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..."

signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr. B to

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

a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

loose, then I'll

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

at the threat. "Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B's bounty, too. Go

at a

Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B's bounty - which would be a jackpot ten

looks did not matter; high bounties

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

one to

kind of bounty hunter would he be if

played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a

of anguish as he watched

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

had spoken, not even

Vivienne warily. "You'd

what Mr. B looks like, and I'll make sure you have everything you need for your experiments," Vivienne replied

and could potentially spill the beans - easier

not about to let this chance slip

believe it,

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 you, really." "You're serious?" Brody could

recognition; it was from

could scarcely believe that his long-time

How could that be?

help me find the antidote

I'll get to work on that antidote right now!" And so, with flattery from Vivienne,

could hear was her saying

He would