1980 (#20) - Peggy's investigation, infiltration into the sect, engagement with Steven

Peggy is excited about her work at the Genoa Chronicle and immediately sets to work with her teammate Steven. Peggy, having recently heard a growing alarmism about the spread of satanic cults and sects in the city, decides to make an inquiry into this obscure phenomenon. Steven agrees to address the issue and, despite a worried Stuart strongly advises her not to go into this matter and offers her to deal with lighter and less delicate issues, Peggy's great determination, combined with her thirst for truth typical of the best journalist, make her immediately throw herself body and soul into this investigation. Peggy starts collecting material by wandering around the city, doing interviews and asking for information in the slums of the city. Soon, she learns of the existence of a dangerous sect called Communion of the New World which, with the intention and promise to make its adherents discover the truth and prepare them for their destiny, turns out to be an association that literally leaves its adherents broke, causing not only serious psychological problems, but also financial ones. In the meantime, Greg notices with more and more concern the behavior of his wife, by now a stranger in the house, who goes out regularly every night without saying anything about what she does; so soon Greg is convinced that Nikki has a lover and asks Casey for information, but she is also surprised by it. Meanwhile, Steven and Peggy are satisfied with their investigation, having collected a lot of material; Peggy, however, wants to go further and go inside the sect. So she decides to infiltrate, pretending to be an aspiring adherent. Through an informant, so, Peggy pretends to be interested in participating in the sect and is brought to one of their meetings. All the participants wear a black hooded dress, so Peggy can't see anyone's face. Determined to break up the gang, Peggy contacts the police and so, in a subsequent meeting, tries in every way possible to expose the leaders of the sect, Rebecca Andrews and Sumiko Funai. Rebecca, realizing that Peggy is a spy, warns Sumiko who tries to kill her, but in the end the police intervention ends the fight, thus making numerous arrests. Peggy is overjoyed, having managed to take down an entire gang of criminals and Stuart, despite the big scare, is proud of his daughter as well as Steven himself, who gets carried away by the emotion and kisses Peggy. The two of them, amazed and embarrassed, eventually let themselves go to passion and find themselves attracted more than ever. It doesn't take long before Steven breaks off his relationship with Jill to embark on a new adventure with Peggy.