theproblem.
ewhatmay,sheputinherorderatMacJesus.Sheboughtallherputeraessoriesthere,sotheygaveherareasonablediscount.Shetalliedupherexpenses.Theinsuranceonherruinedputerwouldcoveragoodpartoftheprice,butwiththewarrantyandthehigherpriceofhernewacquisition,shewasstill18,000kronorshort.Shehad10,000kronorhiddeninacoffeetinathomebutthatwasall.ShesentevilthoughtstoHerrBjurman,butthenshebitthebulletandcalledherguardiantoexplainthatsheneededmoneyforanunexpectedexpense.Bjurman’ssecretarysaidthathehadnotimetoseeherthatday.Salanderrepliedthatitwouldtakethemantwentysecondstowriteoutachequefor10,000kronor.Shewastoldtobeathisofficeat7:30thatevening.
Blomkvistmighthavenoexperienceofevaluatingcriminalinvestigations,buthereckonedthatInspectorMorellhadbeenexceptionallyconscientious.WhenBlomkvisthadfinishedwiththepoliceinvestigation,MorellstillkeptturningupasaplayerinVanger’sownnotes.Theyhadbeefriends,andBlomkvistwonderedwhetherMorellhadbeenasobsessedasthecaptainofindustrybecame.
Itwasunlikely,inhisview,thatMorellhadmissedanything.Thesolutiontothemysterywasnotgoingtobefoundinthepolicerecords.Everyimaginablequestionhadbeenasked,andallleadsfollowedup,evensomethatseemedabsurdlyfar-fetched.Hehadnotreadeverywordofthereport,butthefurtherintotheinvestigationhegot,themoreobscurethesubsequentleadsandtipsbecame.Hewasnotgoingtofindanythingthathisprofessionalpredecessorandhisexperiencedteamhadmissed,andhewasundecidedwhatapproachheshouldadopttotheproblem.Eventuallyitcametohimthattheonlyreasonablypracticalrouteforhimtotakewastotrytofindoutthepsychologicalmotivesoftheindividualsinvolved.
ThefirstquestionhadtodowithHarrietherself.Whowasshe?
FromhiskitchenwindowBlomkvisthadnoticedalightgoonupstairsinCeciliaVanger’shouseatalittleafter5:00intheafternoon.Heknockedonherdoorat7:30,justasthenewsbroadcastwasstartingonTV.Sheopenedthedoordressedinherbathrobe,herhairwetunderayellowtowel.Blomkvistapologisedatoncefordisturbingherandmadetoretreat,butshewavedhimintothelivingroom.She