it’snotanoptionformetolietoErika,makeupsomesourcethatdoesn’texist.”
SalanderthoughtaboutituntiltheydockedbytheGrandHotel.Analysisofconsequences.ReluctantlyshefinallygaveBlomkvistpermissiontointroducehertoErika.Heswitchedonhismobileandmadethecall.
BergerwaslunchingwithMalinEriksson,whomshewasconsideringhiringasmanagingeditor.Erikssonwastwenty-nineyearsoldandhadbeenworkingasatempforfiveyears.Shehadneverheldapermanentjobandhadstartedtodoubtthatsheeverwould.BergercalledherontheverydaythatMalin’slatesttempjobendedtoaskifshewouldliketoapplyfortheMillenniumposition.
“It’satemporarypostforthreemonths,”Bergersaid.“Butifthingsworkout,itcouldbepermanent.”
“I’veheardrumoursthatMillenniumishavingadifficulttime.”
Bergersmiled.
“Youshouldn’tbelieverumours.”
“ThisDahlmanthatIwouldbereplacing…”Erikssonhesitated.“He’sgoingtoworkatamagazineownedbyHans-ErikWennerstr?m…”
Bergernodded.“It’shardlyatradesecretthatwe’reinconflictwithWennerstr?m.Hedoesn’tlikepeoplewhoworkforMillennium.”
“SoifItakethejobatMillennium,Iwouldendupinthatcategorytoo.”
“It’sverylikely,yes.”
“ButDahlmangotajobwithMonopolyFinancialMagazine,didn’the?”
“Youmightsaythatit’sWennerstr?m’swayofpayingforservicesrendered.Areyoustillinterested?”
Erikssonnodded.
“Whendoyouwantmetostart?”
That’swhenBlomkvistcalled.
Sheusedherownkeytoopenthedoortohisapartment.ItwasthefirsttimesincehisbriefvisittotheofficeatMidsummerthatshewasmeetinghimfacetoface.Shewentintothelivingroomandfoundananorexicallythingirlsittingonthesofa,wearingawornleatherjacketandwithherfeetproppeduponthecoffeetable.Atfirstshethoughtthegirlwasaboutfifteen,butthatwasbeforeshelookedintohereyes.ShewasstilllookingatthiscreaturewhenBlomkvistcameinwithacoffeepotandcoffeecake.
“Fivemeforbeingpletelyimpossible,”hesaid.
Bergertiltedherhead.Therewassomethingdifferentabouthim.Helookedhaggard,thinnerthansheremembered.Hiseyeshadashamedexpression,andforamo