easons.Maybeshesimplywantedtoknowwhatherfatherhadbeenupto.ShebroodedoverituntiltheChildren’sDaycelebrationin1966.ThensuddenlysheseesherbrotheronJ?rnv?gsgatanandrealisesthathe’sback.Wedon’tknowiftheytalkedtoeachotherorifhesaidanything.Butnomatterwhathappened,HarriethadanurgetogostraighthomeandtalktoHenrik.”
“Andthenshedisappeared.”
Aftertheyhadgoneoverthechainofevents,itwasnothardtounderstandwhattherestofthepuzzlemusthavelookedlike.BlomkvistandSalanderpackedtheirbags.Beforetheyleft,BlomkvistcalledFrodeandtoldhimthatheandSalanderhadtogoawayforawhile,butthatheabsolutelywantedtoseeHenrikVangerbeforetheyleft.
BlomkvistneededtoknowwhatFrodehadtoldHenrik.ThemansoundedsostressedonthetelephohatBlomkvistfeltconcernedforhim.FrodesaidthathehadonlytoldhimthatMartinhaddiedinacaraident.
ItwasthunderingagainwhenBlomkvistparkedoutsideHedestadHospital,andtheskywasfilledoncemorewithheavyrainclouds.Hehurriedacrossthecarparkjustasitstartedtorain.
Vangerwaswearingabathrobe,sittingatatablebythewindowofhisroom.Hisillnesshadleftitsmark,butVangerhadregainedsomecolourinhisfaceandlookedasifhewereonthepathtorecovery.Theyshookhands.Blomkvistaskedthenursetoleavethemaloneforafewminutes.
“You’vebeenavoidingme,”Vangersaid.
Mikaelnodded.“Onpurpose.Yourfamilydidn’twantmetoeatall,buttodayeveryoneisoveratIsabella’shouse.”
“PoorMartin,”Vangersaid.
“Henrik.YougavemeanassignmenttodigupthetruthaboutwhathappenedtoHarriet.Didyouexpectthetruthtobepainless?”
Theoldmanlookedathim.Thenhiseyeswidened.
“Martin?”
“He’spartofthestory.”
Henrikclosedhiseyes.
“NowIhavegotaquestionforyou,”Blomkvistsaid.
“Tellme.”
“Doyoustillwanttoknowwhathappened?Evenifitturnsouttobepainfulandevenifthetruthisworsethanyouimagined?”
HenrikgaveBlomkvistalonglook.Thenhesaid,“Iwanttoknow.Thatwasthepointofyourassignment.”
“OK.IthinkIknowwhathappenedtoHarriet.Butthere’sonelastpieceofthepuzzlemissingbeforeI’msure.”