“I made some calls. This Torsson is a summer work experience kid. He did the piece
on orders from Birger.”
“I thought Birger had no say in the newsroom. After all, he is a councillor and
political figure.”
“Technically he has no influence. But the editor in chief of the Courier is Gunnar
Karlman, Ingrid’s son, who’s part of the Johan Vanger branch of the family. Birger
and Gunnar have been close for many years.”
“I see.”
“Torsson will be fired forthwith.”
“How old is he?”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know. I’ve never met him.”
“Don’t fire him. When he called me he sounded like a very young and
inexperienced reporter.”
“This can’t be allowed to pass without consequences.”
“If you want my opinion, the situation seems a bit absurd, when the editor in chief
of a publication owned by the Vanger family goes on the attack against another
publication in which Henrik Vanger is a part owner and on whose board you sit.
Your editor, Karlman, is attacking you and Henrik.”
“I see what you mean, and I ought to lay the blame where it belongs. Karlman is a
part owner in the corporation and has always taken pot-shots at me, but this seems
more like Birger’s revenge because you had a run-in with him at the hospital.
You’re a thorn in his side.”
“I believe it. That’s why I think Torsson is the last person to blame. It takes a lot for
an intern to say no when the boss instructs him to write something in a certain
way.”
“I could demand that you be given an apology tomorrow.”
“Better not. It would just turn into a long, drawn-out squabble that would make the
situation worse.”