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..."

yours!" Brian's eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as

seen Mr. B's face, a visage not

darted around. "She's a dame, about

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

me loose,

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

scoffed at the threat. "Do it. Poison me. Then, say

was at

Mr. B's bounty

looks did not matter; high bounties

face. "Cut

one to let

of bounty hunter would he be if he

as Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a

full of anguish as he watched

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,

not even his greed

Vivienne warily. "You'd do

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

potentially spill the beans - easier to

about to

could not believe it,

"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

any recognition; it was

could scarcely believe that his long-time

How could that be?

"Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this

on that antidote right now!"

hear was her saying how much more she would respect

He would be a fool to pass it