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..."

turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr. B to me." Vivienne's interest

Mr. B's face, a visage not even the likes

darted around. "She's a dame, about five-six, with

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

you cut me loose, then I'll spill the

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

Poison me. Then, say

was at a

and, with it, any leads on Mr. B's bounty - which would

Brian's world, looks did not matter; high bounties

smirk to Brody's face. "Cut me

it!" Brian was not one to

bounty hunter would he

Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a

full of anguish as he watched his pilfered

offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand. Brian stood by her side, wisely holding his

Vivienne had spoken, not

"You'd do that for

and I'll make sure

B and could potentially spill the beans - easier to handle than a wildcard

about to let this chance

believe

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.

just any recognition; it was from the Specter Healer

his long-time rival was actually

How could that be?

the antidote for this potion, my

I'll get to work on that antidote right now!" And

her saying how much more

the Specter Healer? He would