The Million-Dollar Heart

Brody snorted coldly at Vivienne. "Just you wait. I'll concoct a poison that makes yours look like cherry soda, and you won't even know what hit you when you're lying six feet under!" Without missing a beat, Brian's hand connected with a resounding smack to the back of Brody's head. "What's with that tone? You talking to Vivienne like that? Looking for a knuckle sandwich?" "You already gave me one!" Brody roared back.

Brian, unimpressed, hoisted Brody up by his collar and started fiddling with his face, poking and prodding. "Your face is quite real, isn't it?"

Right now, Brody was tied up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey, unable to make any moves, much less poison anyone. His sharp tongue was about the only weapon he had left.

Seizing a moment of distraction, Brody sank his teeth into Brian's finger. "This is my real face!"

Instantly, Brian's finger started to turn a shade of purple as vivid as a ripe eggplant.

Vivienne casually dusted some powder on Brian's hand, then looked at Brody. "You're quite the spring chicken."

She had to admit Brody's disguise was top-notch.

Back in the loony bin, she had not even realized he was in disguise.

She had truly thought that the nerdy loser look was Brody's actual face.

Tsk.

She had underestimated her adversary.

"The secret's in the moisturizer!" Brody panted, plopping onto the floor. "Brian, cut me loose. I'm a small fry, really. I've got bigger fish for you."

Brian's interest was piqued, poison forgotten. "Bigger fish? Who?"

Brody wiggled a bit. "Untie me first."

"Spill first," Brian retorted, unmoved.

Brody took a deep breath, feeling like a caged lion taunted by mutts.

"Ever heard of GTO? They've got a second-in-command, who goes by Mr. B. I've seen her. The bounty on her head..."

ten times yours!" Brian's eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr.

had seen Mr. B's face, a visage not

around. "She's a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

loose, then

swelled again. "Believe me, I'll let Vivienne here poison you

Then, say goodbye to Mr. B's bounty, too. Go ahead, I dare

at

on Mr. B's bounty - which would be

looks did not matter;

to Brody's face. "Cut me loose, and you

Brian was not one to let

would he be if he

like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving

full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. "Hey, that's

you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the

not even his greed

warily. "You'd do that for

me what Mr. B looks like, and I'll make

Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans - easier

to

not believe it, eyeing

intense. "You're the most talented poison master I've ever seen. Your concoctions have earned a place in my collection, and you're the only one who can unlock the secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn't just in poisons. If you wanted to create antidotes, you'd do it with ease. Even this potion, I've been at it for ages with no luck, but you - you can crack it. I respect

was not just any recognition; it was from the Specter Healer

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival was actually

How could that be?

if you can help me find the antidote for this

antidote right now!" And

could hear was her saying how much more she would respect

Specter Healer? He would