Author and retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Merrill Vaughan announces the release of his debut fiction novel, Cold Case Investigators: The Kidnapping, a pulse-pounding thriller that weaves personal trauma, criminal intrigue, and military precision into a story of desperation and resilience.

Set against the backdrop of military life and small-town tensions, the novel opens with Sherrie, a young mother celebrating her 24th birthday at a local bar with friends. Her husband, Patrick—a devoted Master Sergeant in the 63rd Security Police Squadron—remains unaware that the night will spiral into chaos when Rod, Sherrie’s manipulative ex-boyfriend, resurfaces. After drugging and assaulting her, Rod’s vendetta escalates into a brazen kidnapping of Sherrie and Patrick’s son, JR, propelling the family into a nightmare.

As Sherrie fights to recover from her injuries, Patrick teams with military leadership and law enforcement to track down Rod, whose twisted claims of paternity over JR add layers of psychological tension. The narrative shifts between Rod’s desperate flight with the boy, Patrick’s race against time, and the FBI’s methodical investigation, building toward a climactic reckoning. Vaughan’s military expertise lends authenticity to the procedural details, while his nuanced portrayal of Sherrie’s trauma and Patrick’s resolve underscores the emotional core of the story.

A Veteran’s Perspective
Merrill Vaughan’s 22-year Air Force career, including roles as a Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, informs the novel’s vivid depiction of military protocols and camaraderie. His assignments across global bases and stateside installations ground the story in realism, while his post-retirement work as an educator highlights his commitment to storytelling.

“This book is a culmination of my experiences—both in uniform and beyond,” Vaughan says. “I wanted to explore how ordinary people confront extraordinary evil, and how institutions like the military and FBI navigate crises. But at its heart, it’s about a family’s fight to reclaim their lives.”

About the Author
A California native, Merrill Vaughan graduated from Duarte High School in 1967 before enlisting in the Air Force, where he served until 1993. His career spanned aircraft maintenance, personnel management, and leadership roles, including First Sergeant—a position central to the novel’s portrayal of Patrick’s support network. After retiring, Vaughan earned a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Franklin Pierce University in 2012 and spent years substitute teaching, fostering his passion for mentorship and narrative. Cold Case Investigators: The Kidnapping marks his fiction debut.