Millenium 1.doc

8/12/2019 Millenium 1.doc

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The Girl with the Dragon TattooStieg LarssonCONTENTS

TITLE PAGEPROLOGUE A FRIDAY IN NOVEMERT!E VANGER FAMILY TREEPART " In#enti$eC!APTER " Fri%a&' De#e()er *+C!APTER * Fri%a&' De#e()er *+C!APTER , Fri%a&' De#e()er *+-Sat.r%a&' De#e()er *"C!APTER / Mon%a&' De#e()er *,-Th.rs%a&' De#e()er *0


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C!APTER 1 Th.rs%a&' De#e()er *0C!APTER 0 Th.rs%a&' De#e()er *0C!APTER 2 Fri%a&' 3an.ar& ,PART * Conse4.en#e Anal&ses

C!APTER 5 Fri%a&' 3an.ar& ,-S.n%a&' 3an.ar& 1C!APTER 6 Mon%a&' 3an.ar& 0-7e%nes%a&' 3an.ar& 5C!APTER "+ Th.rs%a&' 3an.ar& 6-Fri%a&' 3an.ar& ,"C!APTER "" Sat.r%a&' Fe)r.ar& "-T.es%a&' Fe)r.ar& "5C!APTER "* 7e%nes%a&' Fe)r.ar& "6C!APTER ", Th.rs%a&' Fe)r.ar& *+-Fri%a&' Mar#h 2C!APTER "/ Sat.r%a&' Mar#h 5-Mon%a&' Mar#h "2PART , Mergers

C!APTER "1 Fri%a&' Ma& "0-Sat.r%a&' Ma& ,"C!APTER "0 S.n%a&' 3.ne "-T.es%a&' 3.ne "+


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C!APTER "2 7e%nes%a&' 3.ne ""-Sat.r%a&' 3.ne "/C!APTER "5 7e%nes%a&' 3.ne "5C!APTER "6 Th.rs%a&' 3.ne "6-S.n%a&' 3.ne *6C!APTER *+ T.es%a&' 3.l& "-7e%nes%a&' 3.l& *

C!APTER *" Th.rs%a&' 3.l& ,-Th.rs%a&' 3.l& "+C!APTER ** Th.rs%a&' 3.l& "+C!APTER *, Fri%a&' 3.l& ""PART / !ostile Ta8eo$erC!APTER */ Fri%a&' 3.l& ""-Sat.r%a&' 3.l& "*C!APTER *1 Sat.r%a&' 3.l& "*-Mon%a&' 3.l& "/C!APTER *0 T.es%a&' 3.l& "1-Th.rs%a&' 3.l& "2C!APTER *2 Sat.r%a&' 3.l& *0-Mon%a&' 3.l& *5

C!APTER *5 T.es%a&' 3.l& *6-Fri%a&' O#to)er */C!APTER *6 Sat.r%a&' No$e()er "-T.es%a&' No$e()er *1


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EPILOGUE9 FINAL AUDIT T!URSDAY' NOVEMER *2-TUESDAY' DECEMER ,+A NOTE AOUT T!E AUT!ORCOPYRIG!T

PROLOGUEA Fri%a& in No$e()erIt ha::ene% e$er& &ear' was al(ost a rit.al; An% this was his eight&o) as a >o.rnalist' lo(8$ist ha% #han#e% .:on agang whi#h ha% :.lle% o== =i$e )an8 ro))eries o$er the :ast two&ears; There was no %o.)t that it was the sa(e gang in e$er&instan#e; Their


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tra%e(ar8 was to hol% .: two )an8s at a ti(e with (ilitar&:re#ision; The& wore (as8s =ro( Disne& 7orl%' so ine$ita)l&:oli#e logi# %.))e% the( the Donal% D.#8 Gang; The news:a:ersrena(e% the( the ear Gang' whi#h so.n%e% (ore sinister' (ore

a::ro:riate to the =a#t that on two o##asions the& ha% re#8lessl&=ire% warning shots an% threatene% #.rio.s :assers)&;Their si@th o.ting was at a )an8 in Kstergtlan% at the height o= theholi%a& season; A re:orter =ro( the lo#al ra%io station ha::ene% to)e in the )an8 at the ti(e; As soon as the ro))ers were gone he wentto a :.)li# tele:hone an% %i#tate% his stor& =or li$e )roa%#ast;lo(8$ist was s:en%ing se$eral %a&s with a girl=rien% at her:arents s.((er #a)in near Jatrinehol(; E@a#tl& wh& he (a%e the

#onne#tion he #o.l% not e@:lain' e$en to the :oli#e' ).t as he waslistening to the news re:ort he re(e()ere% a gro.: o= =o.r (en in as.((er #a)in a =ew h.n%re% =eet %own the roa%; !e ha% seen the(:la&ing )a%(inton o.t in the &ar%9 =o.r )lon%' athleti# t&:es inshorts with their shirts o==; The& were o)$io.sl& )o%&).il%ers' an%there ha% )een so(ething a)o.t the( that ha% (a%e hi( loo8 twi#e?(a&)e it was )e#a.se the ga(e was )eing :la&e% in )laings.nshine with what he re#ognise% as intensel& =o#.se% energ&;There ha% )een no goo% reason to s.s:e#t the( o= )eing the )an8ro))ers' ).t ne$ertheless he ha% gone to a hill o$erloo8ing their#a)in; It see(e% e(:t&; It was a)o.t =ort& (in.tes )e=ore a Vol$o%ro$e .: an% :ar8e% in the &ar%; The &o.ng (en got o.t' in a h.rr&'an% were ea#h #arr&ing a


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s:orts )ag' so the& (ight ha$e )een %oing nothing (ore than#o(ing )a#8 =ro( a swi(; .t one o= the( ret.rne% to the #ar an%too8 o.t =ro( the )oot so(ething whi#h he h.rrie%l& #o$ere% withhis >a#8et; E$en =ro( lo(8$ists relati$el& %istant o)ser$ation :ost

he #o.l% tell that it was a goo% ol% AJ/' the ri=le that ha% )een his#onstant #o(:anion =or the &ear o= his (ilitar& ser$i#e;!e #alle% the :oli#e an% that was the start o= a three


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ni#8na(e; It too8 hi( se$eral &ears an% =ar weightier >o.rnalisti#s.##esses )e=ore the ni#8na(e )egan to =a%e' ).t he still #ringe% i=e$er the na(e was .se% in his hearing;Right now he a#hie$e% a :la#i% s(ile an% sai% to the re:orter =ro(

the e$ening :a:er9 Oh #o(e on' thin8 o= so(ething &o.rsel=; Yo..s.all& %o;!is tone was not .n:leasant; The& all 8new ea#h other' (ore or less'an% lo(8$ists (ost $i#io.s #riti#s ha% not #o(e that (orning;One o= the >o.rnalists there ha% at one ti(e wor8e% with hi(; An% ata :art& so(e &ears ago he ha% nearl& s.##ee%e% in :i#8ing .: one o=the re:orters?the wo(an =ro( She on TV/;Yo. too8 a real hit in there to%a&'sai% the one =ro( Dagens

N&heter' #learl& a &o.ng :art


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Are &o. going to a:ologise to 7ennerstr(B Sha8e his han%BI thin8 not;So &o. still wo.l% sa& that hes a #roo8BDagens N&heter;The #o.rt ha% >.st r.le% that lo(8$ist ha% li)elle% an% %e=a(e% the

=inan#ier !ans


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She was 8in%er than he %eser$e%' an% there were eno.gh #learanswers to satis=& all the re:orters still stan%ing )ehin% her; Thestor& wo.l% )e in the hea%lines ).t he re(in%e% hi(sel= that the&were not %ealing with the (e%ia e$ent o= the &ear here; The

re:orters ha% what the& nee%e% an% hea%e% )a#8 to their res:e#ti$enewsroo(s;!e #onsi%ere% wal8ing' ).t it was a )l.ster& De#e()er %a& an% hewas alrea%& #ol% a=ter the inter$iew; As he wal8e% %own the#o.rtroo( ste:s' he saw 7illia( org getting o.t o= his #ar; !e(.st ha$e )een sitting there %.ring the inter$iew; Their e&es (et'an% then org s(ile%;It was worth #o(ing %own here >.st to see &o. with that :a:er in

&o.r han%;lo(8$ist sai% nothing; org an% lo(8$ist ha% 8nown ea#h other=or =i=teen &ears; The& ha% wor8e% together as #.) re:orters =or the=inan#ial se#tion o= a (orning :a:er; Ma&)e it was a 4.estion o=#he(istr&' ).t the =o.n%ation ha% )een lai% there =or a li=elongen(it&; In lo(8$ists e&es' org ha% )een a thir%o8es an% (a%e %is:araging re(ar8s a)o.t the (ore e@:erien#e%'ol%er re:orters; !e see(e% to %isli8e the ol%er =e(ale re:orters in:arti#.lar; The& ha% their =irst 4.arrel' then others' an% anon theantagonis( t.rne% :ersonal;O$er the &ears' the& ha% r.n into ea#h other reg.larl&' ).t it was not.ntil the late nineties that the& )e#a(e serio.s ene(ies; lo(8$istha% :.)lishe% a )oo8 a)o.t =inan#ial


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>o.rnalis( an% 4.ote% e@tensi$el& a n.()er o= i%ioti# arti#leswritten )& org; org #a(e a#ross as a :o(:o.s ass who got (an&o= his =a#ts .:si%e %own an% wrote ho(ages to %oto.rnalis(' an% now he wor8e% in PR?=or a #onsi%era)l& highersalar&?at a =ir( that' to (a8e things worse' was :art o= in%.strialist!ans


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aggra$ate% li)el o= in%.strialist !ans.%ge(ent was twent&


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7hen he too8 a )ite o= his san%wi#h' the )rea% see(e% to swell .:in his (o.th; !e #o.l% har%l& swallow it an% :.she% his :late asi%e;This was the =irst ti(e that lo(8$ist ha% =a#e% an& #harge; The>.%ge(ent was a tri=le' relati$el& s:ea8ing; A lightweight #ri(e; Not

ar(e% ro))er&' (.r%er' or ra:e a=ter all; Fro( a =inan#ial :oint o=$iew' howe$er' it was serio.s?Millenni.( was not a =lagshi: o= the(e%ia worl% with .nli(ite% reso.r#es' the (againe )arel& )ro8ee$en?).t the >.%ge(ent %i% not s:ell #atastro:he; The :ro)le( wasthat lo(8$ist was one o= Millenni.(s :art owners' an% at thesa(e ti(e' i%ioti#all& eno.gh' he was )oth a writer an% the(againes :.)lisher; The %a(ages o= "1+'+++ 8ronor he wo.l% :a&hi(sel=' altho.gh that wo.l% >.st a)o.t wi:e o.t his sa$ings; The

(againe wo.l% ta8e #are o= the #o.rt #osts; 7ith :r.%ent ).%getingit wo.l% wor8 o.t;!e :on%ere% the wis%o( o= selling his a:art(ent' tho.gh it wo.l%)rea8 his heart; At the en% o= the goo) at a %ot


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:ar4.et =loor an% interior walls to (a8e it into the :lanne% two


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!ow in Go%s na(e ha% things gone so wrongBThe 7ennerstr( a==air ha% starte% o.t with s.#h :ro(ise in the#o#8:it o= a thirt&.starri$e% =ro( !allstaha((ar to st.%& in Sto#8hol(' ha% agree% tothe o.ting a=ter :.tting .: to8en resistan#e' ).t onl& i= her sister an%her sisters )o&=rien% #o.l% #o(e too; None o= the trio =ro(!allstaha((ar ha% an& sailing e@:erien#e' an% .n=ort.natel&lo(8$ists ol% #olleag.e ha% (ore enth.sias( than e@:erien#e;

Three %a&s )e=ore the& set o== he ha% #alle% in %es:eration an%:ers.a%e% hi( to #o(e as a =i=th #rew (e()er' one who 8newna$igation;lo(8$ist ha% not tho.ght (.#h o= the :ro:osal' ).t he #a(earo.n% when :ro(ise% a =ew %a&s o= rela@ation in the ar#hi:elagowith goo% =oo% an% :leasant #o(:an&; These :ro(ises #a(e tona.ght' an% the e@:e%ition t.rne% into (ore o= a %isaster than he#o.l% ha$e i(agine%; The& ha% saile% the )ea.ti=.l ).t not $er&%ra(ati# ro.te =ro( .llan% .: thro.gh F.r.s.n% Strait at )arel& 68nots' ).t the new girl=rien% was instantl& seasi#8; !er sister starte%arg.ing with her )o&=rien%' an% none o= the( showe% the slightestinterest in learning the least little thing a)o.t sailing; It 4.i#8l&)e#a(e #lear that lo(8$ist was e@:e#te% to ta8e #harge o= the )oatwhile the others ga$e hi( well


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night in a )a& on ngs he was rea%& to %o#8 the )oat at F.r.s.n%an% ta8e the ).s ho(e; Onl& their %es:erate a::eals :ers.a%e% hi(to sta&;At noon the ne@t %a&' earl& eno.gh that there were still a =ew s:a#es

a$aila)le' the& tie% .: at the $isitors whar= on the :i#t.res4.e islan%o= Arhol(a; The& ha% thrown so(e l.n#h together an% ha% >.st=inishe% when lo(8$ist noti#e% a &ellow =i)reglass M


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!i' Mi#8e; I tho.ght there was so(ething =a(iliar a)o.t &o.; I%lo$e to .se the engine i= I #o.l% onl& get the :ie#e o= #ra: starte%; It%ie% two %a&s ago o.t )& R%lga;The& shoo8 han%s a#ross the railings;

An eternit& )e=ore' at J.ngshol(en s#hool in the se$enties'lo(8$ist an% Ro)ert Lin%)erg ha% )een =rien%s' e$en $er& goo%=rien%s; As so o=ten ha::ens with s#hool ).%%ies' the =rien%shi:=a%e% a=ter the& ha% gone their se:arate wa&s; The& ha% (et (a&)ehal= a %oen ti(es in the :ast twent& &ears' the last one se$en oreight &ears ago; Now the& st.%ie% ea#h other with interest; Lin%)ergha% tangle% hair' was tanne% an% ha% a two


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worl%; Their tal8 )egan to e@:lore what was ethi#all& satis=a#tor& in#ertain gol%en :ara#h.te agree(ents %.ring the nineties; Lin%)erge$ent.all& #on#e%e% there were one or two i((oral )astar%s in the).siness worl%; !e loo8e% at lo(8$ist with an e@:ression that was

s.%%enl& serio.s;7h& %ont &o. write a)o.t !anse#t that was)a#8e% )& the state an% a%(inistere% )& re:resentati$es o= a)o.t a%oen )ig Swe%ish =ir(s; The AIA o)taine% go$ern(ent g.arantees=or a n.()er o= :ro>e#ts initiate% in agree(ent with the go$ern(entsin Polan% an% the alti#s; The Swe%ish Tra%e Union Con=e%eration'LO' also >oine% in as a g.arantor that the wor8ers (o$e(ent in theEast wo.l% )e strengthene% as well )& =ollowing the Swe%ish (o%el;In theor&' it was an assistan#e :ro>e#t that ).ilt on the :rin#i:le o=o==ering hel: =or sel=


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#o(:anies in Eastern E.ro:ean #o.ntries; That go%%a((e% (inisterin the Christian :art& was an ar%ent a%$o#ate o= the AIA' whi#h wasgoing to set .: a :a:er (ill in Jra8ow an% :ro$i%e new e4.i:(ent=or a (etals in%.str& in Riga' a #e(ent =a#tor& in Tallinn' an% so on;

The =.n%s wo.l% )e %istri).te% )& the AIA )oar%' whi#h #onsiste%o= a n.()er o= hea$&weights =ro( the )an8ing an% #or:orateworl%;So it was ta@ (one&BA)o.t hal= #a(e =ro( go$ern(ent #ontri).tions' an% the )an8san% #or:orations :.t .: the rest; .t it was =ar =ro( an i%ealo:eration; The )an8s an% in%.str& were #o.nting on (a8ing a sweet:ro=it; Otherwise the& %a(n well wo.l%nt ha$e )othere%;

!ow (.#h (one& are we tal8ing a)o.tB!ol% on' listen to this; The AIA was %ealing :ri(aril& with )igSwe%ish =ir(s who wante% to get into the Eastern E.ro:ean (ar8et;!ea$& in%.stries li8e ASEA rown o$eri an% S8ans8aConstr.#tion an% the li8e; Not s:e#.lation =ir(s' in other wor%s;Are &o. telling (e that S8ans8a %oesnt %o s:e#.lationB 7asnt ittheir (anaging %ire#tor who was =ire% a=ter he let so(e o= his )o&ss:e#.late awa& hal= a )illion in 4.i#8 sto#8 t.rno$ersB An% howa)o.t their h&steri#al :ro:ert& %eals in Lon%on an% OsloBS.re' there are i%iots in e$er& #o(:an& the worl% o$er' ).t &o.8now what I (ean; At least those #o(:anies a#t.all&


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:ro%.#e so(ething; The )a#8)one o= Swe%ish in%.str& an% allthat;7here %oes 7ennerstr( #o(e into the :i#t.reB7ennerstr( is the >o8er in the :a#8; Meaning that hes a g.&

who t.rns .: o.t o= the )l.e' who has no )a#8gro.n% whatsoe$er inhea$& in%.str&' an% who reall& has no ).siness getting in$ol$e% inthese :ro>e#ts; .t he has a(asse% a #olossal =ort.ne on the sto#8(ar8et an% has in$este% in soli% #o(:anies; !e #a(e in )& the )a#8%oor' so to s:ea8;As he sat there in the )oat' lo(8$ist =ille% his glass withRei(ershol(s )ran%& an% leane% )a#8' tr&ing to re(e()er whatlittle he 8new a)o.t 7ennerstr(; orn .: in Norrlan%' where in

the se$enties he set .: an in$est(ent #o(:an&; !e (a%e (one& an%(o$e% to Sto#8hol(' an% there his #areer too8 o== in the eighties; !e#reate% 7ennerstr(er; !e tra%e% sto#8 an%o:tions an% li8e% to (a8e 4.i#8 %eals' an% he e(erge% in the#ele)rit& :ress as one o= Swe%ens n.(ero.s )illionaires with a #it&ho(e on Stran%$gen' a =a).lo.s s.((er $illa on the islan% o=Vr(%' an% an eight&


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Sten)e#8s =la()o&an#e an% %i% not s:rea% hi(sel= all o$er theta)loi%s li8e Per#& arne$i8; !e sai% goo%)&e to real estate an%instea% (a%e (assi$e in$est(ents in the =or(er Eastern lo#; 7henthe ).))le ).rst in the nineties an% one (anaging %ire#tor a=ter

another was =or#e% to #ash in his gol%en :ara#h.te' 7ennerstr(s#o(:an& #a(e o.t o= it in re(ar8a)l& goo% sha:e; A Swe%ishs.##ess stor&'as the Finan#ial Ti(es #alle% it;That was "66*'Lin%)erg sai%; 7ennerstr( #onta#te% AIAan% sai% he wante% =.n%ing; !e :resente% a :lan' see(ingl& )a#8e%)& interests in Polan%' whi#h ai(e% at esta)lishing an in%.str& =orthe (an.=a#t.re o= :a#8aging =or =oo%st.==s;A tin


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Lin%)erg :.t his e(:t& glass %own with an e(:hati# s(a#8;The :ro)le( with AIA was that there was no real s&ste( in :la#e=or re:orting on the :ro>e#t; Yo. re(e()er those %a&s9 e$er&onewas so o:ti(isti# when the erlin 7all #a(e %own; De(o#ra#& was

going to )e intro%.#e%' the threat o= n.#lear war was o$er' an% theolshe$i8s wo.l% t.rn into reg.lar little #a:italists o$ernight; Thego$ern(ent wante% to nail %own %e(o#ra#& in the East; E$era:italist wante% to >.(: on the )an%wagon an% hel: ).il% the newE.ro:e;I %i%nt 8now that #a:italists were so [email protected] to get in$ol$e% in#harit&;elie$e (e' it was a #a:italists wet %rea(; R.ssia an% Eastern

E.ro:e (a& )e the worl%s )iggest .nta::e% (ar8ets a=ter China;In%.str& ha% no :ro)le( >oining han%s with the go$ern(ent'es:e#iall& when the #o(:anies were re4.ire% to :.t .: onl& a to8enin$est(ent; In all' AIA swallowe% a)o.t thirt& )illion 8ronor o= theta@:a&ers (one&; It was s.::ose% to #o(e )a#8 in =.t.re :ro=its;For(all&' AIA was the go$ern(ents initiati$e' ).t the in=l.en#e o=in%.str& was so great that in a#t.al =a#t the AIA )oar% was o:eratingin%e:en%entl&;So is there a stor& in all thisBe :atient; 7hen the :ro>e#t starte% there was no :ro)le( with=inan#ing; Swe%en ha%nt &et )een hit )& the interest


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o= the )iggest Swe%ish e==orts to :ro(ote %e(o#ra#& in the East;An% this was all .n%er the Conser$ati$e go$ern(entBDont get :oliti#s (i@e% .: in this; Its all a)o.t (one& an% it(a8es no %i==eren#e i= the So#ial De(o#rats or the (o%erates

a::oint the (inisters; So' =.ll s:ee% ahea%; Then #a(e the =oreign.st a=ter the 7all #a(e %own an% the olshe$i8s startinga#ting li8e %e#ent #a:italists; I was one o= the :eo:le whoin$estigate% 7ennerstr(' an% the whole ti(e I tho.ght there wasso(ething %a(ne% o%% a)o.t his stor&;7h& %i%nt &o. sa& so when &o. signe% o== on his re:ortB


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I %is#.sse% it with (& )oss; .t the :ro)le( was that there wasntan&thing to :in:oint; The %o#.(ents were all OJ' I ha% onl& to signthe re:ort; E$er& ti(e I$e seen 7ennerstr(s na(e in the :resssin#e then I thin8 a)o.t Minos' an% not least )e#a.se so(e &ears

later' in the (i%e#ts altho.gh he ha% so(e reall& shar:&o.ng warriors =or a%$isers; A)o$e all' I reall& %i%nt #are =or hi(:ersonall&;SoBA =ew &ears ago I went %own to Polan% on so(e other (atter; O.rgro.: ha% %inner with so(e in$estors in L%' an% I =o.n% (&sel= atthe sa(e ta)le as the (a 7e


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tal8e% a)o.t the %i==i#.lt& o= getting Polan%s e#ono(& on its =eetan% all that' an% so(ehow or other I (entione% the Minos :ro>e#t;The (a&or loo8e% 4.ite astonishe% =or a (o(ent?as i= he ha%ne$er hear% o= Minos; !e tol% (e it was so(e #r.((& little

).siness an% nothing e$er #a(e o= it; !e la.ghe% an% sai%?I(4.oting wor% =or wor%?that i= that was the )est o.r in$estors #o.l%(anage' then Swe%en wasnt long =or this li=e; Are &o. =ollowing(eBThat (a&or o= L% is o)$io.sl& a shar: =ellow' ).t go on;The ne@t %a& I ha% a (eeting in the (orning' ).t the rest o= (&%a& was =ree; For the hell o= it I %ro$e o.t to loo8 at the sh.t


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).t the& 8e:t )rea8ing %own; Nat.rall& there were no s:are :arts' soMinos s.==ere% en%less sto::ages;This is starting to so.n% li8e a stor&'lo(8$ist sai%; 7hat%i% the& (a8e at MinosB

Thro.gho.t "66* an% hal= o= "66, the& :ro%.#e% si(:le#ar%)oar% )o@es =or washing :ow%ers an% egg #artons an% the li8e;Then the& starte% (a8ing :a:er )ags; .t the =a#tor& #o.l% ne$erget eno.gh raw (aterials' so there was ne$er a 4.estion o= (.#h$ol.(e o= :ro%.#tion;This %oesnt so.n% li8e a giganti# in$est(ent;I ran the n.()ers; The total rent (.st ha$e )een aro.n% "1'+++8ronor =or two &ears; 7ages (a& ha$e a(o.nte% to "1+'+++ SEJ at

(ost?an% I( )eing genero.s here; Cost o= (a#hines an% #ost o==reighta $an to %eli$er the egg #artonsI( g.essing *1+'+++;A%% =ees =or :er(its' a little tra$elling )a#8 an% =orth?a::arentl&one :erson =ro( Swe%en %i% $isit the site a =ew ti(es; It loo8s astho.gh the whole o:eration ran =or .n%er two (illion; One %a& inthe s.((er o= "66, the =ore(an #a(e %own to the =a#tor& an% sai%it was sh.t %own' an% a while later a !.ngarian lorr& a::eare% an%#arrie% o== the (a#hiner&; &e


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were e==e#ti$el& strangers' )& now 4.ite %i==erent sorts o= :eo:le;D.ring their tal8 lo(8$ist ha% tho.ght that he reall& #o.l% notre#all what it was that ha% (a%e the( s.#h =rien%s at s#hool; !ere(e()ere% Lin%)erg as a reser$e% )o&' in#re%i)l& sh& with girls;

As an a%.lt he was a s.##ess=.lwell' #li()er in the )an8ingworl%;!e rarel& got %r.n8' ).t that #han#e (eeting ha% trans=or(e% a%isastro.s sailing tri: into a :leasant e$ening; An% )e#a.se the#on$ersation ha% so (.#h an e#ho o= a s#hool)o& tone' he %i% not at=irst ta8e Lin%)ergs stor& a)o.t 7ennerstr( serio.sl&; Gra%.all&his :ro=essional instin#ts were aro.se%; E$ent.all& he was listeningattenti$el&' an% the logi#al o)>e#tions s.r=a#e%;

7ait a se#on%'he sai%; 7ennerstr( is a to: na(e a(ong(ar8et s:e#.lators; !es (a%e hi(sel= a )illion' has he notBThe 7ennerstr( Gro.: is sitting on so(ewhere #lose to twoh.n%re% )illion; Yo.re going to as8 wh& a )illionaire sho.l% go tothe tro.)le o= swin%ling a tri=ling =i=t& (illion;7ell' :.t it this wa&9 wh& wo.l% he ris8 his own an% his#o(:an&s goo% na(e on s.#h a )latant swin%leBIt wasnt so o)$io.sl& a swin%le gi$en that the AIA )oar%' the)an8ers' the go$ern(ent' an% Parlia(ents a.%itors all a::ro$e%7ennerstr(s a##o.nting witho.t a single %issenting $ote;Its still a ri%i#.lo.sl& s(all s.( =or so $ast a ris8;


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Certainl&; .t >.st thin89 the 7ennerstr( Gro.: is anin$est(ent #o(:an& that %eals with :ro:ert&' se#.rities' o:tions'=oreign e@#hange&o. na(e it; 7ennerstr( #onta#te% AIA in"66* >.st as the )otto( was a)o.t to %ro: o.t o= the (ar8et; Do &o.

re(e()er the a.t.(n o= "66*BDo IB I ha% a $aria)le


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All right' e$er& s:e#.lator ha% #ash


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!e loo8e% a little li8e the stereot&:i#al lo#al )oss in an A(eri#angangster (o$ie' ).t in =a#t he was a talente% =inan#ial %ire#tor whoha% )eg.n his #areer as a >.nior a##o.ntant at Milton Se#.rit& in theearl& se$enties; Three %e#a%es later he ha% a%$an#e% to CEO an%

COO o= the #o(:an&;!e ha% )e#o(e =as#inate% with the se#.rit& ).siness; It was li8e warga(es?to i%enti=& threats' %e$elo: #o.nter


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s:e#ialising in international terroris(' an% e@:erts in :ersonal:rote#tion an% in%.strial es:ionage; Most i(:ortantl&' he hire% the)est tele#o((.ni#ations te#hni#ians an% IT e@:erts; The #o(:an&(o$e% =ro( Solna to state


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=or (an& international $isitors to Swe%en' in#l.%ing an A(eri#ana#tress who was shooting a =il( =or two (onths in Trollhttan; !eragent =elt that her stat.s warrante% ha$ing )o%&g.ar%s a##o(:an&her whene$er she too8 her in=re4.ent wal8s near the hotel;

A =o.rth' #onsi%era)l& s(aller area that o##.:ie% onl& a =ewe(:lo&ees was what was #alle% PI or P.%ge(ent an% e@:erien#e than on their8nowle%ge o= tele#o((.ni#ations te#hnolog& or the installation o=s.r$eillan#e a::arat.s; Personal in$estigations were a##e:ta)le

when it was a (atter o= #re%it in=or(ation' )a#8gro.n% #he#8s)e=ore hiring' or to in$estigate s.s:i#ions that so(e e(:lo&ee ha%lea8e% #o(:an& in=or(ation or engage% in #ri(inal a#ti$it&; In s.#h#ases the :in%ers were an integral :art o= the o:erational a#ti$it&;.t not in=re4.entl& his ).siness #lients wo.l% %rag in :ri$ate:ro)le(s that ha% a ten%en#& to #reate .nwel#o(e t.r(oil; I want to8now what sort o= #ree: (& %a.ghter is going o.t withI thin8 (&wi=e is )eing .n=aith=.lThe g.& is OJ ).t hes (i@e% .: with )a%#o(:an&I( )eing )la#8(aile% Ar(ans8& o=ten ga$e the( astraight=orwar% no; I= the %a.ghter was an a%.lt' she ha% the right togo o.t with an& #ree: she wante% to' an% he tho.ght in=i%elit& wasso(ething that h.s)an%s an% wi$es o.ght to wor8 o.t on their own;!i%%en in all s.#h in4.iries were tra:s that #o.l% lea% to s#an%al an%#reate legal :ro)le(s =or Milton Se#.rit&; 7hi#h was wh& Dragan


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Ar(ans8& 8e:t a #lose wat#h on these assign(ents' in s:ite o= how(o%est the re$en.e was;The (ornings to:i# was >.st s.#h a :ersonal in$estigation;Ar(ans8& straightene% the #rease in his tro.sers )e=ore he leane%

)a#8 in his #o(=orta)le #hair; !e glan#e% s.s:i#io.sl& at his#olleag.e Lis)eth Salan%er' who was thirt&.nior; !etho.ght =or the tho.san%th ti(e that no)o%& see(e% (ore o.t o=:la#e in a :restigio.s se#.rit& =ir( than she %i%; !is (istr.st was)oth wise an% irrational; In Ar(ans8&s e&es' Salan%er was )e&on%%o.)t the (ost a)le in$estigator he ha% (et in all his &ears in the).siness; D.ring the =o.r &ears she ha% wor8e% =or hi( she ha%ne$er on#e =.()le% a >o) or t.rne% in a single (e%io#re re:ort;

On the #ontrar&' her re:orts were in a #lass )& the(sel$es;Ar(ans8& was #on$in#e% that she :ossesse% a .ni4.e gi=t; An&)o%o.l% =in% o.t #re%it in=or(ation or r.n a #he#8 with :oli#e re#or%s;.t Salan%er ha% i(agination' an% she alwa&s #a(e )a#8 withso(ething %i==erent =ro( what he e@:e#te%; !ow she %i% it' he ha%ne$er .n%erstoo%; So(eti(es he tho.ght that her a)ilit& to gatherin=or(ation was sheer (agi#; She 8new the ).rea.#rati# ar#hi$esinsi%e o.t; A)o$e all' she ha% the a)ilit& to get .n%er the s8in o= the:erson she was in$estigating; I= there was an& %irt to )e %.g .:' shewo.l% ho(e in on it li8e a #r.ise (issile;So(ehow she ha% alwa&s ha% this gi=t;


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!er re:orts #o.l% )e a #atastro:he =or the in%i$i%.al who lan%e% inher ra%ar; Ar(ans8& wo.l% ne$er =orget the ti(e he assigne% her to%o a ro.tine #he#8 on a resear#her in the :har(a#e.ti#al in%.str&)e=ore a #or:orate ).&o.t; The >o) was s#he%.le% to ta8e a wee8'

).t it %ragge% on =or a while; A=ter =o.r wee8s silen#e an% se$eralre(in%ers' whi#h she ignore%' Salan%er #a(e )a#8 with a re:ort%o#.(enting that the s.)>e#t in 4.estion was a :ae%o:hile; On twoo##asions he ha% )o.ght se@ =ro( a thirteen


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)een ta8en in a hotel #orri%or in Tallinn' an% the (an ha% his han%.n%er the girls sweater; Salan%er ha% tra#8e% %own the girl in4.estion an% she ha% :ro$i%e% her a##o.nt on ta:e;The re:ort ha% #reate% :re#isel& the #haos that Ar(ans8& ha%

wante% to a$oi%; First he ha% to swallow a =ew .l#er ta)lets:res#ri)e% )& his %o#tor; Then he #alle% in the #lient =or a so()ree(ergen#& (eeting; Finall&?o$er the #lients =ier#e o)>e#tions?hewas =or#e% to re=er the (aterial to the :oli#e; This (eant that MiltonSe#.rit& ris8e% )eing %rawn into a tangle% we); I= Salan%erse$i%en#e #o.l% not )e s.)stantiate% or the (an was a#4.itte%' the#o(:an& (ight ris8 a li)el s.it; It was a night(are;!owe$er' it was not Lis)eth Salan%ers astonishing la#8 o=

e(otional in$ol$e(ent that (ost .:set hi(; Miltons i(age was oneo= #onser$ati$e sta)ilit&; Salan%er =itte% into this :i#t.re a)o.t aswell as a ).==alo at a )oat show; Ar(ans8&s star resear#her was a:ale' anore@i# &o.ng wo(an who ha% hair as short as a =.se' an% a:ier#e% nose an% e&e)rows; She ha% a was: tattoo a)o.t an in#hlong on her ne#8' a tattooe% loo: aro.n% the )i#e:s o= her le=t ar(an% another aro.n% her le=t an8le; On those o##asions when she ha%)een wearing a tan8 to:' Ar(ans8& also saw that she ha% a %ragontattoo on her le=t sho.l%er )la%e; She was a nat.ral re%hea%' ).t she%&e% her hair ra$en )la#8; She loo8e% as tho.gh she ha% >.ste(erge% =ro( a wee8


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She %i% not in =a#t ha$e an eating %isor%er' Ar(ans8& was s.re o=that; On the #ontrar&' she see(e% to #ons.(e e$er& 8in% o= >.n8=oo%; She ha% si(:l& )een )orn thin' with slen%er )ones that (a%eher loo8 girlish an% =ineill


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!e ha% regrette% his %e#ision to hire the girl the (o(ent he (et her;She %i% not >.st see( %i==i#.lt?in his e&es she was the $er&4.intessen#e o= %i==i#.lt; She ha% %ro::e% o.t o= s#hool an% ha% nosort o= higher e%.#ation;

The =irst =ew (onths she ha% wor8e% =.ll ti(e' well' al(ost =.llti(e; She t.rne% .: at the o==i#e now an% then; She (a%e #o==ee'went to the :ost o==i#e' an% too8 #are o= the #o:&ing' ).t#on$entional o==i#e ho.rs or wor8 ro.tines were anathe(a to her;On the other han%' she ha% a talent =or irritating the other e(:lo&ees;She )e#a(e 8nown as the girl with two )rain #ells?one =or)reathing an% one =or stan%ing .:; She ne$er tal8e% a)o.t hersel=;Colleag.es who trie% to tal8 to her sel%o( got a res:onse an% soon

ga$e .:; !er attit.%e en#o.rage% neither tr.st nor =rien%shi:' an%she 4.i#8l& )e#a(e an o.tsi%er wan%ering the #orri%ors o= Miltonli8e a stra& #at; She was generall& #onsi%ere% a ho:eless #ase;A=ter a (onth o= nothing ).t tro.)le' Ar(ans8& sent =or her' =.ll&inten%ing to let her go; She listene% to his #atalog.e o= her o==en#eswitho.t o)>e#tion an% witho.t e$en raising an e&e)row; She %i% notha$e the right attit.%e'he #on#l.%e%' an% was a)o.t to tell herthat it wo.l% :ro)a)l& )e a goo% i%ea i= she loo8e% =or e(:lo&(entwith another =ir( that #o.l% (a8e )etter .se o= her s8ills; Onl& then%i% she interr.:t hi(;Yo. 8now' i= &o. >.st want an o==i#e ser= &o. #an get one =ro(the te(: agen#&; I #an han%le an&thing an% an&one


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also #ontaine% %etaile% o)ser$ations an% in=or(ation' an% he 4.itesi(:l& #o.l% not #o(:rehen% how she #o.l% ha$e a#4.ire% s.#h=a#ts;!e #o.l% not i(agine that an&one else at Milton Se#.rit& wo.l%

ha$e li=te% e@#er:ts =ro( the #on=i%ential >o.rnal o= a %o#tor at awo(ens #risis #entre; 7hen he as8e% her how she ha% (anage%that' she tol% hi( that she ha% no intention o= ).rning her so.r#es; It)e#a(e #lear that Salan%er was not going to %is#.ss her wor8(etho%s' either with hi( or with an&one else; This %ist.r)e% hi(?).t not eno.gh =or hi( to resist the te(:tation to test her;!e tho.ght a)o.t the (atter =or se$eral %a&s; !e re#alle% !olgerPal(grens sa&ing when he ha% sent her to hi(' E$er&one

%eser$es a #han#e;!e tho.ght a)o.t his own M.sli( .:)ringing'whi#h ha% ta.ght hi( that it was his %.t& to Go% to hel: theo.t#asts; O= #o.rse he %i% not )elie$e in Go% an% ha% not )een in a(os4.e sin#e he was a teenager' ).t he re#ognise% Lis)eth Salan%eras a :erson in nee% o= resol.te hel:; !e ha% not %one (.#h alongthese lines o$er the :ast =ew %e#a%es;Instea% o= gi$ing Salan%er the )oot' he s.((one% her =or a (eetingin whi#h he trie% to wor8 o.t what (a%e the %i==i#.lt girl ti#8; !isi(:ression was #on=ir(e% that she s.==ere% =ro( so(e serio.se(otional :ro)le(' ).t he also %is#o$ere% that )ehin% her s.llen=a#a%e there was an .n.s.al intelligen#e; !e =o.n% her :ri#8l& an%ir8so(e' ).t (.#h to his s.r:rise he )egan to li8e her;


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O$er the =ollowing (onths Ar(ans8& too8 Salan%er .n%er his wing;In tr.th' he too8 her on as a s(all so#ial :ro>e#t; !e ga$e herstraight=orwar% resear#h tas8s an% trie% to gi$e her g.i%elines onhow to :ro#ee%; She wo.l% listen :atientl& an% then set o== to #arr&

o.t the assign(ent >.st as she saw =it; !e as8e% Miltons te#hni#al%ire#tor to gi$e her a )asi# #o.rse in IT s#ien#e; The& sat together alla=ternoon .ntil he re:orte% )a#8 that she see(e% to ha$e a )etter.n%erstan%ing o= #o(:.ters than (ost o= the sta==;.t %es:ite %e$elo:(ent %is#.ssions' o==ers o= in.ston#e' an% his wi=e (ight ha$e (is.n%erstoo% i= she ha%


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8nown a)o.t it; .t the (arriage was ha::& an% he ha% two%a.ghters o= Salan%ers age; In an& #ase' he was not intereste% in=lat.st aswell ha$e =allen in lo$e with a :ainting o= a n&(:h or a Gree8a(:hora; Salan%er re:resente% a li=e that was not real =or hi(' that=as#inate% hi( tho.gh he #o.l% not share it?an% in an& #ase she=or)a%e hi( =ro( sharing it;

On one o##asion Ar(ans8& was sitting at a #a= on Stortorget inGa(la Stan when Salan%er #a(e sa.ntering .: an% sat at a ta)le ashort %istan#e awa&; She was with three girls an% a )o&' all %resse%in (.#h the sa(e wa&; Ar(ans8& ha% wat#he% her with interest;She see(e% to )e >.st as reser$e% as she was at wor8' ).t she ha%a#t.all& al(ost s(ile% at a stor& tol% )& one o= her #o(:anions' agirl with :.r:le hair;Ar(ans8& won%ere% how she wo.l% rea#t i= one %a& he #a(e towor8 with green hair' worneans' an% a leather >a#8et #o$ere%with gra==iti an% ri$ets; She :ro)a)l& wo.l% >.st s(ir8 at hi(;She ha% )een sitting with her )a#8 to hi( an% %i% not t.rn aro.n%on#e' o)$io.sl& .naware that he was there; !e =elt strangel&%ist.r)e% )& her :resen#e; 7hen at last he got .:


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to slin8 awa& .nnoti#e%' she s.%%enl& t.rne% an% stare% straight athi(' as tho.gh she ha% )een aware all the ti(e that he was sittingthere an% ha% hi( on her ra%ar; !er gae ha% #o(e so s.r:risingl&that it =elt li8e an atta#8' an% he :reten%e% not to see her an%

h.rrie%l& le=t the #a=; She ha% not sai% hello e$en' ).t she =ollowe%hi( with her e&es' he was s.re o= it' an% not .ntil he t.rne% the#orner %i% the& sto: ).rning into his ne#8;She rarel& la.ghe%; .t o$er ti(e Ar(ans8& tho.ght he noti#e% aso=tening o= her attit.%e; She ha% a %r& sense o= h.(o.r' to :.t it(il%l&' whi#h #o.l% :ro(:t a #roo8e%' ironi# s(ile;Ar(ans8& =elt so :ro$o8e% )& her la#8 o= e(otional res:onse thatso(eti(es he wante% to gra) hol% o= her an% sha8e her; To =or#e his

wa& into her shell an% win her =rien%shi:' or at least her res:e#t;Onl& on#e' a=ter she ha% )een wor8ing =or hi( =or nine (onths' ha%he trie% to %is#.ss these =eelings with her; It was at MiltonSe#.rit&s Christ(as :art& one e$ening in De#e()er' an% =or on#ehe was not so)er; Nothing ina::ro:riate ha% ha::ene%?he ha% >.sttrie% to tell her that he a#t.all& li8e% her; Most o= all he wante% toe@:lain that he =elt :rote#ti$e towar%s her' an% i= she e$er nee%e%hel: with an&thing' she sho.l% not hesitate to #o(e to hi(; !e ha%e$en trie% to gi$e her a h.g; All in =rien%liness' o= #o.rse;She ha% wriggle% o.t o= his #l.(s& e()ra#e an% le=t the :art&; A=terthat she ha% not a::eare% at the o==i#e or


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answere% her (o)ile; !er a)sen#e ha% =elt li8e tort.re?al(ost a=or( o= :ersonal :.nish(ent; !e ha% no)o%& to %is#.ss his =eelingswith' an% =or the =irst ti(e he realise% with a::alling #larit& what a%estr.#ti$e hol% she ha% o$er hi(;

Three wee8s later' when Ar(ans8& was wor8ing late one e$eninggoing o$er the &ear


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get .: the #o.rage to as8 that 4.estion; !e slowl& :.t %own his :enan% leane% )a#8 in his #hair; Finall& he rela@e%;7hat (a8es &o. thin8 thatBhe sai%;The wa& &o. loo8 at (e' an% the wa& &o. %ont loo8 at (e; An%

the ti(es &o. were a)o.t to rea#h o.t &o.r han% an% to.#h (e ).tsto::e% &o.rsel=;!e s(ile% at her; I re#8on &o.% )ite o== (& han% i= I lai% a =ingeron &o.;She %i% not s(ile; She was waiting;Lis)eth' I( &o.r )oss' an% e$en i= I were attra#te% to &o.' I%ne$er a#t on it;She was still waiting;

etween .s?&es' there ha$e )een ti(es when I ha$e =elt attra#te%to &o.; I #ant e@:lain it' ).t thats the wa& it is; For so(e reason I%ont reall& .n%erstan%' I li8e &o. a lot; .t its not a :h&si#althing;Thats goo%; e#a.se itll ne$er ha::en;Ar(ans8& la.ghe%; The =irst ti(e she ha% sai% so(ething :ersonalan% it was the (ost %isheartening news a (an #o.l% i(aginere#ei$ing; !e str.ggle% to =in% the right wor%s;


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Lis)eth' I .n%erstan% that &o.re not intereste% in an ol% (an o==i=t& :l.s;I( not intereste% in an ol% (an o= =i=t& :l.s whos (& )oss;She hel% .: a han%; 7ait' let (e s:ea8; Yo.re so(eti(es st.:i%

an% (a%%eningl& ).rea.#rati#' ).t &o.re a#t.all& an attra#ti$e (an'an%I #an also =eel.t &o.re (& )oss an% I$e (et &o.r wi=ean% I want to 8ee: (& >o) with &o.' an% the (ost i%ioti# thing I#o.l% %o is get in$ol$e% with &o.;Ar(ans8& sai% nothing' har%l& %aring to )reathe;I( aware o= what &o.$e %one =or (e' an% I( not .ngrate=.l; Ia::re#iate that &o. a#t.all& showe% &o.rsel= to )e greater than &o.r:re>.%i#es an% ha$e gi$en (e a #han#e here; .t I %ont want &o.

=or (& lo$er' an% &o.re not (& =ather;A=ter a while Ar(ans8& sighe% hel:lessl&; 7hat e@a#tl& %o &o.want =ro( (eBI want to #ontin.e wor8ing =or &o.; I= thats OJ with &o.;!e no%%e% an% then answere% her as honestl& as he #o.l%; I reall&%o want &o. to wor8 =or (e; .t I also want &o. to =eel so(e sort o==rien%shi: an% tr.st in (e;She no%%e%;Yo.re not a :erson who en#o.rages =rien%shi:'he sai%; Shesee(e% to with%raw' ).t he went on; I .n%erstan% that


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&o. %ont want an&one inter=ering in &o.r li=e' an% Ill tr& not to %othat; .t is it all right i= I #ontin.e to li8e &o.BSalan%er tho.ght a)o.t it =or a long ti(e; Then she re:lie% )&getting .:' wal8ing aro.n% the %es8' an% gi$ing hi( a h.g; !e was

totall& sho#8e%; Onl& when she release% hi( %i% he ta8e her han%;7e #an )e =rien%sBShe no%%e% on#e;That was the onl& ti(e she e$er showe% hi( an& ten%erness' an% theonl& ti(e she e$er to.#he% hi(; It was a (o(ent that Ar(ans8&=on%l& re(e()ere%;A=ter =o.r &ears she ha% still $o.#hsa=e% har%l& a %etail a)o.t her:ri$ate li=e or her )a#8gro.n% to Ar(ans8&; On#e he a::lie% his

own 8nowle%ge o= the :in%ers art on her; !e also ha% a long tal8with !olger Pal(gren?who %i% not see( s.r:rise% to see hi(?an% what he =inall& =o.n% o.t %i% not in#rease his tr.st in her; !ene$er (entione% a wor% a)o.t this to her or let her 8now that he ha%)een snoo:ing into her li=e; Instea% he hi% his .neasiness an%in#rease% his wat#h=.lness;e=ore that strange e$ening was o$er' Ar(ans8& an% Salan%er ha%#o(e to an agree(ent; In =.t.re she wo.l% %o resear#h :ro>e#ts =orhi( on a =reelan#e )asis; She wo.l% re#ei$e a s(all (onthl& in#o(ewhether she %i% an& assign(ents or not; The real (one& wo.l% )e(a%e when


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she was :ai% :er assign(ent; She #o.l% wor8 the wa& she wante% toHin ret.rn she :le%ge% ne$er to %o an&thing that (ight e()arrass hi(or ris8 s.)>e#ting Milton Se#.rit& to s#an%al;For Ar(ans8& this was a sol.tion that was a%$antageo.s to hi(' the

#o(:an&' an% Salan%er hersel=; !e #.t the tro.)leso(e PI%e:art(ent %own to a single =.ll


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ha% insiste% on (eeting an% )eing a)le to as8 4.estions o= thee(:lo&ee who :re:are% the re:ort; Ar(ans8& ha% %one all he #i$illo.l% to :re$ent the (eeting ta8ing :la#e' sa&ing that Salan%er ha% a#ol%' was awa&' or was swa(:e% with other wor8; The law&er

re:lie% #al(l& that it (a%e no %i==eren#e?the (atter was not .rgentan% he #o.l% easil& wait a #o.:le o= %a&s; At last there was no wa&to a$oi% )ringing the( together; Now Fro%e' who see(e% to )e inhis late si@ties' was loo8ing at Lis)eth Salan%er with e$i%ent=as#ination; Salan%er glowere% )a#8 with an e@:ression that %i% notin%i#ate an& war( =eelings;Ar(ans8& sighe% an% loo8e% on#e (ore at the =ol%er she ha% :la#e%on his %es8 la)elle% CARL MIJAEL LOMJVIST; The na(e was

=ollowe% )& a so#ial se#.rit& n.()er' neatl& :rinte% on the #o$er;!e sai% the na(e o.t lo.%; !err Fro%e sna::e% o.t o= his )ewit#he%state an% t.rne% to Ar(ans8&;So what #an &o. tell (e a)o.t Mi8ael lo(8$istBhe sai%;This is Ms; Salan%er' who :re:are% the re:ort;Ar(ans8&hesitate% a se#on% an% then went on with a s(ile that was inten%e%to engen%er #on=i%en#e' ).t whi#h see(e% hel:lessl& a:ologeti#;Dont )e =oole% )& her &o.th; She is o.r a)sol.te )estresear#her;I( :ers.a%e% o= that'Fro%e sai% in a %r& tone that hinte% at theo::osite; Tell (e what she =o.n% o.t;It was #lear that Fro%e ha% no i%ea how to a#t towar%s Salan%er; !eresorte% to %ire#ting the 4.estion to Ar(ans8&'


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as i= she ha% not )een in the roo(; Salan%er )lew a )ig ).))le withher g.(; e=ore Ar(ans8& #o.l% answer' she sai%' Co.l% &o. as8the #lient whether he wo.l% :re=er the long or the short $ersionBThere was a )rie=' e()arrasse% silen#e )e=ore Fro%e =inall& t.rne% to

Salan%er an% trie% to re:air the %a(age )& ass.(ing a =rien%l&'a$.n#.lar tone;I wo.l% )e grate=.l i= the &o.ng la%& wo.l% gi$e (e a $er)als.((ar& o= the res.lts;For a (o(ent her e@:ression was so s.r:risingl& hostile that it senta #ol% shi$er %own Fro%es s:ine; Then >.st as 4.i#8l& here@:ression so=tene% an% Fro%e won%ere% whether he ha% i(agine%that loo8; 7hen she )egan to s:ea8 she so.n%e% li8e a #i$il ser$ant;

Allow (e to sa& =irst that this was not a $er& #o(:li#ate%assign(ent' a:art =ro( the =a#t that the %es#ri:tion o= the tas8 itsel=was so(ewhat $ag.e; Yo. wante% to 8now Qe$er&thing that #o.l%)e %.g .: a)o.t hi(' ).t ga$e no in%i#ation o= whether there werean&thing in :arti#.lar &o. were loo8ing =or; For this reason itsso(ething o= a :ot:o.rri o= his li=e; The re:ort is "6, :ages long').t "*+ :ages are #o:ies o= arti#les he wrote or :ress #li::ings;lo(8$ist is a :.)li# :erson with =ew se#rets an% not $er& (.#h tohi%e;.t he %oes ha$e so(e se#retsBFro%e sai%;


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E$er&one has se#rets'she re:lie% ne.trall&; Its >.st a (attero= =in%ing o.t what the& are;Lets hear;Mi8ael lo(8$ist was )orn on 3an.ar& "5' "60+' whi#h (a8es

hi( =ort&o.rnalist in Sto#8hol(


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I .n%erstan% what &o. (ean; 7hat elseB!e has written two )oo8s; One a)o.t the Ar)oga a==air an% onea)o.t =inan#ial >o.rnalis( entitle% The Jnights Te(:lar' whi#h#a(e o.t three &ears ago; I ha$ent rea% the )oo8' ).t >.%ging =ro(

the re$iews it see(s to ha$e )een #ontro$ersial; It :ro(:te% a goo%%eal o= %e)ate in the (e%ia;Mone&BFro%e sai%;!es not ri#h' ).t hes not star$ing; In#o(e ta@ ret.rns areatta#he% to the re:ort; !e has a)o.t *1+'+++ SEJ in the )an8' in)oth a retire(ent =.n% an% a sa$ings a##o.nt; !e has an a##o.nt o=aro.n% "++'+++ 8ronor that he .ses as #ash =or wor8ing e@:enses'tra$el an% s.#h; !e owns a #o


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!es :art owner o= Millenni.(' ).t he onl& ta8es o.t a)o.t"*'+++ in salar& ea#h (onth; The rest he earns =ro( his =reelan#e>o)s?the total $aries; !e ha% a )ig &ear three &ears ago when hetoo8 in aro.n% /1+'+++; Last &ear he onl& (a%e "*+'+++ =ro(

=reelan#e >o)s;!e has to :a& "1+'+++ in ta@es in a%%ition to law&ers =ees' et#etera'Fro%e sai%; Lets ass.(e that the total is rather high;!ell also )e losing (one& while ser$ing his gaol ter(;7hi#h (eans that hes going to )e #leane% o.t'Salan%er sai%;Is he honestBThats his tr.st #a:ital' so to s:ea8; !is i(age is to a::ear as theg.ar%ian o= ro).st (oralit& as o::ose% to the ).siness worl%' an% he

is in$ite% :rett& reg.larl& to :onti=i#ate on tele$ision;There :ro)a)l& isnt (.#h le=t o= that #a:ital a=ter his #on$i#tionto%a&'Fro%e sai%;I %ont want to #lai( that I 8now e@a#tl& what %e(an%s are (a%eon a >o.rnalist' ).t a=ter this set)a#8 it will :ro)a)l& )e a long ti(e)e=ore Master Dete#ti$e lo(8$ist wins the Gran% Prie =or3o.rnalis(; !es reall& (a%e a =ool o= hi(sel= this ti(e'Salan%ersai%; I= I (a& (a8e a :ersonal #o((ent


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=ingers on the ar(rest o= his #hair )e=ore he hesitantl& t.rne% to heragain;I= we sho.l% %e#i%e to engage &o. to .nra$el the tr.th in the7ennerstr( a==airhow (.#h #han#e is there that &o.% =in% o.t

an&thingBI #ant answer that; There (a& not )e an&thing to =in%;.t wo.l% &o. )e willing to (a8e an atte(:tBShe shr.gge%; Its not (& :la#e to %e#i%e; I wor8 =or !errAr(ans8&' an% he %e#i%es what >o)s he wants to assign to (e; An%then it %e:en%s what sort o= in=or(ation &o.re loo8ing =or;Let (e :.t it this wa&an% I ta8e it that were s:ea8ing in#on=i%en#eBAr(ans8& no%%e%; I %ont 8now an&thing a)o.t

this :arti#.lar (atter' ).t I %o 8now )e&on% an& %o.)t that in othersit.ations 7ennerstr( has a#te% %ishonestl&; The 7ennerstr(#ase has serio.sl& a==e#te% Mi8ael lo(8$ists li=e' an% I ha$e aninterest in %is#erning whether theres an&thing in &o.rs:e#.lations;The #on$ersation ha% ta8en an .ne@:e#te% t.rn' an% Ar(ans8& wasinstantl& on the alert; 7hat Fro%e was as8ing was =or MiltonSe#.rit& to :o8e aro.n% in a #ase that ha% alrea%& )een #on#l.%e%;A #ase in whi#h there (a& ha$e )een so(e sort o= threat to the (anlo(8$ist' an% i= the& too8 this on' Milton wo.l% ris8 #olli%ing with7ennerstr(s regi(ent o= law&ers; Ar(ans8& was not in


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the least #o(=orte% )& the tho.ght o= t.rning Salan%er loose in s.#ha sit.ation' li8e a #r.ise (issile o.t o= #ontrol;It was not (erel& a (atter o= #on#ern =or the #o(:an&; Salan%er ha%(a%e :lain that she %i% not want Ar(ans8& to a#t as so(e sort o=

worrie% ste:=ather' an% sin#e their agree(ent he ha% )een #are=.lne$er to )eha$e li8e one' ).t in realit& he wo.l% ne$er sto:worr&ing a)o.t her; !e so(eti(es #a.ght hi(sel= #o(:aringSalan%er to his %a.ghters; !e #onsi%ere% hi(sel= a goo% =ather who%i% not inter=ere .nne#essaril& in their li$es; .t he 8new that hewo.l% not tolerate it i= his %a.ghters )eha$e% li8e Salan%er or li$e%the li=e she le%;In the %e:ths o= his Croatian?or :ossi)l& osnian or Ar(enian?

heart he ha% ne$er )een a)le to she% the #on$i#tion that Salan%ersli=e was hea%ing =or %isaster; She see(e% the :er=e#t $i#ti( =oran&one who wishe% her ill' an% he %rea%e% the (orning he wo.l% )eawa8ene% )& the news that so(eone ha% %one her har(;An in$estigation o= this 8in% #o.l% get e@:ensi$e'Ar(ans8&sai%' iss.ing a warning so as to ga.ge the serio.sness o= Fro%esin4.ir&;Then well set a #eiling'Fro%e sai%; I %ont %e(an% thei(:ossi)le' ).t its o)$io.s that &o.r #olleag.e' >.st as &o. ass.re%(e' is e@#ee%ingl& #o(:etent;Salan%erBAr(ans8& sai%' t.rning to her with a raise% e&e)row;


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I( not wor8ing on an&thing else right now;OJ; .t I want .s to )e in agree(ent a)o.t the #onstraints o= the>o); Lets hear the rest o= &o.r re:ort;There isnt (.#h (ore a:art =ro( his :ri$ate li=e; In "650 he

(arrie% Moni#a A)raha(sson an% the sa(e &ear the& ha% a%a.ghter' Pernilla; The (arriage %i%nt lastH the& were %i$or#e% in"66"; A)raha(sson has re(arrie%' ).t the& see( to )e =rien%s still;The %a.ghter li$es with her (other an% %oesnt see lo(8$isto=ten;Fro%e as8e% =or (ore #o==ee an% then t.rne% to Salan%er;Yo. sai% that e$er&one has se#rets; Di% &o. =in% an&BI (eant that all :eo:le ha$e things the& #onsi%er to )e :ri$ate an%

that the& %ont go aro.n% airing in :.)li#; lo(8$ist is o)$io.sl& a)ig hit with wo(en; !es ha% se$eral lo$e a==airs an% a great (anas.al =lings; .t one :erson has 8e:t t.rning .: in his li=e o$er the&ears' an% its an .n.s.al relationshi:;In what wa&BEri8a erger' e%itor in #hie= o= Millenni.(9 .::ero.rnalis( s#hool an% ha$e ha% an on


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No' :ossi)l& not; .t erger ha::ens to )e (arrie% to the artistGreger e#8(an' a (inor #ele)rit& who has %one a lot o= terri)lethings in :.)li# $en.es;So shes .n=aith=.l;

e#8(an 8nows a)o.t their relationshi:; Its a sit.ationa::arentl& a##e:te% )& all :arties #on#erne%; So(eti(es she slee:sat lo(8$ists an% so(eti(es at ho(e; I %ont 8now e@a#tl& how itwor8s' ).t it was :ro)a)l& a #ontri).ting =a#tor to the )rea8.: o=lo(8$ists (arriage to A)raha(sson;C!APTER ,Fri%a&' De#e()er *+-Sat.r%a&' De#e()er *"Eri8a erger loo8e% .: 4.ii#all& when an a::arentl& =reeing

lo(8$ist #a(e into the e%itorial o==i#e; Millenni.(s o==i#es werein the #entre o= the tren%& se#tion o= Gtgatan' a)o$e the o==i#es o=Green:ea#e; The rent was a#t.all& a )it too stee: =or the (againe').t the& ha% all agree% to 8ee: the s:a#e;She glan#e% at the #lo#8; It was 19"+' an% %ar8ness ha% =allen o$erSto#8hol( long )e=ore; She ha% )een e@:e#ting hi( aro.n%l.n#hti(e;


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I( sorr&'he sai% )e=ore she (anage% to sa& an&thing; .t Iwas =eeling the weight o= the $er%i#t an% %i%nt =eel li8e tal8ing; Iwent =or a long wal8 to thin8 things o$er;I hear% the $er%i#t on the ra%io; She =ro( TV/ #alle% an% wante%

a #o((ent;7hat% &o. sa&BSo(ething to the e==e#t that we were going to rea% the >.%ge(ent#are=.ll& )e=ore we (a8e an& state(ents; So I sai% nothing; An% (&o:inion still hol%s9 its the wrong strateg&; 7e #o(e o== loo8ingwea8 with the (e%ia; The& will r.n so(ething on TV thise$ening;lo(8$ist loo8e% gl.(;

!ow are &o. %oingBlo(8$ist shr.gge% an% :lo::e% %own in his =a$o.rite ar(#hairne@t to the win%ow in Eri8as o==i#e; The %e#or was s:artan' with a%es8 an% =.n#tional )oo8#ases an% #hea: o==i#e =.rnit.re; All o= itwas =ro( IJEA a:art =ro( the two #o(=orta)le an% e@tra$agantar(#hairs an% a s(all en% ta)le?a #on#ession to (& .:)ringing'she li8e% to sa&; She wo.l% sit rea%ing in one o= the ar(#hairs withher =eet t.#8e% .n%erneath her when she wante% to get awa& =ro(the %es8; lo(8$ist loo8e% %own on Gtgatan' where :eo:le wereh.rr&ing )& in the %ar8; Christ(as sho::ing was in =.ll swing;


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I s.::ose itll :ass'he sai%; .t right now it =eels as i= I$egot (&sel= a $er& raw %eal;Yes' I #an i(agine; Its the sa(e =or all o= .s; 3anne Dahl(anwent ho(e earl& to%a&;

I ass.(e he wasnt o$er the (oon a)o.t the $er%i#t;!es not the (ost :ositi$e :erson an&wa&;Mi8ael shoo8 his hea%; For the :ast nine (onths Dahl(an ha% )een(anaging e%itor; !e ha% starte% there >.st as the 7ennerstr( a==airgot going' an% he =o.n% hi(sel= on an e%itorial sta== in #risis (o%e;lo(8$ist trie% to re(e()er what their reasoning ha% )een when hean% erger %e#i%e% to hire hi(; !e was #o(:etent' o= #o.rse' an%ha% wor8e% at the TT news ).rea.' the e$ening :a:ers' an% E8o on

the ra%io; .t he a::arentl& %i% not li8e sailing against the win%;D.ring the :ast &ear lo(8$ist ha% o=ten regrette% that the& ha%hire% Dahl(an' who ha% an ener$ating ha)it o= loo8ing ate$er&thing in as negati$e a light as :ossi)le;!a$e &o. hear% =ro( ChristerBlo(8$ist as8e% witho.t ta8inghis e&es o== the street;Christer Mal( was the art %ire#tor an% %esigner o= Millenni.(; !ewas also :art owner o= the (againe together with erger an%lo(8$ist' ).t he was on a tri: a)roa% with his )o&=rien%;!e #alle% to sa& hello;


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!ell ha$e to )e the one who ta8es o$er as :.)lisher;La& o==' Mi#8e; As :.)lisher &o. ha$e to #o.nt on )eing :.n#he%in the nose e$er& so o=ten; Its :art o= the >o) %es#ri:tion;Yo.re right a)o.t that; .t I was the one who wrote the arti#le

that was :.)lishe% in a (againe o= whi#h I also ha::en to )e the:.)lisher; That (a8es e$er&thing loo8 %i==erent all o= a s.%%en;Then its a (atter o= )a% >.%ge(ent;erger =elt that the %is4.iet she ha% )een #arr&ing with her all %a&was a)o.t to e@:lo%e; In the wee8s )e=ore the trial starte%'lo(8$ist ha% )een wal8ing aro.n% .n%er a )la#8 #lo.%; .t sheha% ne$er seen hi( as gloo(& an% %e>e#te% as he see(e% to )e nowin the ho.r o= his %e=eat; She wal8e% to his si%e o= the %es8 an% sat

on his la:' stra%%ling hi(' an% :.t her ar(s ro.n% his ne#8;Mi8ael' listen to (e; 7e )oth 8now e@a#tl& how it ha::ene%; I(as (.#h to )la(e as &o. are; 7e si(:l& ha$e to ri%e o.t thestor(;There isnt an& stor( to ri%e o.t; As =ar as the (e%ia are#on#erne%' the $er%i#t (eans that I$e )een shot in the )a#8 o= thehea%; I #ant sta& on as the :.)lisher o= Millenni.(; The $ital thingis to (aintain the (againes #re%i)ilit&' to sto: the )lee%ing; Yo.8now that as well as I %o;


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the& wo.l% en% .: in )e% together' an% in less than a wee8 the&realise% this #on$i#tion witho.t telling their res:e#ti$e :artners;lo(8$ist was s.re that it was not the ol%


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:ro=essionall&; Then the& starte% Millenni.( an% within a =ewwee8s all their goo% intentions ha% %issol$e%' an% one late e$eningthe& ha% =.rio.s se@ on her %es8; That le% to a tro.)leso(e :erio% inwhi#h lo(8$ist wante% $er& (.#h to li$e with his =a(il& an% see

his %a.ghter grow .:' ).t at the sa(e ti(e he was hel:lessl& %rawnto erger; 3.st as Salan%er ha% g.esse%' it was his #ontin.alin=i%elit& that %ro$e his wi=e to lea$e;Strangel& eno.gh' e#8(an see(e% to a##e:t their relationshi:;erger ha% alwa&s )een o:en a)o.t her =eelings =or Mi8ael' an% shetol% her h.s)an% as soon as the& starte% ha$ing se@ again; Ma&)e ittoo8 the so.l o= an artist to han%le s.#h a sit.ation' so(eone sowra::e% .: in his own #reati$it&' or :ossi)l& >.st wra::e% .: in

hi(sel=' that he %i% not re)el when his wi=e sle:t with another (an;She e$en %i$i%e% .: her holi%a& so she #o.l% s:en% two wee8s withher lo$er in his s.((er #a)in at San%ha(n; lo(8$ist %i% not thin8$er& highl& o= e#8(an' an% he ha% ne$er .n%erstoo% ergers lo$e=or hi(; .t he was gla% that he a##e:te% that she #o.l% lo$e two(en at the sa(e ti(e;lo(8$ist #o.l% not slee:' an% at /9++ he ga$e .:; !e went to the8it#hen an% rea% the #o.rt >.%ge(ent one (ore ti(e =ro( )eginningto en%; !a$ing the %o#.(ent in his han% he ha% a sense that thereha% )een so(ething al(ost =ate=.l a)o.t the (eeting at Arhol(a;!e #o.l% ne$er )e s.re whether Lin%)erg ha% tol% hi( the %etails o=7ennerstr(s swin%le si(:l& =or the sa8e o= a goo% stor& )etweentoasts in the :ri$a#& o= his )oats #a)in or whether he ha% reall&wante% the stor& to )e (a%e :.)li#;


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$ote% =or Olo= Pal(e' an% got instea% the assassination o= his :ri(e(inister :l.s the o=ors s#an%al an% E))e Carlsson;!is #onte(:t =or his =ellow =inan#ial >o.rnalists was )ase% onso(ething that in his o:inion was as :lain as (oralit&; The e4.ation

was si(:le; A )an8 %ire#tor who )lows (illions on =oolhar%&s:e#.lations sho.l% not 8ee: his >o); A (anaging %ire#tor who :la&sshell #o(:an& ga(es sho.l% %o ti(e; A sl.( lan%lor% who =or#es&o.ng :eo:le to :a& thro.gh the nose an% .n%er the ta)le =or a oneo) o= the =inan#ial >o.rnalist was to e@a(ine the shar8s who#reate% interest #rises an% s:e#.late% awa& the sa$ings o= s(allin$estors' to s#r.tinise #o(:an& )oar%s with the sa(e (er#iless eal

with whi#h :oliti#al re:orters :.rs.e the tiniest ste:s o.t o= line o=(inisters an% (e()ers o= Parlia(ent; !e #o.l% not =or the li=e o=hi( .n%erstan% wh& so (an& in=l.ential =inan#ial re:orters treate%(e%io#re =inan#ial whel:s li8e ro#8 stars;These re#al#itrant $iews ha% ti(e a=ter ti(e )ro.ght hi( into#on=li#t with his :eers; org' =or one' was going to )e an ene(& =orli=e; !is ta8ing on a role o= so#ial #riti# ha% a#t.all& trans=or(e%hi( into a :ri#8l& g.est on TV so=as?he was alwa&s the one in$ite%to #o((ent whene$er an& CEO was #a.ght with a gol%en :ara#h.teworth )illions;Mi8ael ha% no tro.)le i(agining that #ha(:agne )ottles ha% )een.n#or8e% in so(e news:a:ers )a#8 roo(s that e$ening;


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Eri8a ha% the sa(e attit.%e to the >o.rnalists role as he %i%; E$enwhen the& were in >o.rnalis( s#hool the& ha% a(.se% the(sel$es)& i(agining a (againe with >.st s.#h a (ission state(ent;Eri8a was the )est )oss Mi8ael #o.l% i(agine; She was an organiser

who #o.l% han%le e(:lo&ees with war(th an% tr.st ).t who at thesa(e ti(e wasnt a=rai% o= #on=rontation an% #o.l% )e $er& to.ghwhen ne#essar&; A)o$e all' she ha% an i#& g.t =eeling when it #a(eto (a8ing %e#isions a)o.t the #ontents o= the .:#o(ing iss.e; Shean% Mi8ael o=ten ha% %i==ering $iews an% #o.l% ha$e health&arg.(ents' ).t the& also ha% .nwa$ering #on=i%en#e in ea#h other'an% together the& (a%e an .n)eata)le tea(; !e %i% the =iel% wor8 o=tra#8ing %own the stor&' while she :a#8age% an% (ar8ete% it;

Millenni.( was their (.t.al #reation' ).t it wo.l% ne$er ha$e)e#o(e realit& witho.t her talent =or %igging .: =inan#ing; It was thewor8ingo.rnalis( s#hool; She was to.gh' loo8e% =antasti#on #a(era' an%


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#o.l% hol% her own with the #o(:etition; She also ha% goo% #onta#tsin the ).rea.#ra#&; I= she ha% st.#8 to it' she wo.l% .n%o.)te%l&ha$e ha% a (anagerial >o) at one o= the TV #hannels at a#onsi%era)l& higher salar& than she :ai% hersel= now;

erger ha% also #on$in#e% Christer Mal( to ).& into the (againe;!e was an e@hi)itionist ga& #ele)rit& who so(eti(es a::eare% withhis )o&=rien% in at ho(e witharti#les; The interest in hi()egan when he (o$e% in with Arnol% Magn.sson' an a#tor with a)a#8gro.n% at the Ro&al Dra(ati# Theatre who ha% (a%e a serio.s)rea8thro.gh when he :la&e% hi(sel= in a %o#.


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i%iot an% I( a )it#h whos ta8ing the o::ort.nit& to sa#8 &o.;At least o.r =rien%s will ha$e so(ething new to la.gh a)o.t;lo(8$ist trie% to (a8e light o= itH she was not the least a(.se%;I %ont ha$e a :lan ' ).t I thin8 were (a8ing a (ista8e'she

sai%;Its the onl& wa& o.t; I= the (againe #olla:ses' all o.r &ears o=wor8 will ha$e )een in $ain; 7e$e alrea%& ta8en a )eating on thea%s re$en.e; !ow %i% it go with the #o(:.ter #o(:an&' )& the wa&BShe sighe%; The& tol% (e this (orning that the& %i%nt want tota8e s:a#e in the ne@t iss.e;7ennerstr( has a #h.n8 o= sto#8 in that #o(:an&' so its no

a##i%ent;7e #an s#are .: so(e new #lients; 7ennerstr( (a& )e a )igwheel' ).t he %oesnt own e$er&thing in Swe%en' an% we ha$e o.r#onta#ts;lo(8$ist :.t an ar( aro.n% her an% :.lle% her #lose;So(e %a& were going to nail !err 7ennerstr( so har% 7allStreet is going to >.(: o.t o= its so#8s; .t to%a& Millenni.( has toget o.t o= the s:otlight;


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7ho is &o.r #lientBA :erson whose na(e I s.s:e#t &o. ha$e hear% in &o.r wor8;!enri8 Vanger;lo(8$ist leane% )a#8 in s.r:rise; !enri8 Vanger?o= #o.rse he

ha% hear% o= hi(; An in%.strialist an% =or(er hea% o= the Vanger#o(:anies' on#e renowne% in the =iel%s o= saw(ills' (ines' steel'(etals' te@tiles; Vanger ha% )een one o= the reall& )ig =ish in his%a&' with a re:.tation =or )eing an hono.ra)le' ol%


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ha% ten%erness in her e&es' ).t that this strange wo(an was her(other ne$er #ease% to a(ae her; She #o.l% re#ognise not theslightest rese()lan#e in loo8s or nat.re;!er (other ga$e .: the str.ggle an% loo8e% hel:lessl& at the

:a#8age; It was not one o= her )etter %a&s; Salan%er :.she% a#rossthe s#issors that ha% )een in :lain sight on the ta)le an% her (others.%%enl& see(e% to wa8e .:;Yo. (.st thin8 I( st.:i%;No' M.(; Yo.re not st.:i%; .t li=e is .n=air;!a$e &o. seen &o.r sisterBNot in a long ti(e;She ne$er #o(es;

I 8now' M.(; She %oesnt see (e either;Are &o. wor8ingBYes; I( %oing =ine;7here %o &o. li$eB I %ont e$en 8now where &o. li$e;I li$e in &o.r ol% a:art(ent on L.n%agatan; I$e li$e% there =orse$eral &ears; I ha% to ta8e o$er the :a&(ents;In the s.((erti(e (a&)e I #an #o(e an% see &o.;


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She ha% =ollowe% the trial in the =ir( )elie= that things were >.st asher =ather sai%9 he was inno#ent' ).t he #o.l% not :ro$e it;She tol% hi( a)o.t a sort


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)attere% or threatene% wo(en' an% on :anel %is#.ssions on TV as a=e(inist an% wo(ens rights a%$o#ate;As he was hel:ing her :re:are the #o==ee' she :.t a han% on hissho.l%er an% as8e% hi( how was he %oing; !e tol% her he =elt as low

as he ha% in li=e;Get &o.rsel= a real law&er ne@t ti(e'she sai%;It :ro)a)l& wo.l%nt ha$e hel:e% in this #ase; .t well tal8 it allthe wa& thro.gh' Sis' so(e other ti(e when all the %.st is settle%;She ga$e hi( a h.g an% 8isse% hi( on the #hee8 )e=ore the& #arrie%o.t the Christ(as #a8e an% the #o==ee; Then lo(8$ist e@#.se%hi(sel= an% as8e% to .se the tele:hone in the 8it#hen; !e #alle% thelaw&er in !e%esta% an% #o.l% hear there too the ). o= $oi#es in

the )a#8gro.n%;Merr& Christ(as'Fro%e sai%; Dare I ho:e &o. ha$e (a%e .:&o.r (in%BI reall& %ont ha$e an& i((e%iate :lans an% I a( #.rio.s to 8now(ore; Ill #o(e .: the %a& a=ter Christ(as i= that s.its &o.;E@#ellent' e@#ellent; I a( in#re%i)l& :lease%; Yo. will =orgi$e(e' I$e got #hil%ren an% gran%#hil%ren $isiting an% #an har%l& hear(&sel= thin8; Can I #all &o. to(orrow to agree on a ti(eB 7here#an I rea#h &o.B


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lo(8$ist regrette% his %e#ision )e=ore e$en he le=t =or ho(e' ).t )&then it was too aw8war% to #all an% #an#el; So on the (orning o=De#e()er *0 he was on the train hea%ing north; !e ha% a %ri$ersli#ense' ).t he ha% ne$er =elt the nee% to own a #ar;

Fro%e was right' it was not a long >o.rne&; A=ter U::sala #a(e thestring o= s(all in%.strial towns along the Norrlan% #oast; !e%esta%was one o= the s(aller ones' a little (ore than an ho.r north o=G$le;On Christ(as night there ha% )een a )ig snowstor(' ).t the s8iesha% now #leare% an% the air was i#e


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Its an ol% in%.strial town with a har)o.r; Po:.lation o= onl&*/'+++; .t :eo:le li8e li$ing here; !err Vanger li$es in !e%e)&?at the so.thern e%ge o= the town;Do &o. li$e here tooB

I %o now; I was )orn in S8ne %own so.th' ).t I starte% wor8ing=or Vanger right a=ter I gra%.ate% in "60*; I( a #or:orate law&er'an% o$er the &ears !err Vanger an% I )e#a(e =rien%s; To%a& I(o==i#iall& retire%' an% !err Vanger is (& onl& #lient; !es retire%too' o= #o.rse' an% %oesnt nee% (& ser$i#es $er& o=ten;Onl& to s#ra:e .: >o.rnalists with r.ine% re:.tations;Dont sell &o.rsel= short; Yo.re not the =irst one to lose a (at#hagainst !ans


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&o. wo.l% rather not %o that' we #an )oo8 &o. a roo( in the Gran%!otel in town;I (ight )e ta8ing the e$ening train )a#8 to Sto#8hol(;The roa% into !e%e)& was still .n:lo.ghe%' an% Fro%e (anoe.$re%

the #ar %own =roen t&re r.ts; The ol% town #entre #onsiste% o=ho.ses along the G.l= o= othnia' an% aro.n% the( larger' (ore(o%ern ho(es; The town )egan on the (ainlan% an% s:ille% a#ross a)ri%ge to a hill& islan%; On the (ainlan% si%e o= the )ri%ge stoo% as(all' white stone #h.r#h' an% a#ross the street glowe% an ol%.st tele:hone;lo(8$ist rea#he% into his >a#8et :o#8et an% t.rne% on a ta:ere#or%er; !e ha% no i%ea what Vanger wante%' ).t a=ter the :asttwel$e (onths o= ha$o# with 7ennerstr( he nee%e% a :re#ise

re#or% o= all strange o##.rren#es an&where near hi(' an% an.nloo8e%o.rnalist' an% I want to gi$e &o. a =reelan#e assign(ent; Anna hasser$e% #o==ee .:stairs in (& o==i#e;The o==i#e was a re#tangle o= (ore than "',++ s4.are =eet; One wallwas %o(inate% )& a =loor


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thirt& =eet long #ontaining a re(ar8a)le assort(ent o= literat.re9)iogra:hies' histor&' ).siness an% in%.str&' an% A/ )in%ers; The)oo8s were arrange% in no a::arent or%er; It loo8e% li8e a )oo8shel=that was .se%; The o::osite wall was %o(inate% )& a %es8 o= %ar8

oa8; On the wall )ehin% the %es8 was a large #olle#tion o= :resse%=lowers in neat (eti#.lo.s rows;Thro.gh the win%ow in the ga)le the %es8 ha% a $iew o= the )ri%gean% the #h.r#h; There was a so=a an% #o==ee ta)le where theho.se8ee:er ha% set o.t a ther(os' rolls' an% :astries;Vanger gest.re% towar%s the tra&' ).t lo(8$ist :reten%e% not toseeH instea% he (a%e a to.r o= the roo(' =irst st.%&ing the )oo8shel=an% then the wall o= =ra(e% =lowers; The %es8 was or%erl&' onl& a

=ew :a:ers in one hea:; At its e%ge was a sil$er


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No' how #o.l% &o. re(e()erB I 8new &o.r =ather; I hire% J.rt=irst as an installer an% (a#hinist se$eral ti(es in the =i=ties an%si@ties; !e was a talente% (an; I trie% to :ers.a%e hi( to 8ee:st.%&ing an% )e#o(e an engineer; Yo. were here the whole s.((er

o= "60,' when we :.t new (a#hiner& in the :a:er (ill in !e%esta%;It was har% to =in% a :la#e =or &o.r =a(il& to li$e' so we sol$e% it )&letting &o. li$e in the woo%en ho.se a#ross the roa%; Yo. #an see it=ro( the win%ow;Vanger :i#8e% .: the :hotogra:h;This is !arriet Vanger' gran%%a.ghter o= (& )rother Ri#har%; Shetoo8 #are o= &o. (an& ti(es that s.((er; Yo. were two' going onthree; Ma&)e &o. were alrea%& three then?I %ont re#all; She was

thirteen;I a( sorr&' ).t I %ont ha$e the least re#olle#tion o= what &o.retelling (e;lo(8$ist #o.l% not e$en )e s.re that Vanger wastelling the tr.th;I .n%erstan%; .t I re(e()er &o.; Yo. .se% to r.n aro.n%e$er&where on the =ar( with !arriet in tow; I #o.l% hear &o.rshrie8s whene$er &o. =ell; I re(e()er I ga$e &o. a to& on#e' a&ellow' sheet


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She was a ni#e wo(an; I re(e()er her $er& well;.t I( s.re &o. %i%nt as8 (e to #o(e here to tal8 a)o.t ol%ti(es &o. ha% with (& :arents;Yo.re right; I$e )een wor8ing on what I wante% to sa& to &o.

=or se$eral %a&s' ).t now that &o.re a#t.all& here I %ont 4.ite8now where to )egin; I s.::ose &o. %i% so(e resear#h' so &o. 8nowthat I on#e wiel%e% so(e in=l.en#e in Swe%ish in%.str& an% the >o)(ar8et; To%a& I( an ol% (an who will :ro)a)l& %ie =airl& soon'an% %eath :erha:s is an e@#ellent starting :oint =or o.r#on$ersation;lo(8$ist too8 a swallow o= )la#8 #o==ee?:lainl& )oile% in a :anin tr.e Norrlan% st&le?an% won%ere% where this was going to lea%;

I ha$e :ain in (& hi: an% long wal8s are a thing o= the :ast; One%a& &o.ll %is#o$er =or &o.rsel= how strength see:s awa&' ).t I(neither (or)i% nor senile; I( not o)sesse% )& %eath' ).t I( at anage when I ha$e to a##e:t that (& ti(e is a)o.t .:; Yo. want to#lose the a##o.nts an% ta8e #are o= .n=inishe% ).siness; Do &o..n%erstan% what I (eanBlo(8$ist no%%e%; Vanger s:o8e in a stea%& $oi#e' an% lo(8$istha% alrea%& %e#i%e% that the ol% (an was neither senile norirrational; I( (ostl& #.rio.s a)o.t wh& I( here'he sai%again;


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e#a.se I want to as8 =or &o.r hel: with this #losing o=a##o.nts;7h& (eB 7hat (a8es &o. thin8 I% )e a)le to hel: &o.Be#a.se as I was thin8ing a)o.t hiring so(eone' &o.r na(e

#ro::e% .: in the news; I 8new who &o. were' o= #o.rse; An%(a&)e its )e#a.se &o. sat on (& 8nee when &o. were a little=ellow; Dont (is.n%erstan% (e;!e wa$e% the tho.ght awa&; I%ont loo8 to &o. to hel: (e =or senti(ental reasons; It was >.st thatI ha% the i(:.lse to #onta#t &o. s:e#i=i#all&;Mi8ael ga$e a =rien%l& la.gh; 7ell' I %ont re(e()er )eing:er#he% on &o.r 8nee; .t how #o.l% &o. (a8e the #onne#tionBThat was in the earl& si@ties;

Yo. (is.n%erstoo% (e; Yo.r =a(il& (o$e% to Sto#8hol( when&o.r =ather got the >o) as the wor8sho: =ore(an at arin%ersMe#hani#al; I was the one who got hi( the >o); I 8new he was agoo% wor8er; I .se% to see hi( o$er the &ears when I ha% ).sinesswith arin%ers; 7e werent #lose =rien%s' ).t we wo.l% #hat =or awhile; The last ti(e I saw hi( was the &ear )e=ore he %ie%' an% hetol% (e then that &o. ha% got into >o.rnalis( s#hool; !e wase@tre(el& :ro.%; Then &o. )e#a(e =a(o.s with the stor& o= the)an8 ro))er gang; I$e =ollowe% &o.r #areer an% rea% (an& o= &o.rarti#les o$er the &ears; As a (atter o= =a#t' I rea% Millenni.( 4.iteo=ten;OJ' I( with &o.' ).t what is it e@a#tl& that &o. want (e to %oB


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Vanger loo8e% %own at his han%s' then si::e% his #o==ee' as i= henee%e% a :a.se )e=ore he #o.l% at last )egin to )roa#h what hewante%;e=ore I get starte%' Mi8ael' I% li8e to (a8e an agree(ent with

&o.; I want &o. to %o two things =or (e; One is a :rete@t an% theother is (& real o)>e#ti$e;7hat =or( o= agree(entBI( going to tell &o. a stor& in two :arts; The =irst is a)o.t theVanger =a(il&; Thats the :rete@t; Its a long' %ar8 stor&' an% Ill tr&to sti#8 to the .n$arnishe% tr.th; The se#on% :art o= the stor& %ealswith (& a#t.al o)>e#ti$e; Yo.ll :ro)a)l& thin8 so(e o= the stor&is#ra&; 7hat I want is =or &o. to hear (e o.t?a)o.t what I want

&o. to %o an% also what I a( o==ering?)e=ore &o. (a8e .: &o.r(in% whether to ta8e on the >o) or not;lo(8$ist sighe%; O)$io.sl& Vanger was not going to let hi( go inti(e to #at#h the a=ternoon train; !e was s.re that i= he #alle% Fro%eto as8 =or a li=t to the station' the #ar wo.l% so(ehow re=.se to startin the #ol%;The ol% (an (.st ha$e tho.ght long an% har% how he was going tohoo8 hi(; lo(8$ist ha% the =eeling that e$er& last thing that ha%ha::ene% sin#e he arri$e% was stage%9 the intro%.#tor& s.r:rise thatas a #hil% he ha% (et his host' the :i#t.re o= his :arents in theal).(' an% the e(:hasis on the =a#t that his =ather an% Vanger ha%)een =rien%s' along with the =latter& that the ol% (an 8new whoMi8ael lo(8$ist


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was an% that he ha% )een =ollowing his #areer =or &ears =ro( a%istan#e; No %o.)t it ha% a #ore o= tr.th' ).t it was also :rett&ele(entar& :sholog&; Vanger was a :ra#tise% (ani:.lator?howelse ha% he )e#o(e one o= Swe%ens lea%ing in%.strialistsB

lo(8$ist %e#i%e% that Vanger wante% hi( to %o so(ething that hewas not going to ha$e the slightest %esire to %o; !e ha% onl& to wrest=ro( hi( what this was an% then sa& no than8 &o.; An% >.st:ossi)l& )e in ti(e to #at#h the a=ternoon train;Forgi$e (e' !err Vanger'he sai%' I$e )een here alrea%& =ortwent& (in.tes; Ill gi$e &o. e@a#tl& thirt& (in.tes (ore to tell (ewhat &o. want; Then I( #alling a ta@i an% going ho(e;For a (o(ent the (as8 o= the goo%


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.t (& stor& is long an% #o(:li#ate%;Shorten an% si(:li=& it; Thats what we %o in >o.rnalis(; Twent&o.rnalist o.ght to :ossessthese 4.alities' an% I rea% &o.r )oo8 The Jnights Te(:lar withgreat interest; Its tr.e that I :i#8e% &o. )e#a.se I 8new &o.r =atheran% )e#a.se I 8now who &o. are; I= I .n%erstoo% the (atter#orre#tl&' &o. le=t &o.r (againe as a res.lt o= the 7ennerstr(a==air; 7hi#h (eans that &o. ha$e no >o) at the (o(ent' an%

:ro)a)l& &o.re in a tight =inan#ial s:ot;So &o. (ight )e a)le to e@:loit (& :re%i#a(ent' is that itBPerha:s; .t Mi8ael?i= I (a& #all &o. Mi8aelB?I wont lie to&o.; I( too ol% =or that; I= &o. %ont li8e what I sa&' &o. #an tell(e to >.(: in the la8e; Then Ill ha$e to =in% so(eone else to wor8with (e;OJ' tell (e what this >o) in$ol$es;!ow (.#h %o &o. 8now a)o.t the Vanger =a(il&B7ell' onl& what I (anage% to rea% on the Net sin#e Fro%e #alle%(e on Mon%a&; In &o.r %a& the Vanger Cor:oration was one o= the(ost i(:ortant in%.strial =ir(s in Swe%enH


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to%a& its so(ewhat %i(inishe%; Martin Vanger r.ns it; I 8now 4.itea )it (ore' ).t what are &o. getting atBMartin ishes a goo% (an ).t )asi#all& hes a =air


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I sai% that I wante% to #o((ission &o. to %o two things; First' Iwant &o. to write a histor& or )iogra:h& o= the Vanger =a(il&; Forsi(:li#it&s sa8e' we #an #all it (& a.to)iogra:h&; I will :.t (&>o.rnals an% ar#hi$es at &o.r %is:osal; Yo. will ha$e a##ess to (&

inner(ost tho.ghts an% &o. #an :.)lish all the %irt &o. %ig .:; Ithin8 this stor& will (a8e Sha8es:eares trage%ies rea% li8e light=a(il& entertain(ent;7h&B7h& %o I want to :.)lish a s#an%alo.s histor& o= the Vanger=a(il&B Or wh& %o I as8 &o. to write itBoth' I s.::ose;To tell &o. the tr.th' I %ont #are whether the )oo8 is e$er

:.)lishe%; .t I %o thin8 that the stor& sho.l% )e written' i= onl& in asingle #o:& that &o. %eli$er %ire#tl& to the Ro&al Li)rar&; I want thisstor& to )e there =or :osterit& when I %ie; M& (oti$e is the si(:lesti(agina)le9 re$enge;7hat %o &o. want to re$engeBI( :ro.% that (& na(e is a )&wor% =or a (an who 8ee:s hiswor% an% re(e()ers his :ro(ises; I$e ne$er :la&e% :oliti#alga(es; I$e ne$er ha% :ro)le(s negotiating with tra%e .nions; E$enPri(e Minister Erlan%er ha% res:e#t =or (e in his %a&; For (e it wasa (atter o= ethi#sH I was res:onsi)le =or the li$elihoo%s o= tho.san%so= :eo:le' an% I #are% a)o.t (& e(:lo&ees; O%%l& eno.gh' Martinhas the


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sa(e attit.%e' e$en tho.gh hes a $er& %i==erent :erson; !e too hastrie% to %o the right thing; Sa%l& Martin an% I are rare e@#e:tions ino.r =a(il&; There are (an& reasons wh& the Vanger Cor:oration ison the ro:es to%a&' ).t one o= the 8e& ones is the shorte#ti$eB

Vanger stoo% .:' la)orio.sl& again' an% too8 the :hotogra:h o=!arriet Vanger =ro( the %es8; !e set it %own in =ront o= lo(8$ist;7hile &o. write the )iogra:h& I want &o. to s#r.tinise the =a(il&with the e&es o= a >o.rnalist; It will also gi$e &o. an ali)i =or :o8ingaro.n% in the =a(il& histor&; 7hat I want is =or &o. to sol$e a(&ster&; Thats &o.r real assign(ent;7hat (&ster&B!arriet was the gran%%a.ghter o= (& )rother Ri#har%; There were=i$e )rothers; Ri#har% was the el%est' )orn in "6+2; I was the&o.ngest' )orn in "6*+; I %ont .n%erstan% how Go% #o.l% #reatethis =lo#8 o= #hil%ren whoFor


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se$eral se#on%s Vanger lost the threa%' i((erse% in his tho.ghts;Then he went on with new %e#isi$eness; Let (e tell &o. a)o.t (&)rother Ri#har%; Thin8 o= this as a s(all sa(:le =ro( the =a(ilhroni#le I want &o. to write;

!e :o.re% (ore #o==ee =or hi(sel=;In "6*/' now se$enteen' Ri#har% was a =anati#al nationalist an%anti Se(ite; !e >oine% the Swe%ish National So#ialist Free%o(Leag.e' one o= the =irst Nai gro.:s in Swe%en; Isnt it =as#inatingthat Nais alwa&s (anage to a%o:t the wor% =ree%o(BVanger :.lle% o.t another al).( an% lea=e% thro.gh it .ntil he=o.n% the :age he was loo8ing =or; !eres Ri#har% with the$eterinarian irger F.r.gr%' soon to )e#o(e the lea%er o= the sooin hi(' an% :ointe%;At *9"1' a =ew (in.tes a=ter !arriet #a(e ho(e' a %ra(ati#a##i%ent o##.rre% o.t there on the )ri%ge; A (an #alle% G.sta$

Aronsson' )rother o= a =ar(er at Kstergr%en?a s(allhol%ing on!e%e)& Islan%?t.rne% on to the )ri%ge an% #rashe% hea%.re% ).t (anage%to s#ra()le o.t o= his #a)in;The ol% (an went )a#8 to his #hair;The a##i%ent a#t.all& ha% nothing to %o with !arriet; .t it wassigni=i#ant in a #r.#ial wa&; A sha()les ens.e%9 :eo:le on )othsi%es o= the )ri%ge h.rrie% to tr& to hel:H the ris8 o= =ire wassigni=i#ant an% a (a>or alar( was so.n%e%; Poli#e o==i#ers' ana().lan#e' the res#.e s4.a%' the =ire )riga%e' re:orters an%sightseers arri$e% in ra:i% s.##ession; Nat.rall& all o= the(asse()le% on the (ainlan% si%eH here on the islan% si%e we %i% whatwe #o.l% to get Aronsson o.t o= the wre#8' whi#h :ro$e% to )e%a(na)l& %i==i#.lt; !e was :inne% in an% serio.sl& in>.re%;


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7e trie% to :rise hi( loose with o.r )are han%s' an% that %i%ntwor8; !e wo.l% ha$e to )e #.t or sawe% o.t' ).t we #o.l%nt %oan&thing that ris8e% stri8ing a s:ar8H we were stan%ing in the (i%%leo= a sea o= oil ne@t to a tan8er tr.#8 l&ing on its si%e; I= it ha%

e@:lo%e% we wo.l% ha$e all )een 8ille%; It too8 a long ti(e )e=orewe #o.l% get hel: =ro( the (ainlan% si%eH the tr.#8 was we%ge%right a#ross the )ri%ge' an% #li()ing o$er it wo.l% ha$e )een thesa(e as #li()ing o$er a )o();lo(8$ist #o.l% not resist the =eeling that the ol% (an was telling a(eti#.lo.sl& rehearse% stor&' %eli)eratel& to #a:t.re his interest; The(an was an e@#ellent stor&teller' no 4.estion; On the other han%'where was the stor& hea%ingB

7hat (atters a)o.t the a##i%ent is that the )ri%ge was )lo#8e% =ortwent&


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o= the =inite n.()er o= :eo:le tra::e% here; A sort o= lo#8e%


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!ow %i% she %ieBIts (ore #o(:li#ate% than that' an% I ha$e to tell the stor& in#hronologi#al or%er; 7hen the a##i%ent o##.rre%' :eo:le %ro::e%whate$er the& were %oing an% ran to the s#ene; I wasI s.::ose I

too8 #harge an% was =e$erishl& o##.:ie% =or the ne@t =ew ho.rs;!arriet #a(e %own to the )ri%ge right awa&?se$eral :eo:le saw her?).t the %anger o= an e@:losion (a%e (e instr.#t an&one whowasnt in$ol$e% in getting Aronsson o.t o= his #ar to sta& well )a#8;Fi$e o= .s re(aine%; There were (&sel= an% (& )rother !aral%;There was a (an na(e% Magn.s Nilsson' one o= (& wor8ers; Therewas a saw(ill wor8er na(e% Si@ten Nor%lan%er who ha% a ho.se%own )& the =ishing har)o.r; An% there was a =ellow na(e% 3er8er

Aronsson; !e was onl& si@teen' an% I sho.l% reall& ha$e sent hi(awa&' ).t he was the ne:hew o= G.sta$ in the #ar;At a)o.t *9/+ !arriet was in the 8it#hen here in the ho.se; She%ran8 a glass o= (il8 an% tal8e% )rie=l& to Astri%' o.r #oo8; The&loo8e% o.t o= the win%ow at the #o((otion %own at the )ri%ge;At *911 !arriet #rosse% the #o.rt&ar%; She was seen )& Isa)ella;A)o.t a (in.te later she ran into Otto Fal8' the :astor in !e%e)&; Atthat ti(e the :arsonage was where Martin Vanger has his $illato%a&' an% the :astor li$e% on this si%e o= the )ri%ge; !e ha% )een in)e%' n.rsing a #ol%' when the a##i%ent too8 :la#eH he ha% (isse% the%ra(a' ).t so(eone ha% tele:hone% an% he was on his wa& to the)ri%ge; !arriet sto::e% hi( on the roa% an% a::arentl&


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wante% to sa& so(ething to hi(' ).t he wa$e% her o== an% h.rrie%:ast; Fal8 was the last :erson to see her ali$e;!ow %i% she %ieBlo(8$ist sai% again;I %ont 8now'Vanger sai% with a tro.)le% e@:ression; 7e

%i%nt get Aronsson o.t o= his #ar .ntil aro.n% 19++?he s.r$i$e%')& the wa&' altho.gh he was not in goo% sha:e?an% so(eti(e a=ter09++ the threat o= =ire was #onsi%ere% :ast; The islan% was still #.to==' ).t things )egan to #al( %own; It wasnt .ntil we sat %own atthe ta)le to ha$e o.r long%ela&e% %inner aro.n% 59++ that we%is#o$ere% !arriet was (issing; I sent one o= the #o.sins to get!arriet =ro( her roo(' ).t she #a(e )a#8 to sa& that she #o.l%nt=in% her; I %i%nt thin8 (.#h a)o.t itH I :ro)a)l& ass.(e% she ha%

gone =or a wal8 or she ha%nt )een tol% that %inner was ser$e%; An%%.ring the e$ening I ha% to %eal with $ario.s %is#.ssions an%arg.(ents with the =a(il&; So it wasnt .ntil the ne@t (orning'when Isa)ella went to =in% her' that we realise% that no)o%& 8newwhere !arriet was an% that no


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I .n%erstan% the o)>e#tion; I$e ha% tho.ghts along the sa(e lines;7hen a :erson $anishes witho.t a tra#e' one o= =o.r things #o.l%ha$e ha::ene%; She #o.l% ha$e gone o== o= her own =ree will an% )ehi%ing so(ewhere; She #o.l% ha$e ha% an a##i%ent an% %ie%; She

#o.l% ha$e #o((itte% s.i#i%e; An% =inall&' she #o.l% ha$e )een the$i#ti( o= a #ri(e; I$e weighe% all these :ossi)ilities;.t &o. )elie$e that so(eone too8 !arriets li=e; 7h&Be#a.se its the onl& reasona)le #on#l.sion;Vanger hel% .:one =inger; Fro( the o.tset I ho:e% that she ha% r.n awa&; .t asthe %a&s :asse%' we all realise% that this wasnt the #ase; I (ean'how wo.l% a si@teen


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the s(allhol%ing' Kstergr%en' =ro( whi#h the .n=ort.nateAronsson ha% starte% o.t in his #ar;Re(e()er that she #o.l%nt ha$e le=t the islan%'Vanger sai%;!ere on !e%e)& Islan% &o. #o.l% %ie in an a##i%ent >.st li8e

an&where else; Yo. #o.l% )e str.#8 )& lightning?).t there was noth.n%erstor( that %a&; Yo. #o.l% )e tra(:le% to %eath )& a horse'=all %own a well' or t.()le into a ro#8 #re$i#e; There are no %o.)th.n%re%s o= wa&s to =all $i#ti( to an a##i%ent here; I$e tho.ght o=(ost o= the(;!e hel% .: three =ingers;Theres >.st one #at#h' an% this also a::lies to the thir% :ossi)ilit&?that the girl' #ontrar& to e$er& in%i#ation' too8 her own li=e; !er

)o%& (.st )e so(ewhere in this li(ite% area;Vanger sla((e% his =ist %own on the (a:;In the %a&s a=ter she %isa::eare%' we sear#he% e$er&where'#riss#rossing the islan%; The (en wa%e% thro.gh e$er& %it#h's#o.re% e$er& :at#h o= =iel%' #li==' an% .:roote% tree; 7e wentthro.gh e$er& ).il%ing' #hi(ne&' well' )arn' an% hi%%en garret;The ol% (an loo8e% awa& =ro( lo(8$ist an% stare% into the%ar8ness o.tsi%e the win%ow; !is $oi#e grew lower an% (oreinti(ate;The whole a.t.(n I loo8e% =or her' e$en a=ter the sear#h :artiessto::e% an% :eo:le ha% gi$en .:; 7hen I wasnt


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#o(es .: so(ewhere along the )ea#h on the (ainlan%' an% o$erthere its ).ilt .: al(ost e$er&where; Dont thin8 that we %i%nt#onsi%er this; 7e %ragge% al(ost all the s:ots where she #o.l%#on#ei$a)l& ha$e gone %own to the water; I also hire% &o.ng (en

=ro( a s#.)a


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)oat an% a (otor)oat; All these )oats were #he#8e% an% weree@a#tl& where the& were s.::ose% to )e; I= she ha% rowe% a#ross an%r.n awa&' she wo.l% ha$e ha% to lea$e the )oat on the other si%e;Vanger hel% .: =o.r =ingers;

So theres onl& one reasona)le :ossi)ilit& le=t' na(el& that !arriet%isa::eare% against her will; So(eone 8ille% her an% got ri% o= the)o%&;Lis)eth Salan%er s:ent Christ(as (orning rea%ing Mi8aello(8$ists #ontro$ersial )oo8 a)o.t =inan#ial >o.rnalis(' TheJnights Te(:lar9 A Ca.tionar& Tale =or Finan#ial Re:orters; The#o$er ha% a tren%& %esign )& Christer Mal( =eat.ring a :hotogra:ho= the Sto#8hol( Sto#8 E@#hange; Mal( ha% wor8e% in PhotoSho:'

an% it too8 a (o(ent to noti#e that the ).il%ing was =loating in air;It was a %ra(ati# #o$er with whi#h to set the tone =or what was to#o(e;Salan%er #o.l% see that lo(8$ist was a =ine writer; The )oo8 wasset o.t in a straight=orwar% an% engaging wa&' an% e$en :eo:le withno insight into the la)&rinth o= =inan#ial >o.rnalis( #o.l% learnso(ething =ro( rea%ing it; The tone was shar: an% sar#asti#' ).ta)o$e all it was :ers.asi$e;The =irst #ha:ter was a sort o= %e#laration o= war in whi#h lo(8$ist%i% not (in#e wor%s; In the last twent& &ears' Swe%ish =inan#ial>o.rnalists ha% %e$elo:e% into a gro.: o= in#o(:etent la#8e&s whowere :.==e% .: with sel=


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i(:ortan#e an% who ha% no re#or% o= thin8ing #riti#all&; !e %rewthis #on#l.sion )e#a.se ti(e a=ter ti(e' witho.t the least o)>e#tion'so (an& =inan#ial re:orters see(e% #ontent to reg.rgitate thestate(ents iss.e% )& CEOs an% sto#8o.rnalists with the wa& #ri(e

re:orters or =oreign #orres:on%ents wor8e%; !e :ainte% a :i#t.re o=the o.t#r& that wo.l% res.lt i= a legal #orres:on%ent )egan.n#riti#all& re:ro%.#ing the :rose#.tors #ase as gos:el in a (.r%ertrial' witho.t #ons.lting the %e=en#e arg.(ents or inter$iewing the$i#ti(s =a(il& )e=ore =or(ing an o:inion o= what was li8el& or.nli8el&; A##or%ing to lo(8$ist the sa(e r.les ha% to a::l& to=inan#ial >o.rnalists;The rest o= the )oo8 #onsiste% o= a #hain o= e$i%en#e to s.::ort his#ase; One long #ha:ter e@a(ine% the re:orting o= a =a(o.s %ot


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a=ter ti(e the si(:le 4.estions that a serio.s re:orter wo.l% ha$eas8e% ).t whi#h the whole #or:s o= =inan#ial re:orters ha% negle#te%to as8; It was a neat (o$e;Another #ha:ter %ealt with the IPO o= Telia sto#8?it was the )oo8s

(ost >o#.lar an% ironi# se#tion' in whi#h so(e =inan#ial writerswere #astigate% )& na(e' in#l.%ing one 7illia( org' to who(lo(8$ist see(e% to )e :arti#.larl& hostile; A #ha:ter near the en%o= the )oo8 #o(:are% the le$el o= #o(:eten#e o= Swe%ish an%=oreign =inan#ial re:orters; !e %es#ri)e% how serio.s re:orters atLon%ons Finan#ial Ti(es' the E#ono(ist' an% so(e Ger(an=inan#ial news:a:ers ha% re:orte% si(ilar s.)>e#ts in their own#o.ntries; The #o(:arison was not =a$o.ra)le to the Swe%ish

>o.rnalists; The =inal #ha:ter #ontaine% a s8et#h with s.ggestions asto how this %e:lora)le sit.ation #o.l% )e re(e%ie%; The #on#l.siono= the )oo8 e#hoe% the intro%.#tion9I= a :arlia(entar& re:orter han%le% his assign(ent )& .n#riti#all&ta8ing .: a lan#e in s.::ort o= e$er& %e#ision that was :.she%thro.gh' no (atter how :re:ostero.s' or i= a :oliti#al re:orter wereto show a si(ilar la#8 o= >.%ge(ent?that re:orter wo.l% )e =ire% orat the least reassigne% to a %e:art(ent where he or she #o.l% not %oso (.#h %a(age; In the worl% o= =inan#ial re:orting' howe$er' thenor(al >o.rnalisti# (an%ate

Millenium 1.doc

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