Berger was lunching with Malin Eriksson, whom she was considering hiring as
managing editor. Eriksson was twenty-nine years old and had been working as a
temp for five years. She had never held a permanent job and had started to doubt
that she ever would. Berger called her on the very day that Malin’s latest temp job
ended to ask if she would like to apply for the Millennium position.
“It’s a temporary post for three months,” Berger said. “But if things work out, it
could be permanent.”
“I’ve heard rumours that Millennium is having a difficult time.”
Berger smiled.
“You shouldn’t believe rumours.”
“This Dahlman that I would be replacing...” Eriksson hesitated. “He’s going to work
at a magazine owned by Hans-Erik Wennerström...”
Berger nodded. “It’s hardly a trade secret that we’re in conflict with Wennerström.
He doesn’t like people who work for Millennium.”
“So if I take the job at Millennium, I would end up in that category too.”
“It’s very likely, yes.”
“But Dahlman got a job with Monopoly Financial Magazine, didn’t he?”
“You might say that it’s Wennerström’s way of paying for services rendered. Are
you still interested?”
Eriksson nodded.
“When do you want me to start?”
That’s when Blomkvist called.
She used her own key to open the door to his apartment. It was the first time since
his brief visit to the office at Midsummer that she was meeting him face to face. She