Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own creations.
Author's Note: After requests to extends this series, my muse has obliged and "The Family Apart" will now be a three-parter.
"Lisbeth Salander?"
Lisbeth looked up from her desk to find an important looking man standing before her desk. Sitting back in her chair calmly, she held his gaze.
"Special Agent Johansson." He flipped out a badge, which she ignored.
He fumbled slightly as she continued to just look at him. "I... erm..." He collected himself. "I have a warrant for your arrest."
He was used to people sweating, denying and even running on occasion, but all this woman did was sit there, steepling her fingers underneath her chin.
She had to be the calmest criminal he had ever come across.
"What is going on here?"
Johansson saw the first flicker of emotion at the sound of the new voice. She turned as the latest arrival stormed toward them.
"Mikael Blomkvist?" he enquired.
"Yes?" came the impatient response.
"Were you aware that your employee has hacked into the national secure databases?" He paused for effect. "On several occasions?"
He never blinked. "Where is your evidence of that?" he demanded to know.
"Rest assured Mr Blomkvist that we have evidence aplenty, but for now we need Ms Salander in custody to answer the charge."
Clicking his fingers, his team appeared. "Remove the laptop and hard drive," he ordered.
Ignoring the Millennium editor, he turned to the still silent young woman. "Ms Salander?"
Extending a hand, his eyes widened slightly as she braced palms on the desk and rose, looking distinctly pregnant. He tamped down the flash of pity he felt.
"Right this way ma'am."
She had nothing to defend herself with, and in fact didn't even try. The judge reviewed the case, took one look at her and sentenced her to four months in prison.
Coming up: Promise me.