Well, actually not a disagreement - we're just not certain. We would rather not speculate."
"Tell me."
Blomkvist described to him the subject of Svensson's book, and how he and Berger had been discussing whether it might have some connection to the murders. Bublanski sat quietly for a moment, digesting the information.
"So Dag Svensson was about to expose police officers."
He did not at all like the turn the conversation had taken, and imagined how a "police trail" might wander back and forth in the media and give rise to all kinds of conspiracy theories.
"No," Blomkvist said. "He was about to expose criminals, a few of whom happen to be police officers. There are also one or two members of my own profession, namely journalists."
"And you're thinking of publishing this information now?"
Blomkvist turned to look at Berger.
"No," she said. "We've spent the day working on the next issue. In all probability we'll publish Svensson's book, but that won't happen until we know exactly what's going on. In light of what has happened, the book will have to be extensively reworked. We will do nothing to sabotage the investigation into the murder of our two friends, if that's what you're worried about."
"I'll have to take a look at Svensson's desk, but since these are the editorial offices of a magazine it might be a sensitive thing to put in hand a complete search."
"You'll find all Dag's material in his laptop," Berger said.
"I've gone through his desk," Blomkvist said. "I've taken some documents that directly identify sources who want to remain anonymous. You are at liberty to examine everything else, and I've put a note on the desk to the effect that nothing may be touched or moved. The problem is that the contents of the book absolutely have to remain under wraps until it's printed. We badly need to avoid having the text passed around the police force, the more so since we're going to hang one or two policemen out to dry."
Shit, Bublanski thought. Why didn't I come straight here this morning? But he only nodded and changed tack.
"OK. We have a person we want to question in connection with the murders. I believe it's someone you know. I'd like to hear what you have to say about a woman named Lisbeth Salander."
For a second Blomkvist looked like a virtual question mark. Bublanski noted that Berger gave her colleague a sharp look.
"Now I don't understand."
"You know Lisbeth Salander?"
"Yes, I do know her."
"How do you know her?"
"Why do you ask?"
Bublanski was obviously irritated, but all he said was, "I'd like to interview her in connection with the murders. How do you know her?"
"But... that doesn't make sense. Lisbeth Salander has no connection whatsoever to Dag Svensson or Mia Johansson."
"That's something we'll establish in due course," Bublanski said patiently. "But my question remains. How do you know Lisbeth Salander?"
Blomkvist stroked the stubble on his chin and then rubbed his eyes as thoughts tumbled around in his head. At last he met Bublanski's gaze.
"I hired her about two years ago to do some research for me on a completely different project."
"What was that project?"
"I'm sorry, but now you'll have to take my word for it: it didn't have the slightest thing to do with Dag Svensson or Mia Johansson. And it's all over."
Bublanski did not like it when someone claimed there were matters that could not be discussed even in a murder investigation, but he chose to drop it for the time being.
"When was the last time you saw Salander?"
Blomkvist paused before he spoke.
"Here's how it is. During the autumn two years ago I was seeing her. The relationship ended around Christmas of that year. Then she disappeared from the city. I hadn't seen her for more than a year until a week ago."
Berger raised her eyebrows. Bublanski surmised that this was news to her.
"Tell me where you saw her."
Blomkvist took a deep breath and then gave a brisk account of the events on Lundagatan. Bublanski listened with gathering astonishment, unsure how much of the story Blomkvist was making up.
"So you didn't talk to her?"
"No, she disappeared on upper Lundagatan. I waited a long time, but she never came back. I wrote her a note and asked her to get in touch with me."
"And you're quite sure you know of no connection between her and the couple in Enskede."
"I am certain of it."
"Can you describe the man you say you saw attack her?"
"Not in detail. He attacked, and she defended herself and fled. I saw