It's not a problem if clients aren't there, Lail says, because generally that means they're out doing what they should be doing, such as working or completing substance abuse classes.

The problems arise when they're hanging out with bad friends, using drugs or missing office appointments.

"After three to six months (on probation) you'll know whether they're trying (to comply)," Manwill said. "If they're not doing what they're supposed to, we'll come back until we catch them."

The third stop found two men watching TV when officers approached the open door.

"You clean?" Lail asked his client, referring to the man's previous drug habit.

"Yeah," the man responded.

"Then why are you so nervous?"

"Just wasn't expecting you," he responded.

As Lail talked to the man, Manwill walked around the living room looking for signs of drugs or paraphernalia.

If officers find clients are using drugs, they can be sent back to court for a probation violation, with the possibility of jail or new charges.

During the next visit to a smoky apartment, the woman told Lail she was working to get a job and her own apartment. It was a story Lail had heard before, so he requested she come in the next day for an interview.

The officers visited more than half a dozen clients and left messages with a handful of other people.

The apartment stake-out was definitely the highlight of the agents' night — and the longest visit. Officers waited outside a little more than two hours, just to let their client know that they were there and that sooner or later, he'd have to face the fact that he'd thumbed his nose at the justice system.

"It's a matter of time," Manwill said. "Rather than kick in the door, put kids at risk, wife and everything, if you don't get him that night, you'll get him tomorrow, the next week, in two weeks. During that whole time, he's just going to be living there like a rodent, wondering who's outside and who's not. It's miserable for him."

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com