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..."

into dollar signs as he

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

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

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

cut me loose, then I'll

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

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

at a

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

not matter; high bounties

Brody's face.

one to let go

hunter would he be

then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion hidden on

watched his pilfered potion taken

you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her

had spoken, not even his greed could

eyed Vivienne warily. "You'd do

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

could potentially spill

about to let this chance slip

believe it,

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

any recognition; it was

long-time rival was actually showing him

How could that be?

can help me find the antidote for this potion, my

that antidote right now!" And so, with flattery from

hear was her saying how much more she would respect

Specter Healer? He would be a fool to pass