Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The - Stieg Larsson [151]
“Mikael…I don’t have words to express what I felt when I read this article. It’s repulsive.”
“It’s a put-up job,” Blomkvist said calmly.
“I hope you understand that I didn’t have the slightest thing to do with this. I choked on my morning coffee when I read it.”
“Then who did?”
“I made some calls. This Torsson is a summer work experience kid. He did the piece on orders from Birger.”
“I thought Birger had no say in the newsroom. After all, he is a councillor and political figure.”
“Technically he has no influence. But the editor in chief of the Courier is Gunnar Karlman, Ingrid’s son, who’s part of the Johan Vanger branch of the family. Birger and Gunnar have been close for many years.”
“I see.”
“Torsson will be fired forthwith.”
“How old is he?”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know. I’ve never met him.”
“Don’t fire him. When he called me he sounded like a very young and inexperienced reporter.”
“This can’t be allowed to pass without consequences.”
“If you want my opinion, the situation seems a bit absurd, when the editor in chief of a publication owned by the Vanger family goes on the attack against another publication in which Henrik Vanger is a part owner and on whose board you sit. Your editor, Karlman, is attacking you and Henrik.”
“I see what you mean, and I ought to lay the blame where it belongs. Karlman is a part owner in the corporation and has always taken pot-shots at me, but this seems more like Birger’s revenge because you had a run-in with him at the hospital. You’re a thorn in his side.”
“I believe it. That’s why I think Torsson is the last person to blame. It takes a lot for an intern to say no when the boss instructs him to write something in a certain way.”
“I could demand that you be given an apology tomorrow.”
“Better not. It would just turn into a long, drawn-out squabble that would make the situation worse.”
“So you don’t think I should do anything?”
“It wouldn’t be any use. Karlman would kick up a fuss and in the worst case you’d be painted as a villain who, in his capacity as owner, is trying to stamp on the freedom of expression.”
“Pardon me, Mikael, but I don’t agree with you. As a matter of fact, I also have the right to express my opinion. My view is that this article stinks—and I intend to make my own point of view clear. However reluctantly, I’m Henrik’s replacement on Millennium’s board, and in that role I am not going to let an offensive article like this one pass unchallenged.”
“Fair enough.”
“So I’m going to demand the right to respond. And if I make Karlman look like an idiot, he has only himself to blame.”
“You must do what you believe is right.”
“For me, it’s also important that you absolutely understand that I have nothing whatsoever to do with this vitriolic attack.”
“I believe you,” Blomkvist said.
“Besides—I didn’t really want to bring this up now, but this just serves to illustrate what we’ve already discussed. It’s important to re-install you on Millennium’s editorial board so that we can show a united front to the world. As long as you’re away, the gossip will continue. I believe in Millennium, and I’m convinced that we can win this fight together.”
“I see your point, but now it’s my turn to disagree with you. I can’t break my contract with Henrik, and the fact is that I wouldn’t want to break it. You see, I really like him. And this thing with Harriet…”
“Yes?”
“I know it’s a running sore for you and I realise that Henrik has been obsessed with it for many years.”
“Just between the two of us—I do love Henrik and he is my mentor—but when it comes to Harriet, he’s almost off his rocker.”
“When I started this job I couldn’t help thinking that it was a waste of time. But I think we’re on the verge of a breakthrough and that it might now be possible to know what