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..."

times yours!" Brian's eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr. B to me." Vivienne's interest was

visage not even the likes of Quincy

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

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

me loose, then I'll

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

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

was at

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

matter;

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

one to

kind of bounty hunter would he be if he

Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion hidden on Brody's

as he watched

continue your research and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand. Brian stood

Vivienne had spoken, not

Vivienne warily. "You'd do

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

one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans

to let

not believe it,

can unlock the secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn't just in poisons.

recognition; it was from the Specter

his long-time rival was actually showing him

How could that be?

can help me find the antidote for this potion, my

antidote right now!" And

saying how

He