The Girl Who Played With Fire

Blomkvist finishes editing the completed portion of Dag’s manuscript. Like Blomkvist in financial reporting, Dag is exposing criminals who are usually protected by the media. Everyone in the office is gone for Easter vacation, and Blomkvist smokes and goes through Lisbeth’s bag. He has not been able to contact Lisbeth, but he finds a notebook filled with equations in the bag. The last equation is (Blond Hulk + Magge) = NEB, but Blomkvist does not understand it.

Berger considers a job offer from Svenska Morgon-Posten, a large, conservative newsgroup. She loves working at Millennium with Blomkvist, but she does not want to miss the opportunity to become a more serious player in Swedish news.

Blomkvist has dinner with his sister’s family and gets a call from Dag, who wants to investigate Zala for his book. Blomkvist says that he cannot add something so close to the deadline, but they agree to meet and hand off materials later.

Lisbeth visits Dag and Mia, who do not know who she is. Lisbeth wants to know what they have found regarding Alexander Zala, and Dag is shocked to learn Zala’s first name.

Blomkvist’s sister, Annika, drives him to Dag and Mia’s apartment. Blomkvist tells Annika about Lisbeth and about Dag and Mia’s work, asking Annika to read Dag’s manuscript as a lawyer. When Blomkvist gets to Dag and Mia’s place, neighbors are gathered around their open door. Inside, Blomkvist finds that Dag and Mia have both been killed by a shot to the head. Blomkvist calls the police and spots the murder weapon by the door. In shock, Blomkvist goes back to Annika.

Officers Magnusson and Ohlsson arrive to investigate the scene and bring Blomkvist in for questioning. They look over the scene but discover nothing new. Inspector Nyberg asks Blomkvist endless questions, seemingly framing him as a suspect, but Annika provides an alibi and ends the questioning as Blomkvist’s lawyer. Blomkvist asks Annika to bring him to Berger’s home.

Blomkvist goes to Berger’s home, and Greger answers the door. Blomkvist usually avoids Berger’s home because her marriage makes him uncomfortable, but now he tells Greger and Berger about Dag’s and Mia’s deaths.

The next day, the Millennium staff gather to discuss the murders. They are not sure whether the book and thesis were the reason for the killings, but they agree to push back the publication date and hire extra security. They still want to publish Dag’s work, but they do not know how to handle the sources and expertise that they needed from Dag and Mia. They split into teams to arrange a new issue of Millennium and start investigating the murders.

Blomkvist calls Harriet and warns her that reporters may investigate Millennium when they hear what Dag was working on.

Prosecutor Ekstrom is given Dag and Mia’s case, which he assigns to Criminal Inspector Jan Bublanski, “Officer Bubble.” Ekstrom assigns Hans Faste, Curt Andersson, and Jerker Holmberg to Bublanski’s command, and Bublanski requests Sonja Modig, too. They both worry about pressure from the media.

Bublanski meets with the team. Modig is good at making connections, and Holmberg is the best crime scene investigator Bublanski knows. Andersson is temperamental, and Faste, though experienced, has an unpleasant sense of humor. They meet with Inspector Nyberg and Superintendent Martensson, who provide details from the murder scene. The group concludes that a lone gunman, trained with firearms, entered the apartment, killed Dag and Mia, dropped the gun, and disappeared in a matter of moments. Bublanski assigns Holmberg to investigate the crime scene and Faste and Andersson to investigate Dag and Mia, while Modig and himself review existing witness statements.

Blomkvist organizes Dag’s materials, destroying anything that discusses confidential sources. After hours of copying, he takes a break, expecting the police to arrive at any time to search Dag’s belongings.

Bublanski receives word from Forensics that the gun at the scene is likely the murder weapon; it belongs to Bjurman. Along with Bjurman’s prints, they also found Lisbeth’s prints on the gun.

Blomkvist decides to go through Dag’s materials to look for anything that might help solve Dag’s and Mia’s murders.

Bublanski and Modig investigate Bjurman’s home and office, but he is not there. They ask a neighbor about Bjurman and find that he became ill two years ago. Faste and Andersson decide to investigate Lisbeth.

Ekstrom calls in Bublanski, Modig, Faste, Andersson, and Holmberg to report their findings. Modig and Bublanski could not find Bjurman, but Faste got information on Lisbeth from Welfare and the Guardianship Agency. Faste reports that Lisbeth has a mental illness and is incompetent and dangerous, leading everyone to agree that she is their prime suspect. They decide to find a connection between Lisbeth, Dag, and Mia. 

Bublanski goes to meet Dragan Armansky and tells him about the murders. Bublanski is surprised when Armansky speaks highly of Lisbeth. Armansky cannot say that Lisbeth would not commit murder, but he assures Bublanski that Lisbeth is not violent or a sex worker. Armansky points Bublanski to Palmgren and Blomkvist as possible connections to Lisbeth, and Bublanski sees Blomkvist as a link between Lisbeth, Mia, and Dag.

Modig investigates Bjurman’s apartment and finds the door unlocked. Inside, she finds Bjurman nude and slumped; he has been killed by a gunshot to the back of his head.

Ekstrom calls Faste and Andersson, who are staking out Lisbeth’s Lundagatan apartment, and tells them that Lisbeth is now wanted for three murders. Ekstrom sends a van to clear out Lisbeth’s apartment, and Faste comments that Lisbeth “look[s] like a bitch” (206).

Blomkvist finishes reviewing Dag’s manuscript, and he and Berger agree to publish it later, with additions from Blomkvist. Bublanski comes in and asks about the night of Dag’s and Mia’s murders. Blomkvist tells him the events of the evening, but he becomes confused when Bublanski asks about Lisbeth. Blomkvist tells Bublanski about his relationship with Lisbeth, which (like Armansky’s description) contradicts what Faste found in Lisbeth’s records. Bublanski gets frustrated, but he has to leave when Faste calls to tell him that they are searching Lisbeth’s apartment. Bublanski tells Blomkvist and Berger that Lisbeth is being charged with three murders, which shocks them.

The police break into Lisbeth’s apartment, and Faste comments on Mimmi’s provocative wardrobe. After finding only clothes and mail belonging to Mimmi, Bublanski concludes that Lisbeth does not live on Lundagatan.

Berger calls Christer Malm, Millennium’s art director, to tell him that Lisbeth is a suspect in Dag’s and Mia’s murders, and Cortez, a journalist at Millennium, fails to get any comment from Ekstrom.

Holmberg searches Dag and Mia’s apartment and finds nothing of note, commenting that they were a rather “dull” couple. He is impressed by Mia’s thesis, but he cannot find Dag’s work computer.

Bublanski and Faste report to Ekstrom that they need to find Lisbeth. Faste makes discriminatory remarks about Lisbeth and Mimmi based on Mimmi’s clothing, but Bublanski shuts him down. Ekstrom speculates that Mia’s research into sex workers may have led her to Lisbeth and Mimmi, who killed Mia to keep her quiet.

Berger and Blomkvist struggle to figure out a course of action, and the other Millennium employees are confused, not knowing Lisbeth’s role in the Wennerstrom Affair.

Ekstrom gives a press conference, naming Lisbeth as the prime suspect in Bjurman’s, Dag’s, and Mia’s murders. Bublanski steps in to dissuade the reporters from jumping to conclusions.

Bublanski meets Modig at Bjurman’s apartment and tells her that the different reports on Lisbeth are confusing. Forensics removes Bjurman’s body, revealing the tattoo across his abdomen, which Modig thinks could be Lisbeth’s motive.

Blomkvist eats dinner at home and reflects that he knows little about Lisbeth’s life. He did not know that she was previously in a psychiatric hospital or declared incompetent, but he cannot accept the police’s opinion that she killed Dag and Mia.

Blomkvist and Eriksson, Millennium’s managing editor, go through Dag’s notes and see Lisbeth’s photo in the news. Blomkvist asks Annika to represent Lisbeth if she is caught. Modig comes to Blomkvist’s home to retrieve Lisbeth’s bag and tries to convince Blomkvist to help turn Lisbeth in. Modig reveals that Dag’s laptop is missing.

Modig leaves, and Eriksson questions Blomkvist about Lisbeth. Blomkvist is unwilling to discuss specific details, but he assures Eriksson that Lisbeth is an asset to Millennium and once saved Blomkvist’s life. Blomkvist admits that Lisbeth can be violent, but only when she is provoked. Eriksson cannot see a link between Lisbeth, Dag, and Mia, and Blomkvist realizes that Lisbeth could have hacked his computer to read Dag and Mia’s work.

Armansky struggles to understand why Lisbeth would kill someone. He accepts that the police are likely right to suspect Lisbeth, but he knows that they are ready to call the murders an act of “insanity” if they cannot find a motive, which troubles him. He thinks that Lisbeth is strange but does not have a mental illness. He makes a decision.

Armansky starts writing a document listing the facts he knows about Lisbeth.

A reporter calls Blomkvist, looking for a statement. Blomkvist is irritated when the reporter wants to know what Dag was doing for Millennium. Blomkvist plans to use his statement to the reporter to lure Lisbeth into contacting him. Blomkvist gives the reporter a quote, stating that Dag was investigating computer hacking. He then writes a note to Lisbeth on his laptop, leaving it on his desktop for her to find. The note asks Lisbeth for any connection between Dag, Mia, and Bjurman and offers Annika’s services as a lawyer.

Armansky meets with three Milton Security employees: Johan Fraklund, Sonny Bohman, and Niklas Hedstrom. He tells them that they are being reassigned to investigate Lisbeth’s involvement in Dag’s, Mia’s, and Bjurman’s deaths. All three employees dislike Lisbeth and think she is guilty, but Armansky arranges for them to join Bublanski’s team. Armansky wants to know the truth, and he intends to share all his information with the police.

Faste calls a meeting with Bublanski’s team and Dr. Peter Teleborian, who treated Lisbeth at St. Stefan’s when she was 13. Teleborian says that Lisbeth’s outburst is likely the result of psychosis and notes that he opposed her release from the hospital into guardianship. Teleborian reveals that Lisbeth responded to insults and threats with violence even as a child, but he admits that he diagnosed her despite Lisbeth’s refusal to talk or interact with treatment. Faste assumes that Teleborian’s analysis is that Lisbeth is violent and erratic, while Modig questions how Teleborian can diagnose a patient he has not seen in years. Teleborian hesitates to form a full diagnosis, but he recommends that the police treat Lisbeth as dangerous and predicts that she will be sentenced to psychiatric treatment.

Bublanski’s team is convinced of Lisbeth’s guilt, while Armansky’s team tries to find a mitigating circumstance in Lisbeth’s favor. Millennium, led by Blomkvist, searches for proof of Lisbeth’s innocence and the real murderer.

Hedstrom wants to catch Lisbeth to discredit her. When Hedstrom first came to Milton Security, he stole nude photos of a client, a former star who hired Milton Security because she was being stalked. Lisbeth found out that Hedstrom sold the photos online and threatened to expose him.

Bublanski’s team meets with Bohman, Hedstrom, and officers from the National Criminal Police to review what they know about Lisbeth. They know that Lisbeth does not live on Lundagatan, and the group agrees that Lisbeth is dangerous and evasive. They find bondage pornography on Bjurman’s computer and the tattoo on his stomach, causing a debate over whether Bjurman assaulted Lisbeth or was in a consenting, BDSM relationship with her. Faste suspects that Blomkvist is lying about Lundin attacking Lisbeth and posits that Lisbeth and Mimmi were involved in sex trafficking, leading them to kill Dag and Mia. Modig notes that Faste is speculating without evidence.

Magnus Borgsjo, CEO of Svenska Morgon-Posten, tells Berger that she must take the job at the newspaper earlier than expected. Berger is unsure whether she can leave Millennium during a crisis and insists on keeping her shares and position on the board at Millennium.

Blomkvist and Eriksson compile a list of possible suspects from Dag’s book. Blomkvist plans to confront the johns (the sex workers’ clients), while Eriksson will investigate the unidentified people in the book and Bjurman.

Harriet Vanger calls Blomkvist to invite him to her hotel. She is concerned that Lisbeth will expose the Vanger family’s history, but Blomkvist assures her that Lisbeth will not break her word.

Blomkvist gets home and finds a new document on his computer from Lisbeth that simply reads “Zala.” Blomkvist writes a new document asking Lisbeth for more information, and she replies in moments, telling him to find out for himself. Blomkvist asks for more information, but she does not reply.

Blomkvist finds Dag’s police contact, Gulbrandsen. Berger gives him her car, insisting that he also bring a can of Mace.

Bublanski’s team realizes that they have been too focused on finding Lisbeth. They plan to search Dag’s office at Millennium.

At Millennium, Dag’s phone rings, and Blomkvist answers with the fake company name that Dag sent to Bjorck for the lottery scam. Blomkvist says that they need to interview Bjorck in person, and Bjorck agrees.

Paolo Roberto, Lisbeth’s boxing instructor, lands in Sweden and is shocked by the news that Lisbeth is wanted for three murders.

Blomkvist finds another note from Lisbeth; she asks why Ekstrom has not leaked the “old police report” (274). Blomkvist assures Lisbeth that he is trying to help her and wants to solve Dag’s and Mia’s murders. He hints that he knows how Lisbeth got Wennerstrom’s money. Lisbeth says that she will consider working with Blomkvist.

Faste receives word that Mimmi returned to Lundagatan and brings her to the police station. Bublanski and Modig question Mimmi, and Faste makes provocative comments about Mimmi’s sexuality. Mimmi is obstinate but reveals that she was visiting her parents and had not heard about the search for Lisbeth.

When Blomkvist confronts Bjorck with photos of women he abused, Bjorck realizes that the lottery letter was a scam.

Mimmi tells Bublanski’s team about her relationship with Lisbeth, even though they find it hard to believe. Faste thinks of Mimmi as an “arrogant bitch” who is hiding something about the “fucking whore” (279), Lisbeth. Mimmi reveals that Lisbeth has a car, and Bublanski sends Holmberg to investigate.

Bjorck, the assistant chief of the immigration division at Sapo, pleads with Blomkvist to omit his name from Dag’s book. Blomkvist notes that Bjorck argues for compassion after abusing women. Bjorck implies that he has information on Zala, and Blomkvist tricks Bjorck into talking about Zala by offering to omit him from the publication.

Faste tries to provoke Mimmi with questions about Lisbeth and Mimmi’s sexuality, but Mimmi turns the questions back on Faste, upsetting him. Modig pauses the interview and criticizes Faste in the hallway for being unprofessional. Faste calls Mimmi a “cunt” and suggests that Modig wants to have sex with her. Modig slaps Faste and returns to Mimmi, who agrees to talk about Lisbeth.

Bublanski apologizes for Faste’s behavior and asks Mimmi about Lisbeth. Mimmi tells Bublanski that Lisbeth is intelligent and rigid and that she would never engage in sex work or murder someone.

Bublanski has Faste, Andersson, and Bohman continue the search for Lisbeth but tells Modig and Hedstrom to look for new suspects.

Modig apologizes to Bublanski for slapping Faste. Bublanski considers Faste’s comments sexual harassment, and he assures Modig that he supports her.

Hedstrom calls a reporter, Tony Scala, and exaggerates Mimmi and Lisbeth’s relationship. Hedstrom likes Faste and wants to keep Lisbeth as the primary suspect.

Mimmi goes home and feels violated by the police search. Scala comes to her door and takes a picture of her, asking if she has any information on Lisbeth. Mimmi shuts the door and slams the mail slot on Scala’s hand.

Blomkvist interviews another john who is unashamed of his past with sex workers. Eriksson calls Blomkvist to report that Mimmi was released from police custody.

Badgered by reporters, Mimmi decides to spend the night with a friend. Blomkvist arrives five minutes after Mimmi has left.

Bublanski asks if Modig leaked information to Scala, who referred to his source as “she.” Modig denies it, and she and Bublanski agree that Faste most likely leaked the information.

Bublanski sees the headline “Police Tracking Lesbian Satanist Cult” (292). He does not think that Faste leaked the information, but he knows he needs to address Faste’s behavior. At Lisbeth’s apartment, Bublanski encounters Blomkvist.

Mimmi leaves her friend’s apartment, sees the headlines, and runs back.

Blomkvist and Bublanski get coffee. Blomkvist is sure that Lisbeth is innocent. Blomkvist debates telling Bublanski about Zala and Bjorck, but he decides against it. Blomkvist asks for Mimmi’s phone number, which Bublanski refuses to give him, and then threatens to expose the incompetence of the police when he finds the real killer.

Although Bublanski is Jewish, he stops in a Catholic church, lamenting the complexity of the case.

Bjorck calls his former boss, worried that he might become implicated in Lisbeth’s case. His boss confirms that Bjurman was specifically chosen as Lisbeth’s guardian and implies a connection between Bjorck, Bjurman, and Alexander Zalachenko. Bjorck worries that a report he gave Bjurman from 1991, discussing Zala, might connect him to Bjurman’s death.

Bublanski sends Mimmi’s phone number to Blomkvist, who calls Mimmi and tells her who he is. She hangs up.