CHAPTER 20
Tuesday, July 1–Wednesday, July 2
The first thing Blomkvist did the morning he returned to Hedestad was to go to
Frode’s house to ask about Vanger’s condition. He learned to his delight that the
old man had improved quite a bit during the past week. He was weak still, and
fragile, but now he could sit up in bed. His condition was no longer regarded as
critical.
“Thank God,” he said. “I realised that I actually like him.”
Frode said: “I know that. And Henrik likes you too. How was Norrland?”
“Successful yet unsatisfying. I’ll explain a little later. Right now I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“What realistically will happen to your interest in Millennium if Henrik dies?”
“Nothing at all. Martin will take his place on the board.”
“Is there any risk, hypothetically speaking, that Martin might create problems
for Millennium if I don’t put a stop to the investigation of Harriet’s disappearance?”
Frode gave him a sharp look.
“What’s happened?”
“Nothing, actually.” Mikael told him about the conversation he had had with Martin
Vanger on Midsummer Eve. “When I was in Norsjö Erika told me that Martin had
called her and said that he thought I was very much needed back at the office.”
“I understand. My guess is that Cecilia was after him. But I don’t think that Martin
would put pressure on you like that on his own. He’s much too savvy. And
remember, I’m also on the board of the little subsidiary we formed when we
bought into Millennium.”
“But what if a ticklish situation came up—how would you act then?”