I highly doubt it would be Pence. Keep in mind - this person would had to have revealed their identity to the New York Times. That alone would tell you that this will eventually leak at some point.
Pence with presidential aspirations would not have been dumb enough to alienate the Trump base. My guess is it will be someone that will eventually use this to capitalize on the story at some point in the future with a new book. The lodestar thing - while funny - may be misdirection.
I think you guys are right and that Pence is probably not the author. I do think that perhaps it is a set up to undermine him as well although I’m not a particular fan.
I’m very angry and distressed about this. I had hoped not to live in a banana republic.