1984 (#14) - The trip to St. Croix, the rescue of Nikki and the injuries to Victor

While Andy and Paul finally convince themselves of Rick's dangerousness, they convince Nikki to go on a journey. Not particularly fond of sea areas, Rick says he plans to visit Chicago, until Rick confesses to Nikki that he has already booked a week on the Caribbean island of St. Croix, a destination that Nikki eventually accepts gladly to be with the man she loves. Once on the island, Rick is so ready to carry out his plan that he finally reveals the true identity of Rick Daros, who is nothing more than a serial killer ready to kill by drowning. Paul and Andy, meanwhile, immediately warn Victor of the danger Nikki is in and, having informed the man about all the events concerning Rick, convince themselves of the need to stop him immediately. Victor is unable to track them down, so Victor calls Nikki, but she cannot answer the phone in time, as Rick has stolen her phone, and without being heard, Rick starts talking about Nikki by calling her by the name of Melissa. After some research, Andy and Paul discover that Rick and Nikki are in St. Croix and they leave with Victor in the hope that it's not too late for Nikki. Luckily for the woman, a furious tropical storm is breaking out on St. Croix, preventing them from exploring underwater as Rick says he wants to do. Forced to shop and buy souvenirs, Nikki appears annoyed and eager to leave for Genoa City, but Rick manages to make sure that she is given a few more days until the weather improves. Paul, Andy and Victor, meanwhile, faced with prohibitive weather conditions, finally arrive on the island, where they start asking around if anyone has seen Rick and Nikki; finally a waiter directs the three of them to the hotel where they are staying. Meanwhile, Rick and Nikki argue furiously and the woman wants to end this holiday, which is turning into a nightmare as soon as possible; Rick then starts acting increasingly hysterical, revealing the truth about Victoria's fatherhood, which leaves Nikki speechless. The quarrel soon turns into a furious fight in which Nikki manages to escape from Rick's grasp, but the next day he tracks the woman down and forces her under threat to put on the diving suit. As Rick and Nikki set sail away from the coast, the man notices that Paul, Andy and Victor are following him. Once caught up, Paul manages to save Nikki on a surfboard, while in the fight between Victor, Andy and Rick is the first to get the worst of it, being wounded by a sea rifle shot that catches him in the groin. Andy finally manages to put Rick on the run, finally thwarting the assassination attempt and saving Nikki's life.