James Patterson discusses multiple phone calls with Rebecca and her husband Michael, mentioning a possible extortion plot

JAMES PATTERSON 10:23 a.m. Q: Would you tell us how many phone conversations [you had] with this person Rebecca? A: More than six. Probably between six and ten, maybe closer to ten. The first few [times] she called me, and after I got their number I called her a number of times. Q: What is her husband’s name? A: Michael. Different last name from hers, but again. Q: Where do they live? A: Palm Beach. Or West Palm Beach, in the Palm Beach area. They have been friends of [REDACTED] since she was a young child. Q: Were there any witnesses to any of these phone conversa- tions other than Rebecca, Michael, and you? A: Yes. Q: Who? A: My wife. Q: When did the first conversation occur? A: Ican probably get you specific information about that. But it was months ago. When the story was in the newspapers, she called and related the entire story to me and related to me 7 that it was part of a massive extortion plot. 10:25 a.m. Q: Did you take contemporaneous notes of those phone conver © sations? . & 256 A: No. I took note of nai stance, no. Q: Have you ever made n any communications t and/or Michael? A: I didn’t “allegedly” have versations. And I don’t tions. 10:44 a.m. Q: How many phone calls d before she informed you ing you? A: She informed me the firs Q: The very first conversati A; Yes. Q: How many phone calls w A: She never asked me for n Q: How many phone calls y for money? A: I was never asked for mo: Q: Do you know how it is t tact you? q A: They told me they went and left a message for me Oh, no; they sent me—tk an e-mail and asked me- but a way to respond. A: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_022153