cheerfully ridiculed everyone who felt passionate about any issue or who stuck
their neck out. Feminists, antiracists, and environmental activists could all reckon
on receiving their share. The writer was not known for espousing a single
conviction of his own. Now, several weeks after the trial in the Wennerström affair,
he was bringing his fire to bear on Mikael Blomkvist, whom he described as a
complete idiot. Erika Berger was portrayed as an incompetent media bimbo:
A rumour is circulating that Millennium is on the verge of collapse in spite of the
fact that the editor in chief is a feminist who wears mini-skirts and pouts her lips on
TV. For several years the magazine has survived on the image that has been
successfully marketed by the editors—young reporters who undertake
investigative journalism and expose the scoundrels of the business world. This
advertising trick may work with young anarchists who want to hear just such a
message, but it doesn’t wash in the district court. As Kalle Blomkvist recently found
out.
Blomkvist switched on his mobile and checked to see if he had any calls from
Berger. There were no messages. Vanger waited without saying anything.
Blomkvist realised that the old man was allowing him to break the silence.
“He’s a moron,” Blomkvist said.
Vanger laughed, but he said: “That may be. But he’s not the one who was
sentenced by the court.”
“That’s true. And he never will be. He never says anything original; he always just
jumps on the bandwagon and casts the final stone in the most damaging terms he
can get away with.”
“I’ve had many enemies over the years. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s never
engage in a fight you’re sure to lose. On the other hand, never let anyone who has
insulted you get away with it. Bide your time and strike back when you’re in a
position of strength—even if you no longer need to strike back.”
“Thank you for your wisdom, Henrik. Now I’d like you to tell me about your family.”
He set the tape recorder between them on the table and pressed the record
button.