1983 (#27) - Nikki and Tony's wedding, Paul and Jazz's investigation, Cindy's death

Tony's return to the city has obviously affected Paul and Andy, determined to bring him to justice. The two of them, together with the young Jazz Jackson, who entered the agency having become a policeman from an young age, start spying and following the mafioso, hoping to bring to light his shady affairs and have him arrested even with new charges. Paul, however, is bewildered when, during a stakeout of the man, he sees Nikki next to him. Nikki, in fact, has now gotten into Tony's good graces and continues to seduce him to get back the promise to take the porn movie Hot Hips off the market. When Nikki notices that Tony is completely crazy about her, she convinces herself to propose to the man to become his wife; only in this way could they become an indissoluble and indestructible crime couple. Tony accepts the proposal, and is persuaded to promise to take the film off the market, certainly not wanting to show a red light film starring his wife. Andy and Paul, meanwhile, are shocked when, during a wiretap, they realize the two of them are actually getting married. Convinced that Nikki has no idea who the man is, Paul thus intends in every way to interrupt the wedding, despite Cindy's prayers to forget Tony and everything about him, fearing for his safety. Despite the threats coming and the murder attempts addressed to Paul, however, he reassures the woman he loves, saying he is now close to the final end of a nightmare. On Tony and Nikki's wedding day, celebrated in the boss's house, Paul and Andy fail in their attempt to interrupt the ceremony; their intervention is in fact late and only takes place at the end of it, when Nikki manages to convince the man to go to the warehouse to destroy all the remaining unsold copies of the film. Here, Paul, Andy and Jazz hide to film the man, without realizing that Cindy, frightened but determined to make sure nothing happens to Paul, has followed them. Everything happens in an instant: Tony catches a glimpse of a man and realizes that it's Paul; the man, who's flashy, tries to shoot but misses the target just as Tony pulls the trigger. The shot, aimed at Paul, however, hits Cindy, who in a desperate gesture of love stands between the two men, being hit by the bullet aimed at the man she loves. Jazz's intervention behind Tony's back is decisive and the man falls to the ground dead. But for Cindy, unfortunately, there is nothing to do and the woman dies in the arms of a desperate and inconsolable Paul. The race to save Cindy's life was worthless, as the ambulance turns off before she arrives at the hospital. Carl, Mary, Andy and all of them huddle around Paul, who realizes that Cindy gave her life to save the man.

1983 (#23) - Nikki's findings on the Hot Hips video and contact with Boobsie

Allison's surprise at getting custody of Victoria, and the sudden departure with Kevin to San Francisco, without giving Nikki a chance to see Victoria one last time, upset her. Desperate and inconsolable, Nikki rejects Rick's attempts to comfort her, feeling that without Victoria her life no longer makes sense. Soon, however, the thought of what happened leads Nikki to want to see the whole film Hot Hips in which she would be present. The woman, in fact, if she understands that Leroy could have filmed her during her shows, she doesn't understand how it could result in a porn film, having never shot one in her life. Nikki doesn't take long to discover the truth, which is that with the exception of a few clips where you see her dancing, a stunt double is used throughout the rest of the film and is never framed in the face. Convinced that there is still a chance of regaining Victoria's custody, Nikki goes to the Bayou to ask Leroy for information about the video. After repeatedly apologizing to Nikki in defense of having been forced to record her shows, he refuses to say who produced the film for the safety of both of them. However, Leroy admits to knowing the girl who shot the scenes in her place. She is Boobsie Caswell, a prostitute who, after being tracked down by Nikki, admits her identity in the video. Convinced by Nikki that she too wants to start her own career as a porn actress and prostitute, Boobsie introduces Nikki to Tony, who appears visibly happy to meet the woman. Nikki's intentions are clear: to seduce Tony in order to get back the copy of the tape and all the rights to the film, so that he can withdraw it from sales and destroy it; naturally after proving that she is not the protagonist of the film.

1983 (#21) - Kevin and Nikki's divorce and the temporary custody to Allison

Victor's reappearance after his presumed death did not lead to a reunion with Nikki, as she most likely would have hoped. Having overcome this parenthesis of confusion in Nikki's heart, she is once again determined to maintain her relationship with Kevin, especially for the sake of little Victoria on whom she intends to concentrate all her energy. So she decides to stop definitively her work at the Bayou and even to break up with Rick, who, however, is more and more insistent and starts to seriously regret tearing up Katherine's letter. But the problems for Nikki are certainly not over, and a new dramatic development is waiting to unfold. It all begins when the fugitive Tony Di Salvo returns to Genoa City, who after a period in which he disappeared in order to calm the waters, decides to return to the business as usual, with the firm intention, now, to become the boss, after Pete's death. Tony's move to immediately return to make money with the criminals is to exploit the video in his possession created with the hidden recordings obtained by Leroy from Nikki's services at the Bayou. Tony thus puts the porn film Hot Hips, in which Nikki's face is clearly visible, on the market; a film that immediately receives a resounding sales success. Allison, meanwhile, is increasingly bitter and disappointed that not even her attempt with Rick destroyed her son Kevin's marriage to Nikki. But just when she appears resigned, Allison receives a shocking news from her manicurist, Ruby Collins, confessing to this the success of the red light movie in which Nikki is the main character. Upon hearing the news, an incredulous Allison runs to buy the film and, on seeing it, is pleased to have in her hands the weapon that will decree the divorce between Kevin and Nikki. Allison threatens Nikki with telling Kevin the truth, forcing her to sign a document of temporary custody of Victoria by Allison. Nikki initially refuses to declare herself unfit to be Victoria's mother, but when Allison calls Ruby to ask her to spread the word, Nikki is forced to sign. Even so, the news of Nikki's porn film doesn't take long to reach Kevin. Kevin is incredulous and angry with his wife, calling this the straw that broke the camel's back in their marriage. Nikki can't believe that the woman in the video is her, defending herself that she did nothing of the sort and was simply discredited by Allison, but she is forced to admit that she is her when the evidence shows her face while dancing at the Bayou. Rick, meanwhile, defends Nikki and clashes with Kevin, angry at yet another disappointment of his wife, with whom he has a fight. After many of Kevin's divorce requests, all rejected by Nikki, in the end it is Rick who convinces Nikki herself that it is impossible to continue a loveless marriage with Kevin. So they fly to Haiti to speed up the divorce process.When she returns to Genoa City, however, Nikki discovers with dismay that Allison has arranged for Victoria's temporary custody, convincing Earl, Kevin and who she believes to be her granddaughter to leave for San Francisco.

1983 (#13) - Frank's awakening, Cindy's testimony and Tony's absconding

Despite the entire gang being wiped out, Paul and Carl are very worried about Tony's escape, convinced that the man may return at any moment to take revenge. In agreement with Cindy, they decide to hide the woman in a convent for some time. Meanwhile, just before the trial, positive news comes from the hospital, where Dr. Edgeworth reports that Frank has come out of his coma and seems to be out of danger. Paul immediately visits the man, informing him of the latest developments and how the investigation has been successful. It is also a chance for Carl to see the man again, who advises him to be proud of his son's tenacity. With the start of the trial, Frank manages to draw up a report on the whole matter, helped by Paul and Andy to rebuild the entire mafia system put in place by Pete and Tony. Cindy, after leaving the convent, also gives her testimony, which is ultimately useful to condemn all members of the gang and bring them to justice. Thus ends a real nightmare for Cindy, Paul and Carl that lasted for months and months. Carl's suspension is annulled and the man is immediately reinstated in the police, happy to return to his usual job after his experience as a security guard at Jabot. Everyone is happy with how things have finally settled down, despite the disturbing shadow of Tony's escape.

1983 (#11) - Mary's abduction and the fatal shooting between Alex and Pete

Months and months passed without having any more contact from Paul, having his news only from the newspapers in which the boy appears more and more involved in crime, convince Carl to no longer consider Paul as a member of his family. Carl's position destroys Patty and Mary, who are still hoping that their son will return to them. Meanwhile, the long-awaited turn of events in Paul's investigation arrives: the man, in fact, finally manages to find the missing piece of evidence, namely Alex, the corrupt policeman former colleague of his father Carl. Paul thus understands all the reasons that led Carl to be framed and gets in touch with Andy and Alex himself, who is initially reluctant to cooperate. Tony, meanwhile, overhears a conversation between Alex and Paul and understands that Paul is nothing more than an undercover. Informed Pete of Paul's identity, the boss then decides to punish him psychologically, before he dies. So he decides to kidnap his mother Mary under the desperate eyes of Carl, who even goes so far as to hypothesize an exchange, Mary for Paul, if only he could track him down. The episode of Mary's kidnapping, meanwhile, finally manages to convince Alex on the right thing to do, and together with Andy and Paul sets out to find Pete to save Mary. Andy convinces Paul and Alex to report it to the police, but Pete manages to surprise them in time. A shooting ensues from the bloody epilogue, as Alex and Pete shoot and kill each other. When the police rush in, Tony has already escaped, but he finds Andy and Paul who manage to explain the whole thing and save Mary. The police believe the reconstruction of Paul, who can then embrace his family again, happy to know the whole truth. Carl is proud of his son and embraces him, asking for forgiveness for not having understood the project and not having trusted him; then Paul introduces Cindy to Carl, Mary and Patty, who also meet the parents of the girl, James Lake and Margareth Lake, and the Cindy's sister, Sammy.

1983 (#7) - Frank's injury, Stuart's article and Cindy's proposal

The emergence of an evident and growing mafia control in the city is brought to light by the bloody episode of Frank's shooting. During a robbery ordered by Pete, in fact, police chief Frank Lewis is wounded by a bullet wound near his heart. The news puts the whole city in shock and blows up a real media case. Stuart himself, returning from London for a brief visit to Genoa City, decides to return to write an editorial on the Genoa City Chronicle to highlight the dangerous and bloody escalation. The investigation that follows the media case brings to light, in a short time, numerous episodes now linked to drug trafficking and the prostitution ring carried out by the criminal gangs of the city. Pete, who is furious with the perpetrators of the robbery for Frank's wounding, certainly does not like to have the spotlight turned against him; and the situation also makes Paul more and more stressed and anxious. Paul, though briefly, visits Frank secretly in the hospital, where he cries desperately. Frank, followed by Dr. David Edgeworth and in a coma for several days now, struggles tenaciously and continuously between life and death until he wakes up. A very happy Paul is thus able to visit a convalescent Frank, who is encouraging him not to give up. The situation seems to slowly improve, but soon a heart attack due to the worsening of the man makes him fall back into a coma. Paul is desperate, realizing that he is increasingly alone in his struggle. A new editorial by Stuart, which highlights Paul's connections with the underworld, makes the man furious, aware that he can certainly not respond to the accusations. Paul is afraid of dying or being left without witnesses who can one day make his family understand that he is on the side of justice; Cindy understands that Paul, without his family next door, is increasingly lonely and proposes to confess everything, even though he firmly refuses, as this could jeopardize his entire investigation.

1983 (#1) - Pam's discovery, Paul's fears and Tony and Pete's suspicions

Paul is shocked when he receives a phone call from the police to help them identify Pam's body. It is Frank who tells him the news, also asking him for updates on the investigation; an embittered Paul then reluctantly admits to himself that the only person who could have helped his father Carl for free to be declared innocent and to be reintegrated is lying on a bed in the morgue. Meanwhile, Pete and Tony are eager to meet Paul personally, intrigued by the boy and suspicious that he might be a spy. Paul, received with open arms in the mafia ring, praised for his work and, having committed his first murder, welcomed as family members by Pete himself. Paul, though uncomfortable, obviously decides to play along so as not to arouse suspicion. He therefore confirms that he was the one who killed Pam, just as ordered, not knowing whether Pete is aware of the real facts and whether this is a way to test him. In Paul's mind, the thing that troubles him more than any other is the thought that Cindy may have the same fate as Pam. But despite Paul's attempts to convince the girl to run away with his help, the girl decides to stay close to him, to the man she loves, just as he did. However, the most worried about the situation that is developing is Andy, who realises that he's gotten into bigger business than him and doesn't hide his desire to get out of the business, even though he wants to continue helping Paul in his battle. Cindy and Paul's feelings of love and fear are then put to the test even more when the two decide not to see each other anymore so as not to arouse suspicion in Tony, who looks at them more and more attentively, convinced that Paul is a dangerous snoop.

1982 (#35) - Lenny's car accident and Pam's murder

Lenny, meanwhile, understands that Cindy is dating a man, but she denies it and refuses to talk; the man then abuses Cindy several times and starts to get much harder on her. To divert attention away from Paul, Andy decides to pretend to be interested in Cindy. At first Lenny seems to believe him enough to try to kill Andy, but suddenly, watching Cindy and Paul together, Lenny notices the trick and begins to suspect him. Mary's condition, meanwhile, worsens rapidly. The woman refuses to have a mastectomy, and Carl stands beside her and pray next to her. They both feel lonely and desperate, as Paul, who would love to see his parents again. In a real madness, Paul decides to visit his mother in the hospital at night; finding her asleep, he leaves her a bunch of roses that Mary herself finds the next morning. Mary confesses to Carl that she dreamt she had been visited by Paul and seems to be happy. Soon her condition will improve until she is well again. Lenny, meanwhile, dies in a car accident with his car and, although he is completely innocent, Tony begins to suspect that Paul had something to do with it. Having warned Pete immediately, he decides to test Paul by ordering him to kill Pam, who could talk at any moment. For the first time Paul doesn't know what to do, then he decides to hide the girl in the house by staging a murder to make the boss think he got rid of the girl. A desperate Cindy begs Paul to run away, but he announces that he won't abandon her, even facing of death. Paul's plan, however, fails miserably when Paul goes back inside the house and doesn't find Pam. Kidnapped by Pete and Tony, Pam is tortured until she confesses to knowing that Paul is working undercover. After that, the woman is killed and Pete confesses his desire to get to know Paul better.

1982 (#29) - Paul and Cindy's feelings and Mary's diagnosis of breast lumps

As the investigation continues, Paul finds himself romantically involved with Cindy. Andy repeatedly warns him not to cultivate a relationship with the woman, but Paul cannot help but realize the girl's gold heart and gentle soul; Paul thus promises a worried Cindy that soon, when all this is over, they can be together. Paul, meanwhile, manages to talk to Pam, but she denies that she lied about Carl's affair, even though Paul sees the fear of talking in her face. Meanwhile, at the Williams house, Carl, who has no idea of the risks his son is taking to rehabilitate him, announces to a shocked Mary that Paul is no longer a member of their family. The couple's difficult time is even worse when Mary is diagnosed with breast lumps.

1982 (#22) - Andy and Paul's undercover investigation

Shocked by the accusations against his father and the suspension from work, Paul decides to investigate. With him, there is also a determined Andy, who after being left by Jill decides to start a new life by going to work in Paul's own detective agency. To be convinced that there is much more behind Carl's accusations is not just Paul, but also the head of the department Frank, who secretly contacts Paul to investigate the case. Frank warns the two boys that theirs must be an undercover job that no one should know anything about; in particular, not even Mary and Carl himself should suspect anything. To do this, Paul stages a furious quarrel with his mother Mary for futile reasons, culminating in the abandonment of the house; this inexplicable episode, for Mary, is followed by an argument with Carl, in which Paul accuses his father of being a corrupt and a criminal. Having eliminated all suspicions and any relationship with his family, Paul can finally act undercover. Paul's first objective is to track down Pam Warren, who doesn't work at Jona's anymore. Paul meets Cindy, another maid who, he suspects, may be linked to the prostitution trafficking, having been caught with Tony Di Salvo, a mafioso who works under Pete's name. Paul, unlike his father, shows an interest in dishonest business and, when Tony is arrested for violence on poor Cindy, Paul contacts Tony to help him out of prison, in exchange for some information and tips to reach other members of the gang. Tony then confirms that he works for Pete in the drug trade, while Lenny Wilkens organizes the prostitution trade in a new club called Golden Touch. Because of this, having touched one of Lenny's favourite girls, Tony found himself with the problems he now has with justice. Paul, therefore, now knows who to contact - Lenny. Through him, he finally manages to intercept Pam Warren. Andy repeatedly tries to warn Paul of the danger he's in, but he doesn't seem to have a clue, not even when Lenny puts a knife to his neck as a warning. During his stakeouts at the Golden Touch, Paul also intercepts young Angela and, before she can be hired and put to work as a prostitute, she is rescued by the man and, without being seen by Robert, is taken to safety before an interested Lenny can hire her.