I have to remember that he’s irrational. The cat. He could have brought the cat down
here, but he went to the family crypt. Martin stopped.
“I think you’re lying. You and Salander are the only ones who know anything. You
obviously haven’t talked to anyone, or the police would have been here by now. A
nice little blaze in the guest cottage and the proof will be gone.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“If I’m wrong, then it really is over. But I don’t think it is. I’ll bet that you’re bluffing.
And what other choice do I have? I’ll give that some thought. It’s that anorexic little
cunt who’s the weak link.”
“She went to Stockholm at lunchtime.”
Martin laughed.
“Bluff away, Mikael. She has been sitting in the archives at the Vanger Corporation
offices all evening.”
Blomkvist’s heart skipped a beat. He knew. He’s known all along.
“That’s right. The plan was to visit the archive and then go to Stockholm,” Blomkvist
said. “I didn’t know she stayed there so long.”
“Stop all this crap, Mikael. The archives manager rang to tell me that Dirch had let
the girl stay there as late as she liked. Which means she’ll certainly be home. The
night watchman is going to call me when she leaves.”
PART 4
Hostile Takeover
JULY 11 TO DECEMBER 30
Ninety-two percent of women in Sweden who have been subjected to sexual assault
have not reported the most recent violent incident to the police.