestion.shemayhavetriedtoblackmailhim,orshemayhavefeltsorryforhimandfeltuneasyaboutexposinghim.shemayhavedecidedallofasuddenandtoldthemurdererso,andheindesperationkilledher.”
“you’vesaid‘he’and‘him.’”
“thesaysthatmostkillersaremen.butit’salsotruethatinthevangerfamilyareseveralwomenwhoarerealfirebrands.”
“i’vemetisabella.”
“she’soneofthem.butthereareothers.ceciliavangercanbeextremelycaustic.haveyoumetsarasj?gren?”
blomkvistshookhishead.
“she’sthedaughterofsofiavanger,oneofhenrik’scousins.inhercasewe’retalkingaboutatrulyunpleasantandinconsideratelady.butshewaslivinginmalm?,andasfarasicouldascertain,shehadnomotiveforkillingthegirl.”
“soshe’soffthelist.”
“theproblemisthatnomatterhowwetwistedandturnedthings,wenevercameupwithamotive.that’stheimportantthing.”
“youputavastamountofworkintothiscase.wasthereanyleadyouremembernothavingfollowedup?”
morellchuckled.“no.i’vedevotedanendlessamountoftimetothiscase,andican’tthinkofanythingthatididn’tfollowuptothebitter,fruitlessend.evenafteriwaspromotedandmovedawayfromhedestad.”
“movedaway?”
“yes,i’mnotfromhedestadoriginally.iservedtherefrom1963until1968.afterthatiwaspromotedtosuperintendentandmovedtotheg?vlepolicedepartmentfortherestofmycareer.butevening?vleiwentondiggingintothecase.”
“idon’tsupposethathenrikwouldeverletup.”
“that’strue,butthat’snotthereason.thepuzzleaboutharrietstillfascinatesmetothisday.imean…it’slikethis:everypoliceofficerhashisownunsolvedmystery.irememberfrommydaysinhedestadhowoldercolleagueswouldtalkinthecanteenaboutthecaseofrebecka.therewasoneofficerinparticular,amannamedtorstensson—he’sbeendeadforyears—whoyearafteryearkeptreturningtothatcase.inhisfreetimeandwhenhewasonholiday.whenevertherewasaperiodofcalmamongthelocalhooliganshewouldtakeoutthosefoldersandstudythem.”
“wasthatalsoacaseaboutamissinggirl?”
morelllookedsurprised.thenhesmiledwhenherealisedthatblomkvistwaslookingforsomesortofconnection.
“no,that’snotwhyimentionedit.i’mtalkingaboutthesoulofapoliceman.therebeckacasewassomethingthathappenedbeforeharrietvangerwasevenborn,andthestatuteoflimitationshaslongsincerunout.sometimeinthefortiesawomanwasassaultedinhedestad,raped,andmurdered.that’snotaltogetherunmon.everyofficer,atsomepointinhiscareer,hastoinvestigatethatkindofcrime,butwhati’mtalkingaboutarethosecasesthatstaywithyouandgetunderyourskinduringtheinvestigation.thisgirlwaskilledinthemostbrutalway.thekillertiedherupandstuckherheadintothesmoulderingembersofafireplace.onecanonlyguesshowlongittookforthepoorgirltodie,orwhattormentshemusthaveendured.”
“christalmighty.”
“exactly.itwassosadistic.poortorstenssonwasthefirstdetectiveonthesceneaftershewasfound.andthemurderremainedunsolved,eventhoughexpertswerecalledinfromstockholm.hecouldneverletgoofthatcase.”
“icanunderstandthat.”
“myrebeckacasewasharriet.inthisinstancewedon’tevenknowhowshedied.wecan’tevenprovethatamurderwasmitted.butihaveneverbeenabletoletitgo.”hepausedtothinkforamoment.“beingahomicidedetectivecanbetheloneliestjobintheworld.thefriendsofthevictimareupsetandindespair,butsoonerorlater—afterweeksormonths—theygobacktotheireverydaylives.fortheclosestfamilyittakeslonger,butforthemostpart,tosomedegree,theytoogetovertheirgrievinganddespair.lifehastogoon;itdoesgoon.buttheunsolvedmurderskeepgnawingawayandintheendthere’sonlyonepersonleftwhothinksnightanddayaboutthevictim:it’stheofficerwho’sleftwiththeinvestigation.”
threeotherpeopleinthevangerfamilylivedonhedebyisland.alexandervanger,sonofgreger,bornin1946,livedinarenovatedwoodenhouse.vangertoldblomkvistthatalexanderwaspresentlyinthewestindies,wherehegavehimselfovertohisfavouritepastimes:sailingandwhilingawaythetime,notdoingascrapofwork.alexanderhadbeentwentyandhehadbeenthereonthatday.
alexandersharedthehousewithhismother,gerda,eightyyearsoldandwidowofgregervanger.blomkvisthadneverseenher;shewasmostlybedridden.
thethirdfamilymemberwasharaldvanger.duringhisfirstmonthblomkvisthadnotmanagedevenaglimpseofhim.harald’shouse,theoneclosesttoblomkvist’scabin,lookedgloomyandominouswithitsblackoutcurtainsdrawnacrossallthewindows.blomkvistsometimesthoughthesawarippleinthecurtainsashepassed,andoncewhenhewasabouttogotobedlate,henoticedaglimmeroflightingfromaroomupstairs.therewasagapinthecurtains.formorethantwentyminuteshestoodinthedarkathisownkitchenwindowandwatchedthelightbeforehegotfedupand,shivering,wenttobed.inthemorningthecurtainswerebackinplace.
haraldseemedtobeaninvisiblebutever-presentspiritwhoaffectedlifeinthevillagebyhisabsence.inblomkvist’simagination,haraldincreasinglytookontheformofanevilgollumwhospiedonhissurroundingsfrombehindthecurtainsanddevotedhimselftono-one-knew-whatmattersinhisbarricadedcavern.
haraldwasvisitedonceadaybythehome-helpservicefromtheothersideofthebridge.shewouldbringbagsofgroceries,trudgingthroughthesnowdriftsuptohisdoor.nilssonshookhisheadwhenblomkvistaskedaboutharald.hehadofferedtodotheshovelling,hesaid,butharalddidnotwantanyoosetfootonhisproperty.onlyonce,duringthefirstwinterafterharaldhadreturnedtohedebyisland,didnilssondrivethetractoruptheretoclearthesnowfromthecourtyard,justashedidforalltheotherdriveways.haraldhadeoutofhishouseatastartlingpace,yellingandgesticulatinguntilnilssonwentaway.
unfortunately,nilssonwasunabletoclearblomkvist’syardbecausethegatewastoonarrowforthetractor.asnowshovelandmanuallabourwerestilltheonlywaytodoit.
inthemiddleofjanuaryblomkvistaskedhislawyertofindoutwhenhewasgoingtobeexpectedtoservehisthreemonthsinprison.hewasanxioustotakecareofthematterasquicklyaspossible.gettingintoprisonturnedouttobeeasierthanhehadexpected.afteraveryfewweeksofdiscussion,itwasdecreedthatblomkvistpresenthimselfonmarch17attherull?kerprisonoutside?stersund,aminimum-securityprison.thelawyeradvisedhimthatthesentencewouldverylikelybeshortened.
“fine,”blomkvistsaid,withoutmuchenthusiasm.
hesatatthekitchentableandpettedthecat,whonowarrivedeveryfewdaystospendthenightwithblomkvist.fromthenilssonshehadlearnedthatthecat’snamewastjorven.itdidnotbelongtoanyoneinparticular,itjustmadetheroundsofallthehouses.
blomkvistmethisemployeralmosteveryafternoon.sometimestheywouldhaveabriefconversation;sometimestheywouldsittogetherforhours.
theconversationoftenconsistedofblomkvistputtingupatheorythatvangerwouldthenshootdown.blomkvisttriedtomaintainacertaindistancefromhisassignment,butthereweremomentswhenhefoundhimselfhopelesslyfascinatedbytheenigmaofthegirl’sdisappearance.
blomkvisthadassuredbergerthathewouldalsoformulateastrategyfortakingupthebattlewithwennerstr?m,butafteramonthinhedestadhehadnotyetopenedthefileswhichhadbroughthimtothedockinthedistrictcourt.onthecontrary,hehaddeliberatelypushedthematterasidebecauseeverytimehethoughtaboutwennerstr?mandhisownsituation,hewouldsinkintodepressionandlistlessness.hewonderedwhetherhewasgoingcrazyliketheoldman.hisprofessionalreputationhadimploded,andhismeansofrecoveringwastohidehimselfawayinatinytowninthedeepcountry,chasingghosts.
vangercouldtellthatblomkvistwasonsomedaysabitoffbalance.bytheendofjanuary,theoldmanmadeadecisionthatsurprisedevenhimself.hepickedupthetelephoneandcalledstockholm.theconversationlastedtwentyminutesanddealtlargelywithmikaelblomkvist.
ithadtakenalmostthatwholemonthforberger’sfurytosubside.at9:30intheevening,ononeofthelastdaysinjanuary,shecalledhim.
“areyoureallyintendingtostayupthere?”shebegan.thecallwassuchasurprisethatblomkvistcouldnotatfirstreply.thenhesmiledandwrappedtheblankettighteraroundhim.
“hi,ricky.youshouldtryityourself.”
“whywouldi?whatissocharmingaboutlivinginthebackofbeyond?”
“ijustbrushedmyteethwithicewater.itmakesmyfillingshurt.”
“youhaveonlyyourselftoblame.butit’scoldashelldownhereinstockholmtoo.”
“let’sheartheworst.”
“we’velosttwo-thirdsofourregularadvertisers.no-onewantstoerightoutandsayit,but…”
“iknow.makealistoftheonesthatjumpship.somedaywe’lldoagoodstoryonthem.”
“micke…i’verunthenumbers,andifwedon’tropeinsomenewadvertisers,we’llbebustbytheautumn.it’sassimpleasthat.”
“thingswillturnaround.”
shelaughedwearilyontheotherendoftheline.
“that’snotsomethingyoucansay,nestlingupthereinlaplanderhell.”
“erika,i’m…”
“iknow.aman’sgottadowhataman’sgottado,andallthatcrap.youdon’thavetosayanything.i’msorryiwassuchabitchanddidn’tansweryourmessages.canwestartagain?doidareeuptheretoseeyou?”
“wheneveryoulike.”
“doineedtobringalongariflewithwolf-shot?”
“notatall.we’llhaveourownlapps,dogteamsandallthegear.whenareyouing?”
“fridayevening,ok?”
apartfromthenarrowshovelledpathtothedoor,therewasaboutthreefeetofsnowcoveringtheproperty.blomkvistgavetheshovelalong,criticallookandthenwentovertonilsson’shousetoaskwhetherbergercouldparkherbmwthere.thatwasnoproblem;theyhadroominthedoublegarage,andtheyevenhadengineheaters.
bergerdrovethroughtheafternoonandarrivedaround6:00.theystaredateachotherwarilyforseveralsecondsandthenhuggedeachotherformuchlonger.
therewasnotmuchtoseeinthedarknessexceptfortheilluminatedchurch,andbothkonsumandsusanne’sbridgecaféwereclosingup.sotheyhurriedhome.blomkvistcookeddinnerwhilebergerpokedaroundinhishouse,makingremarksabouttheissuesofrekordmagasifromthefiftiesthatwerestillthere,andgettingengrossedinhisfilesintheoffice.
theyhadlambcutletswithpotatoesincreamsauceanddrankredwine.blomkvisttriedtotakeupthethreadoftheirearlierconversation,butbergerwasinnomoodtodiscussmillennium.insteadtheytalkedfortwohoursaboutwhatblomkvistwasdoingupthereandhowheandvangerweregettingon.latertheywenttoseeifthebedwasbigenoughtoholdbothofthem.
herthirdmeetingwithadvokatnilsbjurmanwasrescheduled,andfinallysetfor5:00onthatsamefridayafternoon.atthepreviousmeetings,salanderwasgreetedbyamiddle-agedwomanwhosmelledofmuskandworkedashissecretary.thistimeshehadleftfortheday,andbjurmansmelledfaintlyofdrink.hewavedsalandertoavisitor’schairandleafeddistractedlythroughthedocumentsonhisdeskuntilheseemedsuddenlytobeeawareofherpresence.
itturnedouttobeanotherinterrogation.thistimeheaskedsalanderabouthersexlife—whichshehadnointentionofdiscussingwithanyone.
afterthemeetingsheknewthatshehadhandleditbadly.atfirstsherefusedtoanswerhisquestions.hisinterpretationofthiswasthatshewasshy,retarded,orhadsomethingtohide,andhepressedherforanswers.salanderrealisedthathewasnotgoingtogiveup,soshestartedgivinghimbrief,colourlessanswersofthesortsheassumedwouldfitwithherpsychologicalprofile.shementioned“magnus”—who,aordingtoherdescription,wasanerdyputerprogrammerherownagewhotreatedherlikeagentlemanshould,tookhertothecinema,andsometimessharedherbed.“magnus”wasfiction;shemadehimupasshewentalong,butbjurmantookheraountasapretextformeticulouslymappingouthersexlife.howoftendoyouhavesex?oasionally.whotakestheinitiative—youorhim?ido.doyouusecondoms?ofcourse—sheknewabouthiv.what’syourfavouriteposition?hmm,usuallyonmyback.doyouenjoyoralsex?er,waitasecond…haveyoueverhadanalsex?
“no,it’snotparticularlynicetobe**edinthearse—butwhatthehellbusinessisitofyours?”
thatwastheonlytimeshelosthertemper.shehadkepthereyesonthefloorsotheywouldnotbetrayherexasperation.whenshelookedathimagain,hewasgrinningatherfromacrossthedesk.shelefthisofficewithafeelingofdisgust.palmgrenwouldneverhavedreamedofaskingsuchquestions.ontheotherhand,hehadalwaysbeenthereifshehadwantedtodiscussanything.notthatshedid.
bjurmanwasonhiswaytobeingamajorproblem.
chapter11
saturday,february1–tuesday,february18
duringthebriefhoursofdaylightonsaturday,blomkvistandbergertookawalkpastthesmall-boatharbouralongtheroadto?sterg?rden.hehadbeenlivingonhedebyislandforamonth,buthehadnevertakenawalkinland;thefreezingtemperaturesandregularsnowstormshaddeterredhim.butsaturdaywassunnyandpleasant.itwasasifbergerhadbroughtwithherahintofspring.theroadwaslinedwithsnow,ploughedthreefeethigh.assoonastheyleftthesummer-cabinareatheywerewalkingindensefirforest.blomkvistwassurprisedbyhowmuchhigherandmoreinaessibles?derberget,thehillacrossfromthecabins,wasthanitappearedfromthevillage.hethoughtabouthowmanytimesharrietvangermusthaveplayedhereasachild,butthenhepushedallthoughtsofheroutofhismind.afteraboutamilethewoodsendedatafencewherethe?sterg?rdenfarmlandbegan.theycouldseeawhitewoodenstructureandredfarmbuildingsarrangedinasquare.theyturnedtoheadbackthesameway.
astheypassedthedrivewaytotheestatehouse,vangerknockedontheupstairswindowandgesturedfirmlyforthemtoeup.blomkvistandbergerlookedateachother.
“wouldyouliketomeetacorporatelegend?”blomkvistsaid.
“doeshebite?”
“notonsaturdays.”
vangerreceivedthematthedoortohisoffice.
“youmustbefr?kenberger,irecogniseyou.”hesaid.“mikaeldidn’tsayawordaboutyouringtohedeby.”
oneofberger’soutstandingtalentswasherabilitytoinstantlygetonfriendlytermswiththemostunlikelyindividuals.blomkvisthadseenherturnonthecharmforfive-year-oldboys,whowithintenminuteswerefullypreparedtoabandontheirmothers.menovereightyseemednottobeanexception.aftertwominutesbergerandhenrikvangerwereignoringblomkvistastheychatteredon.itwasasiftheyhadknowneachothersincechildhood—well,sinceerika’schildhood,atanyrate.
bergerstartedoffquiteboldlybyscoldingvangerforluringherpublisherawayintothesticks.theoldmanrepliedthatasfarashecouldtell—fromassortedpressreports—shehadinfactfiredhim.andhadshenotdoneso,thennowmightbehightimetogetridofexcessballastintheeditorialoffices.andinthatcase,vangersaid,aperiodofrusticlifewoulddoyoungblomkvistsomegood.
forfiveminutestheydiscussedblomkvist’sshortingsinthemostirritatingterms.blomkvistleanedbackandpretendedtobeinsulted,buthefrownedwhenbergermadesomecrypticremarksthatmightalludetohisfailingsasajournalistbutmightalsohaveappliedtosexualprowess.vangertiltedhisheadbackandroaredwithlaughter.
blomkvistwasastonished.hehadneverseenvangersonaturalandrelaxed.hecouldsuddenlyseethatvanger,fiftyyearsyounger—oreventhirtyyears—musthavebeenquiteacharming,attractiveladies’man.hehadneverremarried.theremusthavebeenwomenwhocrossedhispath,yetfornearlyhalfacenturyhehadremainedabachelor.
blomkvisttookasipofcoffeeandprickeduphisearsagainwhenherealisedthattheconversationhadsuddenlyturnedseriousandhadtodowithmillennium.
“mikaelhastoldmethatyou’rehavingproblemsatthemagazine.”bergerglancedatblomkvist.“no,hehasn’tdiscussedyourinternaloperations,butapersonwouldhavetobedeafandblindnottoseethatyourmagazine,justlikethevangercorporation,isindifficulties.”
“i’mconfidentthatwecanrepairthesituation,”bergersaid.
“idoubtit,”vangersaid.
“whyisthat?”
“let’ssee—howmanyemployeesdoyouhave?six?amonthlymagazinewithaprintrunof21,000,manufacturingcosts,salaries,distribution,offices…youneedrevenuesofabout10million.ithinkweknowwhatpercentageofthatamounthastoefromadvertisingrevenue.”
“so?”
“sofriendwennerstr?misavengefulandnarrow-mindedbastardwhoisn’tgoingtofethisrecentcontretempsinahurry.howmanyadvertisershaveyoulostinthepastsixmonths?”
bergerregardedvangerwithawaryexpression.blomkvistcaughthimselfholdinghisbreath.onthoseoasionswhenheandtheoldmanhadtouchedonthefutureofmillennium,ithadalwaysconcernedannoyingremarksorthemagazine’ssituationinrelationtoblomkvist’sabilitytofinishhisworkinhedestad.butvangerwasnowaddressingerikaalone,onebosstoanother.signalspassedbetweenthemthatblomkvistcouldnotinterpret,whichmighthavehadtodowiththefactthathewasbasicallyapoorworking-classboyfromnorrlandandshewasanupper-classgirlwithadistinguished,internationalfamilytree.
“couldihavealittlemorecoffee?”bergerasked.vangerpouredheracupatonce.“ok,you’vedoneyourhomework.we’rebleeding.”
“howlong?”
“we’vegotsixmonthstoturnourselvesaround.eightmonths,max.wedon’thaveenoughcapitaltokeepourselvesafloatlongerthanthat.”
theoldman’sexpressionwasinscrutableashestaredoutofthewindow.thechurchwasstillstandingthere.
“didyouknowthatiwasonceinthenewspaperbusiness?”hesaid,oncemoreaddressingthemboth.
blomkvistandbergerbothshooktheirheads.vangerlaughedagain,ruefully.
“weownedsixdailynewspapersinnorrland.thatwasbackinthefiftiesandsixties.itwasmyfather’sidea—hethoughtitmightbepoliticallyadvantageoustohaveasectionofthemediabehindus.we’reactuallystilloneoftheownersofthehedestadcourier.birgeristhechairmanoftheboardforthegroupofowners.harald’sson,”headded,forblomkvist’sbenefit.
“andalsoalocalpolitician,”blomkvistsaid.
“martinisontheboardtoo.hekeepsbirgerinline.”
“whydidyouletgoofthenewspapersyouowned?”blomkvistasked.
“corporaterestructuringinthesixties.publishingnewspaperswasinsomewaysmoreahobbythananinterest.whenweneededtotightenthebudget,itwasoneofthefirstassetsthatwesold.butiknowwhatittakestorunapublication…mayiaskyouapersonalquestion?”
thiswasdirectedaterika.
“ihaven’taskedmikaelaboutthis,andifyoudon’twanttoanswer,youdon’thaveto.i’dliketoknowhowyouendedupinthisquagmire.didyouhaveastoryordidn’tyou?”
nowitwasblomkvist’sturntolookinscrutable.bergerhesitatedonlyasecondbeforeshesaid:“wehadastory.butitwasaverydifferentstory.”
vangernodded,asifheunderstoodpreciselywhatbergerwassaying.blomkvistdidnot.
“idon’twanttodiscussthematter.”blomkvistcutthediscussionshort.“ididtheresearchandwrotethearticle.ihadallthesourcesineeded.butthenitallwenttohell.”
“youhadsourcesforeverylastthingyouwrote?”
“idid.”
vanger’svoicewassuddenlysharp.“iwon’tpretendtounderstandhowthehellyoucouldwalkintosuchaminefield.ican’trecallasimilarstoryexceptperhapsthelundahlaffairinexpresseninthesixties,ifyouyoungstershaveeverheardofit.wasyoursourcealsoamythomaniac?”heshookhisheadandturnedtobergerandsaidquietly,“i’vebeenanewspaperpublisherinthepast,andicanbeoneagain.whatwouldyousaytotakingonanotherpartner?”
thequestioncamelikeaboltoutoftheblue,butbergerdidnotseemtheleastbitsurprised.
“tellmemore,”shesaid.
vangersaid:“howlongareyoustayinginhedestad?”
“i’mgoinghometomorrow.”
“wouldyouconsider—youandmikael,ofcourse—humouringanoldmanbyjoiningmefordinnertonight?would7:00suit?”
“thatwouldsuitusfine.we’dloveit.butyou’renotansweringthequestioniasked.whywouldyouwanttobeapartnerinmillennium?”
“i’mnotavoidingthequestion.ijustthoughtwecoulddiscussitoverdinner.ihavetotalkwithmylawyerbeforeicanputtogetheraconcreteoffer.butinallsimplicityicansaythatihavemoneytoinvest.ifthemagazinesurvivesandstartsmakingaprofitagain,theni’lleoutahead.ifnot—well,i’vehadsignificantlybiggerlossesinmyday.”
blomkvistwasabouttoopenhismouthwhenbergerputherhandonhisknee.
“mikaelandihavefoughthardsothatwecouldbepletelyindependent.”
“nonsense.no-oneispletelyindependent.buti’mnotouttotakeoverthemagazine,andidon’tgiveadamnaboutthecontents.thatbastardstenbeckgotallsortsofpointsforpublishingmoderntimes,sowhycan’tibackmillennium?whichhappenstobeanexcellentmagazine,bytheway.”
“doesthishaveanythingtodowithwennerstr?m?”blomkvistsaid.
vangersmiled.“mikael,i’meightyyearsplus.therearethingsiregretnotdoingandpeopleiregretnotfightingmore.but,aproposthistopic—”heturnedtobergeragain.“thistypeofinvestmentwouldhaveatleastonecondition.”
“let’shearit,”bergersaid.
“mikaelblomkvistmustresumehispositionaspublisher.”
“no,”blomkvistsnapped.
“butyes,”vangersaid,equallycurt.“wennerstr?mwillhaveastrokeifwesendoutapressreleasesayingthatthevangercorporationisbackingmillennium,andatthesametimeyou’rereturningaspublisher.that’sabsolutelytheclearestsignalwecouldsend—everyonewillunderstandthatit’snotatakeoverandthattheeditorialpolicieswon’tchange.andthatalonewillgivetheadvertiserswhoarethinkingofpullingoutreasontoreconsider.wennerstr?misn’tomnipotent.hehasenemiestoo,andtherearepaniesnewtoyouthatwillconsidertakingspace.”
“whatthehellwasthatallabout?”blomkvistsaidassoonasbergerpulledthefrontdoorshut.
“ithinkit’swhatyoucalladvanceprobesforabusinessdeal,”shesaid.“youdidn’ttellmethathenrikvangerissuchasweetie.”
blomkvistplantedhimselfinfrontofher.“ricky,youknewexactlywhatthisconversationwasgoingtobeabout.”
“hey,toyboy.it’sonly3:00,andiwanttobeproperlyentertainedbeforedinner.”
blomkvistwasenraged.buthehadnevermanagedtobeenragedaterikabergerforverylong.
sheworeablackdress,awaist-lengthjacket,andpumps,whichshejusthappenedtohavebroughtalonginherlittlesuitcase.sheinsistedthatblomkvistwearajacketandtie.heputonhisblacktrousers,agreyshirt,darktie,andgreysportscoat.whentheyknockedpunctuallyonthedoorofvanger’shome,itturnedoutthatdirchfrodeandmartinvangerwerealsoamongtheguests.everyonewaswearingajacketandtieexceptforvanger.
“theadvantageofbeingovereightyisthatno-onecancriticisewhatyouwear,”hedeclared.heworeabowtieandabrowncardigan.
bergerwasinhighspiritsthroughoutthedinner.
itwasnotuntiltheymovedtothedrawingroomwiththefireplaceandcognacwaspouredthatthediscussiontookonaserioustone.theytalkedforalmosttwohoursbeforetheyhadtheoutlineforadealonthetable.
frodewouldsetupapanytobewhollyownedbyhenrikvanger;theboardwouldconsistofhenrikandmartinvangerandfrode.overafour-yearperiod,thispanywouldinvestasumofmoneythatwouldcoverthegapbetweenineandexpensesformillennium.themoneywouldefromvanger’spersonalassets.inreturn,vangerwouldhaveaconspicuouspositiononthemagazine’sboard.theagreementwouldbevalidforfouryears,butitcouldbeterminatedbymillenniumaftertwoyears.butthistypeofprematureterminationwouldbecostly,sincevangercouldonlybeboughtoutbyrepaymentofthesumhehadinvested.
intheeventofvanger’sdeath,martinvangerwouldreplacehimonthemillenniumboardfortheremainderoftheperiodduringwhichtheagreementwasvalid.ifmartinwishedtocontinuehisinvolvementbeyondthisperiod,hecouldmakethatdecisionhimselfwhenthetimecame.heseemedamusedbytheprospectofgettingevenwithwennerstr?m,andblomkvistwonderedagainwhattheoriginwasoftheanimositybetweenthosetwo.
martinrefilledtheirglasses.vangermadeapointofleaningtowardsblomkvist,andinalowvoicetoldhimthatthisnewarrangementhadnoeffectwhatsoeverontheagreementthatexistedbetweenthem.blomkvistcouldresumehisdutiesaspublisherfull-timeattheendoftheyear.
itwasalsodecidedthatthereanisation,inordertohavethegreatestimpactinthemedia,shouldbepresentedonthesamedaythatblomkvistbeganhisprisonsentenceinmid-march.biningastronglynegativeeventwithareanisationwas,inprterms,suchaclumsyerrorthatitcouldnotbutastonishblomkvist’sdetractorsandgarneroptimumattentionforhenrikvanger’snewrole.buteveryonealsosawthelogicinit—itwasawayofindicatingthattheyellowplagueflagflutteringovermillennium’seditorialofficeswasabouttobehauleddown;themagazinehadbackerswhowerewillingtoberuthless.thevangercorporationmightbeinacrisis,butitwasstillaprominentindustrialfirmwhichcouldgoontheoffenceiftheneedarose.
thewholeconversationwasadiscussionbetweenberger,ononeside,andhenrikandmartinvangerontheother.no-oneaskedblomkvistwhathethought.
latethatnightblomkvistlaywithhisheadrestingonerika’sbreasts,lookingintohereyes.
“howlonghaveyouandhenrikvangerbeendiscussingthisarrangement?”