Blomkvist went back to his cottage and called Berger. She was not at the office, so
he spoke to Malm.
“Here’s the deal: Erika called when I was in Norsjö. Martin Vanger has been after her
and has, how shall I put it, encouraged her to propose that I start to take on
editorial responsibility.”
“I think you should too,” Malm said.
“I know that. But the thing is, I have a contract with Henrik Vanger that I can’t break,
and Martin is acting on behalf of someone up here who wants me to stop what I
am doing and leave town. So his proposal amounts to an attempt to get rid of me.”
“I see.”
“Say hi to Erika and tell her I’ll come back to Stockholm when I’m finished here. Not
before.”
“I understand. You’re stark raving mad, of course, but I’ll give her the message.”
“Christer. Something is going on up here, and I have no intention of backing out.”
Blomkvist knocked on Martin Vanger’s door. Eva Hassel opened it and greeted him
warmly.
“Hi. Is Martin home?”
As if in reply to the question, Martin Vanger came walking out with a briefcase in
his hand. He kissed Eva on the cheek and said hello to Mikael.
“I’m on my way to the office. Do you want to talk to me?”
“We can do it later if you’re in a hurry.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I won’t be going back to Millennium’s editorial board before I’m finished with the
assignment that Henrik gave me. I’m informing you of this now so that you won’t
count on me being on the board before New Year’s.”
Martin Vanger teetered back and forth for a bit.