ne“manymurderersofwomengofree.”itwasashortarticle,butitincludedthenamesandphotographsofseveralnoteworthymurdervictims.therewasthesolveigcaseinnorrt?lje,theanitamurderinnorrk?ping,margaretainhelsingb,andanumberofothers.
theoldestcasetoberecountedwasfromthesixties,andnoneofthemurdersmatchedthelistthatsalanderhadbeengivenbyblomkvist.butonecasedidattractherattention.
injune1962aprostitutebythenameofleaperssonfromg?tebhadgoouddevallatovisithermotherandhernine-year-oldson,whomhermotherwastakingcareof.onasundayevening,afteravisitofseveraldays,leahadhuggedhermother,saidgoodbye,andcaughtthetrainbacktog?teb.shewasfoundtwodayslaterbehindacontaineronanindustrialsitenolongerinuse.shehadbeenraped,andherbodyhadbeensubjectedtoextraordinaryviolence.
theleamurderarousedagreatdealofattentionasasummerserialstoryinthenewspaper,butnokillerhadeverbeenidentified.therewasnoleaonharrietvanger’slist.nordidthemannerofherdeathfitwithanyofharriet’sbiblequotes.
ontheotherhand,therewassuchaarrecoincidencethatsalander’santennaeinstantlybuzzed.abouttenyardsfromwherelea’sbodywasfoundlayaflowerpotwithapigeoninside.someonehadtiedastringroundthepigeon’sneckandpulleditthroughtheholeinthebottomofthepot.thenthepotwasputonalittlefirethathadbeenlaidbetweentwobricks.therewasnocertaintythatthiscrueltyhadanyconnectionwiththeleamurder.itcouldhavebeenachildplayingahorriblegame,butthepressdubbedthemurderthepigeonmurder.
salanderwasnobiblereader—shedidnotevenownone—butthateveningshewentovertoh?galidchurchandwithsomedifficultyshemanagedtoborrowabible.shesatonaparkbenchoutsidethechurchandreadleviticus.whenshereachedchapter12,verse8,hereyebrowswentup.chapter12dealtwiththepurificationofwomenafterchildbirth.
andifshecannotaffordalamb,thensheshalltaketwoturtledovesortwoyoungpigeons,oneforaburntofferingandtheotherforasinoffering;andthepriestshallmakeatonementforher,andsheshallbeclean.
leacouldverywellhavebeenincludedinharriet’sdateas:lea—31208.
salanderthoughtthatnoresearchshehadeverdonebeforehadcontainedevenafractionofthescopeofthisassignment.
mildredbr?nnlund,remarriedandnowmildredberggren,openedthedoorwhenblomkvistknockedaround10:00onsundaymorning.thewomanwasmucholder,ofcourse,andhadbynowfilledoutagooddeal,butherecognisedheratonce.
“hi,mynameismikaelblomkvist.youmustbemildredberggren.”
“that’sright.”
“i’msorryforknockingonyourdoorlikethis,buti’vebeentryingtofindyou,andit’sratherplicatedtoexplain.”hesmiledather.“iwonderificouldeinandtakeupasmallamountofyourtime.”
mildred’shusbandandasonwhowasaboutthirty-fivewerehome,andwithoutmuchhesitationsheinvitedblomkvisttoeandsitintheirkitchen.heshookhandswitheachofthem.hehaddrunkmorecoffeeduringthepasttwenty-fourhoursthanatanytimeinhislife,butbynowhehadlearnedthatinnorrlanditwasrudetosayno.whenthecoffeecupswereonthetable,mildredsatdownandaskedwithsomecuriosityhowshecouldhelphim.itwasobviousthathedidnoteasilyunderstandhernorsj?dialect,sosheswitchedtostandardswedish.
blomkvisttookadeepbreath.“thisisalongandpeculiarstory,”hesaid.“inseptember1966youwereinhedestadwithyourthenhusband,gunnarbr?nnlund.”
shelookedsurprised.hewaitedforhertonodbeforehelaidthephotographfromj?rnv?gsgatanonthetableinfrontofher.
“whenwasthispicturetaken?doyouremembertheoasion?”
“oh,mygoodness,”mildredberggrensaid.“thatwasalifetimeago.”
herpresenthusbandandsoncametostandnexttohertolookatthepicture.
“wewereonourhoneymoon.wehaddrivendowntostockholmandsigtunaandwereonourwayhomeandhappenedtostopsomewhere.wasitinhedestad,yousaid?”
“yes,hedestad.thisphotographwastakenatabout1:00intheafternoon.i’vebeentryingtofindyouforsometimenow,andithasn’tbeenasimpletask.”
“youseeanoldphotographofmeandthenactuallytrackmedown.ican’timaginehowyoudidit.”
blomkvistputthephotographfromthecarparkonthetable.
“iwasabletofindyouthankstothispicture,whichwastakenalittlelaterintheday.”heexplainedhow,viathenorsj?carpentryshop,hehadfoundburman,whointurnhadledhimtohenningforsmaninnorsj?vallen.
“youmusthaveagoodreasonforthislongsearch.”
“ido.thisgirlstandingclosetoyouinthisphotographiscalledharriet.thatdayshedisappeared,andshewasneverseenorheardofagain.thegeneralassumptionisthatshefellpreytoamurderer.canishowyousomemorephotographs?”
hetookouthisiandexplainedthecircumstanceswhiletheputerbootedup.thenheplayedhertheseriesofimagesshowinghowharriet’sfacialexpressionchanged.
“itwaswheniwentthroughtheseoldimagesthatifoundyou,standingwithacamerarightbehindharriet,andyouseemtobetakingapictureinthedirectionofwhateveritisshe’slookingat,whatevercausedhertoreactinthatway.iknowthatthisisareallylongshot,butthereasoni’vebeenlookingforyouistoaskyouifbyanymiracleyoustillhavethepicturesfromthatday.”
hewaspreparedformildredberggrentodismisstheideaandtellhimthatthephotographshadlongsincevanished.insteadshelookedathimwithherclearblueeyesandsaid,asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld,thatofcourseshestillhadheroldhoneymoonpictures.
shewenttoanotherroomandcamebackafterseveralminuteswithaboxinwhichshehadstoredaquantityofpicturesinvariousalbums.ittookawhiletofindthehoneymoonones.shehadtakenthreephotographsinhedestad.onewasblurryandshowedthemainstreet.anothershowedherhusbandatthetime.thethirdshowedtheclownsintheparade.
blomkvisteagerlyleanedforward.hecouldseeafigureontheothersideofthestreetbehindaclown.butthephotographtoldhimabsolutelynothing.
chapter20
tuesday,july1–wednesday,july2
thefirstthingblomkvistdidthemorninghereturnedtohedestadwastogotofrode’shousetoaskaboutvanger’scondition.helearnedtohisdelightthattheoldmanhadimprovedquiteabitduringthepastweek.hewasweakstill,andfragile,butnowhecouldsitupinbed.hisconditionwasnolongerregardedascritical.
“thankgod,”hesaid.“irealisedthatiactuallylikehim.”
frodesaid:“iknowthat.andhenriklikesyoutoo.howwasnorrland?”
“suessfulyetunsatisfying.i’llexplainalittlelater.rightnowihaveaquestion.”
“goahead.”
“whatrealisticallywillhappentoyourinterestinmillenniumifhenrikdies?”
“nothingatall.martinwilltakehisplaceontheboard.”
“isthereanyrisk,hypotheticallyspeaking,thatmartinmightcreateproblemsformillenniumifidon’tputastoptotheinvestigationofharriet’sdisappearance?”
frodegavehimasharplook.
“what’shappened?”
“nothing,actually.”mikaeltoldhimabouttheconversationhehadhadwithmartinvangeronmidsummereve.“wheniwasinnorsj?erikatoldmethatmartinhadcalledherandsaidthathethoughtiwasverymuchneededbackattheoffice.”
“iunderstand.myguessisthatceciliawasafterhim.butidon’tthinkthatmartinwouldputpressureonyoulikethatonhisown.he’smuchtoosavvy.andremember,i’malsoontheboardofthelittlesubsidiaryweformedwhenweboughtintomillennium.”
“butwhatifaticklishsituationcameup—howwouldyouactthen?”
“contractsexisttobehonoured.iworkforhenrik.henrikandihavebeenfriendsforforty-fiveyears,andweareinpleteagreementinsuchmatters.ifhenrikshoulddieitisinpointoffacti—notmartin—whowouldinherithenrik’sshareinthesubsidiary.wehaveacontractinwhichwehaveundertakentobackmillenniumforthreeyears.shouldmartinwishtostartanymischief—whichidon’tbelievehewill—thentheoreticallyhecouldputthebrakesonasmallnumberofnewadvertisers.”
“thelifebloodofmillennium’sexistence.”
“yes,butlookatitthisway—worryingaboutsuchtriviaisawasteoftime.martinispresentlyfightingforhisindustrialsurvivalandworkingfourteenhoursaday.hedoesn’thavetimeforanythingelse.”
“mayiask—iknowit’snoneofmybusiness—whatisthegeneralconditionofthecorporation?”
frodelookedgrave.
“wehaveproblems.”
“yes,evenamonfinancialreporterlikemyselfcanseethat.imean,howseriousisit?”
“offtherecord?”
“betweenus.”
“we’velosttwolargeordersintheelectronicsindustryinthepastfewweeksandareabouttobeejectedfromtherussianmarket.inseptemberwe’regoingtohavetolayoff1,600employeesin?rebroandtrollh?ttan.notmuchofarewardtogivetopeoplewho’veworkedforthepanyformanyyears.eachtimeweshutdownafactory,confidenceinthepanyisfurtherundermined.”
“martinisunderpressure.”
“he’spullingtheloadofanoxandwalkingoneggshells.”
blomkvistwentbacktohiscottageandcalledberger.shewasnotattheoffice,sohespoketomalm.
“here’sthedeal:erikacalledwheniwasinnorsj?.martinvangerhasbeenafterherandhas,howshalliputit,encouragedhertoproposethatistarttotakeoneditorialresponsibility.”
“ithinkyoushouldtoo,”malmsaid.
“iknowthat.butthethingis,ihaveacontractwithhenrikvangerthatican’tbreak,andmartinisactingonbehalfofsomeoneupherewhowantsmetostopwhatiamdoingandleavetown.sohisproposalamountstoanattempttogetridofme.”
“isee.”
“sayhitoerikaandtellheri’llebacktostockholmwheni’mfinishedhere.notbefore.”
“iunderstand.you’restarkravingmad,ofcourse,buti’llgiveherthemessage.”
“christer.somethingisgoingonuphere,andihavenointentionofbackingout.”
blomkvistknockedonmartinvanger’sdoor.evahasselopeneditandgreetedhimwarmly.
“hi.ismartinhome?”
asifinreplytothequestion,martinvangercamewalkingoutwithabriefcaseinhishand.hekissedevaonthecheekandsaidhellotomikael.
“i’monmywaytotheoffice.doyouwanttotalktome?”
“wecandoitlaterifyou’reinahurry.”
“let’shearit.”
“iwon’tbegoingbacktomillennium’seditorialboardbeforei’mfinishedwiththeassignmentthathenrikgaveme.i’mrmingyouofthisnowsothatyouwon’tcountonmebeingontheboardbeforenewyear’s.”
martinvangerteeteredbackandforthforabit.
“isee.youthinkiwanttogetridofyou.”hepaused.“mikael,we’llhavetotalkaboutthislater.idon’treallyhavetimetodevotetomyhobbyonmillennium’sboard,andiwishi’dneveragreedtohenrik’sproposal.butbelieveme—i’mgoingtodomybesttomakesurethatmillenniumsurvives.”
“i’veneverhadanydoubtaboutthat,”blomkvistsaid.
“ifwemakeanappointmentforsometimenextweekwecangooverthefinancesandicangiveyoumyviewsonthematter.butmybasicattitudeisthatmillenniumcannotactuallyaffordtohaveoneofitskeypeoplesittinguphereonhedebyislandtwiddlinghisthumbs.ilikethemagazineandithinkwecanmakeitstrongertogether,butyou’recrucialtothattask.i’vewoundupinaconflictofloyaltieshere.eitherifollowhenrik’swishesorcarryoutmyjobonmillennium’sboard.”
blomkvistchangedintohistracksuitandwentforarunouttothefortressanddowntogottfried’scabinbeforeheheadedhomeataslowerpacealongthewater.frodewassittingatthegardentable.hewaitedpatientlyasmikaeldrankabottleofwaterandtowelledthesweatfromhisface.
“thatdoesn’tlooksohealthyinthisheat.”
“oh,eon,”blomkvistsaid.
“iwaswrong.ceciliaisn’tthemainpersonwho’saftermartin.it’sisabella.she’sbusymobilisingthevangerclantotarandfeatheryouandpossiblyburnyouatthestaketoo.she’sbeingbackedupbybirger.”
“isabella?”
“she’samalicious,pettywomanwhodoesn’tlikeotherpeopleingeneral.rightnowitseemsthatshedetestsyouinparticular.she’sspreadingstoriesthatyou’reaswindlerwhodupedhenrikintohiringyou,andthatyougothimsoworkedupthathehadaheartattack.”
“ihopeno-onebelievesthat?”
“there’salwayssomeonewillingtobelievemaliciousrumours.”
“i’mtryingtoworkoutwhathappenedtoherdaughter—andshehatesme.ifharrietweremydaughter,iwouldhavereactedabitdifferently.”
at2:00intheafternoon,hismobilerang.
“hello,mynameisconnytorssonandiworkatthehedestadcourier.doyouhavetimetoanswerafewquestions?wegotatipthatyou’relivinghereinhedeby.”
“well,herrtorsson,yourtipmachineisalittleslow.i’vebeenlivingheresincethefirstoftheyear.”
“ididn’tknowthat.whatareyoudoinginhedestad?”
“writing.andtakingasortofsabbatical.”
“whatareyouworkingon?”
“you’llfindoutwhenipubli**.”
“youwerejustreleasedfromprison…”
“yes?”
“doyouhaveaviewonjournalistswhofalsifymaterial?”
“journalistswhofalsifymaterialareidiots.”
“soinyouropinionyou’reanidiot?”
“whyshouldithinkthat?i’veneverfalsifiedmaterial.”
“butyouwereconvictedoflibel.”
“so?”
torssonhesitatedlongenoughthatblomkvisthadtogivehimapush.
“iwasconvictedoflibel,notoffalsifyingmaterial.”
“butyoupublishedthematerial.”
“ifyou’recallingtodiscussthejudgementagainstme,ihavenoment.”
“i’dliketoeoutanddoaninterviewwithyou.”
“ihavenothingtosaytoyouonthistopic.”
“soyoudon’twanttodiscussthetrial?”
“that’scorrect,”hesaid,andhungup.hesatthinkingforalongtimebeforehewentbacktohisputer.
salanderfollowedtheinstructionsshehadreceivedanddroveherkawasakiacrossthebridgetohedebyisland.shestoppedatthefirstlittlehouseontheleft.shewasreallyoutinthesticks.butaslongasheremployerwaspaying,shedidnotmindifshewenttothenorthpole.besides,itwasgreattogiveherbikeitsheadonalongrideupthee4.sheputthebikeonitsstandandloosenedthestrapthatheldherovernightduffelbaginplace.
blomkvistopenedthedoorandwavedtoher.hecameoutandinspectedhermotorcyclewithobviousastonishment.
hewhistled.“you’reridingamotorbike!”
salandersaidnothing,butshewatchedhimintentlyashetouchedthehandlebarsandtriedtheaelerator.shedidnotlikeanyoouchingherstuff.thenshesawhischildlike,boyishsmile,whichshetookforaredeemingfeature.mostpeoplewhowereintomotorcyclesusuallylaughedatherlightweightbike.
“ihadamotorbikewheniwasnieen,”hesaid,turningtoher.“thanksforingup.einandlet’sgetyousettled.”
hehadborrowedacampbedfromthenilssons.salandertookatouraroundthecabin,lookingsuspicious,butsheseemedtorelaxwhenshecouldfindnoimmediatesignsofanyinsidioustrap.heshowedherwherethebathroomwas.
“incaseyouwanttotakeashowerandfreshenup.”
“ihavetochange.iamnotgoingtowanderaroundinmyleathers.”
“ok,whileyouchangei’llmakedinner.”
hesautéedlambchopsinredwinesauceandsetthetableoutdoorsintheafternoonsunwhilesalandershoweredandchanged.shecameoutbarefootwearingablackcamisoleandashort,worndenimskirt.thefoodsmelledgood,andsheputawaytwostouthelpings.fascinated,blomkvistsneakedalookatthetattoosonherback.
“fiveplusthree,”salandersaid.“fivecasesfromyourharriet’slistandthreecasesthatithinkshouldhavebeenonthelist.”
“tellme.”
“i’veonlybeenonthisforelevendays,andihaven’thadachancetodigupallthereports.insomecasesthepolicereportshadbeenputinthenationalarchive,andinothersthey’restillstoredinthelocalpolicedistrict.imadethreedaytripstodifferentpolicedistricts,butididn’thavetimetogettoallofthem.thefiveareidentified.”
salanderputasolidheapofpaperonthekitchentable,around500pages.shequicklysortedthematerialintodifferentstacks.
“let’staketheminchronologicalorder.”shehandedblomkvistalist.
1949—rebeckajacobsson,hedestad
1954—mariholmberg,kalmar
1957—rakellunde,landskrona
1960—
1960—livgustavsson,stockholm
1962—leapersson,uddevalla
1964—sarawitt,ronneby
1966—lenaandersson,uppsala
“thefirstcaseinthisseriesisrebeckajacobsson,1949,thedetailsofwhichyoualreadyknow.thenextcaseifoundwasmariholmberg,athirty-two-year-oldprostituteinkalmarwhowasmurderedinherapartmentinoctober1954.it’snotclearexactlywhenshewaskilled,sinceherbodywasn’tfoundrightaway,probablynineortendayslater.”
“andhowdoyouconnecthertoharriet’slist?”
“shewastiedupandbadlyabused,butthecauseofdeathwasstrangulation.shehadasanitarytoweldownherthroat.”
blomkvistsatinsilenceforamomentbeforehelookeduptheversethatwasleviticus20:18.
“ifamanlieswithawomanhavinghersickness,anduncovershernakedness,hehasmadenakedherfountain,andshehasuncoveredthefountainofherblood;bothofthemshallbecutofffromamongtheirpeople.”
salandernodded.
“harrietvangermadethesameconnection.ok.next?”
“may1957,rakellunde,forty-five.sheworkedasacleaningwomanandwasabitofahappyeentricinthevillage.shewasafortune-tellerandherhobbywasdoingtarotreadings,palms,etcetera.shelivedoutsidelandskronainahousealongwayfromanywhere,andshewasmurderedtheresometimeearlyinthemorning.shewasfoundnakedandtiedtoalaundry-dryingframeinherbackgarden,withhermouthtapedshut.causeofdeathwasaheavyrockbeingrepeatedlythrownather.shehadcountlesscontusionsandfractures.”
“jesuschrist.lisbeth,thisis**ingdisgusting.”
“itgetsworse.theinitialsr.l.arecorrect—youfoundthebiblequote?”
“overlyexplicit.amanorawomanwhoisamediumorawizardshallbeputtodeath;theyshallbestonedwithstones,theirbloodshallbeuponthem.”
“thenthere’ssj?berginranmooutsidekarlstad.she’stheoneharrietlistedasmagda.herfullnamewasmagdalovisa,butpeoplecalledherlovisa.”
blomkvistlistenedwhilesalanderrecountedthearredetailsofthekarlstadmurder.whenshelitacigarettehepointedatthepack,andshepusheditovertohim.
“sothekillerattackedtheanimaltoo?”
“theleviticusversesaysthatifawomanhassexwithananimal,bothmustbekilled.”
“thelikelihoodofthiswomanhavingsexwithacowmustbe…well,non-existent.”
“theversecanbereadliterally.it’senoughthatshe‘approaches’theanimal,whichafarmer’swifewouldundeniablydoeveryday.”
“understood.”
“thenextcaseonharriet’slistissara.i’veidentifiedherassarawitt,thirty-seven,livinginronneby.shewasmurderedinjanuary1964,foundtiedtoherbed,subjectedtoaggravatedsexualassault,butthecauseofdeathwasasphyxiation;shewasstrangled.thekilleralsostartedafire,withtheprobableintentionofburningthewholehousedowntotheground,butpartofthefirewentoutbyitself,andtherestwastakencareofbythefireservice,whowerethereinaveryshorttime.”
“andtheconnection?”
“listentothis.sarawittwasboththedaughterofapastorandmarriedtoapastor.herhusbandwasawaythatweekend.”
“andthedaughterofanypriest,ifsheprofanesherselfbyplayingtheharlot,profanesherfather;sheshallbeburnedwithfire.ok.thatfitsonthelist.yousaidyou’dfoundmorecases.”
“i’vefoundthreeotherwomenwhoweremurderedundersuchsimilarlystrangecircumstancesandtheycouldhavebeenonharriet’slist.thefirstisayoungwomannamedlivgustavsson.shewastwenty-twoandlivedinfarsta.shewasahorse-lovinggirl—sherodeinpetitionsandwasquiteapromisingtalent.shealsoownedasmallpetshopwithhersister.shewasfoundintheshop.shehadworkedlateonthekeepingandwastherealone.shemusthaveletthekillerinvoluntarily.shewasrapedandstrangledtodeath.”
“thatdoesn’tsoundquitelikeharriet’slist,doesit?”
“notexactly,ifitweren’tforohing.thekillerconcludedhisbarbaritiesbyshovingaparakeetuphervaginaandthenletalltheanimalsoutintotheshop.cats,turtles,whitemice,rabbits,birds.eventhefishintheaquarium.soitwasquiteanappallingscenehersisterencounteredinthemorning.”
blomkvistmadeanote.
“shewasmurderedinaugust1960,fourmonthsafterthemurderofthefarmer’swifemagdalovisainkarlstad.inbothinstancestheywerewomenwhoworkedprofessionallywithanimals,andinbothcasestherewasananimalsacrifice.thecowinkarlstadmayhavesurvived—buticanimagineitwouldbedifficulttostabacowtodeathwithaknife.aparakeetismorestraightforward.andbesides,therewasanadditionalanimalsacrifice.”
“what?”
salandertoldthestoryofthe“pigeonmurder”ofleapersson.blomkvistsatforsolonginsilenceandinthoughtthatevensalandergrewimpatient.
“i’llbuyyourtheory,”hesaidatlast.“there’sonecaseleft.”
“acasethatidiscoveredbychance.idon’tknowhowmanyimayhavemissed.”
“tellmeaboutit.”
“february1966inuppsala.thevictimwasaseventeen-year-oldgymnastcalledlenaandersson.shedisappearedafteraclasspartyandwasfoundthreedayslaterinaditchontheuppsalaplain,quiteawayoutoftown.shehadbeenmurderedsomewhereelseandherbodydumpedthere.thismurdergotalotofattentioninthemedia,butthetruecircumstancessurroundingherdeathwereneverreported.thegirlhadbeengrotesquelytortured.ireadthepathologist’sreport.shewastorturedwithfire.herhandsandbreastswereatrociouslyburned,andshehadbeenburnedrepeatedlyatvariousspotsalloverherbody.theyfoundparaffinstainsonher,whichshowedthatcandleshadbeenused,butherhandsweresocharredthattheymusthavebeenheldoveramorepowerfulfire.finally,thekillersawedoffherheadandtosseditnexttothebody.”
blomkvistblanched.“goodlord,”hesaid.
“ican’tfindanybiblequotethatfits,butthereareseveralpassagesthatdealwithafireofferingandasinoffering,andinsomeplacesit’sremendedthatthesacrificialanimal—mostoftenabull—becutupinsuchawaythattheheadisseveredfromthefat.firealsoremindsmeofthefirstmurder,ofrebeckahereinhedestad.”
towardseveningwhenthemosquitoesbegantoswarmtheyclearedoffthegardentableandmovedtothekitchentogoonwiththeirtalk.
“thefactthatyoudidn’tfindanexactbiblequotationdoesn’tmeanmuch.it’snotamatterofquotations.thisisagrotesqueparodyofwhatiswritteninthebible—it’smorelikeassociationstoquotationspulledoutofcontext.”
“iagree.itisn’tevenlogical.takeforexamplethequotethatbothhavetobecutofffromtheirpeopleifsomeonehassexwithagirlwho’shavingherperiod.ifthat’sinterpretedliterally,thekillershouldhavemittedsuicide.”
“sowheredoesallthislead?”blomkvistwonderedaloud.
“yourharrieteitherhadquiteastrangehobbyorelseshemusthaveknownthattherewasaconnectionbetweenthemurders.”
“between1949and1966,andmaybebeforeandafteraswell.theideathataninsanelysicksadisticserialkillerwasslaughteringwomenforatleastseventeenyearswithoutanyoneseeingaconnectionsoundsutterlyunbelievabletome.”
salanderpushedbackherchairandpouredmorecoffeefromthepotonthestove.shelitacigarette.mikaelcursedhimselfandstoleanotherfromher.
“no,it’snotsounbelievable,”shesaid,holdinguponefinger.“wehaveseveraldozenunsolvedmurdersofwomeninswedenduringthetwentiethcentury.thatprofessorofcriminology,persson,saidonceontvthatserialkillersareveryrareinsweden,butthatprobablywehavehadsomethatwerenevercaught.”
sheheldupanotherfinger.
“thesemurdersweremittedoveraverylongperiodoftimeandalloverthecountry.twoourredclosetogetherin1960,butthecircumstanceswerequitedifferent—afarmer’swifeinkarlstadandatwenty-two-year-oldinstockholm.”
threefingers.
“thereisnoimmediatelyapparentpattern.themurderswerecarriedoutatdifferentplacesandthereisnorealsignature,buttherearecertainthingsthatdorecur.animals.fire.aggravatedsexualassault.and,asyoupointedout,aparodyofbiblicalquotations.butitseemsthatnotoneoftheinvestigatingdetectivesinterpretedanyofthemurdersintermsofthebible.”
blomkvistwaswatchingher.withherslenderbody,herblackcamisole,thetattoos,andtheringspiercingherface,salanderlookedoutofplace,tosaytheleast,inaguestcottageinhedeby.whenhetriedtobesociableoverdinner,shewastaciturntothepointofrudeness.butwhenshewasworkingshesoundedlikeaprofessionaltoherfingertips.herapartmentinstockholmmightlookasifabombhadgoneoffinit,butmentallysalanderwasextremelywellanised.
“it’shardtoseetheconnectionbetweenaprostituteinuddevallawho’skilledinanindustrialyardandapastor’swifewhoisstrangledinronnebyandhasherhousesetonfire.ifyoudon’thavethekeythatharrietgaveus,thatis.”
“whichleadstothenextquestion,”salandersaid.
“howonearthdidharrietgetmixedupinallthis?asixteen-year-oldgirlwholivedinareallyshelteredenvironment.”
“there’sonlyoneanswer,”salandersaid.“theremustbesomeconnectiontothevangerfamily.”
by11:00thatnighttheyhadgoneovertheseriesofmurdersanddiscussedtheconceivableconnectionsandthetinydetailsofsimilarityanddifferencesooftenthatblomkvist’sheadwasspinning.herubbedhiseyesandstretchedandaskedsalanderifshefeltlikeawalk.herexpressionsuggestedthatshethoughtsuchpracticeswereawasteoftime,butsheagreed.blomkvistadvisedhertochangeintolongtrousersbecauseofthemosquitoes.
theystrolledpastthesmall-boatharbourandthenunderthebridgeandouttowardsmartinvanger’spoint.blomkvistpointedoutthevarioushousesandtoldheraboutthepeoplewholivedinthem.hehadsomedifficultywhentheycametoceciliavanger’shouse.salandergavehimacuriouslook.
theypassedmartinvanger’smotoryachtandreachedthepoint,andtheretheysatonarockandsharedacigarette.
“there’sonemoreconnection,”blomkvistsaidsuddenly.“maybeyou’vealreadythoughtofit.”
“what?”
“theirnames.”
salanderthoughtforamomentandshookherhead.
“they’reallbiblicalnames.”
“nottrue,”shesaid.“whereistherealivorlenainthebible?”
“theyarethere.livmeanstolive,inotherwordseva.andeon—what’slenashortfor?”
salandergrimacedinannoyance.hehadbeenquickerthanshewas.shedidnotlikethat.
“magdalena,”shesaid.
“thewhore,thefirstwoman,thevirginmary…they’reallthereinthisgroup.thisissofreakyit’dmakeapsychologist’sheadspin.butthere’ssomethingelseithoughtofwithregardtothenames.”
salanderwaitedpatiently.
“they’reobviouslyalltraditionaljewishnames.thevangerfamilyhashadmorethanitsshareoffanaticalanti-semites,nazis,andconspiracytheorists.theonlytimeimetharaldvangerhewasstandingintheroadsnarlingthathisowndaughterwasawhore.hecertainlyhasproblemswithwomen.”
whentheygotbacktothecabintheymadeamidnightsnackandheatedupthecoffee.mikaeltookalookatthealmost500pagesthatdraganarmansky’sfavouriteresearcherhadproducedforhim.
“you’vedoneafantasticjobofdiggingupthesefactsinsuchashorttime,”hesaid.“thanks.andthanksalsoforbeingniceenoughtoeuphereandreportonit.”
“whathappensnow?”salanderwantedtoknow.
“i’mgoingtotalktodirchfrodetomorrowandarrangeforyourfeetobepaid.”
“thatwasn’twhatimeant.”
blomkvistlookedather.
“well…ireckonthejobihiredyouforisdone,”hesaid.
“i’mnotdonewiththis.”
blomkvistleanedbackagainstthekitchenwallandmethergaze.hecouldn’treadanythingatallinhereyes.forhalfayearhehadbeenworkingaloneonharriet’sdisappearance,andherewasanotherperson—anexperiencedresearcher—whograspedtheimplications.hemadethedecisiononimpulse.
“iknow.thisstoryhasgotundermyskintoo.i’lltalktofrode.we’llhireyouforaweekortwomoreas…aresearchassistant.idon’tknowifhe’llwanttopaythesameratehepaystoarmansky,butweshouldbeabletoarrangeabasiclivingwageforyou.”
salandersuddenlygavehimasmile.shehadnowishtobeshutoutandwouldhavegladlydohejobforfree.
“i’mfallingasleep,”shesaid,andwithoutfurtheradoshewenttoherroomandclosedthedoor.
twominuteslatersheopenedthedoorandputoutherhead.
“ithinkyou’rewrong.it’snotaninsaneserialkillerwhoreadhisbiblewrong.it’sjustamonorgardenbastardwhohateswomen.”
chapter21
thursday,july3–thursday,july10
salanderwasupbeforeblomkvist,around6:00.sheputonsomewaterforcoffeeandwenttotakeashower.whenblomkvistwokeat7:30,shewasreadinghissummaryoftheharrietvangercaseonhisi.hecameouttothekitchenwithatowelroundhiswaist,rubbingthesleepoutofhiseyes.
“there’scoffeeonthestove,”shesaid.
helookedoverhershoulder.
“thatdocumentwaspasswordprotected,dammit,”hesaid.
sheturnedandpeeredupathim.
“ittakesthirtysecondstodownloadaprogrammefromthethatcancrackword’sencryptionprotection.”
“weneedtohaveatalkonthesubjectofwhat’syoursandwhat’smine,”hesaid,andwenttotakeashower.
whenhecameback,salanderhadturnedoffhisputerandputitbackinitsplaceinhisoffice.shehadbootedupherownpower.blomkvistfeltsurethatshehadalreadytransferredthecontentsofhisputertoherown.
salanderwasanrmationjunkiewithadelinquentchild’stakeonmoralsandethics.
hehadjustsatdowntobreakfastwhentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor.martinvangerlookedsosolemnthatforasecondblomkvistthoughthehadetobringthenewsofhisuncle’sdeath.
“no,henrik’sconditionisthesameasyesterday.i’mhereforaquitedifferentreason.couldieramoment?”
blomkvistlethimin,introducinghimto“myresearchassistant”lisbethsalander.shegavethecaptainofindustrybarelyaglanceandaquicknodbeforeshewentbacktoherputer.martinvangergreetedherautomaticallybutlookedsodistractedthathehardlyseemedtonoticeher.blomkvistpouredhimacupofcoffeeandinvitedhimtohaveaseat.
“what’sthisallabout?”
“youdon’tsubscribetothehedestadcourier?”
“no.butsometimesiseeitatsusanne’sbridgecafé.”
“thenyouhaven’treadthismorning’spaper.”
“youmakeitsoundasifioughtto.”
martinvangerputtheday’spaperonthetableinfrontofhim.hehadbeengiventwocolumnsonthefrontpage,continuedonpagefour.“convictedlibeljournalisthidinghere.”aphotographtakenwithatelephotolensfromthechurchhillontheothersideofthebridgeshowedblomkvistingoutofthecottage.
thereporter,torsson,hadcobbledtogetherascurrilouspiece.herecapitulatedthewennerstr?maffairandexplainedthatblomkvisthadleftmillenniumindisgraceandthathehadrecentlyservedaprisonterm.thearticleendedwiththeusuallihatblomkvisthaddeclinedtomenttothehedestadcourier.everyself-respectingresidentofhedestadwasputonnoticethatanolympic-class**fromstockholmwasskulkingaroundthearea.noneoftheclaimsinthearticlewaslibellous,buttheywereslantedtopresentblomkvistinanunflatteringlight;thelayoutandtypestylewasofthekindthatsuchnewspapersusedtodiscusspoliticalterrorists.millenniumwasdescribedasamagazinewithlowcredibility“bentonagitation,”andblomkvist’sonfinancialjournalismwaspresentedasacollectionof“controversialclaims”aboutothermorerespectedjournalists.
“mikael…idon’thavewordstoexpresswhatifeltwhenireadthisarticle.it’srepulsive.”
“it’saput-upjob,”blomkvistsaidcalmly.
“ihopeyouunderstandthatididn’thavetheslightestthingtodowiththis.ichokedonmymorningcoffeewhenireadit.”
“thenwhodid?”
“imadesomecalls.thistorssonisasummerworkexperiencekid.hedidthepieceonordersfrombirger.”
“ithoughtbirgerhadnosayinthenewsroom.afterall,heisacouncillorandpoliticalfigure.”
“technicallyhehasnoinfluence.buttheeditorinchiefofthecourierisgunnarkarlman,ingrid’sson,who’spartofthejohanvangerbranchofthefamily.birgerandgunnarhavebeencloseformanyyears.”
“isee.”
“torssonwillbefiredforthwith.”
“howoldishe?”
“totellyouthetruth,idon’tknow.i’venevermethim.”
“don’tfirehim.whenhecalledmehesoundedlikeaveryyoungandinexperiencedreporter.”
“thiscan’tbeallowedtopasswithoutconsequences.”
“ifyouwantmyopinion,thesituationseemsabitabsurd,whentheeditorinchiefofapublicationownedbythevangerfamilygoesontheattackagainstanotherpublicationinwhichhenrikvangerisapartownerandonwhoseboardyousit.youreditor,karlman,isattackingyouandhenrik.”
“iseewhatyoumean,andioughttolaytheblamewhereitbelongs.karlmanisapartownerinthecorporationandhasalwaystakenpot-shotsatme,butthisseemsmorelikebirger’srevengebecauseyouhadarun-inwithhimatthehospital.you’reathorninhisside.”
“ibelieveit.that’swhyithinktorssonisthelastpersontoblame.ittakesalotforaninterntosaynowhenthebossinstructshimtowritesomethinginacertainway.”
“icoulddemandthatyoubegivenanapologytomorrow.”
“betternot.itwouldjustturnintoalong,drawn-outsquabblethatwouldmakethesituationworse.”
“soyoudon’tthinkishoulddoanything?”
“itwouldn’tbeanyuse.karlmanwouldkickupafussandintheworstcaseyou’dbepaintedasavillainwho,inhiscapacityasowner,istryingtostamponthefreedomofexpression.”
“pardonme,mikael,butidon’tagreewithyou.asamatteroffact,ialsohavetherighttoexpressmyopinion.myviewisthatthisarticlestinks—andiintendtomakemyownpointofviewclear.howeverreluctantly,i’mhenrik’sreplacementonmillennium’sboard,andinthatroleiamnotgoingtoletanoffensivearticlelikethisonepassunchallenged.”
“fairenough.”
“soi’mgoingtodemandtherighttorespond.andifimakekarlmanlooklikeanidiot,hehasonlyhimselftoblame.”
“youmustdowhatyoubelieveisright.”
“forme,it’salsoimportantthatyouabsolutelyunderstandthatihavenothingwhatsoevertodowiththisvitriolicattack.”
“ibelieveyou,”blomkvistsaid.
“besides—ididn’treallywanttobringthisupnow,butthisjustservestoillustratewhatwe’vealreadydiscussed.it’simportanttore-installyouonmillennium’seditorialboardsothatwecanshowaunitedfronttotheworld.aslongasyou’reaway,thegossipwillcontinue.ibelieveinmillennium,andi’mconvincedthatwecanwinthisfighttogether.”
“iseeyourpoint,butnowit’smyturntodisagreewithyou.ican’tbreakmycontractwithhenrik,andthefactisthatiwouldn’twanttobreakit.yousee,ireallylikehim.andthisthingwithharriet…”
“yes?”
“iknowit’sarunningsoreforyouandirealisethathenrikhasbeenobsessedwithitformanyyears.”
“justbetweenthetwoofus—idolovehenrikandheismymentor—butwhenitestoharriet,he’salmostoffhisrocker.”
“whenistartedthisjobicouldn’thelpthinkingthatitwasawasteoftime.butithinkwe’reonthevergeofabreakthroughandthatitmightnowbepossibletoknowwhatreallyhappened.”
blomkvistreaddoubtinmartinvanger’seyes.atlasthemadeadecision.
“ok,inthatcasethebestthingwecandoistosolvethemysteryofharrietasquicklyaspossible.i’llgiveyouallthesupporticansothatyoufinishtheworktoyoursatisfaction—and,ofcourse,henrik’s—andthenreturntomillennium.”
“good.soiwon’thavetofightwithyoutoo.”
“no,youwon’t.youcanaskformyhelpwheneveryourunintoaproblem.i’llmakedamnsurethatbirgerwon’tputanysortofobstaclesinyourway.andi’lltrytotalktocecilia,tocalmherdown.”
“thankyou.ineedtoaskhersomequestions,andshe’sbeenresistingmyattemptsatconversationforamonthnow.”
martinvangerlaughed.“perhapsyouhaveotherissuestoironout.butiwon’tgetinvolvedinthat.”
theyshookhands.
salanderhadlistenedtotheconversation.whenmartinvangerleftshereachedforthehedestadcourierandscannedthearticle.sheputthepaperdownwithoutmakinganyment.
blomkvistsatinsilence,thinking.gunnarkarlmanwasbornin1948andwouldhavebeeneighteenin1966.hewasoneofthepeopleontheislandwhenharrietdisappeared.
afterbreakfastheaskedhisresearchassistanttoreadthroughthepolicereport.hegaveherallthephotographsoftheaident,aswellasthelongsummaryofvanger’sowninvestigations.
blomkvistthendrovetofrode’shouseandaskedhimkindlytodrawupanagreementforsalanderasaresearchassistantforthenextmonth.
bythetimehereturnedtothecottage,salanderhaddecampedtothegardenandwasimmersedinthepolicereport.blomkvistwentintoheatupthecoffee.hewatchedherthroughthekitchenwindow.sheseemedtobeskimming,spendingnomorethantenorfifteensecondsoneachpage.sheturnedthepagesmechanically,andblomkvistwasamazedatherlackofconcentration;itmadenosense,sinceherownreportwassometiculous.hetooktwocupsofcoffeeandjoinedheratthegardentable.
“yournotesweredonebeforeyouknewwewerelookingforaserialkiller.”
“that’strue.isimplywrotedownquestionsiwantedtoaskhenrik,andsomeotherthings.itwasquiteunstructured.upuntilnowi’vereallybeenstrugglinginthedark,tryingtowriteastory—achapterintheautobiographyofhenrikvanger.”
“andnow?”
“inthepastalltheinvestigationsfocusedonhedebyisland.nowi’msurethatthestory,thesequenceofeventsthatendedinherdisappearance,startedinhedestad.thatshiftstheperspective.”
salandersaid:“itwasamazingwhatyoudiscoveredwiththepictures.”
blomkvistwassurprised.salanderdidnotseemthetypetothrowplimentsaround,andhefeltflattered.ontheotherhand—fromapurelyjournalisticpointofview—itwasquiteanachievement.
“it’syourturntofillinthedetails.howdiditgowiththatpictureyouwerechasingupinnorsj??”
“youmeanyoudidn’tchecktheimagesinmyputer?”
“therewasn’ttime.ineededtoreadtherésumés,yoursituationreportstoyourself.”
blomkviststartedhisiandclickedonthephotographfolder.
“it’sfascinating.thevisittonorsj?wasasortofprogress,butitwasalsoadisappointment.ifoundthepicture,butitdoesn’ttellusmuch.
“thatwoman,mildredberggren,hadsavedallherholidaypicturesinalbums.thepictureiwaslookingforwasoneofthem.itwastakenoncheapcolourfilmandafterthirty-sevenyearstheprintwasincrediblyfaded—withastrongyellowtinge.but,wouldyoubelieve,shestillhadthenegativeinashoebox.sheletmeborrowallthenegativesfromhedestadandi’vescannedthemin.thisiswhatharrietsaw.”
heclickedonanimagewhichnowhadthefilenameharriet/bd-19.eps.
salanderimmediatelyunderstoodhisdismay.shesawanunfocusedimagethatshowedclownsintheforegroundofthechildren’sdayparade.inthebackgroundcouldbeseenthecornerofsundstr?m’shaberdashery.abouttenpeoplewerestandingonthepavementinfrontofsundstr?m’s.
“ithinkthisisthepersonshesaw.partlybecauseitriedtotriangulatewhatshewaslookingat,judgingbytheanglethatherfacewasturned—imadeadrawingofthecrossroadsthere—andpartlybecausethisistheonlypersonwhoseemstobelookingstraightintothecamera.meaningthat—perhaps—hewasstaringatharriet.”
whatsalandersawwasablurryfigurestandingalittlebitbehindthespectators,almostinthesidestreet.hehadonadarkpaddedjacketwitharedpatchontheshouldersanddarktrousers,possiblyjeans.blomkvistzoomedinsothatthefigurefromthewaistupfilledthescreen.thephotographbecameinstantlyfuzzierstill.
“it’saman.he’saboutfive-footeleven,normalbuild.hehasdark-blond,semi-longhairandisclean-shaven.butit’simpossibletomakeouthisfacialfeaturesorevenestimatehisage.hecouldbeanywherebetweenhisteensandmiddleage.
“youcouldmanipulatetheimage…”
“ihavemanipulatedtheimage,dammit.ievensentacopytotheimageprocessingwizardatmillennium.”blomkvistclickedupanewshot.“thisistheabsolutebesticangetoutofit.thecameraissimplytoolousyandthedistancetoofar.”
“haveyoushownthepicturetoanyone?someonemightrecognisetheman’sbearingor…”
“ishowedittofrode.hehasnoideawhothemanis.”
“herrfrodeprobablyisn’tthemostobservantpersoninhedestad.”
“no,buti’mworkingforhimandhenrikvanger.iwanttoshowthepicturetohenrikbeforeicastthewider.”
“perhapshe’snothingmorethanaspectator.”
“that’spossible.buthemanagedtotriggerastrangeresponsefromharriet.”
duringthenextseveraldaysblomkvistandsalanderworkedontheharrietcasevirtuallyeverywakingmoment.salanderwentonreadingthepolicereport,rattlingoffonequestionafteranother.therecouldonlybeoruth,andeachvagueansweroruncertaintyledtomoreintenseinterrogation.theyspentonewholedayexaminingtimetablesforthecastofcharactersatthesceneoftheaidentonthebridge.
salanderbecamemoreandmoreofanenigmatohim.despitethefactthatsheonlyskimmedthedocumentsinthereport,shealwaysseemedtosettleonthemostobscureandcontradictorydetails.
theytookabreakintheafternoons,whentheheatmadeitunbearableoutinthegarden.theywouldswiminthechannelorwalkuptotheterraceatsusanne’sbridgecafé.susannenowtreatedblomkvistwithanundisguisedcoolness.herealisedthatsalanderlookedbarelylegalandshewasobviouslylivingathiscottage,andthat—insusanne’seyes—madehimadirtyoldmiddle-agedman.itwasnotpleasant.
blomkvistwentouteveryeveningforarun.salandermadenomentwhenhereturnedoutofbreathtothecottage.runningwasobviouslynotherthing.
“i’moverforty,”hesaid.“ihavetoexercisetokeepfromgettingtoofataroundthemiddle.”
“isee.”
“don’tyoueverexercise?”
“iboxonceinawhile.”
“youbox?”
“yeah,youknow,withgloves.”
“whatweightdoyouboxin?”hesaid,whenheemergedfromtheshower.
“noneatall.isparalittlenowandthenagainsttheguysinaclubins?der.”
whyisthatnosurprise?hethought.butatleastshehadtoldhimsomethingaboutherself.heknewnobasicfactsabouther.howdidsheetobeworkingforarmansky?whatsortofeducationdidshehave?whatdidherparentsdo?assoonasblomkvisttriedtoaskaboutherlifesheshutuplikeaclam,answeredinsinglesyllablesorignoredhim.
oneafternoonsalandersuddenlyputdownabinder,frowning.
“whatdoyouknowaboutottofalk?thepastor.”
“notmuch.imetthepresentincumbentafewtimesearlierintheyear,andshetoldmethatfalklivesinsomegeriatrichomeinhedestad.alzheimer’s.”
“wheredidheefrom?”
“fromhedestad.hestudiedinuppsala.”
“hewasunmarried.andharriethungoutwithhim.”
“whydoyouask?”
“i’mjustsayingthatmorellwentprettyeasyonhimintheinterview.”
“inthesixtiespastorsenjoyedaconsiderablydifferentstatusinsociety.itwasnaturalforhimtoliveouthereontheisland,closetothepowerbrokers,sotospeak.”
“iwonderhowcarefullythepolicesearchedtheparsonage.inthephotographsitlookslikeitwasabigwoodenhouse,andtheremusthavebeenplentyofplacestohideabodyforawhile.”
“that’strue,butthere’snothinginthematerialtoindicatethathewouldhaveanyconnectiontotheserialmurdersortoharriet’sdisappearance.”
“actually,thereis,”salandersaid,withawrysmile.“firstofallhewasapastor,andpastorsmorethananyoneelsehaveaspecialrelationshiptothebible.second,hewasthelastpersonknowntohaveseenandtalkedwithharriet.”
“buthewentdowntothesceneoftheaidentandstayedthereforseveralhours.he’sinlotsofthepictures,especiallyduringthetimewhenharrietmusthavevanished.”
“allright,ican’tcrackhisalibi.butiwasactuallythinkingaboutsomethingelse.thisstoryisaboutasadistickillerofwomen.”
“so?”
“iwas…ihadalittletimetomyselfthisspringandreadquiteabitaboutsadistsinaratherdifferentcontext.oneofthethingsireadwasanfbimanual.itclaimedthatastrikingportionofconvictedserialkillerscamefromdysfunctionalhomesandtorturedanimalsintheirchildhood.someoftheconvictedamericanserialkillerswerealsoarrestedforarson.torturedanimalsandarsoncropupinseveralofharriet’smurdercases,butwhatiwasreallythinkingaboutwasthefactthattheparsonageburneddowninthelateseventies.”
“it’salongshot,”blomkvistsaid.
lisbethnodded.“agreed.butifindnothinginthepolicereportaboutthecauseofthefire,anditwouldbeveryinterestingtoknowiftherewereotherunexplainedfireshereaboutsinthesixties.itwouldalsobeworthcheckingtoseeiftherewereanycasesofanimalabuseormutilationintheareabackthen.”
whensalanderwenttobedonherseventhnightinhedeby,shewasmildlyirritatedwithblomkvist.foralmostaweekshehadspentpracticallyeverywakingminutewithhim.normallysevenminutesofanotherperson’spanywasenoughtogiveheraheadache,soshesetthingsuptoliveasarecluse.shewasperfectlycontentaslongaspeopleleftherinpeace.unfortunatelysocietywasnotverysmartorunderstanding;shehadtoprotectherselffromsocialauthorities,childwelfareauthorities,guardianshipauthorities,taxauthorities,police,curators,psychologists,psychiatrists,teachers,andbouncers,whowouldneverletherintothebareventhoughshewastwenty-five.therewasawholearmyofpeoplewhoseemednottohaveanythingbettertodothantotrytodisruptherlife,and,iftheyweregiventheopportunity,tocorrectthewayshehadchosentoliveit.
itdidnogoodtocry,shehadlearnedthatearlyon.shehadalsolearnedthateverytimeshetriedtomakesomeoneawareofsomethinginherlife,thesituationjustgotworse.consequentlyitwasuptohertosolveherproblemsbyherself,usingwhatevermethodsshedeemednecessary.somethingthatadvo