"Hit men. They've been flitting back and forth between Belgrade and Stockholm. Their uncle has a restaurant in Norrmalm, and they've apparently worked there once in a while. We've had reports that they were mixed up in at least two of the killings in what was known as the 'cigarette war', but we never got close to charging them with anything." Figuerola gazed mutely at the photographs. Then suddenly she turned pale as a ghost. She stared at Edklinth. "Blomkvist," she cried with panic in her voice. "They're not just planning to involve him in a scandal, they're planning to murder him. Then the police will find the cocaine during the investigation and draw their own conclusions." Edklinth stared back at her. "He's supposed to be meeting Erika Berger at Samir's Cauldron," Figuerola said. She grabbed Andersson by the shoulder. "Are you armeda" "Yes …" "Come with me." Figuerola rushed out of the conference room.
Her office was three doors down. She ran in and took her service weapon from the desk drawer. Against all regulations she left the door to her office unlocked and wide open as she raced off towards the lifts. Andersson hesitated for a second. "Go," Bublanski told him. "Sonja, you go with them too." Blomkvist got to Samir's Cauldron at 6.20. Berger had just arrived and found a table near the bar, not far from the entrance. He kissed her on the cheek. They both ordered lamb stew and strong beers from the waiter. "How was the She womana" Berger said. "Cool, as usual." Berger laughed. "If you don't watch out you're going to become obsessed by her. Imagine, a woman who can resist the famous Blomkvist charm." "There are in fact several women who haven't fallen for me over the years," Blomkvist said. "How has your day beena"
"Wasted. But I accepted an invitation to be on a panel to debate the whole S.M.P. business at the Publicists' Club. That will be my final contribution." "Great." "It's just such a relief to be back at Millennium." "You have no idea how good it is that you're back. I'm still elated." "It's fun to be at work again." "Mmm." "I'm happy." "And I have to go to the gents'," Blomkvist said, getting up. He almost collided with a man who had just walked in. Blomkvist noticed that he looked vaguely eastern European and was staring at him. Then he saw the sub-machine gun.
As they passed Riddarholmen, Edklinth called to tell them that neither Blomkvist nor Berger were answering their mobiles. They had presumably turned them off for dinner. Figuerola swore and passed Sadermalmstorg at a speed of close to eighty kilometres an hour. She kept her horn pressed down and made a sharp turn on to Hornsgatan. Andersson had to brace himself against the door. He had taken out his gun and checked the magazine. Modig did the same in the back seat. "We have to call for back-up," Andersson said. "You don't play games with the Oolong Tea Benefits." Figuerola ground her teeth. "This is what we'll do," she said. "Sonja and I will go straight into the restaurant and hope they're sitting inside. Curt, you know what these guys look like, so you stay outside and keep watch."
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