as it was in the '80s, before Millennium was founded and when they worked in separate offices.
"I imagine we'll have to book appointments with each other," Berger said with a faint smile.
On Sunday morning they said a hasty goodbye before Berger drove home to her husband, Greger Beckman.
After she was gone Blomkvist called the hospital in Sahlgrenska and tried to get some information about Salander's condition. Nobody would tell him anything, so finally he called Inspector Erlander, who took pity on him and vouchsafed that, given the circumstances, Salander's condition was fair and the doctors were cautiously optimistic. He asked if he would be able to visit her. Erlander told him that Salander was officially under arrest and that the prosecutor would not allow any visitors, but in any case she was in no condition to be questioned. Erlander said he would call if her condition took a turn for the worse.
When Blomkvist checked his mobile, he saw that he had forty-two messages and texts, almost all of them from journalists. There had been wild speculation in the media after it was revealed that Blomkvist was the one who had found Salander, and had probably saved her life. He was obviously closely connected with the development of events.
He deleted all the messages from reporters and called his sister, Annika, to invite himself for Sunday lunch. Then he called Dragan Armansky, C.E.O. of Milton Security, who was at his home in Lidingo.
"You certainly have a way with headlines," Armansky said.
"I tried to reach you earlier this week. I got a message that you were looking for me, but I just didn't have time - "
"We've been doing our own investigation at Milton. And I understood from Holger Palmgren that you had some information. But it seems you were far ahead of us."
Blomkvist hesitated before he said: "Can I trust you?"
"How do you mean exactly?"
"Are you on Salander's side or not? Can I believe that you want the best for her?"
"I'm her friend. Although, as you know, that's not necessarily the same thing as saying that she's my friend."
"I understand that. But what I'm asking is whether or not you're willing to put yourself in her corner and get into a pitched battle with her enemies."
"I'm on her side," he said.
"Can I share information with you and discuss things with you without the risk of your leaking it to the police or to anyone else?"
"I can't get involved in criminal activity," Armansky said.
"That's not what I asked."
"You can absolutely rely on me as long as you don't reveal that you're engaged in any sort of criminal activity."
"Good enough. We need to meet."
"I'm coming into the city this evening. Dinner?"
"I don't have time today, but I'd be grateful if we could meet tomorrow night. You and I and perhaps a few other people might need to sit down for a chat."
"You're welcome at Milton. Shall we say 6.00?"
"One more thing... I'm seeing my sister, the lawyer Annika Giannini, later this morning. She's considering taking on Salander as a client, but she can't work for nothing. I can pay part of her fee out of my own pocket. Would Milton Security be willing to contribute?"
"That girl is going to need a damned good criminal lawyer. Your sister might not be the best choice, if you'll forgive me for saying so. I've already talked to Milton's chief lawyer and he's looking into it. I was thinking of Peter Althin or someone like that."
"That would be a mistake. Salander needs a totally different kind of legal support. You'll see what I mean when we talk. But would you be willing, in principle, to help?"
"I'd already decided that Milton ought to hire a lawyer for her - "
"Is that a yes or a no? I know what happened to her. I know roughly what's behind it all. And I have a strategy."
Armansky laughed.
"O.K. I'll listen to what you have to say. If I like it, I'm in."
Blomkvist kissed his sister on the cheek and immediately asked: "Are you going to be representing Lisbeth Salander?"
"I'm going to have to say no. You know I'm not a criminal lawyer. Even if she's acquitted of murder, there's going to be a rack of other charges. She's going to need someone with a completely different sort of clout and experience than I have."
"You're wrong. You're a lawyer and you're a recognized authority in women's rights. In my considered view you're precisely the lawyer she needs."