A Crucial Encounter

And A Deal For You

On July 13, 1983, Anchorage was catapulting toward its annual encounter with the midnight sun. Residents were starting to draw their curtains to block the light. It was not uncommon to hear a lawnmower running or kids playing outside at 11 pm. On this day, the sun rose at 3:23 a.m. For Anchorage Police Officer Gregg Baker, it started like just another day at the office.

“Officer Baker responded to the area of the Mush Inn on Concrete and Commercial regarding a suspicious circumstance involving a white female adult who had been picked up in the area of 5th Ave. and taken to the Mush Inn. The white female was said to have been bound by handcuffs, was wearing a purple-colored jacket, Levi’s, and had medium length dark hair. Dispatch was Code Two.”

Anchorage Police Department Continuation Report, 6-13-83
encounter
Mush Inn Motel, Anchorage, AK (copyright Leland E. Hale)

The female adult’s name was Cindy Paulson. She was, in fact, seventeen. Still a juvenile. Her life would never be the same. After you read Butcher, Baker, your life will never be the same either.

The Close Encounter Promo

Cindy’s close encounter leads us to Open Road’s latest promotion. The First Week in November promotion. By the time you get there, Halloween will be (barely) in the rearview window. The leaves will soon be gone. Think turkey. Think Thanksgiving. This is your pre-Thanksgiving offer.

TitleAuthorPromo TypeCtryStartEndPromo Price
Butcher, BakerGilmour/
Hale
ORM – 1K Sale WeeklyUSNov 1, 2024Nov 1, 2024$1.99
November 2024 Promo

Back in Anchorage

Officer Baker, along with Officer Vance, was directed to proceed to the Mush Inn on a CODE TWO. No lights. No sirens. Cindy’s rescuer reported that he’d found Cindy in handcuffs — on the roadway — and that she kept screaming “he’s going to kill me.” On hearing this, the police dispatcher reasoned that the perpetrator might still be in the vicinity. Best not blast sirens and chase him away.

Things did not, however, proceed inexorably toward an arrest. At this phase, the investigation took a turn that reminded one publishing executive of the “Keystone Cops.” (He said so while declining to publish Butcher, Baker. That story is for another day.)

encounter
Bob did not stick with sheep.

Treated Roughly

It is gospel that Cindy was not treated with uniform respect. Because the perp — Robert Hansen — had two good alibis, Cindy’s story of rape and kidnapping was not taken seriously. She and her erstwhile pimp left Anchorage on the first flight out. They ended up in Portland, OR — where Cindy was promptly arrested for soliciting. Not once. Twice.

In a strange way, it was the best thing that could have happened to her. She ended up back in Anchorage. Ended up helping to bring Robert Hansen to justice. Sometimes things are inevitable, even when it seems they’re not. That’s probably why you are going to take advantage of this promo. You can’t help yourself.

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Post Halloween Promo 

This promotion is offered through Open Road’s social media platforms and is available solely in the U.S. The promo is ONLY available November 1, 2024. Don’t forget the dates. I know I won”t!


Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

Hey, you can also order my latest book, “What Happened In Craig,” HERE and HERE. True crime on Epicenter Press about Alaska’s Worst Unsolved Mass Murder.

Craig

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