Erwin has brought the severely burned Harlan to Condor's lair.
“So, by bringing him here, you have redeemed your ambiguous behavior, Erwin. You have shown that you have always been faithful to me, and that I was wrong, thinking that you had failed.”
“I don't blame you for abandoning me like an old shoe, Master. What matters is that we're getting along again.”
“Sure. The student redeems himself and his Master forgives him, a perfect and satisfying ending… If only things really were like that!”
“Ah well! I forgot that the game is rigged in your favor. Those of your lineage know more than we poor humans.”
“You know very well that I can read your mind, Erwin.”
“I have indeed been feeling a slight migraine, for a few moments… Are you trying to read the book of my thoughts, Condor? What chapter have you reached? When does Harlan Draka, before burning, discover from the blood of your undead that you are hiding in this old Spanish mission?”
“I am reading something about you, Erwin Rogers. Something you discovered about yourself, because of Ernesto Guerrero.”
Page 89 “So you've reached that chapter? Please read my thoughts more gently, Master. My head is pounding… to the point that… my vision is blurry.”
“It's just something I choose to show you, Erwin: The truth!”
(Erwin has a vision of Juan Lopez and his blonde wife, with their blond infant son.) “My father… my mother… and that's me!”
“The subversive musician Juan Lopez and his American wife… I eliminated them myself.”
Page 90 “Aaah… I… am Edgardo Lopez!” (Erwin's true father is the activist/musician Juan Lopez, whom Alan Rogers betrayed.)
“Alan Rogers decided to take you in. Your adoptive father was human and prone to sentimental weaknesses. But it was the right choice, all things considered. I know you better than you know yourself. Even at this moment, you have nothing to do with your blood parents. You…”
“I'm a killer, I know it! That's why I chose to return to you, even knowing the truth. I could have become a mediocre musician, but as a killer, I'm the best! And I can still… be useful to you.”
“Who knows? I must first clarify why you lied to me, even about other details.”
“Try to read again… my mind… you’re killing me! Ahh, my head…”
“You just have to stop resisting me, Erwin.”
