Ebook excerpt: “The First Gentleman” by Invoice Clinton and James Patterson

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Former President Invoice Clinton and bestselling writer James Patterson beforehand collaborated on thrillers set within the White Home: “The President Is Lacking” and “The President’s Daughter,” each #1 New York Occasions bestsellers. Now they’ve joined forces for his or her third novel, “The First Gentleman” (to be printed June 2 by Little, Brown & Co.).

Of their newest thriller, the president of the USA is working for re-election whereas her husband stands trial for homicide.

Learn an excerpt beneath, and do not miss Tracy Smith’s interview with James Patterson and Invoice Clinton on “CBS Sunday Morning” June 1!

“The First Gentleman” by Invoice Clinton and James Patterson

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Prologue

President Wright Administration
12 months Three: September

1
Brentwood, New Hampshire

Cole Wright is sitting within the rear seat of a black up-armored Chevy Suburban, considered one of three in a convoy rushing its method down Route 125 within the Seacoast Area of New Hampshire.

Two darkish inexperienced state police cruisers, lights flashing, are main this no-frills motorcade, scaled down for the event. The presidential limousine — the Beast — is again on the airport, together with the Secret Service counterassault crew, assist personnel, information media vans, and a completely geared up ambulance.

Three years after the election, Cole nonetheless will get pumped from seeing visitors half like magic, though he is properly conscious that it is for the comfort and security of the lady sitting beside him — his spouse, Madeline Parson Wright, the president of the USA.

He is simply the First Gentleman.

A lightweight drizzle spatters in opposition to the bulletproof home windows. The agent accelerates to seventy alongside the two-lane freeway.

“Two minutes out,” says Burton Pearce, the president’s chief of employees. Pearce perches in a rear-facing leap seat throughout from the First Couple. He is pale and critical, sporting considered one of his many an identical grey fits. “The Grey Ghost,” staffers name him. The president nods with out trying up.

Cole glances over to see the CONFIDENTIAL stamps on the pages Maddy is studying because the convoy hums alongside. He is aware of these pages signify the largest political gamble of her administration — of any administration. She must be within the Oval Workplace working the telephones and twisting arms, however as a substitute she’s right here with him. A strong private present of assist.

Maddy places her briefing packet apart. Cole takes her hand and squeezes it.

She squeezes again. “Don’t be concerned,” she says. “In any case we have been via collectively, we will get via this too.”

The Suburban slows all the way down to make a tough flip behind the police escort. Now the convoy is shifting at simply forty miles per hour. On either side of the route, locals maintain up crude hand-painted placards.

WE BELIEVE IN YOU, COLE!

STAY STRONG, COLE!

KEEP MOVING, COLE!

He seems to be out via the tinted aspect window. Virtually sport time. He can really feel his muscle tissue twitching, his focus narrowing, identical to in his days as a decent finish for New England — earlier than the blown knee pressured him out. He remembers how the strain within the Patriots locker room would construct and construct virtually to the breaking level till the crew ran out into the sunshine, and when the cheers of the gang washed over him, he’d assume, Yeah, we’re okay. We have got this.

However as we speak?

At the moment he isn’t so certain.

The redbrick facade of the Rockingham County courthouse comes into view. The highway is lined with police barricades holding again a whole lot — perhaps 1000’s — of onlookers. Up right here, among the indicators have a unique tone.

SCUM!

MONSTER!

JUSTICE FOR SUZANNE!

“Don’t be concerned about these folks,” says Maddy. “They do not know what they’re speaking about.”

“I do not care in regards to the folks on the highway,” says Cole. “I am anxious in regards to the twelve folks ready for me inside.”

Because the Suburban slows to a crawl, two ladies leap out in entrance and unspool a protracted banner.

CONVICT COLE WRIGHT! SEND HIM STRAIGHT TO HELL!

Thanks for the type needs, Cole thinks.

    
2

A thousand demonstrators, media folks, and curious locals are crowded into the rain-slick car parking zone. The convoy is passing via the tall evergreens flanking the pavement main as much as the courthouse once I notice I left my umbrella in my automotive. Too late.

Rockingham County has by no means drawn safety like this. Uniforms representing each regulation enforcement division in New Hampshire — from native cops to Fish and Sport — are patrolling the courthouse steps. On the roof there is a element of women and men in tactical gear and black baseball caps carrying sniper rifles. They don’t seem to be even making an attempt to cover. That is the job of their colleagues, posted in locations no one can see.

I hear somebody calling my identify: “Brea Cooke? That you simply?”

I have a look at the gang. Principally white. No shock; the Granite State is round 89 p.c Caucasian. It is a state of affairs I received used to as a Black pupil at Dartmouth, about two hours north. Let’s simply say it is common for me to face out round right here.

I flip round. “Ron Reynolds!”

Ron is a pleasant face from the outdated days when he and my accomplice, Garrett Wilson, each reported for the Boston Globe. He is sporting his commonplace outfit — tan overcoat, khaki pants, and a tweed cap. His massive press move is dangling round his neck.

I give him a fast hug. “Guess we each forgot our umbrellas.”

A man in a thick camo jacket jostles by us and flicks a finger at Ron’s press move. “Pretend information!” the man shouts. Ron ignores him.

“So why are you right here?” I ask. “You could possibly be in a kind of gyms proper now, dry and toasty. Most likely getting a greater view than this.”

“I receives a commission to get moist,” says Ron. “Even when nothing occurs.”

However one thing is occurring. I have been ready for today a very long time. I see flashing lights arising the drive. Two state police vehicles and three massive black SUVs.

“It is them!”

The lights are getting nearer. I am in the course of the gang, however out of the blue I really feel as alone as I’ve ever felt in my life.

I shut my eyes for a second. My thoughts whispers, Garrett.

I blink arduous. Not now! I must focus. Seize this scene for my e book. Our e book. The one Garrett and I had been engaged on collectively. Till he …

Ron factors to the courthouse steps. “See the rostrum and the digital camera stands up there?”

I nod. “What about them?”

“All for present. No method the Secret Service permits the president and First Gent to undergo the entrance entrance.”

“The gang will not recognize being tricked like that.”

“You are proper,” says Ron. “They got here to witness historical past.”

So did I.

The primary time in historical past {that a} president’s partner is happening trial for homicide.

     
3

The convoy crawls towards the doorway as cops push the crowds again. Contained in the six-ton Suburban within the center, Cole rubs his arms collectively nervously. Pearce leans ahead in his leap seat and says, “The county sheriffs, state troopers, and Secret Service have carved out a path so we will go round to the rear of the courthouse. By the point the gang and the press catch on, we’ll be in and out of sight.”

Hidden away, Cole thinks. “No,” he says quietly. “That is not going to occur.”

Pearce blinks. “Excuse me?”

“I stated no. Stepping into via the rear of the courthouse indicators that I am responsible, that I’ve one thing to cover. Screw that. I will run the ball straight via the road of scrimmage.”

The Suburban strikes towards the driveway turnoff. Pearce is getting testy. “Cole, plans have been in place for days. Greatest to reach by way of the rear from each a security and PR viewpoint.”

However Cole is agency. “We undergo the entrance door. That is ultimate.”

He turns to his spouse. “Maddy, will you say a number of phrases on the courthouse steps?”

It is a massive ask. Maddy would not want to inform him the supply of the strain in her eyes. The battle between being his loving accomplice whereas serving as POTUS, chief of the free world, is etched on her face.

Maddy seems to be at her chief of employees. “Cole is correct, Burton. We undergo the entrance entrance, heads held excessive.”

“However, ma’am, we’re nearly there. Preparations have been made.”

Cole sees Maddy shift into commander-in-chief mode. Cool. Crisp. Decisive. “You’ve got received a telephone,” she says. “Make new preparations.”

     
4

They’re getting out!” Ron grabs my sleeve.

Positive sufficient, I hear the slamming of heavy automotive doorways and see motion on the entrance of the courthouse steps. The Secret Service is scrambling to clear a path to the rostrum.

“That takes some brass ones!” Ron calls to me above the rising noise.

A hoop of darkish fits surrounds President Wright and her broad-shouldered husband.

The president walks up the broad steps and pivots to the rostrum. The gang surges ahead. Cops push again. Secret Service brokers watch the ocean of faces. And arms. Particularly the arms. Searching for weapons.

President Wright squeezes her husband’s arm simply earlier than she leans into the microphones. “Girls and gents, my expensive pals, I’ll make this quick and to the purpose.”

I hear her voice echo throughout the car parking zone. She pauses after every phrase to let the phrases sink in.

“I’ve full religion and confidence in my husband’s innocence, and I belief that the nice residents of New Hampshire, who’ve stood by my aspect through the years, can even assist my husband throughout this time of disaster.”

The president turns and kisses her husband’s cheek, ensuring the cameras have a superb angle. Then, as if it is an after-thought, she steps as much as the mics once more and says, “I consider in our authorized system, and I am assured justice will likely be achieved right here.”

She takes her husband’s hand. The Secret Service crew surrounds them. As a unit, they stroll up the steps to the courthouse doorways.

“Fairly a efficiency,” says Reynolds.

“It was a efficiency all proper. Pure theater. They don’t seem to be a pair — they seem to be a rattling legal enterprise.”

My outburst should shock Ron. A second later, he heads off to assemble quotes.

As soon as once more, I am alone. I scan the plenty. Virtually each man, girl, and baby is trying towards the courthouse, making an attempt to get one final glimpse of the First Couple.

On the far aspect of the car parking zone, I spot the lone exceptions: a person and a lady, trying straight at me.

I’ve seen these two earlier than. My watchers.

Rattling. Not once more.

The gang shifts, they usually disappear.

Throughout me, individuals are chattering and yelling, however their phrases are a blanket of white noise. Once more my thoughts whispers, Garrett. I maintain out my hand, half anticipating to see him reaching for me.

I struggle again the tears as actuality hits dwelling.

The love of my life, Garrett Wilson, is useless. And I consider the person inside that courthouse is chargeable for his dying.

The First Gentleman.

He may even have pulled the set off. 

      
From “The First Gentleman” by Invoice Clinton and James Patterson. Copyright © 2025 by James Patterson and William Jefferson Clinton. Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown and Firm, a division of Hachette Ebook Group. All rights reserved.

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“The First Gentleman” by Invoice Clinton and James Patterson

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