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..."

Brian's eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down

Mr. B's face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy had

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. "Believe me, I'll

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

at

letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B's bounty - which

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

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

Brian was not one to let go of either

hunter would he be if he was

stepped

full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion

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

had spoken, not even his greed could

"You'd

and I'll make sure you have everything you need for your experiments," Vivienne

Mr. B and could potentially spill

not about to let this

believe it, eyeing

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 was

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect for

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

was her saying how

Specter Healer? He would be a fool to pass it