Blomkvistlookedaround.Hetriedtoremember.Atlasthesaidthathehadtouchednothingexceptthedoorandthekeys.SalanderfoundthekeysinMartinVanger’sjacket,whichhehadhungoverthechair.Shewipedthedoorhandleandtheswitchandturnedoffthelight.ShehelpedBlomkvistupthebasementstairsandtoldhimtowaitinthepassagewaywhilesheputthegolfclubbackinitsproperplace.WhenshecamebackshewascarryingadarkT-shirtthatbelongedtoMartinVanger.
“Putthison.Idon’twantanyooseeyouscamperingaboutwithabarechesttonight.”
Blomkvistrealisedthathewasinastateofshock.Salanderhadtakencharge,andpassivelyheobeyedherinstructions.SheledhimoutofMartin’shouse.Sheheldontohimthewholetime.Assoonastheysteppedinsidethecottage,shestoppedhim.
“Ifanyoneseesusandaskswhatweweredoingoutsidetonight,youandIwentouttothepointforanighttimewalk,andwehadsexoutthere.”
“Lisbeth,Ican’t…”
“Getintheshower.Now.”
Shehelpedhimoffwithhisclothesandpropelledhimtothebathroom.Thensheputonwaterforcoffeeandmadehalfadozenthicksandwichesonryebreadwithcheeseandliversausageanddillpickles.Shesatdownatthekitchentableandwasthinkinghardwhenhecamelimpingbackintotheroom.Shestudiedthebruisesandscrapesonhisbody.Thenoosehadbeensotightthathehadadarkredmarkaroundhisneck,andtheknifehadmadeabloodygashinhisskinontheleftside.
“Getintobed,”shesaid.
Sheimprovisedbandagesandcoveredthewoundwithamakeshiftpress.Thenshepouredthecoffeeandhandedhimasandwich.
“I’mreallynothungry,”hesaid.
“Idon’tgiveadamnifyou’rehungry.Justeat,”Salandermanded,takingabigbiteofherowncheesesandwich.
Blomkvistclosedhiseyesforamoment,thenhesatupandtookabite.Histhroathurtsomuchthathecouldscarcelyswallow.
SalandertookoffherleatherjacketandfromthebathroombroughtajarofTigerBalmfromherspongebag.
“Letthecoffeecoolforawhile.Liefacedown.”
Shespentfiveminutesmassaginghisbackandrubbinghimwiththeliniment.Thensheturnedhimoverandgavehimthesametreatmentonthefront.
“You’regoingtohavesomeseriousbruisesforawhile.”