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..."

as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr. B to me." Vivienne's interest was

a visage not even the likes of

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

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

loose,

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

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

at

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

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

brought a smirk to Brody's face. "Cut

Brian was not one to

hunter would he be if he was

Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered

Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her

spoken, not even his greed could

Vivienne warily. "You'd do that

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

could potentially spill the beans - easier to handle

to

still could not believe

"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 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 hardly

just any recognition; it was from the Specter

scarcely believe that his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

can help me find the antidote for

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

her saying how much more

Healer? He would