OUR FIRST PRACTICE AT TAILING SOMEONE

Blythe had been given a picture of the woman under investigation. She had her address and a picture..also, her phone number.  I suggested we take a drive by and assess the situation.  It was now dark and she agreed to do a drive by.  On the way, she said that it was chancy, but that sometimes we might go onto the property, and if caught, our explanation would be that our dog jumped out of the car and ran in the direction of the house. We turned onto El Paso and drove by the house.  Blythe had been given the schedule of when the husband would be on the road and today was not one of them. There were dim lights coming through the front windows with nice bushes in front of the windows.  She asked me if I was comfortible in becoming a peeping Tom.  I said that I sure was not. There was a red Mustang in the drive and we got its tag number. Blythe said that they had a big dog.  I suggested that we pick a bar near the house and she said " Why not?"   We chose the Elephant Run as it looked busy even though it was only eight pm.  We parked as close to the drive entrance as we could. This bar was attatched to and part of a large multi-story Motel.  We parked and opened the front door.  The Hotel desk was in the main entrance and there was a door off the side that went to the bar.  The band was setting up for a night of noise.  It was fairly crowded.  We chose a small table towards the front and good view of the stage.  The band was named the Rag Tags and the guys looked the part; there was one female with long Blonde hair and she was the lead guitar as she kepts adjusting her massive amp  with alot of lights.  She hit a few licks and it was obvious this gal was good with her axe...Axe being a slang term for guitar.  We ordered two beers as we did not want alcohol to dim our judgements...Blythe suggested we just drive around until it was really going as "People talk louder and are more wreckless with what they say when they are stoned"   I said we might not get a seat and I wanted to see this girl play her guitar.  In fact, I told her I was very nervous about all of this and I wished she would drive on this first venture.  She looked at me and said "And you fly that plane....wow"  We got to visiting with others at nearby tables and learned that the gal guitarist was phenominal at her guitar work. We could tell the hour were getting ripe..very noisy...the band was ascending the stage...the place was packed..standing room only.  The bar and the servers were busy..running drinks to every table..the bar itself was wall to wall people.  The lead singer welcomed every one and asked "ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?"  A huge cheer and people started to come to the dance floor to get close to the band.  With just a few chords and drum beats, people were dancing and rocking.  No doubt, this band had them in the palm of their hands...Blythe and I ordered drinks (not beer)  I thought I heard her say "Screw the driving"  but I can't swear to that.  After several numbers, Blythe elbowed me and said "See that lady in red" she pointed and I saw her. Blythe pulled out the picture she had been given and said  "What do ya think?"  I looked long and hard at both pic and the lady..."Well, they look alike, at least"   Blythe pointed at a small mole on the lady's right cheek (picture)...We could not see the mole from our distance and the dim light.  I said "If you play the odds, that isn't her..nobody is that lucky"  I suggested that we watch for her to get up and make a pee run and then she could follow her in and get a good look"  Blythe agreed.  It took another hour and it was "pee time"   She got up and Blythe got up and followed after.  She came back almost pale.."That is her!"  "What on Earth do we do now?"  I asked.  Blythe said "They like to dance allot, they have been on the floor for every song almost...let's go up and dance with them and after its over, let's compliment them and try to draw them into conversation."   Good idea in a way...the Band played a rendition of Travelin' Band by CCR and we felt like fools.  Much too frantic.  As it turned out, our couple approached us and they said how good we were for mature people, then the lady introduced us to her........husband!   I was glad the man did not say "This is the private investigator  I have hired to see what you do when I am on the road !!"   Oh well, it was alot of fun.   (to be continued)