_There Are Things I Want You to Know_ About Stieg Larsson and Me - Eva Gabrielsson [51]
Wednesday, August 10
PER-ERIK NILSSON phoned to ask me if I’d read his agreement proposal. He says he did his best to look after my interests. “You’re sure that your chief concern is control of the intellectual property, and not the money?” Yes, I assured him, once again.
Friday, August 12
TOWARD THE end of the day, Svante Weyler finally answered my question about the film rights: Erland and Joakim did in fact sign a contract with Norstedts. Absolutely infuriated, I left a message for Per-Erik Nilsson to let him know that contrary to what he’d been told at Norstedts, the contract had definitely been signed.
A FEW days later, I would read an article in the Sydsvenska Dagbladet announcing that The Millennium Trilogy would soon be adapted for film by the Swedish film company Yellow Bird.
Tuesday, August 16
I FINALLY called Joakim to find out about the apartment. He suggested something that was simply beyond belief, saying the problem would be solved if we were to use the apartment jointly … but that this certainly wouldn’t interest me!
Only then did he tell me they were finally going to give me their half of the apartment—and added that he was so fed up with handling all of Stieg’s paperwork that I would have to cope with the red tape involved. Do I dare believe him?
DURING THE following week I went with Britt to see our old neighbors in Onnesmark, where we grew up, not far from Umea. We wanted to see Stieg’s father and brother, but every time Britt called them, they said they were too busy. We were finally able to meet with them in a restaurant in town. They kept sticking to small talk, so after an hour of that I bluntly announced that we had something to discuss: the best way to manage Stieg’s work. After a moment’s thought, Joakim explained that they were afraid that if I had control of the intellectual property, this might be in conflict with the film company’s rights to develop the characters in The Millennium Trilogy. No matter what Britt and I brought up, he kept replying that he would have to talk first with Svante Weyler. Then he reaffirmed their decision to give me their half of the apartment, but repeated that I would have to take care of the formalities.
As we were saying goodbye near the bus stop, Erland began to explain to me that the problem lay in the fact that I might get married someday, which posed a risk for them. “Stieg was the one I wanted to marry,” I replied. Then Joakim suggested that I marry Erland, which would solve all of the problems concerning the division of the estate. I just froze … and Britt stared at him in horror. Of course, he added, this marriage would only be on paper!
Tuesday, August 23
AN EMAIL from Svante Weyler. Ole Sondberg, a producer at Yellow Bird, which bought the Millennium film rights, would like to meet me. They’re about to begin writing the screenplay and are eagerly seeking any information that might help them. Weyler also said that the reviews of Stieg’s first book are fantastic, that he couldn’t imagine a better debut.
So from now on, I know:
Joakim is a double-dealer, acting in bad faith.
Erland is supporting him, because Joakim—not Stieg—is the son he always considered his.
Consequences:
Permanently break off relations with Erland and Joakim.
Do as Stieg said: “Avenge your friends.”
Seek help from other people.
Friday, September 9
I’VE HIRED Erica Striby, of the Bergquist Law Firm, to draw up the deed of gift for their half of the apartment, which she sent off to the Larssons today.
Tuesday, September 13
SVANTE WEYLER is leaving the position of editorial director at Norstedts. Eva Gedin, Stieg’s editor, will replace him. No news from the Larssons.
It’s been ten months since Stieg died. Neither his father nor his brother has asked me where he was buried.
IN THE days that followed, there was no reply to my lawyer’s letter about deeding over the other half of the apartment. If Stieg knew that his publisher wanted, against his wishes, to make a film from his books, he would be furious and react violently to this betrayal. But if