neNesserhadshoulder-lengthblondehair.SalanderhadboughtawiginStockholmandused10,000kronorofwhatshehadborrowedfromBlomkvisttobuytwopassportsthroughoneofthecontactsinPlague’sinternationalwork.
Shewenttoherroom,lockedthedoor,andgotundressed.Shelayonthebedandlookedupattheceilingintheroomthatcost1,600kronorpernight.Shefeltempty.Shehadalreadyrunthroughhalfthesumshe’dborrowed,andeventhoughshehadaddedineverykronaofherownsavings,shewasstillonatightbudget.Shestoppedthinkingandfellasleepalmostatonce.
Sheawokejustafter5:00inthemorning.Sheshoweredandspentalongtimemaskingthetattooonherneckwithathicklayerofskin-colouredlotionandpowderoverit.Theseconditemonherchecklistwastomakeanappointmentatthebeautysaloninthelobbyofasignificantlymoreexpensivehotelfor6:30thatmorning.Sheboughtanotherblondewig,thisoneinapage-boystyle,andthenshehadamanicure,gettingpinknailsattachedtoherownchewedones.Shealsogotfalseeyelashes,morepowder,rouge,andfinallylipstickandothermake-up.Nochangefrom8,000kronor.
ShepaidwithacreditcardinthenameofMonicaSholes,andsheshowedthemherBritishpassportwiththatname.
NextstopwasCamille’sHouseofFashiondownthestreet.Afteranhourshecameoutwearingblackboots,asand-colouredskirtwithmatchingblouse,blacktights,awaist-lengthjacket,andaberet.Everyitemboreanexpensivedesignerlabel.Shehadletthesalesgirlmaketheselection.ShehadalsochosenanexclusiveleatherbriefcaseandasmallSamsonitesuitcase.Thecrowningtoucheswerediscreetearringsandasimplegoldchainaroundherneck.Thecreditcardhadbeendebited44,000kronor.
ForthefirsttimeinherlifeSalanderhadabustlihatmadeher—whensheglancedatherselfinthefull-lengthmirror—catchherbreath.ThebreastswereasfakeasMonicaSholes’identity.TheyweremadeoflatexandhadbeenboughtinCopenhagenwherethetransvestitesshopped.
Shewasreadyforbattle.
Justafter9:00shewalkedtwoblockstothevenerableZimmertalHotel,wheresheedaroominMonicaSholes’name.Shegaveageneroustiptoaboywhocarrieduphersuitcase.Thesuitewasasmallone,costing22,000kronoraday.Shehaded