Vanger details the circumstances of Harriet’s disappearance for Blomkvist. September 24, 1966, the day Harriet was last seen, was also the day of the Children’s Parade in town when an oil truck crashed on the bridge, thereby obstructing all traffic. Harriet attended the parade and was seen back on Hedeby Island between 2:10pm and 2:55pm. She wanted to speak with Vanger about something, but he was busy and promised to find her later in the day. Vanger accounts for 64 people who were in Hedeby that day, consisting mostly of family members present for a gathering. He is convinced that Harriet died neither by suicide nor an accident since her body was never recovered despite extensive searches. He also dismisses the theory that she ran away since the bridge was unpassable and bystanders would have noticed her crossing by water. He concludes that a family member must have murdered her and disposed of the body.

Back in Stockholm, Salander finishes reading Blomkvist’s book, The Knights Templar: A Cautionary Tale for Financial Reporters. She notes his skill as a persuasive writer with an ironic tone. The book is a scathing indictment of finance journalism and reiterates Blomkvist’s view that, despite being one of them, finance reporters lack critical thinking and objectivity.