Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

Erica's cell phone rang.The time is nine past five. "Morning, Miss Erica. I'm Armansky. I heard you called last night." After Erica explained what happened, she asked Milton Security if he could take over Naka's full defense contract. "Of course we can install a functioning alarm system." Armansky replied: "The problem is that the vehicle closest to you at night is in the center of Naka, and the response time will take about half an hour. If you accept your entrustment, It is bound to subcontract your house. We have signed a contract with a local security company, it is Adam Security of Fiske Cetra, and if there is no accident, their response time is ten minutes."

"That's better than Naka's full defense that doesn't show up at all." "Adam Security is a family business. The father has two sons and several cousins. The Greek is very nice. I have known the father for many years. They take on our work for about 320 days a year, If you are unable to work due to holidays or other reasons, you will be notified in advance, and our vehicles in Naka will take over." "I'm OK." "I'll send someone over this morning. His name is David Rossing. He's actually on his way now. He'll do a security assessment first. If you want to go out, you'll have to leave him the key, and he'll need your permission, too. A thorough inspection of the house is carried out. Plus he takes pictures of the entire building and surroundings."

"OK." "Rosing is very experienced and we will give you a proposal. A full security plan will be ready in a few days, covering personal safety alarms, fire security, evacuation and anti-theft equipment." "it is good." "In case something happens, we also want you to know what to do in the ten minutes before Fisksetra's car arrives." "very good." "We're going to install the sirens this afternoon and then we have to sign the contract." After talking on the phone with Armansky, Erica realized that she had overslept, so she picked up her mobile phone and called Fredliesen, saying that she was injured, and asking him to cancel the ten o'clock meeting.

"What's going on?" he asked. "I cut my foot." Erica said, "I'll limp to work as soon as I can when it's better." After using the bathroom in the master bedroom, she put on a pair of black trousers and borrowed a Beckmann slipper to put on her injured foot.Then he picked out a black shirt and put on a jacket.Before removing the door stop under the bathroom door, she took the Macy sprayer with her. She moved around the room with heightened alertness.After starting the coffee maker, eat breakfast at the kitchen table while listening to whatever sounds are going on around you.As soon as the second cup of coffee was poured, there was a knock on the door.It's Rosin from Milton Security.

Figuelaura walked to Bell Street and called four of his colleagues for a meeting early in the morning. "There's a deadline now," she said. "We have until July 13th, before Salander's hearing begins, and it's been less than six weeks. We have to agree on our priorities. Who will speak first?" Berend cleared his throat and said, "That blond man with Mo Tiansen. Who is he?" "We have pictures, but don't know how to find him. Can't make a full announcement." "And Gulbo? There must be leads to follow. We know that he was in the State Secret Police from the fifties until 1964, the year the State Security Agency was established. He disappeared afterwards."

Figuelaura nodded. "Then can it be concluded that the Zarachenko Club was established in 1964? But Zarachenko hadn't even come to Sweden at that time." "There must be other purposes... a secret organization within the organization." "That was after the Colonel Wennerstrom incident, everyone was paranoid." "A kind of secret spy police?" "Actually, there are similar organizations overseas. In the 1960s, the CIA in the United States set up another special team to expel internal spies, led by Angerton, which almost destroyed the entire CIA. Angerton's followers are a group of paranoid, It was suspected that everyone in the CIA was a Russian agent. As a result, most of the CIA's activities were paralyzed."

"But that's just speculation..." "Where is the old personnel data?" "Gulbo isn't in there, I've checked." "What about the budget? There has to be funding for an operation like this." They discussed it until lunch time. Figuelaura left the table first and went to the gym alone to think about it. Erica didn't arrive in the editing room until noon.The foot injury was so painful that I couldn't exert force at all.She limped into the glass cage, fell heavily on the chair, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.Frederickson, who was buried in the desk, just raised his head, and she beckoned him to come in.

"What happened?" he asked. "I stepped on the glass and a shard went into my heel." "Oh...that's not good." "That's not it. Frederickson, anyone else getting weird e-mails?" "I haven't heard of it." "Okay, pay more attention. If anything strange happens in the newspaper, let me know." "What kind of weirdness?" "Looks like some idiot sent some nasty emails and it seemed to be aimed at me. So if you hear anything, please let me know." "You mean the kind of letter Eva got?" "Yes, but if you feel strange, you have to say it. I have received a lot of crazy emails, calling me all kinds of nasty words, and saying that they will treat me with all kinds of perverted methods."

Frederick's face darkened. "How long has it been?" "A few weeks. Keep your eyes open... Now, tell me what's in the paper tomorrow?" "This..." "How about it?" "Home and the Director of the Legal Department are throwing a fit." "why?" "For Johannes. You extended his contract and asked him to write a special report, and he won't tell anyone about it." "I forbade him to say it, it was my order." "He said the same thing, so Home and the legal director were very angry." "I can understand. Arrange a meeting with the legal department at three o'clock in the afternoon, and I will explain then."

"Holm is upset..." "I'm not too happy with Home, we've just gotten even." "He was so angry that he went to complain to the board." Erica looked up abruptly.Oops, I still have to deal with The Bosher. "Bosher is coming over this afternoon and says he wants to talk to you. I guess it's Holm's job." "Well, what time?" "Two o'clock." After finishing speaking, Frederick returned to his seat to write a memorandum for noon. Jonathan came to check on Salander at lunchtime.She pushed aside a plate of vegetable soup prepared by a nutritionist.He gave her a simple examination as usual, but she found that the doctor was not bothering so much.

"You're recovering well," he said. "Well. You have to find a way to improve the food here." "What's wrong?" "Can't I have a piece of pizza?" "Sorry, over budget." "I knew it." "Liz, tomorrow we will discuss your physical condition..." "Got it, I'm recovering well." "You can now be transferred to the Kronoberg Detention Center. I may be able to delay it for another week, but my colleagues will start to be suspicious." "You don't have to do that." "Really?" She nodded. "I'm ready, and sooner or later I have to face it." "Then I will approve discharge tomorrow." Jonathan said, "You should be transferred soon." She nodded again. "Maybe this weekend, the hospital doesn't want you to stay here." "It can't be their fault." "Uh...that thing of yours..." "I'll stay in the alcove behind this desk," she pointed. "good idea." They sat in silence for a while before Jonathan got up. "I have to see other patients." "Thank you for everything. I owe you a favor." "I'm just doing my job." "No, you did more. I won't forget." Blomkvist entered the Police Headquarters on Kings Island through the Borham Street entrance and was escorted by Figuolaura to the offices of the Constitutional Security Group.They only made eye contact in the elevator, not talking. "Do you think it's okay for me to hang around in the headquarters?" Blomkvist asked. "Someone might see us together and get suspicious." "This is the only time we meet here, and we will change to the office we rented in the Peace House Square in the future, and we will be able to use it tomorrow. But it doesn't matter. The Constitutional Protection Group is a small, independent unit. No one in the bureau takes it seriously. Besides, we have a different floor from other units." He only nodded to Ai Kelinte without shaking hands, and then greeted the other two members of the team.They were clearly part of his team, introducing themselves only as Stephen and Berend.He couldn't help laughing secretly. "Where do we start?" he asked. "Why don't you have a cup of coffee first... Figuelaura?" Aiklint said. "Thanks, that's a good idea," Figuelaura said. Ai Kelinte should be signaling her to pour coffee.Blomkvist noticed that the group leader hesitated only a little, then got up and took the coffee pot to the conference table where the cups were already set.Blomkvist noticed that Aiklint was also laughing secretly, thinking it was a good omen.After a while, Ai Kelinte's expression became serious. "I really don't know how to handle the situation. It must be the first time in history that journalists have been involved in secret police meetings. The issues we're discussing now are in many ways classified as top secret." "I'm not interested in military secrets. All I'm interested in is the 'Zarachenko Club'." "But we have to find a compromise solution. First of all, you are not allowed to mention the names of today's participants in the article." "agree." Aiklint cast a surprised look at Blomkvist. "Secondly, you can't talk to anyone except me and Figuelaura. Only the two of us can decide what can be told to you." "If you have a long list of conditions, you should have stated them yesterday." "I didn't think it through enough yesterday." "Then I have something to say. This is probably the first and only time in my career that I've given the police a piece of a story that hasn't been published. So, to paraphrase you... I really don't know how to handle the situation .” Everyone present was speechless for a while. "Maybe we..." "if we……" Ai Kelinte and Figuelaura spoke at the same time, but fell silent again. "My goal is the 'Zaraqianke Club,'" Blomkvist said. "You also want to sue the 'Zaraqianke Club' members. We will stick to this principle." Ai Kelin nodded. "Well, what do you have over there?" asked Blomkvist. Aiklint explained to Blomkvist the facts unearthed by Figolaura and his team, and showed the photos of Gulbo and Colonel Wennerstrom. "Okay, I want a copy." "It's in the archival data from Orens and Oakland Press," Figuelaura said. "It's sitting on the table in front of me right now, with the words on the back," Blomkvist said. "Give him a copy," Aiklint said. "This means that Zarachenko was murdered by the 'team'." "Murder, plus the suicide of a man with terminal cancer. Gulbo is still alive, but the doctors say it will only last a few weeks at most. His suicide gunshot wound damaged his brain so badly that he is almost in a vegetative state." "Zalachenko was the main person in charge when he defected." "how do you know?" "Six weeks after Zarachenko's defection, Gulbo went to see Prime Minister Fielding." "Do you have proof?" "Yes. Visitor's register in the Prime Minister's office. Gulbe went with the then head of Homeland Security." "The director later died." "But Fielding is alive and willing to talk about it." "Have you not……" "I didn't, it was someone else, I can't name names. Protect sources." Blomkvist tells of Fielding's reaction to Zarachenko's affair and his visit to Young Read in The Hague. "So 'Zalaqianke Club' is somewhere in this building." Blomkvist said, pointing to the photo. "Part of it. We think it's an organization within an organization. Your so-called 'Zaraqianke Club' could not have existed without the support of key people in this building. But we suspect that the 'Special Analysis Team' started anew outside. " "So that's how it works? People who are hired by the NSA, who are paid by the NSA, actually report to another employer?" "Probably so." "So who in this building is working for the Zarachenko Club?" "Not yet, but there are a few suspects." "Mo Tiansen." Blomkvist said tentatively. Ai Kelin nodded. "Mo Tiansen worked for the National Security Bureau. When the 'Zaraqianke Club' needed him, he stopped his regular tasks." Figelora said. "How does it actually work?" "That's a very good question." Ai Kelinte smiled weakly. "Do you want to come and work for us?" "You'll never even think about it for the rest of your life," Blomkvist said. "Of course I'm just joking, but it's a really good question. We're suspecting someone, but we can't confirm it yet." "It seems... this must be someone with administrative power." "What we suspect is Secretary-General Schenk," Figuelaura said. "This is the first stumbling block we encountered." Aiklint said: "We gave you your name, but there is no evidence. So what are you going to do with it?" "I can't release names without evidence. If Schenk is innocent, he can sue Millennium for defamation." "Very well, then we have a consensus. This cooperation must be based on mutual trust. It's your turn. What do you have?" "Three names," Blomkvist said. "The first two were members of the 'Zaraqianke Club' in the eighties." Ai Kelinte and Figuelaura immediately pricked up their ears. "Hans von Rottinger and Frederick Clinton. Rottinger is dead and Clinton has retired, but both of them are from Zarachenko's closest circle." "Where is the third person?" Aiklint asked. "Tyler Polian has contact with him, only know his name is Jonas, don't know what his last name is, but it is certain that he was a member of the 'Zaraqianke Club' in 2005...We even suspect that he may It's the one in the photo with Mo Tiansen at the Kepa Restaurant." "Where did the name Jonas come from?" Salander's hack into Tyler Polion's computer allowed us to trace his letters and discover how he conspired with Jonas in exactly the same way he conspired with Bjork in 1991. "He gave Tyler Pollian an order. Now there is another stumbling block." Blomkvist said to Aiklint with a smile: "I can prove my story, but once I give you the proof sources will be leaked. So you have to take my word for it." Ai Kelinte seemed to be in deep thought. "Maybe Tyler Polian's colleagues in Uppsala. Well, let's start with Clinton and Rottinger. Tell me what you know." Boshe met Erica in the office next to the board meeting room, with a preoccupied look on his face. "I heard you were injured." He said, pointing to her feet. "It'll be fine." Erika said, leaning her crutches against the table and sitting on the visitor's chair. "That... that's good. Erica, you have been working for a month, and I want to know the current situation. What do you think of the situation?" I need to talk to him about Vittavala.But how to talk about it?When will we talk? "I've begun to grasp the situation. It can be said in two ways: on the one hand, the newspaper has financial problems and is being strangled by the budget; on the other hand, there is a lot of garbage in the newsroom." "Aren't there any positive points?" "Of course there are, there are a lot of seasoned professionals who know how to do their job well, the problem is that someone is not letting them do it." "Holm talked to me about..." "I know." Boshe was a little confused. "He has a lot of opinions about you, almost all negative." "It doesn't matter, I also have a lot of opinions on him." "Negative too? That's not good, if the two of you can't work together..." "I can work with him, no problem, he's the problem," Erica said. "I'm driven crazy by him. He's very experienced and certainly the most capable news editor I've ever met. But he's also a jerk like no other. He's always been in the middle of intrigue, sowing discord. I've been in the media business for twenty-five years and I've never seen anyone like him in management." "He has to be tough to do a good job. He has to take pressure from all sides." "Tough, of course, but that doesn't mean being dumb. Unfortunately, Homem is a living disaster and one of the main reasons why our employees barely function as a team. He makes it his job to manage division." "It's serious." "I will give him a month to adjust his attitude. If he still can't do it by then, I will remove him from the position of editor-in-chief." "You can't do that. It's not your job to break down operations." Erica stared at the chairman. "With all due respect, that's why you hired me. We also signed a contract where I was free to change the editorial staff as I wished. My mission here is to revive the newspaper, but I can only do so by changing the organization and procedures. It can be done." "Holm dedicated his life to the newspaper." "That's right, and he is fifty-eight years old this year, and he will retire in six years. I can't afford him to be so burdensome for so long. Boshe, don't get me wrong. From the moment I sat in the glass cage, I It is my goal in life to improve the quality and sales figures of The Swedish Morgan Post. Holm has a choice: do what I want or find another job. Anyone who hinders or tries to hurt the Swedish Morgan Post The Post, I would intimidate him like that." Damn... I have to mention Vitavala.Bosher would be fired. Boshe suddenly smiled. "It seems that you are also very strong." "I am, but unfortunately in this case because it doesn't have to be. My job is to run a good newspaper, and to do that you have to have well-run management and happy colleagues." Erica limped back to the glass cage after her meeting with The Temple, feeling frustrated.I had spent forty-five minutes with Boshe just now and hadn't said a word about Vittavala.In other words, she wasn't particularly direct or honest with him. Sitting in front of the computer, I found You think Boshe can save you, bitch!How are your feet feeling? She raised her eyes involuntarily, looked outside the editorial room, and her eyes fell on Home.He was looking at her too, and then smiled. It could only have been done by someone in the Swedish Morgan Post. After the meeting of the constitutional protection group lasted until past five o'clock, they agreed to meet again next week.If Blomkvist needs to contact the National Security Agency in advance, he can contact Figelora.He put away his laptop and stood up. "How do I get out?" he asked. "Of course you can't run around by yourself," Aiklint said. "I'll take him out," Figuelaura said. "Give me a few minutes, and I'll go to the office and get a few things." Together they walked through the Kronoberg Park towards the Peace House Square. "So what now?" asked Blomkvist. "Keep in touch," Figolaura replied. "I'm beginning to enjoy my contact with the secret police." "Want to have dinner together later?" "A Bosnian restaurant again?" "No, I can't afford to eat out every day. I want a simple meal at my house." She stopped, looked at him with a smile and said: "Do you know what I want to do now?" "have no idea." "I want to take you home and strip you naked." "It's going to be a little weird." "I know. But I'm not going to tell my boss." "It's too early to know how this thing will play out, and we may end up fighting against each other." "I'm willing to take a chance. Well, do you want to come along nicely or do you want me to be handcuffed?" When Erica got home around seven o'clock, Milton Security's advisor was still waiting for her.Her feet throbbed so badly that she staggered into the kitchen and sank into the nearest chair.He made coffee and poured some for her. "Thanks. Is making coffee part of Milton's service?" He smiled politely.Rosin was a stocky, fifty-something man with a reddish goatee. "Thank you for letting me borrow the kitchen today." "That's the bare minimum I can do. What's going on?" "Our technicians have come to install the alarm. I'll show you later. I've also gone through the basement to the attic and studied the surroundings. I'll discuss your situation with Milton's colleagues , and report back to you with the results of our assessment in a few days. Before that, however, we need to discuss a thing or two." "Say it." "First, there are some formalities to go through. The formal contract will come later, depending on what services we agree to provide. This is just a letter of consent, saying that you entrust Milton Security to install the alarm today. This is the standard format documents, explaining that we, Milton, will ask you for some things, and we will also promise you some things, such as a client confidentiality agreement and so on." "You have demands on me?" "Yes. A siren is a siren, and it's totally useless if there's a lunatic standing in your living room with a submachine gun. There are a few things we want you and your husband to be aware of and take some routine steps to keep safe. I'll tell you the details from the beginning." "it is good." "I don't want to predict the final assessment in advance, but here's my take on the overall situation. You two live in a detached house with the beach at the back and next to several large properties. Neighbors don't have an unobstructed view Saw your house. The house is pretty isolated." "That's right." "So when an intruder approaches your home, chances are no one will see it." "The neighbor on the right has been out for a long time, and the neighbor on the left is an old couple who usually go to bed early." "Exactly. Besides that, the houses are gable to gable, almost no windows, etc. Once someone invades your place - and it's only five seconds to turn the road and get to the house." Go to the back—the view is completely blocked. Behind the house there is the fence, the garage and the detached building blocking the view." "That's my husband's studio." "I guess he's an artist?" "Yes. So?" "Whoever smashes your windows and paints the exterior won't be disturbed. Maybe someone will hear the glass shattering and react to it...but your house sits in an L shape and the sound is blocked by the walls Lost." "I see." "The second thing is that your house is very large. The living space is about two hundred and fifty square meters, not including the attic and the basement. There are eleven rooms in two floors." "This house looks like a monster. It was left to my husband by his parents." "There are also different ways to enter the house, such as the front door, the back balcony, the second floor hallway, and the garage. There are also a few windows on the first floor and six windows in the basement. The previous security company did not install alarms. In the end, I You can also use the fire escape at the back of the house to get in through the trap door in the roof to the attic, which is simply a spring-loaded latch." "Sounds like there are several revolving doors to get in. What should we do?" "The alarms installed today are only temporary. We'll be back next week and have every window in the ground floor and basement properly installed. That's a burglar-proof device for when you and your husband aren't home." "it is good." "But the current situation where you are directly threatened by a particular person is much more serious. While it is not known who this person is, what his motivation is, or what he will go to, there are several hypotheses that can be made. If It's just an anonymous threatening letter, we would think it's not a big threat, but this time someone has driven to your house to attack - and Salts Hobagen is not close - it is more worrying." "I agree with that." "I spoke with Armanski today and we agree: Until more information is known about the intimidator, one must proceed with caution." "meaning is……" "First of all, the alarm system installed today consists of two parts, one is the burglar alarm that turns on when you are not at home, and the other is the first floor sensor that will be activated when you go upstairs at night." "Ok." "It's a little inconvenient because you have to turn off the alarm every time you go downstairs." "I understand." "Secondly, we also changed the bedroom door today." "You replaced the whole door?" "Yes, an iron safety door has been modified. Don't worry...the door is painted white, just like a normal bedroom door, the only difference is that it will automatically lock after closing. To open the door from the room, just press the doorknob, just like all ordinary doors Same. But to open the door from the outside, you have to enter a three-digit combination on the doorknob panel." "You guys have done so many things today..." "If you're threatened in your home, you can have a safe room to defend yourself. The door is so strong that even if your attacker has tools at hand, it will take a while to break that door." "It's reassuring." "Thirdly, we will install surveillance video cameras so you can see the courtyard and the first floor from your bedroom. This will be completed within this week, and we will also install motion detectors outside the house." "It sounds like bedrooms won't be so romantic in the future." "It's just a small monitor that can be put in a closet or a cabinet and you won't be able to see it very clearly." "thanks." "In a few days I will replace the door to your study and another room downstairs. If something happens, you need to take cover as soon as possible, lock the door, and wait for rescue." "OK." "If you accidentally touch the anti-theft alarm by mistake, you have to call the Milton Alarm Center immediately to cancel the dispatch of the emergency vehicle. If you want to cancel, you have to say the password registered in advance. If you forget the password, the emergency vehicle will still come. You will be charged a fee." "clear." "Fourth, there are now four places in the house with personal safety alarms, one on the kitchen side, the foyer, the upstairs study, and the bedroom. This alarm has two buttons, and you have to hold them down for three seconds at the same time. This action can One-handed, impossible to accidentally touch. If the personal safety alarm goes off, then three things will happen. First, Milton will send a car, the closest car is Adam Security from Fiske Setra, ten to twelve minutes Two burly men will arrive within two hours. Second, Milton's car will come from Naka, but the reaction time will take twenty minutes at the fastest, but it is more likely to be twenty-five minutes. Third, the police will also get Automatic call. In other words, within a short period of time, that is, within a few minutes, several vehicles will arrive." "it is good." "You can't cancel a personal security alarm like a burglar alarm, you can't call and say it was a false alarm. Even if you come to the driveway and tell us it's okay, the police will still come in. We want to make sure no one in the house holds a gun against you. Mister's head or something. So personal safety alarms should only be used in real danger." "learn." "But it doesn't have to be physically assaulted, it's fine if someone's trying to break in or be in the courtyard, etc. As long as you feel threatened, you should activate the siren, but use your judgment." "I will." "I see you've got golf clubs here and a few other places." "Yes, I slept alone last night." "If I were, I'd go to a hotel. I have nothing against you taking defensive measures yourself, but you know it's easy to kill an intruder with a golf club." "Ok." "If that's the case, you're likely to be charged with wrongful death. If you confess to having golf clubs lying around in self-defense, you might even be charged with murder." "If someone attacked me, I probably really meant to smash his head off." "I understand that. But the purpose of hiring Milton security is so that you don't have to do that. In addition to being able to call for help, the most important thing is that you shouldn't let yourself go to the point where you have to smash other people's heads." "Glad to hear you say that." "By the way, if the intruder has a gun, what are you going to do with those clubs? The key to security is to stay one step ahead of someone who wants to hurt you." "Then tell me, if I'm being followed, how can I be one step ahead?" "You want him never to get close to you. The sirens are still a few days away, and we have to talk to your husband. He has to be equally security conscious." "He will." "Until then, I hope you don't stay here." "I can't go anywhere else. My husband will be back in a few days, but he and I travel a lot, so every once in a while one of us is alone." "I understand, but I only mean the few days before everything is installed. You don't have a friend's house to borrow?" Erika thought of Blomkvist for a moment, but then realized that now might not be a good time. "Thank you, but I'd rather stay here." "I suppose so. Then I hope to have some company with you for the next few days." "This..." "Is there any friend who can come to accompany you?" "Of course there are usually, but it's already 7:30 in the evening, and there's a lunatic hanging around outside." Rosin thought for a moment. "Would you object to letting Milton's employees spend the night here? I can call my colleague Susan to see if she is free tonight. She certainly doesn't mind earning a few hundred crowns as a side note." "What is the actual amount?" "You'll have to talk to her, it's not part of the formal contract. But I really don't want you here alone." "I'm not afraid of the dark." "I know, otherwise you wouldn't have spent the night here last night. Susan was a policeman before, and it was only temporary. If bodyguards are necessary, that's another matter, and the price will be much more expensive." Rosin's seriousness helped.It dawned on her that he was talking calmly about the possible danger to her life.Is he exaggerating?Should his caution be dismissed as a professional habit?If so, why call Milton Security to install the alarm system in the first place? "Okay, call her and I'll prepare the guest room." It wasn't until ten o'clock in the evening that Figelora and Blomkvist went to her kitchen wrapped in sheets, took out the leftover tuna and bacon from the refrigerator to make cold noodle salad, and then ate it with plain water. Figueraura giggled. "What's so funny?" "I thought that if Aiklint saw us like this, he would be very annoyed. I think what he meant by telling me to keep an eye on you was not that he wanted me to sleep with you." "It was all started by you. I only have two choices, if I don't want to be handcuffed, I have to follow obediently." Blomkvist said. "Yes, but you are not difficult to persuade." "Perhaps you don't know it yourself—but I don't think it's likely—that you radiate incredible sex appeal. Who do you think can resist?" "Thanks for the compliment, but I'm not sexy and I don't have sex much." "impossible." "It's true, I haven't slept with too many guys. I had a date this spring, but it's over." "why?" "He was nice, it just turned into a tiring arm-fight. I was better than him and he couldn't stand it. Are you the kind of man who would want to arm-fight me?" "Are you saying I don't care if you're more fit and physically stronger than me? I don't." "Thank you for being honest. I've seen a lot of men who are initially interested in me then challenge me and try to dominate me. Especially when they know I'm a cop." "I will not compete with you. I am better than you in my field of expertise, and you are better than me in your field of expertise." "I can accept this attitude." "Why did you choose me?" "I live entirely on my own desires, and you gave me that desire." "But you are a secret policeman, this is not an ordinary job, and you are still investigating a case related to me..." "You're saying that I'm not professional enough. You're right, I shouldn't do this, and I'll be in big trouble if people find out. Aiklint will definitely be furious." "I won't tell him." "Very gentlemanly." They were silent for a while. "Not sure how it's going to play out. I guess you're more adventurous than the average man, right?" "Unfortunately, exactly. I probably wouldn't want to have a regular girlfriend." "Thanks for the warning. I probably don't want to have a regular boyfriend either. Shall we just stay friends?" "I think this is the best. Figuelaura, I will not tell anyone about our affairs, but if I am not careful, I may have a big conflict with your colleagues." "I don't think so. Ai Kelinte is very honest, and you and our people have the same goals." "I'll find out later." "You and Salander also had a time." Blomkvist stared at her and said, "Listen... I'm not a man who's completely secretive. My relationship with Liz has nothing to do with anyone else." "She is Zarachenko's daughter." "Yes, she has to bear it. But she is not Zarachenko, and the difference is very big." "That's not what I meant. I'm just curious how you got involved in this." "Liz is my friend. That should suffice." Susan from Milton Security arrived at Salt Lake Beach at nine o'clock in the evening, wearing jeans, a black leather jacket, and cloth shoes, and Rosin showed her the house.She carried a green army bag with her laptop, a retractable baton, a can of Macy's spray, handcuffs and a toothbrush, which she unpacked once she entered the guest room. Erica made coffee. “谢谢你的咖啡。你可能把我当成客人一样招待，事实上我不是客人，而是忽然出现在你生活中的必要之恶，不过只是几天的时间。我在警界待了六年，在米尔顿四年，是个训练精良的贴身保镖。” "I know." “你受到恐吓，所以我来这里当守门人，好让你安心地睡觉、工作、看书或是做任何你想做的事。如果需要找人说话，我很乐意倾听。否则我自己带书来了。” "OK." “我的意思是你就过你的日子，不必觉得有必要招呼我，不然你很快就会觉得我碍事。你最好能把我当成临时的工作伙伴。” “这种情况确实让我很不习惯。以前在《千禧年》当总编辑时也遭受过恐吓，但那和工作有关，现在却是一个非常令人讨厌的人……” “特地纠缠你。” “大概可以这么说。” “如果要安排全天候的保镖，得花很多钱。为了让钱花得值得，一定要是非常清楚而明确的恐吓。对我来说，这只是额外的工作。这星期剩下的几天我都会来这里过夜，每晚我只收五百克朗，这非常便宜，远比我接米尔顿的工作所要求的酬劳来得低。你可以接受吗？” “完全没问题。” “如果有事情发生，我要你锁在卧室里，其余交给我来应付。你的任务就是按下人身安全警报器，如此而已。如果遇上麻烦，我不希望你造成妨碍。” 爱莉卡在十一点准备睡觉。关上卧室门时，听见门锁喀嗒一声，随后心事重重地脱衣上床。 苏珊要她不必觉得有义务招待“客人”，但她们还是在厨房餐桌旁聊了两个小时。她发现和苏珊很处得来。她们讨论了某些男人之所以跟踪女人的心理。苏珊说她不信心理学那套，最重要的还是阻止这些王八蛋，她很喜欢米尔顿这份工作，因为她的任务多半都是对付这些疯子。 “那你为什么不继续待在警界呢？”爱莉卡问。 “你应该问说我当初怎么会当警察。” “好，你怎么会去当警察？” “因为我十七岁那年，有个很要好的朋友遭人袭击，还在车内被三个混账王八蛋给强暴了。我进入警界是因为我很理想化地以为，警察的存在就是为了防范类似的犯罪。” “结果……” “我预防不了。身为警察的我总是在罪行发生以后才抵达现场。我无法忍受自己像个白痴一样问一些白痴问题，而且不久以后我发现有些罪行根本没有人管，你就是典型的例子。事情发生时你有没有打电话报警？” "Have." “他们有人来吗？” “应该说没有。他们要我向地方派出所报案。” “所以你就知道了。我替阿曼斯基工作，并且会在罪行发生以前插手。” “处理的大多是受恐吓的妇女吗？” “我会处理各种事件，像安全评估、贴身保护、监视等等，但通常都是有人受到恐吓威胁。我在米尔顿比当警察更有成就感，只可惜有个缺点。” “什么缺点？” “只能为付得起钱的人服务。” 上床后，爱莉卡回想苏珊说的话，不是每个人都负担得起安保费用。她自己接受罗辛的建议换了几扇门、请来技术人员、安装替代性的警报系统等等，眼睛眨都没眨一下。这林林总总算起来花了将近五万克朗。但她付得起。 她思考着自己对于这名恐吓者可能与《瑞典摩根邮报》有关的疑虑。无论如何都是知道她脚受伤的人。她想到霍姆。她不喜欢他，也因此更不信任他，不过打从她拄着拐杖进编辑室那一刻，受伤的消息早已传开了。 而且她还有博舍的问题。 想到这里她忽然坐起身来，皱着眉头环顾卧室。柯特兹那份关于博舍和维塔瓦拉的资料，她放到哪去了？ 她下床穿上睡袍，倚着拐杖走到书房，打开电灯。不对，自从她……前一晚在浴室看过资料后就没有进过书房。她把它放在窗台上了。 她进浴室一看，不在窗台上。 她站了好一会儿，开始担心起来。 她不记得当天早上看到过文件夹，也没有拿到其他地方。 她心中一凛，连忙花了五分钟搜寻浴室，并一一检视堆在厨房与卧室的文件与报纸。最后不得不承认活页夹不见了。 当天早上，从她踩到玻璃碎片到罗辛抵达的这段时间内，有人进入她的浴室拿走了《千禧年》所搜集到的有关维塔瓦拉的资料。 接着她又想到屋里还有其他秘密，于是跛着脚回到卧室，打开床边柜子最下层的抽屉。她的心倏地往下沉。每个人都有秘密，她的秘密就保存在卧室的抽屉柜里。爱莉卡并没有定期写日记，但有一段时间倒是天天写。此外还有青少年时期写的旧情书。 还有一个信封里装了当年感觉很酷的照片，然而……爱莉卡二十五岁时曾加入极端夜总会，参与过为皮绳爱好者筹办的私人派对。各种派对上都拍了照，如果拍照时是清醒的，她会承认自己完全像个疯婆子。 最糟的是还有一卷录像带，是九十年代初她和贝克曼受玻璃艺术家托克尔·柏林格邀请到西班牙阳光海岸度假时拍摄的。假期当中，爱莉卡发现丈夫有非常明显的双性恋倾向，最后两人一起和托克尔上了床。那是个很美好的假期。当时摄影机还是相当新鲜的玩意。他们玩闹中拍下的影片绝对不适合当众播放。 抽屉空了。 我怎么会这么笨？ 抽屉底部被人用喷漆喷上了她已经很熟悉的那两个字。