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 likes of Quincy

"She's a dame, about

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

you cut me loose, then I'll spill

cursed, shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again.

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

was at

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

looks did not matter; high bounties were

face. "Cut

not one

kind of bounty hunter would he be

fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile,

watched

I can offer 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

spoken, not even his greed could

warily. "You'd do that

Just tell me what Mr. B looks like, and I'll make

seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the

not about to let this chance slip

not believe

only one who can unlock the secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn't just in poisons. If you wanted to

recognition; it was from the

that his long-time

How could that be?

can help me find the antidote for this

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

could hear was her saying how much more she would

rare opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He would be a fool to pass