“Tickets for what?”

“To get onto the beach. They say they bought special tickets in town that allow them to come onto the Amity beach. You should see the damn things. I got one right here. It says “Shark Beach. Admit One. Two-fifty.” All I can figure is some sharpie is making a pretty fine killing selling people tickets they don’t need. Over.”

“What’s their reaction when you turn down their tickets?”

“First, they’re mad as hell when I tell them they’ve been taken, that there’s no charge for coming to the beach. Then they get even madder when I tell them that, ticket or no ticket, they can’t leave their cars in the parking lot without a parking permit. Over.”

“Did any of them tell you who’s selling the tickets?”

“Just some guy, they say. They met him on Main Street, and he told them they couldn’t get on the beach without a ticket. Over.”

“I want to find out who the hell is selling those tickets, Leonard, and I want him stopped. Go to the phone booth in the parking lot and call headquarters and tell whoever answers that I want a man to go down to Main Street and arrest that bastard. If he comes from out of town, run him out of town. If he lives here, lock him up.”

“On what charge? Over.”

“I don’t care. Think of something. Fraud. Just get him off the streets.”

“Okay, Chief.”

“Any other problems?”

“No. There are some more of those TV guys here with one of those mobile units, but they’re not doing anything except interviewing people. Over.”

“About what?”

“Just the standard stuff. You know: Are you scared to go swimming? What do you think about the shark? All that crap. Over.”

“How long have they been there?”

“Most of the morning. I don’t know how long they’ll hang around, especially since no one’s going in the water. Over.”

“As long as they’re not causing any trouble.”

“Nope. Over.”

“Okay. Hey, Leonard, you don’t have to say ‘over’ all the time. I can tell when you’re finished speaking.”

“Just procedure, Chief. Keeps things clear. Over and out.”

Brody waited a moment, then pushed the button again and said, “Hooper, this is Brody. Anything out there?” There was no answer. “This is Brody calling Hooper. Can you hear me?” He was about to call a third time, when he heard Hooper’s voice.

“Sorry. I was out on the stern. I thought I saw something.”

“What did you see?”

“Nothing. I’m sure it was nothing. My eyes were playing tricks on me.”

“What did you think you saw?”

“I can’t really describe it. A shadow, maybe. Nothing more. The sunlight can fool you.”

“You haven’t seen anything else?”

“Not a thing. All morning.”

“Let’s keep it that way. I’ll check with you later.”

“Fine. I’ll be in front of the public beach in a minute or two.”

Brody put the walkie-talkie back in the bag and took out his sandwich. The bread was cold and stiff from resting against the ice-filled plastic bag that contained the cans of beer.