material for your biography. When I start having questions about Harriet which I
need to discuss with you, I’ll let you know.”
“That sounds sensible.”
“I’m going to require a free hand to do my work, and I won’t have any set work
hours.”
“You decide for yourself how the work should be done.”
“I suppose you’re aware that I have to spend a couple of months in prison. I don’t
know exactly when, but I’m not going to appeal. It’ll probably be sometime this
year.”
Vanger frowned. “That’s unfortunate. We’ll have to solve that problem when it
comes up. You can always request a postponement.”
“If it’s permitted and I have enough material, I might be able to work on your book
in prison. One more thing: I’m still part owner of Millennium and as of now it’s a
magazine in crisis. If something happens that requires my presence in Stockholm, I
would have to drop what I’m doing and go there.”
“I didn’t take you on as a serf. I want you to do a thorough job on the assignment
I’ve given you, but, of course, you can set your own schedule and do the work as
you see fit. If you need to take some time off, feel free to do it, but if I find out that
you’re not doing the work, I’ll consider that a breach of contract.”
Vanger looked over towards the bridge. He was a gaunt man, and Blomkvist
thought that he looked at that moment like a melancholy scarecrow.
“As far as Millennium is concerned, we ought to have a discussion about what kind
of crisis it’s in and whether I can help in some way.”
“The best assistance you can offer is to give me Wennerström’s head on a platter
right here and now.”
“Oh no, I’m not thinking of doing that.” The old man gave Blomkvist a hard look.
“The only reason you took this job was because I promised to expose
Wennerström. If I give you the information now, you could stop work on the job
whenever you felt like it. I’ll give you the information a year from now.”