THORNE: What's all this? I heard you drive

He breaks off, catching sight of the body. Chan turns on his flashlight on Louie, watching Thorne's face. Thorne's startledness seems amazingly genuine.

THORNE: Why...it's Louie! What's happened to him?

As he speaks, he kneels quickly beside Louie's body and stares at him an instant. He looks up in searching alarm.

THORNE: Who killed him? BOB: (Tersely) I don't know. I drove in and left him at the...

As he speaks, Thorne jumps to his feet and rushes off scene toward the house, calling:

THORNE: (Off scene) Chief!

SCENE 310
AT BOB AND CHAN - CLOSE SHOT
Chan and Bob stare after Thorne.

BOB: (Grimly) Do you think he did it? CHAN: Equal chance that Madden guilty.

(Bob stares at him in surprise)

Prospector narrates amazing fact that Madden committed shooting in bedroom. BOB:(Completely at sea) Madden killed Delaney? CHAN: (Nodding) With Thorne present in room.

SCENE 311
TOWARD HOUSE - MEDIUM SHOT
Madden, in a dressing gown, comes racing out, Thorne following. Madden is seething with suppressed fury.

SCENE 312
AT CHAN AND BOB - MEDIUM CLOSE
As Madden enters, raging, he snatches the flashlight from Chan and flashes it on Louie's body. He suddenly whirls, shining the light directly in Thorne's face, looking as is he'd like to kill Thorne.

MADDEN: (Snarling) Fine business...this!

Thorne trembles with rage.

THORNE: (Snarling back) Well, what are you staring at me for?

Bob and Chan watch this unexpected fight narrowly. They are forgotten for the moment.

MADDEN: (Bellowing) I'll stare at you if I wish...though I'm sick of the sight of your silly face... THORNE: I won't take that from you or...

Madden pays no attention, continuing to rage.

MADDEN: This place is turning into a madhouse...Tony dead...Louie murdered...movie outfit coming tomorrow...and now the police'll be messing up the place... (He controls himself with an effort and snarls) Go on and call'em! We might as well get it over with now.

Thorne turns on his heel and hurries into the house. Madden whirls to Chan.