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.

a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid

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

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

me loose, then I'll spill

Vivienne. His confidence swelled again.

say

at a

idea of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B's bounty - which would be a jackpot ten times Brody's size - was

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

dilemma brought a smirk to Brody's face. "Cut me loose, and you have my

it!" Brian was not one to let go of either

he be

fiddle, then stepped

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered

and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand. Brian

not even his

"You'd do that

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

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

not about to let

not believe

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

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival was actually showing him

How could that be?

"Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect for you will only

right now!" And so, with flattery from Vivienne, Brody's

her saying how

He would be a fool to pass it