complete a single test, the basis for the doctor’s conclusions was in fact nothing
more than guesswork.
At the end of the hearing, Palmgren intimated that compulsory institutionalisation
was in all probability not only contrary to Parliament’s decisions in similar
situations, but in this particular case it might in addition be the subject of political
and media reprisals. So it was in everyone’s interest to find an appropriate
alternative solution. Such language was unusual for negotiations in this type of
situation, and the members of the court had squirmed nervously.
The solution was also a compromise. The court concluded that Lisbeth Salander
was indeed emotionally disturbed, but that her condition did not necessarily
warrant internment. On the other hand, the social welfare director’s
recommendation of guardianship was taken under consideration. The chairman of
the court turned, with a venomous smile, to Holger Palmgren, who up until then
had been her trustee, and inquired whether he might be willing to take on the
guardianship. The chairman obviously thought that Palmgren would back away
and try to push the responsibility on to someone else. On the contrary, Palmgren
declared that he would be happy to take on the job of serving as Fröken Salander’s
guardian—but on one condition: “that Fröken Salander must be willing to trust me
and accept me as her guardian.”
He turned to face her. Lisbeth Salander was somewhat bewildered by the exchange
that had gone back and forth over her head all day. Until now no-one had asked for
her opinion. She looked at Holger Palmgren for a long time and then nodded once.
Palmgren was a peculiar mixture of jurist and social worker, of the old school. At
first he had been a politically appointed member of the social welfare board, and
he had spent nearly all his life dealing with problem youths. A reluctant sense of
respect, almost bordering on friendship, had in time formed between Palmgren
and his ward, who was unquestionably the most difficult he had ever had to deal
with.
Their relationship had lasted eleven years, from her thirteenth birthday until the
previous year, when a few weeks before Christmas she had gone to see Palmgren
at home after he missed one of their scheduled monthly meetings.