He brought up the subject as they were drinking coffee from paper cups on the
Vaxholm ferry.
“What the two of us need to decide is what to tell Erika. She’s going to refuse to
publish this if I can’t explain how I got hold of the material.”
Erika Berger. Blomkvist’s editor in chief and long-time lover. Salander had never
met her and was not sure that she wanted to either. Berger seemed like some
indefinable disturbance in her life.
“What does she know about me?”
“Nothing.” He sighed. “The fact is that I’ve been avoiding her ever since the
summer. She’s very frustrated about the fact that I couldn’t tell her what happened
in Hedestad. She knows, of course, that I’ve been staying out at Sandhamn and
writing this story, but she doesn’t know what it’s about.”
“Hmm.”
“In a couple of hours she’ll have the manuscript. Then she’s going to give me the
third degree. The question is, what should I tell her?”
“What do you want to tell her?”
“I’d like to tell her the truth.”
Salander frowned.
“Lisbeth, Erika and I argue almost all the time. It seems to be part of how we
communicate. But she’s absolutely trustworthy. You’re a source. She would rather
die than reveal who you are.”
“How many others would you have to tell?”
“Absolutely no-one. It will go to the grave with me and Erika. But I won’t tell her
your secret if you don’t want me to. On the other hand, it’s not an option for me to
lie to Erika, make up some source that doesn’t exist.”
Salander thought about it until they docked by the Grand Hotel. Analysis of
consequences. Reluctantly she finally gave Blomkvist permission to introduce her
to Erika. He switched on his mobile and made the call.