katbjurmanhadfoundoutthehardway.
blomkvisthadthesametiresomehabitaseveryoneelse,pokingaroundinherlifeandaskingquestions.ontheotherhand,hedidnotreactatalllikemostothermenshehadmet.
whensheignoredhisquestionshesimplyshruggedandleftherinpeace.astounding.
herimmediatemove,whenshegotholdofhisithatfirstmorning,hadnaturallybeentotransferallthermationtoherownputer.thatwayitwasokifhedumpedherfromthecase;shewouldstillhaveaesstothematerial.
shehadexpectedafuriousoutburstwhenheappearedforhisbreakfast.insteadhehadlookedalmostresigned,mutteredsomethingsarcastic,andgoneofftotheshower.thenhebegandiscussingwhatshehadread.astrangeguy.shemightevenbedeludedintothinkingthathetrustedher.
thatheknewaboutherpropensitiesasahackerwasserious.salanderwasawarethatthelegaldescriptionofthekindofhackingshedid,bothprofessionallyandasahobby,was“unlawfuldatatrespassing”andcouldearnhertwoyearsinprison.shedidnotwanttobelockedup.inhercaseaprisonsentencewouldmeanthatherputerswouldbetakenfromher,andwiththemtheonlyoupationthatshewasreallygoodat.shehadnevertoldarmanskyhowshegatheredthermationtheywerepayinghertofind.
withtheexceptionofplagueandafewpeopleonthewho,likeher,devotedthemselvestohackingonaprofessionallevel—andmostofthemknewheronlyas“wasp”anddidnotknowwhoshewasorwhereshelived—kalleblomkvistwastheonlyonewhohadstumbledontohersecret.hehadetoherbecauseshemadeablunderthatnotevenatwelve-year-oldwouldmit,whichonlyprovedthatherbrainwasbeingeatenupbywormsandthatshedeservedtobeflogged.butinsteadofgoingcrazywithragehehadhiredher.
consequentlyshewasmildlyirritatedwithhim.
whentheyhadasnackjustbeforeshewenttobed,hehadsuddenlyaskedherifshewasagoodhacker.
toherownsurpriseshereplied,“i’mprobablythebestinsweden.theremaybetwoorthreeothersataboutmylevel.”
shedidnotdoubttheauracyofherreply.plaguehadoncebeenbetterthanshewas,butshehadpassedhimlongago.
ontheotherhand,itfeltfunnytosaythewords.shehadneverdoneitbefore.shehadneverhadanoutsidertohavethissortofconversationwith,andsheenjoyedthefactthatheseemedimpressedbyhertalents.thenhehadruinedthefeelingbyaskinganotherquestion:howhadshetaughtherselfhacking?
whatcouldshesay?i’vealwaysbeenabletodoit.insteadshewenttobedwithoutsayinggoodnight.
irritatingheryetfurther,hedidnotreactwhensheleftsoabruptly.shelaylisteningtohimmovingaboutinthekitchen,clearingthetableandwashingthedishes.hehadalwaysstayeduplaterthanshedid,butnowhewasobviouslyonhiswaytobedtoo.sheheardhiminthebathroom,andthenhewentintohisbedroomandshutthedoor.afterawhilesheheardthebedcreakwhenhegotintoit,notayardawayfromherownbutontheothersideofthewall.
shehadbeensharingahousewithhimforaweek,andhehadnotonceflirtedwithher.hehadworkedwithher,askedheropinion,slappedherontheknucklesfigurativelyspeakingwhenshewasonthewrongtrack,andacknowledgedthatshewasrightwhenshecorrectedhim.dammit,hehadtreatedherlikeahumanbeing.
shegotoutofbedandstoodbythewindow,restlesslypeeringintothedark.thehardestthingforherwastoshowherselfnakedtoanotherpersonforthefirsttime.shewasconvincedthatherskinnybodywasrepulsive.herbreastswerepathetic.shehadnohipstospeakof.shedidnothavemuchtooffer.apartfromthatshewasaquitenormalwoman,withthesamedesiresandsexdriveaseveryotherwoman.shestoodthereforthenexttwentyminutesbeforeshemadeuphermind.
blomkvistwasreadinganovelbysaraparetskywhenheheardthedoorhandleturnandlookeduptoseesalander.shehadasheetwrappedroundherbodyandstoodinthedoorwayforamoment.
“youok?”hesaid.
sheshookherhead.
“whatisit?”
shewentovertohisbed,tookthe,andputitonthebedsidetable.thenshebentdownandkissedhimonthemouth.shequicklygotintohisbedandsatlookingathim,searchinghim.sheputherhandonthesheetoverhisstomach.whenhedidnotprotestsheleanedoverandbithimonthenipple.
blomkvistwasflabbergasted.hetookhershouldersandpushedherawayalittlesothathecouldseeherface.
“lisbeth…idon’tknowifthisissuchagoodidea.wehavetoworktogether.”
“iwanttohavesexwithyou.andiwon’thaveanyproblemworkingwithyou,butiwillhaveahellofaproblemwithyouifyoukickmeout.”
“butwehardlyknoweachother.”
shelaughed,anabruptlaughthatsoundedalmostlikeacough.
“you’veneverletanythinglikethatstandinyourwaybefore.infact,asididn’tsayinmybackgroundreport,you’reoneoftheseguyswhocan’tkeephishandsoffwomen.sowhat’swrong?aren’tisexyenoughforyou?”
blomkvistshookhisheadandtriedtothinkofsomethingclevertosay.whenhecouldn’tshepulledthesheetoffhimandsatastridehim.
“idon’thaveanycondoms,”hesaid.
“screwit.”
whenhewokeup,heheardherinthekitchen.itwasnotyet7:00.hemayonlyhavesleptfortwohours,andhestayedinbed,dozing.
thiswomanbaffledhim.atabsolutelynopointhadsheevenwithaglanceindicatedthatshewastheleastbitinterestedinhim.
“goodmorning,”shesaidfromthedoorway.sheevenhadthehintofasmile.
“hi.”
“weareoutofmilk.i’llgotothepetrolstation.theyopenatseven.”andshewasgone.
heheardhergooutofthefrontdoor.heshuthiseyes.thenheheardthefrontdooropenagainandsecondslatershewasbackinthedoorway.thistimeshewasnotsmiling.
“you’dbettereandlookatthis,”shesaidinastrangevoice.
blomkvistwasonhisfeetatonceandpulledonhisjeans.
duringthenightsomeonehadbeentothecottagewithanunwelepresent.ontheporchlaythehalf-charredcorpseofacat.thecat’slegsandheadhadbeencutoff,thenthebodyhadbeenflayedandthegutsandstomachremoved,flungnexttothecorpse,whichseemedtohavebeenroastedoverafire.thecat’sheadwasintact,onthesaddleofsalander’smotorcycle.herecognisedthereddish-brownfur.
chapter22
thursday,july10
theyatebreakfastinthegardeninsilenceandwithoutmilkintheircoffee.salanderhadtakenoutacanondigitalcameraandphotographedthemacabretableaubeforeblomkvistgotarubbishsackandcleaneditaway.heputthecatinthebootofthevolvo.heoughttofileapolicereportforanimalcruelty,possiblyintimidation,buthedidnotthinkhewouldwanttoexplainwhytheintimidationhadtakenplace.
at8:30isabellavangerwalkedpastandontothebridge.shedidnotseethemoratleastpretendednotto.
“howareyoudoing?”blomkvistsaid.
“oh,i’mfine.”salanderlookedathim,perplexed.ok,then.heexpectsmetobeupset.“whenifindthemother**erwhotorturedaninnocentcattodeathjusttosendusawarning,i’mgoingtoclobberhimwithabaseballbat.”
“youthinkit’sawarning?”
“haveyougotabetterexplanation?itdefinitelymeanssomething.”
“whateverthetruthisinthisstory,we’veworriedsomebodyenoughforthatpersontodosomethingreallysick.butthere’sanotherproblemtoo.”
“iknow.thisisananimalsacrificeinthestyleof1954and1960anditdoesn’tseemcrediblethatsomeoneactivefiftyyearsagowouldbeputtingtorturedanimalcorpsesonyourdoorsteptoday.”
blomkvistagreed.
“theonlyoneswhocouldbesuspectedinthatcaseareharaldvangerandisabellavanger.thereareanumberofolderrelativesonjohanvanger’sside,butnoneofthemliveinthearea.”
blomkvistsighed.
“isabellaisarepulsivebitchwhocouldcertainlykillacat,butidoubtshewasrunningaroundkillingwomeninthefifties.haraldvanger…idon’tknow,heseemssodecrepithecanhardlywalk,andican’tseehimsneakingoverherelastnight,catchingacat,anddoingallthis.”
“unlessitwastwopeople.oneolder,oneyounger.”
blomkvistheardacargobyandlookedupandsawceciliadrivingawayoverthebridge.haraldandcecilia,hethought,buttheyhardlyspoke.despitemartinvanger’spromisetotalktoher,ceciliahadstillnotansweredanyofhistelephonemessages.
“itmustbesomebodywhoknowswe’redoingthisworkandthatwe’remakingprogress,”salandersaid,gettinguptogoinside.whenshecamebackoutshehadputonherleathers.
“i’mgoingtostockholm.i’llbebacktonight.”
“whatareyougoingtodo?”
“pickupsomegadgets.ifsomeoneiscrazyenoughtokillacatinthatdisgustingway,heorshecouldattackusnexttime.orsetthecottageonfirewhilewe’reasleep.iwantyoutogointohedestadandbuytwofireextinguishersandtwosmokealarmstoday.oneofthefireextinguishershastobehalon.”
withoutanotherword,sheputonherhelmet,kick-startedthemotorcycle,androaredoffacrossthebridge.
blomkvisthidthecorpseandtheheadandgutsintherubbishbinbesidethepetrolstationbeforehedroveintohedestadtodohiserrands.hedrovetothehospital.hehadmadeanappointmenttomeetfrodeinthecafeteria,andhetoldhimwhathadhappenedthatmorning.frodeblanched.
“mikael,ineverimaginedthatthisstorycouldtakethisturn.”
“whynot?thejobwastofindamurderer,afterall.”
“butthisisdisgustingandinhuman.ifthere’sadangertoyourlifeortofr?kensalander’slife,wearegoingtocallitoff.letmetalktohenrik.”
“no.absolutelynot.idon’twanttoriskhishavinganotherattack.”
“heasksmeallthetimehowthingsaregoingwithyou.”
“sayhellofromme,please,andtellhimi’mmovingforward.”
“whatisnext,then?”
“ihaveafewquestions.thefirstincidentourredjustafterhenrikhadhisheartattackandiwasdowninstockholmfortheday.somebodywentthroughmyoffice.ihadprintedoutthebibleverses,andthephotographsfromj?rnv?gsgatanwereonmydesk.youknewandhenrikknew.martinknewapartofitsinceheanisedformetogetintothecourieroffices.howmanyotherpeopleknew?”
“well,idon’tknowwhomartintalkedto.butbothbirgerandceciliaknewaboutit.theydiscussedyourhuntinginthepicturesarchivebetweenthemselves.alexanderknewaboutittoo.and,bytheway,gunnarandhelenanilssondidtoo.theywereuptosayhellotohenrikandgotdraggedintotheconversation.andanitavanger.”
“anita?theoneinlondon?”
“cecilia’ssister.shecamebackwithceciliawhenhenrikhadhisheartattackbutstayedatahotel;asfarasiknow,shehasn’tbeenouttotheisland.likececilia,shedoesn’twanttoseeherfather.butsheflewbackwhenhenrikcameoutofintensivecare.”
“where’scecilialiving?isawherthismorningasshedroveacrossthebridge,butherhouseisalwaysdark.”
“she’snotcapableofdoingsuchathing,isshe?”
“no,ijustwonderwhereshe’sstaying.”
“she’sstayingwithherbrother,birger.it’swithinwalkingdistancetovisithenrik.”
“doyouknowwheresheisrightnow?”
“no.she’snotvisitinghenrik,atanyrate.”
“thanks,”blomkvistsaid,gettingup.
thevangerfamilywashoveringaroundhedestadhospital.inthereceptionbirgervangerpassedonhiswaytothelifts.blomkvistwaiteduntilhewasgonebeforehewentouttothereception.insteadheranintomartinvangerattheentrance,atexactlythesamespotwherehehadrunintoceciliaonhispreviousvisit.theysaidhelloandshookhands.
“haveyoubeenuptoseehenrik?”
“no,ijusthappenedtomeetdirchfrode.”
martinlookedtiredandhollow-eyed.itourredtomikaelthathehadagedappreciablyduringthesixmonthssincehehadmethim.
“howarethingsgoingwithyou,mikael?”hesaid.
“moreinterestingwitheverydaythatpasses.whenhenrikisfeelingbetterihopetobeabletosatisfyhiscuriosity.”
birgervanger’swasawhite-brickterracehouseafive-minutewalkfromthehospital.hehadaviewoftheseaandthehedestadmarina.no-oneansweredwhenblomkvistrangthedoorbell.hecalledcecilia’smobilenumberbutgotnoanswerthereeither.hesatinthecarforawhile,drumminghisfingersonthesteeringwheel.birgervangerwasthewildcardinthedeck;bornin1939andsotenyearsoldwhenrebeckajacobssonwasmurdered;twenty-sevenwhenharrietdisappeared.
aordingtohenrik,birgerandharriethardlyeversaweachother.hehadgrownupwithhisfamilyinuppsalaandonlymovedtohedestadtoworkforthefirm.hejumpedshipafteracoupleofyearsanddevotedhimselftopolitics.buthehadbeeninuppsalaatthetimelenaanderssonwasmurdered.
theincidentwiththecatgavehimanominousfeeling,asifhewereabouttorunoutoftime.
ottofalkwasthirty-sixwhenharrietvanished.hewasnowseventy-two,youngerthanhenrikvangerbutinaconsiderablyworsementalstate.blomkvistsoughthimoutatthesvalanconvalescenthome,ayellow-brickbuildingashortdistancefromthehederiverattheotherendofthetown.blomkvistintroducedhimselftothereceptionistandaskedtobeallowedtospeakwithpastorfalk.heknew,heexplained,thatthepastorsufferedfromalzheimer’sandenquiredhowlucidhewasnow.anurserepliedthatpastorfalkhadfirstbeendiagnosedthreeyearsearlierandthatalasthediseasehadtakenanaggressivecourse.falkcouldmunicate,buthehadaveryfeebleshort-termmemory,anddidnotrecogniseallofhisrelatives.hewasonthewholeslippingintotheshadows.hewasalsoprooanxietyattacksifhewasconfrontedwithquestionshecouldnotanswer.
falkwassittingonabenchinthegardenwiththreeotherpatientsandamalenurse.blomkvistspentanhourtryingtoengagehiminconversation.
herememberedharrietvangerquitewell.hisfacelitup,andhedescribedherasacharminggirl.butblomkvistwassoonawarethatthepastorhadfottenthatshehadbeenmissingtheselastthirty-sevenyears.hetalkedaboutherasifhehadseenherrecentlyandaskedblomkvisttosayhellotoherandurgehertoeandseehim.blomkvistpromisedtodoso.
heobviouslydidnotremembertheaidentonthebridge.itwasnotuntiltheendoftheirconversationthathesaidsomethingwhichmadeblomkvistprickuphisears.
itwaswhenblomkviststeeredthetalktoharriet’sinterestinreligionthatfalksuddenlyseemedhesitant.itwasasthoughacloudpassedoverhisface.falksatrockingbackandforthforawhileandthenlookedupatblomkvistandaskedwhohewas.blomkvistintroducedhimselfagainandtheoldmanthoughtforawhile.atlengthhesaid:“she’sstillaseeker.shehastotakecareofherselfandyouhavetowarnher.”
“whatshouldiwarnherabout?”
falkgrewsuddenlyagitated.heshookhisheadwithafrown.
“shehastoreadsolascripturaandunderstandsufficientiascripturae.that’stheonlywaythatshecanmaintainsolafide.josefwillcertainlyexcludethem.theywereneveraeptedintothecanon.”
blomkvistunderstoodnothingofthis,buttookassiduousnotes.thenpastorfalkleanedtowardshimandwhispered,“ithinkshe’sacatholic.shelovesmagicandhasnotyetfoundhergod.sheneedsguidance.”
theword“catholic”obviouslyhadanegativeconnotationforpastorfalk.
“ithoughtshewasinterestedinthepentecostalmovement?”
“no,no,no,notthepentecostals.she’slookingfortheforbiddentruth.sheisnotagoodchristian.”
thenpastorfalkseemedtofetallaboutblomkvistandstartedtalkingwiththeotherpatients.
hegotbacktohedebyislandjustafter2:00.hewalkedovertoceciliavanger’sandknockedonthedoor,butwithoutsuess.hetriedhermobilenumberagainbutnoanswer.
heattachedonesmokealarmtoawallinthekitchenandonenexttothefrontdoor.heputonefireextinguishernexttothewoodstovebesidethebedroomdoorandanotheronebesidethebathroomdoor.thenhemadehimselflunch,whichconsistedofcoffeeandopensandwiches,andsatinthegarden,wherehewastypingupthenotesofhisconversationwithpastorfalk.whenthatwasdone,heraisedhiseyestothechurch.
hedeby’snewparsonagewasquiteanordinarymoderndwellingafewminutes’walkfromthechurch.blomkvistknockedonthedoorat4:00andexplainedtopastormargaretastrandhthathehadetoseekadviceonatheologicalmatter.margaretastrandhwasadark-hairedwomanofabouthisownage,dressedinjeansandaflannelshirt.shewasbarefootandhadpaintedtoenails.hehadrunintoherbeforeatsusanne’sbridgecaféonacoupleofoasionsandtalkedtoheraboutpastorfalk.hewasgivenafriendlyreceptionandinvitedtoeandsitinhercourtyard.
blomkvisttoldherthathehadinterviewedottofalkandwhattheoldmanhadsaid.pastorstrandhlistenedandthenaskedhimtorepeatitwordforword.
“iwassenttoservehereinhedebyonlythreeyearsago,andi’veneveractuallymetpastorfalk.heretiredseveralyearsbeforethat,butibelievethathewasfairlyhigh-church.whathesaidtoyoumeantsomethingonthelinesof‘keeptoscripturealone’—solascriptura—andthatitissufficientiascripturae.thislatterisanexpressionthatestablishesthesufficiencyofscriptureamongliteralbelievers.solafidemeansfaithaloneorthetruefaith.”
“isee.”
“allthisisbasicdogma,sotospeak.ingeneralit’stheplatformofthechurchandnothingunusualatall.hewassayingquitesimply:‘readthebible—itwillprovidesufficientknowledgeandvouchesforthetruefaith.’”
mikaelfeltabitembarrassed.
“nowihavetoaskyouinwhatconnectionthisconversationourred,”shesaid.
“iwasaskinghimaboutapersonhehadmetmanyyearsago,someonei’mwritingabout.”
“areligiousseeker?”
“somethingalongthatline.”
“ok.ithinkiunderstandthecontext.youtoldmethatpastorfalksaidtwootherthings—that‘josefwillcertainlyexcludethem’andthat‘theywereneveraeptedintothecanon.’isitpossiblethatyoumisunderstoodandthathesaidjosefusinsteadofjosef?it’sactuallythesamename.”
“that’spossible,”blomkvistsaid.“itapedtheconversationifyouwanttolistentoit.”
“no,idon’tthinkthat’snecessary.thesetwosentencesestablishfairlyunequivocallywhathewasalludingto.josefuswasajewishhistorian,andthesentence‘theywereneveraeptedintothecanon’mayhavemeantthattheywereneverinthehebrewcanon.”
“andthatmeans?”
shelaughed.
“pastorfalkwassayingthatthispersonwasenthralledbyesotericsources,specificallytheapocrypha.thegreekwordapokryphosmeans‘hidden,’andtheapocryphaarethereforethehiddenswhichsomeconsiderhighlycontroversialandothersthinkshouldbeincludedintheoldtestament.theyaretobias,judith,esther,baruch,sirach,thesofthemaabees,andsomeothers.”
“fivemyignorance.i’veheardaboutthesoftheapocryphabuthaveneverreadthem.what’sspecialaboutthem?”
“there’sreallynothingspecialaboutthematall,exceptthattheycameintoexistencesomewhatlaterthantherestoftheoldtestament.theapocryphaweredeletedfromthehebrewbible—notbecausejewishscholarsmistrustedtheircontentbutsimplybecausetheywerewrittenafterthetimewhengod’srevelatoryworkwasconcluded.ontheotherhand,theapocryphaareincludedintheoldgreektranslationofthebible.they’renotconsideredcontroversialin,forexample,theromancatholihurch.”
“isee.”
“however,theyarecontroversialintheprotestantchurch.duringthereformation,theologianslookedtotheoldhebrewbible.martinlutherdeletedtheapocryphafromthereformation’sbibleandlatercalvindeclaredthattheapocryphaabsolutelymustnotserveasthebasisforconvictionsinmattersoffaith.thustheircontentscontradictorinsomewayconflictwithclaritasscripturae—theclarityofscripture.”
“inotherwords,censoreds.”
“quiteright.forexample,theapocryphaclaimthatmagianbepractisedandthatliesincertaincasesmaybepermissible,andsuchstatements,ofcourse,upsetdogmaticinterpretersofscripture.”
“soifsomeonehasapassionforreligion,it’snotunthinkablethattheapocryphawillpopupontheirreadinglist,orthatsomeonelikepastorfalkwouldbeupsetbythis.”
“exactly.encounteringtheapocryphaisalmostunavoidableifyou’restudyingthebibleorthecatholicfaith,andit’sequallyprobablethatsomeonewhoisinterestedinesotericaingeneralmightreadthem.”
“youdon’thappentohaveacopyoftheapocrypha,doyou?”
shelaughedagain.abright,friendlylaugh.
“ofcourseido.theapocryphawereactuallypublishedasastatereportfromthebiblemissionintheeighties.”
armanskywonderedwhatwasgoingonwhensalanderaskedtospeaktohiminprivate.heshutthedoorbehindherandmotionedhertothevisitor’schair.shetoldhimthatherworkformikaelblomkvistwasdone—thelawyerwouldbepayingherbeforetheendofthemonth—butthatshehaddecidedtokeeponwiththisparticularinvestigation.blomkvisthadofferedheraconsiderablyhighersalaryforamonth.
“iamself-employed,”salandersaid.“untilnowi’venevertakenajobthatyouhaven’tgivenme,inkeepingwithouragreement.whatiwanttoknowiswhatwillhappentoourrelationshipifitakeajobonmyown?”
armanskyshrugged.
“you’reafreelancer,youcantakeanyjobyouwantandchargewhatyouthinkit’sworth.i’mjustgladyou’remakingyourownmoney.itwould,however,bedisloyalofyoutotakeonclientsyoufindthroughus.”
“ihavenoplanstodothat.i’vefinishedthejobaordingtothecontractwesignedwithblomkvist.whatthisisaboutisthatiwanttostayonthecase.i’devendoitfornothing.”
“don’teverdoanythingfornothing.”
“youknowwhatimean.iwanttoknowwherethisstoryisgoing.i’veconvincedblomkvisttoaskthelawyertokeepmeonasaresearchassistant.”
shepassedtheagreementovertoarmansky,whoreadrapidlythroughit.
“withthissalaryyoumightaswellbeworkingforfree.lisbeth,you’vegottalent.youdon’thavetoworkforsmallchange.youknowyoucanmakeahellofalotmorewithmeifyoueonboardfull-time.”
“idon’twanttoworkfull-time.but,dragan,myloyaltyistoyou.you’vebeengreattomesinceistartedhere.iwanttoknowifacontractlikethisisokwithyou,thattherewon’tbeanyfrictionbetweenus.”
“isee.”hethoughtforamoment.“it’s100percentok.thanksforasking.ifanymoresituationslikethiscropupinthefuturei’dappreciateitifyouaskedmesotherewon’tbeanymisunderstandings.”
salanderthoughtoverwhethershehadanythingtoadd.shefixedhergazeonarmansky,sayingnotaword.insteadshejustnoddedandthenstoodupandleft,asusualwithnofarewellgreeting.
shegottheanswershewantedandinstantlylostinterestinarmansky.hesmiledtohimself.thatshehadevenaskedhimforadvicemarkedanewhighpointinhersocialisationprocess.
heopenedafolderwithareportonsecurityatamuseumwhereabigexhibitionoffrenchimpressionistswasopeningsoon.thenheputdownthefolderandlookedatthedoorthroughwhichsalanderhadjustgone.hethoughtabouthowshehadlaughedwithblomkvistinherofficeandwonderedifshewasfinallygrowinguporwhetheritwasblomkvistwhowastheattraction.healsofeltastrangeuneasiness.hehadneverbeenabletoshakeoffthefeelingthatlisbethsalanderwasaperfectvictim.andhereshewas,huntingamadmanoutinthebackofbeyond.
onthewaynorthagain,salandertookonimpulseadetourbywayof?ppelvikennursinghometoseehermother.exceptforthevisitonmidsummereve,shehadnotseenhermothersincechristmas,andshefeltbadforsoseldomtakingthetime.asecondvisitwithinthecourseofafewweekswasquiteunusual.
hermotherwasinthedayroom.salanderstayedagoodhourandtookhermotherforawalkdowntotheduckpondinthegroundsofthehospital.hermotherwasstillmuddlinglisbethwithhersister.asusual,shewashardlypresent,butsheseemedtroubledbythevisit.
whensalandersaidgoodbye,hermotherdidnotwanttoletgoofherhand.salanderpromisedtovisitheragainsoon,buthermothergazedafterhersadlyandanxiously.
itwasasifshehadapremonitionofsomeapproachingdisaster.
blomkvistspenttwohoursinthegardenbehindhiscabingoingthroughtheapocryphawithoutgainingasingleinsight.butathoughthadourredtohim.howreligioushadharrietvangeractuallybeen?herinterestinbiblestudieshadstartedthelastyearbeforeshevanished.shehadlinkedanumberofbiblequotestoaseriesofmurdersandthenhadmethodicallyreadnotonlyherbiblebutalsotheapocrypha,andshehaddevelopedaninterestincatholicism.
hadshereallydohesameinvestigationthatblomkvistandsalanderweredoingthirty-sevenyearslater?wasitthehuntforamurdererthathadspurredherinterestratherthanreligiosity?pastorfalkhadindicatedthatinhiseyesshewasmoreofaseeker,lessagoodchristian.
hewasinterruptedbybergercallinghimonhismobile.
“ijustwantedtotellyouthatgregerandiareleavingonholidaynextweek.i’llbegoneforfourweeks.”
“whereareyougoing?”
“newyork.gregerhasanexhibition,andthenwethoughtwe’dgotothecaribbean.wehaveachancetoborrowahouseonantiguafromafriendofgreger’sandwe’restayingtheretwoweeks.”
“thatsoundswonderful.haveagreattime.andsayhitogreger.”
“thenewissueisfinishedandwe’vealmostwrappedupthenextone.iwishyoucouldtakeoveraseditor,butchristerhassaidhewilldoit.”
“hecancallmeifheneedsanyhelp.how’sitgoingwithjannedahlman?”
shehesitated.
“he’salsogoingonholiday.i’vepushedhenryintobeingtheactingmanagingeditor.heandchristeraremindingthestore.”
“ok.”
“i’llbebackonaugustseventh.”
intheearlyeveningblomkvisttriedfivetimestotelephonececiliavanger.hesentheratextaskinghertocallhim.buthereceivednoanswer.
heputawaytheapocryphaandgotintohistracksuit,lockingthedoorbeforehesetoff.
hefollowedthenarrowpathalongtheshoreandthenturnedintothewoods.hegroundhiswaythroughthicketsandarounduprootedtreesasfastashecouldgo,emergingexhaustedatthefortresswithhispulseracing.hestoppedbyoneoftheoldartillerybatteriesandstretchedforseveralminutes.
suddenlyheheardasharpcrackandthegreyconcretewallnexttohisheadexploded.thenhefeltthepainasfragmentsofconcreteandshrapneltoreadeepgashinhisscalp.
forwhatseemedaernityblomkviststoodparalysed.thenhethrewhimselfintotheartillerytrench,landinghardonhisshoulderandknockingthewindoutofhimself.asecondroundcameattheinstanthedived.thebulletsmackedintotheconcretefoundation.
hegottohisfeetandlookedallaround.hewasinthemiddleofthefortress.totherightandleftnarrow,overgrownpassagesayarddeeprantothebatteriesthatwerespreadalongalineof250yards.inacrouch,hestartedrunningsouththroughthelabyrinth.
hesuddenlyheardanechoofcaptainadolfsson’sinimitablevoicefromwintermanoeuvresattheinfantryschoolinkiruna.blomkvist,keepyour**ingheaddownifyoudon’twanttogetyourarseshotoff.yearslaterhestillrememberedtheextrapractisedrillsthatcaptainadolfssonusedtodevise.
hestoppedtocatchhisbreath,hisheartpounding.hecouldhearnothingbuthisownbreathing.thehumaneyeperceivesmotionmuchquickerthanshapesandfigures.moveslowlywhenyou’rescouting.blomkvistslowlypeekedaninchoverthetopedgeofthebattery.thesunwasstraightaheadandmadeitimpossibletomakeoutdetails,buthecouldseenomovement.
hepulledhisheadbackdownandranontothenextbattery.itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodtheenemy’sweaponsare.ifhecan’tseeyou,hecan’thityou.cover,cover,cover.makesureyou’reneverexposed.
hewas300yardsfromtheedgeof?sterg?rdenfarm.some40yardsfromwhereheknelttherewasanalmostimperablethicketoflowbrush.buttoreachthethickethewouldhavetosprintdownagrassslopefromtheartillerybattery,andhewouldbepletelyexposed.itwastheonlyway.athisbackwasthesea.
hewassuddenlyawareofpaininhistempleanddiscoveredthathewasbleedingandthathist-shirtwasdrenchedwithblood.scalpwoundsneverstopbleeding,hethoughtbeforeheagainconcentratedonhisposition.oneshotcouldjusthavebeenanaident,buttwomeantthatsomebodywastryingtokillhim.hehadnowayofknowingifthemarksmanwaswaitingforhimtoreappear.
hetriedtobecalm,thinkrationally.thechoicewastowaitortogetthehellout.ifthemarksmanwasstillthere,thelatteralternativewasassuredlynotagoodidea.ifhewaitedwherehewas,themarksmanwouldcalmlywalkuptothefortress,findhim,andshoothimatcloserange.
hecan’tknowifi’vegootherightorleft.rifle,maybeamooserifle.probablywithtelescopicsights.whichwouldmeanthatthemarksmanwouldhavealimitedfieldofvisionifhewaslookingformikaelthroughthesights.
ifyou’reinatightspot—taketheinitiative.betterthanwaiting.hewatchedandlistenedforsoundsfortwominutes;thenheclamberedoutofthebatteryandraceddowntheslopeasfastashecould.
hewashalfwaydowntheslopeasathirdshotwasfired,butheonlyheardavaguesmackbehindhim.hethrewhimselfflatthroughthecurtainofbrushandrolledthroughaseaofstingingtles.thenhewasonhisfeetandmovingawayfromthedirectionofthefire,crouching,running,stoppingeveryfiftyyards,listening.heheardabranchcracksomewherebetweenhimandthefortress.hedroppedtohisstomach.
crawlusingyourelbowswasanotherofcaptainadolfsson’sfavouriteexpressions.blomkvistcoveredthenext150yardsonhiskneesandtoesandelbowsthroughtheundergrowth.hepushedasidetwigsandbranches.twiceheheardsuddencracksinthethicketbehindhim.thefirstseemedtobeveryclose,maybetwentypacestotheright.hefroze,layperfectlystill.afterawhilehecautiouslyraisedhisheadandlookedaround,buthecouldseeno-one.helaystillforalongtime,hisnervesonfullalert,readytofleeorpossiblymakeadesperatecounterattackiftheenemycameathim.thenextcrackwasfromfartheraway.thensilence.
heknowsi’mhere.hashetakenupapositionsomewhere,waitingformetostartmoving,orhasheretreated?
blomkvistkeptcrawlingthroughtheundergrowthuntilhereachedthe?sterg?rden’sfence.
thiswasthenextcriticalmoment.apathraninsidethefence.helaystretchedoutontheground,watching.thefarmhousewas400yardsdownagentleslope.totherightofthehousehesawcowsgrazing.whyhadn’tanyoneheardtheshotsandetoinvestigate?summer.maybenobodyisathomerightnow.
therewasnoquestionofcrossingthepasture—therehewouldhavenocoveratall.thestraightpathbesidethefencewastheplacehehimselfwouldhavepickedforaclearfieldoffire.heretreatedintothebrushuntilhecameoutontheothersideintoasparsepinewood.
hetookthelongwayaround?sterg?rden’sfieldsands?derbergettoreachhome.whenhepassed?sterg?rdenhecouldseethattheircarwasgone.atthetopofs?derbergethestoppedandlookeddownonhedeby.intheoldfishingcabinsbythemarinathereweresummervisitors;womeninbathingsuitsweresittingtalkingonadock.hesmelledsomethingcookingonanoutdoorgrill.childrenweresplashinginthewaternearthedocksinthemarina.
justafter8:00.itwasfiftyminutessincetheshotshadbeenfired.nilssonwaswateringhislawn,wearingshortsandnoshirt.howlonghaveyoubeenthere?vanger’shousewasemptybutforanna.haraldvanger’shouselookeddesertedasalways.thenhesawisabellavangerinherbackgarden.shewassittingthere,obviouslytalkingtosomeone.ittookasecondforblomkvisttorealiseitwasthesicklygerdavanger,bornin1922andlivingwithherson,alexander,inoneofthehousesbeyondhenrik’s.hehadnevermether,buthehadseenherafewtimes.ceciliavanger’shouselookedempty,butthenmikaelsawamovementinherkitchen.she’shome.wasthemarksmanawoman?heknewthatceciliacouldhandleagun.hecouldseemartinvanger’scarinthedriveinfrontofhishouse.howlonghaveyoubeenhome?
orwasitsomeoneelsethathehadnotthoughtofyet?frode?alexander?toomanypossibilities.
heclimbeddownfroms?derbergetandfollowedtheroadintothevillage;hegothomewithoutencounteringanyone.thefirstthinghesawwasthatthedoorofthecottagewasajar.hewentintoacrouchalmostinstinctively.thenhesmelledcoffeeandsawsalanderthroughthekitchenwindow.
sheheardhimeinthefrontdoorandturnedtowardshim.shestiffened.hisfacelookedterrible,smearedwithbloodthathadbeguntocongeal.theleftsideofhiswhitet-shirtwascrimson.hewasholdingasoddenredhandkerchieftohishead.
“it’sbleedinglikehell,butit’snotdangerous,”blomkvistsaidbeforeshecouldask.
sheturnedandgotthefirst-aidkitfromthecupboard;itcontainedtwopacketsofelasticbandages,amosquitostick,andalittlerollofsurgicaltape.hepulledoffhisclothesanddroppedthemonthefloor;thenhewenttothebathroom.
thewoundonhistemplewasagashsodeepthathecouldliftupabigflapofflesh.itwasstillbleedinganditneededstitches,buthethoughtitwouldprobablyhealifhetapeditclosed.heranatowelunderthecoldtapandwipedhisface.
heheldthetowelagainsthistemplewhilehestoodundertheshowerandclosedhiseyes.thenheslammedhisfistagainstthetilesohardthathescrapedhisknuckles.fuckyou,whoeveryouare,hethought.i’mgoingtofindyou,andiwillgetyou.
whensalandertouchedhisarmhejumpedasifhehadhadanelectricshockandstaredatherwithsuchangerinhiseyesthatshetookastepback.shehandedhimthesoapandwentbacktothekitchenwithoutaword.
heputonthreestripsofsurgicaltape.hewentintothebedroom,pulledonacleanpairofjeansandanewt-shirt,takingthefolderofprinted-outphotographswithhim.hewassofurioushewasalmostshaking.
“stayhere,lisbeth,”heshouted.
hewalkedovertoceciliavanger’shouseandrangthedoorbell.itwashalfaminutebeforesheopenedthedoor.
“idon’twanttoseeyou,”shesaid.thenshesawhisface,wherebloodwasalreadyseepingthroughthetape.
“letmein.wehavetotalk.”
shehesitated.“wehavenothingtotalkabout.”
“wedonow,andyoucandiscussithereonthestepsorinthekitchen.”
blomkvist’stonewassodeterminedthatceciliasteppedbackandlethimin.hesatatherkitchentable.
“whathaveyoudone?”shesaid.
“youclaimthatmydiggingforthetruthaboutharrietvangerissomefutileformofoupationaltherapyforhenrik.that’spossible,butanhouragosomeonebloodynearlyshotmyheadoff,andlastnightsomeone—maybethesamehumourist—leftahorriblydeadcatonmyporch.”
ceciliaopenedhermouth,butblomkvistcutheroff.
“cecilia,idon’tgivea**aboutyourhang-upsorwhatyouworryaboutorthefactthatyousuddenlyhatethesightofme.i’llneverenearyouagain,andyoudon’thavetoworrythati’mgoingtobotheryouorrunafteryou.rightthisminuteiwishi’dneverheardofyouoranyoneelseinthevangerfamily.butirequireanswerstomyquestions.thesooneryouanswerthem,thesooneryou’llberidofme.”
“whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“numberone:wherewereyouanhourago?”
cecilia’sfacecloudedover.
“anhouragoiwasinhedestad.”
“cananyoneconfirmwhereyouwere?”
“notthaticanthinkof,andidon’thavetoaounttoyou.”
“numbertwo:whydidyouopenthewindowinharriet’sroomthedayshedisappeared?”
“what?”
“youheardme.foralltheseyearshenrikhastriedtoworkoutwhoopenedthewindowinharriet’sroomduringthosecriticalminutes.everybodyhasdenieddoingit.someoneislying.”
“andwhatinhellmakesyouthinkitwasme?”
“thispicture,”blomkvistsaid,andflungtheblurryphotographontoherkitchentable.
ceciliawalkedovertothetableandstudiedthepicture.blomkvistthoughthecouldreadshockonherface.shelookedupathim.hefeltatrickleofbloodrundownhischeekanddropontohisshirt.
“thereweresixtypeopleontheislandthatday,”hesaid.“andtwenty-eightofthemwerewomen.fiveorsixofthemhadshoulder-lengthblondehair.onlyoneofthosewaswearingalight-coloureddress.”
shestaredintentlyatthephotograph.
“andyouthinkthat’ssupposedtobeme?”
“ifitisn’tyou,i’dlikeyoutotellmewhoyouthinkitis.nobodyknewaboutthispicturebefore.i’vehaditforweeksandtriedtotalktoyouaboutit.imaybeanidiot,butihaven’tshowedittohenrikoranyoneelsebecausei’mdeathlyafraidofcastingsuspiciononyouordoingyouwrong.butidohavetohaveananswer.”
“you’llgetyouranswer.”sheheldoutthephotographtohim.“ididn’tgointoharriet’sroomthatday.it’snotmeinthepicture.ididn’thavetheslightestthingtodowithherdisappearance.”
shewenttothefrontdoor.
“youhaveyouranswer.nowpleasego.butithinkyoushouldhaveadoctorlookatthatwound.”
salanderdrovehimtohedestadhospital.ittookonlytwostitchesandagooddressingtoclosethewound.hewasgivencortisonesalvefortherashfromthestingingtlesonhisneckandhands.
aftertheyleftthehospitalblomkvistsatforalongtimewonderingwhetherheoughttogotothepolice.hecouldseetheheadlinesnow.“libeljournalistinshootingdrama.”heshookhishead.“let’sgohome,”hesaid.
itwasdarkwhentheyarrivedbackathedebyisland,andthatsuitedsalanderfine.sheliftedasportsbagontothekitchentable.
“iborrowedthisstufffrommiltonsecurity,andit’stimewemadeuseofit.”
sheplantedfourbattery-operatedmotiondetectorsaroundthehouseandexplainedthatifanyonecamecloserthantwentyfeet,aradiosignalwouldtriggerasmallchirpingalarmthatshesetupinblomkvist’sbedroom.atthesametime,twolight-sensitivevideocamerasthatshehadputintreesatthefrontandbackofthecabinwouldsendsignalstoapclaptopthatshesetinthecupboardbythefrontdoor.shecamouflagedthecameraswithdarkcloth.
sheputathirdcamerainabirdhouseabovethedoor.shedrilledaholerightthroughthewallforthecable.thelenswasaimedattheroadandthepathfromthegatetothefrontdoor.ittookalow-resolutionimageeverysecondandstoredthemallontheharddriveofanotherpclaptopinthewardrobe.
thensheputapressure-sensitivedoormatintheentrance.ifsomeonemanagedtoevadetheinfrareddetectorsandgotintothehouse,15-decibelsirenwouldgooff.salanderdemonstratedforhimhowtoshutoffthedetectorswithakeytoaboxinthewardrobe.shehadalsoborrowedanight-visionscope.
“youdon’tleavealottochance,”blomkvistsaid,pouringcoffeeforher.
“onemorething.nomorejogginguntilwecrackthis.”
“believeme,i’velostallinterestinexercise.”
“i’mnotjoking.thismayhavestartedoutasahistoricalmystery,butwhatwithdeadcatsandpeopletryingtoblowyourheadoffwecanbesurewe’reonsomebody’strail.”
theyatedinnerlate.blomkvistwassuddenlydeadtiredandhadasplittingheadache.hecouldhardlytalkanymore,sohewenttobed.
salanderstayedupreadingthereportuntil2:00.
chapter23
friday,july11
heawokeat6:00withthesunshiningthroughagapinthecurtainsrightinhisface.hehadavagueheadache,andithurtwhenhetouchedthebandage.salanderwasasleeponherstomachwithonearmflungoverhim.helookeddownatthedragononhershoulderblade.
hecountedhertattoos.aswellasawasponherneck,shehadalooparoundoneankle,anotherlooparoundthebicepsofherleftarm,achinesesymbolonherhip,andaroseononecalf.
hegotoutofbedandpulledthecurtainstight.hewenttothebathroomandthenpaddedbacktobed,tryingtogetinwithoutwakingher.
acoupleofhourslateroverbreakfastblomkvistsaid,“howarewegoingtosolvethispuzzle?”
“wesumupthefactswehave.wetrytofindmore.”
“forme,theonlyquestionis:why?isitbecausewe’retryingtosolvethemysteryaboutharriet,orbecausewe’veuncoveredahithertounknownserialkiller?”
“theremustbeaconnection,”salandersaid.“ifharrietrealisedthattherewasaserialkiller,itcanonlyhavebeensomeonesheknew.ifwelookatthecastofcharactersinthesixties,therewereatleasttwodozenpossiblecandidates.todayhardlyanyofthemareleftexceptharaldvanger,whoisnotrunningaroundinthewoodsoffr?skogenatalmostniy-threewithagun.everybodyiseithertoooldtobeofanydangertoday,ortooyoungtohavebeenaroundinthefifties.sowe’rebacktosquareone.”
“unlesstherearetwopeoplewhoarecollaborating.oneolderandoneyounger.”
“haraldandcecilia?idon’tthinkso.ithinkshewastellingthetruthwhenshesaidthatshewasn’tthepersoninthewindow.”
“thenwhowasthat?”
theyturnedonblomkvist’siandspentthenexthourstudyingindetailonceagainallthepeoplevisibleinthephotographsoftheaidentonthebridge.
“icanonlyassumethateveryoneinthevillagemusthavebeendownthere,watchingalltheexcitement.itwasseptember.mostofthemarewearingjacketsorsweaters.onlyonepersonhaslongblondehairandalight-coloureddress.”
“ceciliavangerisinalotofthepictures.sheseemstobeeverywhere.betweenthebuildingsandthepeoplewhoarelookingattheaident.hereshe’stalkingtoisabella.hereshe’sstandingnexttopastorfalk.hereshe’swithgregervanger,themiddlebrother.”
“waitaminute,”blomkvistsaid.“whatdoesgregerhaveinhishand?”
“somethingsquare-shaped.itlookslikeaboxofsomekind.”
“it’sahasselblad.sohetoohadacamera.”
theyscrolledthroughthephotographsonemoretime.gregerwasinmoreofthem,thoughoftenblurry.inoneitcouldbeclearlyseenthathewasholdingasquare-shapedbox.
“ithinkyou’reright.it’sdefinitelyacamera.”
“whichmeansthatwegoonanotherhuntforphotographs.”
“ok,butlet’sleavethatforamoment,”salandersaid.“letmeproposeatheory.”
“goahead.”
“whatifsomeoneoftheyoungergenerationknowsthatsomeoneoftheoldergenerationisaserialkiller,buttheydon’twantitacknowledged.thefamily’shonourandallthatcrap.thatwouldmeanthattherearetwopeopleinvolved,butnotthatthey’reinittogether.themurderercouldhavediedyearsago,whileournemesisjustwantsustodropthewholethingandgohome.”
“butwhy,inthatcase,putamutilatedcatonourporch?it’sanunmistakablereferencetothemurders.”blomkvisttappedharriet’sbible.“againaparodyofthelawsregardingburntofferings.”
salanderleanedbackandlookedupatthechurchasshequotedfromthebible.itwasasifsheweretalkingtoherself.
“thenheshallkillthebullbeforethelord;andaaron’ssonsthepriestsshallpresenttheblood,andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting.andheshallflaytheburntofferingandcutitintopieces.”
shefellsilent,awarethatblomkvistwaswatchingherwithatenseexpression.heopenedthebibletothefirstchapterofleviticus.
“doyouknowversetwelvetoo?”
salanderdidnotreply.
“andheshall…”hebegan,noddingather.
“andheshallcutitintopieces,withitsheadanditsfat,andthepriestshalllaytheminorderuponthewoodthatisonthefireuponthealtar.”hervoicewasice.
“andthenextverse?”
abruptlyshestoodup.
“lisbeth,youhaveaphotographicmemory,”mikaelexclaimedinsurprise.“that’swhyyoucanreadapageoftheinvestigationintenseconds.”
herreactionwasalmostexplosive.shefixedhereyesonblomkvistwithsuchfurythathewasastounded.thenherexpressionchangedtodespair,andsheturnedonherheelandranforthegate.
“lisbeth,”heshoutedafterher.
shedisappeareduptheroad.
mikaelcarriedherputerinside,setthealarm,andlockedthefrontdoorbeforehesetouttolookforher.hefoundhertwentyminuteslateronajettyatthemarina.shewassittingthere,dippingherfeetinthewaterandsmoking.sheheardhimingalongthejetty,andhesawhershouldersstiffen.hestoppedacoupleofpacesaway.
“idon’tknowwhatidid,butididn’tmeantoupsetyou.”
hesatdownnexttoher,tentativelyplacingahandonhershoulder.
“please,lisbeth.talktome.”
sheturnedherheadandlookedathim.
“there’snothingtotalkabout,”shesaid.“i’mjustafreak,that’sall.”
“i’dbeoverjoyedifmymemorywaswhatyoursis.”
shetossedthecigaretteendintothewater.
mikaelsatinsilenceforalongtime.whatamisupposedtosay?you’reaperfectlyordinarygirl.whatdoesitmatterifyou’realittledifferent?whatkindofself-imagedoyouhave,anyway?
“ithoughttherewassomethingdifferentaboutyoutheinstantisawyou,”hesaid.“andyouknowwhat?it’sbeenareallylongtimesincei’vehadsuchaspontaneousgoodimpressionofanyonefromtheverybeginning.”
somechildrencameoutofacabinontheothersideoftheharbourandjumpedintothewater.thepainter,eugennorman,withwhomblomkviststillhadnotexchangedasingleword,wassittinginachairoutsidehishouse,suckingonhispipeasheregardedblomkvistandsalander.
“ireallywanttobeyourfriend,ifyou’llletme,”hesaid.“butit’suptoyou.i’mgoingbacktothehousetoputonsomemorecoffee.ehomewhenyoufeellikeit.”
hegotupandleftherinpeace.hewasonlyhalfwayupthehillwhenheheardherfootstepsbehindhim.theywalkedhometogetherwithoutexchangingaword.
shestoppedhimjustastheyreachedthehouse.
“iwasintheprocessofformulatingatheory…wetalkedaboutthefactthatallthisisaparodyofthebible.it’struethathetookacatapart,butisupposeitwouldbehardtogetholdofanox.buthe’sfollowingthebasicstory.iwonder…”shelookedupatthechurchagain.“andtheyshallthrowthebloodroundaboutagainstthealtarthatisthedoorofthetentofmeeting…”
theywalkedoverthebridgetothechurch.blomkvisttriedthedoor,butitwaslocked.theywanderedaroundforawhile,lookingathead-stonesuntiltheycametothechapel,whichstoodashortdistanceaway,downbythewater.allofasuddenblomkvistopenedhiseyeswide.itwasnotachapel,itwasacrypt.abovethedoorhecouldreadthenamevangerchiselledintothestone,alongwithaverseinlatin,buthecouldnotdecipherit.
“‘slumbertotheendoftime,’”salandersaidbehindhim.
blomkvistturnedtolookather.sheshrugged.
“ihappenedtoseethatversesomewhere.”
blomkvistroaredwithlaughter.shestiffenedandatfirstshelookedfurious,butthensherelaxedwhensherealisedthathewaslaughingattheedyofthesituation.
blomkvisttriedthedoor.itw