wedtomeettheclients.Today’sassignmentwasanexception.
SalanderwasdressedforthedayinablackT-shirtwithapictureonitofE.T.withfangs,andthewordsIAMALSOANALIEN.Shehadonablackskirtthatwasfrayedatthehem,aworn-outblack,mid-lengthleatherjacket,rivetbelt,heavyDocMartenboots,andhorizontallystriped,green-and-redkneesocks.Shehadputonmake-upinacolourschemethatindicatedshemightbecolourblind.Inotherwords,shewasexceptionallydeckedout.
Armanskysighedandshiftedhisgazetotheconservativelydressedguestwiththethickglasses.DirchFrode,alawyer,hadinsistedonmeetingandbeingabletoaskquestionsoftheemployeewhopreparedthereport.Armanskyhaddoneallhecivillycouldtopreventthemeetingtakingplace,sayingthatSalanderhadacold,wasaway,orwasswampedwithotherwork.Thelawyerrepliedcalmlythatitmadenodifference—thematterwasnoturgentandhecouldeasilywaitacoupleofdays.Atlasttherewasnowaytoavoidbringingthemtogether.NowFrode,whoseemedtobeinhislatesixties,waslookingatLisbethSalanderwithevidentfascination.Salandergloweredbackwithanexpressionthatdidnotindicateanywarmfeelings.
ArmanskysighedandlookedoncemoreatthefoldershehadplacedonhisdesklabelledCARLMIKAELBLOMKVIST.Thenamewasfollowedbyasocialsecuritynumber,neatlyprintedonthecover.Hesaidthenameoutloud.HerrFrodesnappedoutofhisbewitchedstateandturnedtoArmansky.
“SowhatcanyoutellmeaboutMikaelBlomkvist?”hesaid.
“ThisisMs.Salander,whopreparedthereport.”Armanskyhesitatedasecondandthenwentonwithasmilethatwasintendedtoengenderconfidence,butwhichseemedhelplesslyapologetic.“Don’tbefooledbyheryouth.Sheisourabsolutebestresearcher.”
“I’mpersuadedofthat,”Frodesaidinadrytohathintedattheopposite.“Tellmewhatshefoundout.”
ItwasclearthatFrodehadnoideahowtoacttowardsSalander.HeresortedtodirectingthequestiontoArmansky,asifshehadnotbeenintheroom.Salanderblewabigbubblewithhergum.BeforeArmanskycouldanswer,shesaid,“Couldyouasktheclientwhetherhewouldpreferthelongortheshortversion?”
Therewasabrief,embarrassedsilencebeforeFrodefinallyturnedtoSalande