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..."

turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr.

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

a dame, about five-six,

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

loose, then I'll spill the

at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

Then, say goodbye to

was at

the idea of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B's bounty

world, looks did not matter; high bounties were the true

face. "Cut me loose,

Brian was not one to let go of either

he be if he was

watched as Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a

full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him.

protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand.

spoken, not even his greed could

warily. "You'd do that

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

seen Mr. B and could potentially spill

not about to

still could not believe

intense. "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

just any recognition; it

scarcely believe that his long-time rival was

How could that be?

nodded. "Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect

right now!" And so, with flattery from Vivienne,

could hear was her saying how much more she

Specter Healer? He would be a