Chapter 3

Friday, December 20–Saturday, December 21

Summary

Blomkvist arrives at the Millennium offices after his trial to meet with Erika Berger, who is editor-in-chief of the magazine and also Blomkvist's long-time, off-and-on-again lover. During their meeting, Blomkvist insists that he step down as the magazine's publisher and take some time to sort out his feelings as well as figure out his next move. Although Berger doesn't want Blomkvist's departure to look like she fired him, she reluctantly agrees that his parting probably would be the best move for the magazine right now.

Erika Berger and Mikael Blomkvist

Despite her presence, however, Blomkvist continues to be unable to sleep and his thoughts shift to his current circumstances. He wonders about Lindberg's role in everything: Did Lindberg really want the story made public or not? Blomkvist considers the idea that Lindberg set him up, then dismisses the thought because Lindberg couldn't have planned their meeting on the island of Arholma. At this point, Blomkvist contemplates his own journalistic philosophy and how he is driven by an inner sense of right and wrong, not by politics. The intrepid reporter is happy Berger shares his vision; he knows that without her, there would be no Millennium.Berger spends the night with Blomkvist and, while she sleeps, he contemplates their history together. They met in journalism school and despite both of them marrying other people, they were unable to stay away from each other. Their love affair caused Blomkvist's wife to leave him whereas Berger's husband accepts sharing his wife with another man, something for which Blomkvist is very thankful.