In his investigation into Florence Ochpialik's disappearance, Payne Lindsey hones in on a key suspect, Oregon John. The blurb details Lindsey's meticulous approach to tracking down Oregon John's location and schedule in Alaska. It also recounts how Lindsey creates a fake online persona, "Eric Gaulding," to engage Oregon John and gain access to potentially meeting him in person.
The blurb sheds light on concerning details about Oregon John's history, as revealed by others familiar with him. This builds intrigue around Lindsey's impending encounter with Oregon John, during which he must decide whether to maintain his "Eric Gaulding" ruse or reveal his true identity. Lindsey carefully weighs the risks and takes precautions for this highly anticipated meeting.
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In his pursuit of uncovering the truth behind Florence Ochpialik's disappearance, Payne Lindsey has zeroed in on a key suspect: Oregon John, the last person confirmed to have seen Florence.
Through extensive online research, Payne discovers that Oregon John is located in Alaska and works on a cargo ship with the Alaska Marine Highway System. By identifying the boat in John's social media posts and cross-referencing its sailing schedule, Payne plans to intercept him during an upcoming 12-hour stop in Kodiak.
To gain access to Oregon John, Payne creates a fake Facebook profile under the name "Eric Gaulding." He maintains this ruse, engaging John in friendly conversation and learning about his routine in Kodiak, carefully crafting an alibi to bypass John's offer to pick him up from the airport. Payne wrestles with the ethical implications of this deception while recognizing its necessity.
Payne consults sources familiar with Oregon John's history, who reveal concerning details about his past behavior, including a criminal record, issues with vulnerable women, and an explosive temperament. They also question the reliability of John's account of events surrounding Florence's disappearance.
Weighing the risks of a potential hostile confrontation, Payne debates whether to reveal his true identity to Oregon John or maintain his fake persona during their meeting. He ultimately decides to proceed with the "Eric Gaulding" plan, but with added precautions: bringing a friend for backup, crafting a thorough cover story, and ensuring hidden recording devices are in place to document the encounter.
1-Page Summary
Payne Lindsey delves into the mysterious disappearance of Florence Ochpialik, with his investigation zeroing in on a key suspect known as Oregon John, the last person confirmed to have seen Florence.
Payne Lindsey seeks to uncover Oregon John’s current location and schedule, primarily through avid online research. He finds John's Facebook profile and gathers that John is located in Alaska. Oregon John's social media posts, often showing a ship on water, lead Payne to believe he works on a boat, and he identifies a local business in Ketchikan, Alaska, in the background of John's videos.
A picture of the boat visible in John's posts directs Payne to clarify its role within the Alaska Marine Highway System. He deduces the vessel's commercial service, which includes transportation for people, freight, and vehicles. Noticing a consistent pattern of this vessel's appearance aligns with the publicly posted sailing schedule, Payne plans his trip to Kodiak, Alaska, aiming to intercept Oregon John during one of his ship's 12-hour overnight stays.
By identifying the boat in John's pictures, Payne confirms that John works on the Alaska Marine Highway System. John's maritime lifestyle is apparent in numerous posts, though there is anxiety around the fact that Oregon John hasn't posted in over a week, sparking fears that he may have moved on from this job or that a different situation has arisen.
Payne discusses the discovery of Oregon John’s sailing schedule, which is vital for the investigation as it suggests his whereabouts. Identifying the longest break in this schedule, Payne believes that Oregon John’s upcoming 12-hour stop in Kodiak is the most opportune time for an encounter.
Desperate times call for creative measures, and for Payne Lindsey, this means adopting a fake identity online.
Using a fictitious Facebook persona named Eric Gaulding, Payne initiates a friendly dialogue with Oregon John, hoping to learn about his current location in Alaska. Oregon John, conversing with whom he believes to be Eric Gaulding, discloses his routine during the morning hours before his shifts, unwittingly giving Payne the information needed to plan a meeting.
Payne Lindsey's investigation into the disappearance of Florence Ochpialik, focusing on the key suspect Oregon John
Payne engages in conversations with individuals who are familiar with Oregon John to shed light on his past and behaviors that may be relevant to the case being explored.
An individual who is well-acquainted with Oregon John shares critical information regarding his past and patterns of behavior that raise concerns.
The source reveals to Payne that Oregon John is a Navy veteran and mentions some health issues that affect his gait, resulting in a slow and awkward walk. They go on to describe a complex background, including a civil protective order that was filed against Oregon John by an ex-girlfriend, a younger Native Alaskan woman. This ex-girlfriend accused Oregon John of assault after they had rekindled their relationship for a short time. Additionally, Oregon John's history shows problematic behavior towards vulnerable women, adding to the gravity of the situation.
According to the source, Oregon John is known for having an explosive temper, easily becoming very angry. When feeling accused, Oregon John could become loud and red-faced, protesting that he views himself as a "soldier of Christ" who stands against committing such crimes rather than being someone who would engage in them.
Payne's discussions with others who know Oregon John and can provide insight about him
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In the face of potential danger, Payne deliberates the safest way to approach Oregon John, ultimately deciding to stick with his fake persona but with additional precautions.
Payne ponders meeting Oregon John, faced with the significant choice of approaching him as his fake persona or revealing his true identity, Payne Lindsey. He sees merits in continuing with his fictional identity, as it might yield more information if Oregon John believes the persona is real. Yet, the complexity of maintaining this act brings a host of dilemmas, including the weirdness of introducing himself as himself when Oregon John could already be wary of investigative journalists.
Expressing his deep concerns, Payne acknowledges that revealing his actual identity could potentially provoke a dangerous response. Knowing that he's meeting the primary suspect in a murder case elevates the risk significantly. Payne infers that this concern is partly why he contemplates sticking to his fake persona, coupled with the idea of bringing along a friend to help ensure his safety.
Payne's concerns about safety lead him to muse over having a friend join him at the meeting for additional security. The friend, Cooper, is not only familiar with the case but also knows Alaska well, and could provide necessary support in the moment. Bringing Cooper along offers a "2v1" advantage, which Payne strategizes could diffuse any potential danger.
Payne's concerns and dilemmas about how to safely approach meeting Oregon John in person
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