“I was told that he wouldn’t be coming to the family gathering, that he was staying
in Uppsala. But obviously he changed his mind, and suddenly there he was on the
other side of the street, staring at me. He smiled at me. It felt like a hideous dream. I
had murdered my father, and I realised that I would never be free of my brother. Up
until then, I had thought about killing myself. I chose instead to flee.” She gave
Blomkvist what was almost a look of relief. “It feels fantastic to tell the truth. So now
you know.”
CHAPTER 27
Saturday, July 26–Monday, July 28
Blomkvist picked up Salander by her front door on Lundagatan at 10:00 and drove
her to the Norra crematorium. He stayed at her side during the ceremony. For a
long time they were the only mourners along with the pastor, but when the funeral
began Armansky slipped in. He nodded curtly to Blomkvist and stood behind
Salander, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. She nodded without looking at
him, as if she knew who was standing there. Then she ignored them both.
Salander had told him nothing about her mother, but the pastor had apparently
spoken to someone at the nursing home where she died, and Blomkvist
understood that the cause of death was a cerebral haemorrhage. Salander did not
say a word during the ceremony. The pastor lost her train of thought twice when
she turned directly to her. Salander looked her straight in the eye without
expression. When it was over she turned on her heel and left without saying thank
you or goodbye. Blomkvist and Armansky took a deep breath and looked at each
other.
“She’s feeling really bad,” Armansky said.
“I know that,” Blomkvist said. “It was good of you to come.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Armansky fixed Blomkvist with his gaze.
“If you two are driving back north, keep an eye on her.”