Shadows of the Past

By Chris Lowry

"Shadows of the Past"

"Shadows of the Past" opens in the serene coastal town of Cedar Bay, Oregon, where our protagonist, Nathaniel "Nate" Carter, a retired CIA operative, now lives a quiet life. Nate, hardened and wisened by his past, is content to spend his days running a small fishing charter business, far removed from the high-stakes world of international espionage he left behind. But the calm rhythm of his retirement is shattered when old ghosts resurface, threatening to pull him back into the life he had tried so hard to escape.

Nate's nemesis, Ivan Karkarov, a ruthless ex-KGB operative, emerges from the shadows of the past, armed with a terrifying new weapon that threatens global security. Karkarov, presumed dead, has spent the past decade in hiding, developing a device that can disrupt the world's digital infrastructure, causing chaos and panic on a global scale.

With Karkarov's return, Nate receives an unexpected visit from his former handler, Marlene Cooper. Marlene, despite her superior's reluctance to involve Nate, believes that he is the only one who can stop Karkarov. Torn between his peaceful life and the duty he feels towards his country, Nate grudgingly accepts the mission.

He embarks on a global chase, from the icy landscapes of Siberia to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, following the faint traces of Karkarov. Along the way, Nate must confront not just his enemy, but also his past: mistakes he made, the colleagues he lost, and the grueling toll of being a spy.

As he delves deeper into the mission, he forms an uneasy alliance with a young and ambitious field agent, Emily Clarke, who both challenges and respects him. Emily, carrying her own demons, proves to be a valuable partner, and Nate sees a reflection of his younger self in her determination.

In a thrilling climax set in the heart of Moscow, Nate comes face-to-face with Karkarov in a high-stakes showdown. Outwitted and outmanned, Nate relies on his instincts and experience, using every trick he learned during his years in the field. As the clock ticks down, he must outsmart Karkarov, disarm the device, and save the world from the brink of chaos.

"Shadows of the Past" is a thrilling homage to the works of John D. McDonald and Lee Child, combining the character-driven storytelling of McDonald with Child's knack for suspense and action. Nate Carter, much like Travis McGee and Jack Reacher, is a man who is both a product of and a commentary on the world he operates in, embodying the complexities and moral ambiguities inherent to his profession.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Lowry
• Release date: Aug 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215732700

Chris Lowry

Chris Lowry is an author and adventure seeker who has traveled the globe exploring new worlds and writing about his thrilling experiences. With over one hundred thrillers, science fiction, and urban fantasy novels to his name, as well as more than a thousand articles published across various publications, Chris has established himself as a master storyteller and a leading voice in the world of action and adventure. Whether he's fighting off hordes of undead in a post-apocalyptic wasteland or braving the depths of outer space, Chris is always ready for his next thrilling adventure. Follow his journey as he battles against impossible odds and becomes the hero that the world needs.

Book preview

Chris Lowry

Shadows of the Past - a thriller

Copyright © 2023 by Chris Lowry

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

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Contents

1. Chapter One: The Quiet Life

2. Chapter Two: Ghosts of the Past

3. Chapter Three: The Reluctant Return

4. Chapter Four: The Briefing

5. Chapter Five: The New Partner

6. Chapter Six: Off to Siberia

7. Chapter Seven: Traces in the Snow

8. Chapter Eight: A Cold Trail (Part One)

9. Chapter Nine: Hong Kong Hustle (Part One)

10. Chapter Ten: The Underbelly of the East (Part One)

11. Chapter Eleven: Clarke's Demons

12. Chapter Twelve: The Alliance Tested (Part One)

13. Chapter Thirteen:

14. Chapter Fourteen

15. Chapter Fifteen

16. CHAPTER SIXTEEN

17. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

18. Chapter Eighteen

19. CHAPTER NINETEEN

20. Chapter Twenty

21. Chapter Twenty One

22. Chapter Twenty Two

23. Chapter Twenty Three

24. CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

25. Chapter Twenty Five

26. Chapter Twenty Six

27. Chapter Twenty Seven

28. Epilogue

1

Chapter One: The Quiet Life

Nathaniel Nate Carter stood on the weathered wooden dock, the planks worn smooth by years of ocean spray and the shuffle of fishing boots. His gaze swept over the tranquil expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the rising sun drenching the waters in hues of gold and amber. Cedar Bay, a serene coastal town tucked away in Oregon, was slowly waking up, the early morning air punctuated by the distant call of seagulls and the rhythmic whisper of waves lapping against the shore.

Nate’s life was a stark contrast to the high-stakes world of international espionage he had left behind, replaced now by the tranquility of his seaside retreat. The restless energy, the constant vigilance, the cloak-and-dagger intrigue—all were echoes of a past he had thought he’d left behind.

As he ran a calloused hand over the rough exterior of his boat, the ‘Quiet Lady,’ a sense of calm washed over him. He had spent countless hours restoring this sturdy fishing charter. She wasn’t much to look at, but to Nate, she was a symbol of his new life. A life of simplicity and peace, devoid of subterfuge and danger.

The distant sound of shuffling footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. Turning, he spotted Hank, the old bait shop owner. The man was a fixture in Cedar Bay, as reliable as the changing tides, shuffling down the dock with two steaming cups of coffee.

Couldn’t sleep, Nate admitted, accepting the offered cup with a nod of thanks. Hank merely grunted in response, squinting out at the horizon as he took a slow sip from his own cup.

Storm’s coming, the old man murmured, his gaze fixated on the distant, dark clouds gathering at the edge of the horizon. Nate followed his gaze, the metaphor not lost on him. His phone buzzed in his pocket, shattering the peace of the morning. He frowned at the unknown number, a knot of unease forming in his stomach, then answered.

Nate. It’s Marlene. The voice on the other end was familiar, a ghost from his past. Marlene Cooper, his former handler. He hadn’t heard from her in years, and her voice sent a chill coursing down his spine.

There’s trouble. Big trouble. Her words were simple, and Nate felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

I’m retired, he responded, his voice colder than he intended. But even as he said the words, he knew they were meaningless.

Karkarov. Just the mention of the name was enough to send his world spinning. Ivan Karkarov, his old nemesis, a ruthless ex-KGB operative presumed dead. He’s back.

Nate’s grip on the phone tightened. That’s impossible. He’s dead. I saw the body.

Marlene’s reply was matter-of-fact. You saw what he wanted you to see. He’s been in hiding, building a weapon that can disrupt the world’s digital infrastructure.

The implications hit Nate like a physical blow. The calm rhythm of his retirement was shattered, replaced by a familiar sense of urgency, of danger. He was being pulled back into a world he had tried so hard to leave behind.

His protest sounded hollow even to his own ears. I’m out.

We need you. You’re the only one who knows his methods. The only one who can stop him.

Nate’s gaze landed on Hank, who was watching him with a knowing gaze. The peaceful life he had painstakingly built in Cedar Bay, his fishing charter, his escape from the world of espionage—it felt like a dream, rapidly fading in the harsh light of reality.

A rush of emotions washed over him—frustration, resignation, a twinge of fear. But underneath it all was a sense of inevitability. Alright, he sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. I’m in.

As he ended the call, he felt a sense of finality. His quiet life, the one he had built with such care in Cedar Bay, Oregon, was slipping through his fingers like grains of sand. The world of espionage, with all its shadows and dangers, was calling him back. And like it or not, he was answering. His peaceful retreat was now marred by the specter of his past, the storm on the horizon no longer just a weather prediction, but a symbol of the turmoil he knew was coming. The quiet life was over. The storm was here.

2

Chapter Two: Ghosts of the Past

The tranquil calm of Cedar Bay had a way of making the rest of the world feel miles away, and yet the ghost of his past had found him even here. Nate had been staring at the text message for a solid ten minutes, the worn wooden planks of the dock beneath him, the salty air kissing his skin, and the comforting familiarity of the ‘Quiet Lady’ bobbing gently beside him all suddenly feeling very distant.

Nate thumbed the message again, the cryptic string of numbers and letters hinting at a specter he had long since buried. The encryption was an old CIA code, one that very few knew. The message was simple, but it sent icy tendrils of dread snaking through him. Karkarov alive. Confirm?

He took a slow, steadying breath. Ivan Karkarov. A name he hadn’t thought about in years. He had seen the man’s body, cold and lifeless. He had watched as they put him in the ground. It was over. It had to be.

A penny for your thoughts? The voice snapped him out of his musings. He turned, the old bait shop owner standing there, his weathered face etched with lines of concern. He grunted noncommittally, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

The older man seemed to understand, nodding as he shuffled back towards his shop. Storm’s brewing, he warned cryptically before disappearing inside.

Nate found himself staring out at the horizon, at the dark clouds that seemed to be closing in all too quickly. I know, he murmured to the empty dock, a sense of unease settling in his stomach.

His phone buzzed again, another message. His heart pounded in his chest as he pulled it out, his fingers numb as he read the text. It was an address, followed by a time. Today. His former handler wanted to meet.

He stowed his phone away, his mind a whirl of questions and doubts. Karkarov, alive? It was impossible. And yet, the cold dread gnawing at his insides told him that he needed to know for sure. He needed to meet Marlene.

His peaceful life, the lull of the ocean, the simple pleasure of restoring the ‘Quiet Lady’ - it all felt like a lifetime away as he climbed into his truck, the roar of the engine a stark contrast to the serene silence of the coastal town.

As he drove, his mind roved over his past, the memories he’d locked away resurfacing. The endless missions, the constant danger, the unbearable losses. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. He had left that life behind. He was different now. He was just