Mikael, I’ve never begged anyone for anything in my entire life. I’ve always thought that
a person should follow his morals and his convictions. This time I have no choice.
I am, with this letter, begging you, both as a friend and as part owner of Millennium, to
refrain from publishing the truth about Gottfried and Martin. I know that’s wrong, but I
see no way out of this darkness. I have to choose between two evils, and in this case
there are no winners.
I beg you not to write anything that would further hurt Harriet. You know first-hand
what it’s like to be the subject of a media campaign. The campaign against you was of
quite modest proportions. You can surely imagine what it would be like for Harriet if the
truth were to come out. She has been tormented for forty years and shouldn’t have to
suffer any more for the deeds that her brother and her father committed. And I beg you
to think through the consequences this story might have for the thousands of
employees in the company. This could crush her and annihilate us.
Henrik
“Henrik also says that if you require compensation for financial losses that may arise
from your refraining from publishing the story, he is entirely open to discussion.
You can set any financial demands you think fit.”
“Henrik Vanger is trying to shut me up. Tell him that I wish he had never given me
this offer.”
“The situation is just as troublesome for Henrik as it is for you. He likes you very
much and considers you his friend.”
“Henrik Vanger is a clever bastard,” Blomkvist said. He was suddenly furious. “He
wants to hush up the story. He’s playing on my emotions and he knows I like him
too. And what he’s also saying is that I have a free hand to publish, and if I do so he
would have to revise his attitude towards Millennium.”
“Everything changed when Harriet stepped on to the stage.”
“And now Henrik is feeling out what my price tag might be. I don’t intend to hang
Harriet out to dry, but somebody has to say something about the women who died
in Martin’s basement. Dirch, we don’t even know how many women he tortured
and slaughtered. Who is going to speak up on their behalf?”