who has been documented as having violent tendencies. We should be asking what the hell she's doing out on the streets at all."
"She's had violent tendencies since she was in elementary school," said Faste. "She seems to be a real psycho."
"But so far we have nothing to link her to the couple in Enskede." Ekstrom drummed his fingertips on the tabletop. "This double murder may not be so hard to solve after all. Have we got an address for Salander?"
"On Lundagatan in Sodermalm. Tax records show that she declared periodic income from Milton Security."
"And what in God's name was she doing for them?"
"I don't know. It's a pretty modest annual income for several years. Maybe she's a cleaning woman or something."
"Hmm," Ekstrom said. "We'll have that checked out. Right now we have to find her."
"We'll have to work out the details gradually," Bublanski said. "But now we have a suspect. Hans, you and Curt go down to Lundagatan and pick up Salander. Be careful - we don't know if she has other weapons, and we don't really know how dangerous she may be."
"OK."
"Bubble," Ekstrom said, "the head of Milton Security is Dragan Armansky. I met him on a case a few years ago. He's reliable. Go to his office and have a private talk with him about Salander. You'd better get there before he leaves for the day."
Bublanski was visibly annoyed, partly because Ekstrom had used his nickname, partly because he had formulated his request as an order.
"Modig," Bublanski said, "keep looking for Bjurman. Knock on all the neighbours' doors. I think it's just as important to find him."
"OK."
"We have to find the connection between Salander and the couple in Enskede. And we have to place Salander down in Enskede at the time of the murders. Jerker, get some pictures of her and check with everyone who lives in the apartment building. Knock on doors this evening. Get some uniforms to help you out."
Bublanski paused and scratched the back of his neck.
"Damn, with a little luck we could tie up this mess tonight - and I thought this was going to be a long, drawn - out affair."
"One more thing," Ekstrom said. "The media are obviously pressuring us. I've promised them a press conference at 3:00 p.m. I can handle it provided I get somebody from the press office to help out. I'm guessing that a number of journalists will call you directly as well. We'll say nothing at all about Salander and Bjurman for as long as need be."
Armansky had considered going home early. It was Maundy Thursday and he and his wife had planned to go to their summer cabin on Blido over the Easter weekend. He had just closed his briefcase and put on his coat when the receptionist buzzed him and said that Criminal Inspector Jan Bublanski was looking for him. Armansky did not know Bublanski, but the fact that a senior police officer had come to the office was enough to make him hang his coat back on the coatrack. He did not feel like seeing anyone at all, but Milton Security could not afford to ignore the police. He met Bublanski by the elevator in the corridor.
"Thanks for taking the time to see me," Bublanski said. "My boss sends his greetings - Prosecutor Ekstrom."
They shook hands.
"Ekstrom - I've had dealings with him a few times. It's been several years. Would you like some coffee?"
Armansky stopped at the coffee machine and pressed the buttons for two cups before he invited Bublanski into his office and offered him the comfortable chair by the window.
"Armansky... Russian?" Bublanski said. "My name ends in-ski too."
"My family comes from Armenia. And yours?"
"Poland."
"How can I help you?"
Bublanski took out his notebook.
"I'm investigating the killings in Enskede. I assume you heard the news today."
Armansky gave a brisk nod.
"Ekstrom said that you're discreet."
"In my position it pays to cooperate with the police. I can keep a secret, if that's what you're wondering."
"Good. We're looking for an individual who worked for your company at one time. Lisbeth Salander. Do you know her?"
Armansky felt a lump of cement form in his stomach. His expression did not change.
"And why are you looking for Froken Salander?"
"Let's say that we have reason to consider her a person of interest in the investigation."
The lump of cement in Armansky's stomach expanded. It almost caused him physical pain. Since the day he had first met Salander he had had a strong presentiment that her life was on a trajectory towards