“When I started this job I couldn’t help thinking that it was a waste of time. But I
think we’re on the verge of a breakthrough and that it might now be possible to
know what really happened.”
Blomkvist read doubt in Martin Vanger’s eyes. At last he made a decision.
“OK, in that case the best thing we can do is to solve the mystery of Harriet as
quickly as possible. I’ll give you all the support I can so that you finish the work to
your satisfaction—and, of course, Henrik’s—and then return to Millennium.”
“Good. So I won’t have to fight with you too.”
“No, you won’t. You can ask for my help whenever you run into a problem. I’ll make
damn sure that Birger won’t put any sort of obstacles in your way. And I’ll try to talk
to Cecilia, to calm her down.”
“Thank you. I need to ask her some questions, and she’s been resisting my attempts
at conversation for a month now.”
Martin Vanger laughed. “Perhaps you have other issues to iron out. But I won’t get
involved in that.”
They shook hands.
Salander had listened to the conversation. When Martin Vanger left she reached for
the Hedestad Courier and scanned the article. She put the paper down without
making any comment.
Blomkvist sat in silence, thinking. Gunnar Karlman was born in 1948 and would
have been eighteen in 1966. He was one of the people on the island when Harriet
disappeared.