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..."

eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he

a visage not even the likes of

eyes darted around. "She's a

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

you cut me loose, then I'll spill

a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. "Believe me, I'll let Vivienne here

say goodbye to Mr. B's

was at a

on Mr. B's bounty - which would be a jackpot ten times Brody's size -

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

Brody's face. "Cut

Brian was not one to

hunter would he be if he was not

fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. "Hey,

a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand.

spoken, not even

"You'd do that

me what Mr. B looks like, and I'll make sure you have everything you need

one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans - easier to

not about to let

believe it, eyeing

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

just any recognition; it was from the

long-time rival

How could that be?

help me find the antidote

now!" And so, with flattery

hear was her saying how

to one-up the Specter Healer? He would be