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 even the likes of Quincy had laid eyes

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

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

loose, then I'll spill the

swelled again. "Believe me, I'll

say goodbye to Mr. B's bounty, too. Go ahead,

was at a

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

not matter;

Brody's face. "Cut me loose, and you have

one to

he be if

fiddle, then stepped forward with

were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him.

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

had spoken, not even his

"You'd do that

I'll make sure you have

could potentially spill the beans - easier to handle than

about to let this

could not believe it,

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

recognition; it was from the Specter Healer

his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

antidote for

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

her saying how much more she would respect

He would be a fool to