The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Salander spends a month on an elaborate plan to siphon money from Wennerström’s personal bank account in the Cayman Islands. Her scheme requires money, and she turns to Blomkvist for a loan with the pretext of investing the amount. Blomkvist tells her he intends to split his payment from Vanger with her, but she refuses to take the money. Instead, she borrows 120,000 kroner from him and flies to Zurich.

Using fake passports, Salander disguises herself as two different women: Monica Sholes and Irene Nesser. She installs a program on Wennerström’s computer to allow her to transfer his money into various accounts without his knowledge. As Monica Sholes, a blonde in heavy make-up, she registers at a luxury hotel and purchases designer clothes and jewelry to pass as a wealthy banking client. At one bank, she empties Wennerström’s personal account of $260 million and converts the money into private bonds. As Irene Nesser, she opens several accounts at multiple banks, depositing and transferring smaller sums that she disperses and reroutes to different accounts around the world. Traveling as Irene, she destroys Monica’s disguise and passport and returns to Sweden.

Blomkvist’s publishes his exposé on Wennerström and releases his book, The Mafia Banker, a few days later. The ensuing media storm eventually settles in support of Blomkvist and Millennium. Newspapers hail Blomkvist’s return as “MILLENNIUM’S REVENGE” (625), and Blomkvist himself begins to take on legendary status as a hero who went to prison to protect his source. In a persuasive interview that turns public opinion in his favor, Blomkvist argues that the profiteers from the stock market have more allegiance to their own interests than interest in protecting the Swedish economy. He believes that the media is responsible for investigating rather than idolizing billionaires like Wennerström, whose empire was connected both directly and indirectly to international arms deals, drug trades, and sex trafficking.

Wennerström disappears, and Salander monitors his movements by tracking his computer. When the Swedish authorities called off their manhunt after six months, she tips off one of the many people to whom Wennerström is indebted. Four days later, Wennerström is found in Spain dead from gunshots. Blomkvist reads in the Financial Times about a female accomplice who had helped Wennerström empty his personal account and flee. Blomkvist scrutinizes the accompanying photo, taken from a surveillance camera, and bursts out laughing when he recognizes Salander.

On Christmas Eve, Blomkvist visits his ex-wife and daughter, Pernilla, and then meets Salander to spend the holidays together in his Sandhamn cabin. Salander admits to herself that she has fallen in love with Blomkvist, and the frightening thought causes her to distance herself at the end of their trip.

After Christmas, Blomkvist visits Vanger, who finalizes his payment and tells him that Harriet will be his successor at Vanger Corporation. Since he has agreed to cover up the murders, Blomkvist sees no point in publishing an edited form of the family history. He feels corrupt and defeated. Vanger tells Blomkvist that he does not believe he could ever be bribed and that he is prioritizing his role as a human being over that of a journalist.

Back in Stockholm, Salander starts fresh and cleans years of rubbish lying around her apartment. She overcomes her fear of rejection and decides to tell Blomkvist her feelings. On her way to his apartment, she stops off to buy him a Christmas gift: a sign depicting Elvis Presley with the words “Heartbreak Hotel.” At a distance from his place, she sees him exit with Berger’s arm around his waist and flushes with anger. She fantasizes about injuring Berger, but invokes the “[a]nalysis of consequences” and calms down. She calls herself a fool and walks home, dumping his gift in the trash.