November 17, 1989
Port Charles, NY
The sign outside Julian Jerome's office proclaimed him as a CPA. He had passed the NY State written exam and been granted licensure in early 1986, so there was definitely some truth in the advertising. Yet, there was also much irony and subterfuge buried within. Victor Jerome had originally sent his second son to Port Charles in February 1987 to broker the tenuous McKay-Jerome family alliance, and keep an eye on Duke Lavery, Angus McKay's recently acknowledged illegitimate son.
Initially, Julian had become the accountant for Duke's Club so he could oversee, at least the financial aspects of, his organization. At first, he had simply been doing his father's bidding. But, over time, in spite of their family backgrounds and the circumstances concerning his older brother's death, Julian had come to consider Duke a friend. That was why he had helped Duke rescue his wife, Anna from the sociopath, Grant Andrews and even why he had fed Duke some of the evidence that eventually led to Anna's acquittal for the attempted murder of his own sister, Olivia Jerome. It was also why Julian had, at least in his heart, fully renounced his own father after Duke Lavery had died in a mob orchestrated ambush at his club, Duke's Place.
Duke's Place was no longer. His widow, already remarried to her first husband, had sold the club after his death. The new owner, Katherine Delafield-a concert pianist, had practically gutted the club once the PCPD released it as a crime scene. Irish Charm had been replaced with ornate crystal chandeliers, an air of luxury, and a grand piano. Or at least that had been Julian's impression when he had dropped paperwork off earlier in the week. He was done doing his father's bidding, so he would also be Katherine Delafield's accountant. It was all part of his plan to realize the dream Duke Lavery had given his life for, legitimacy and an egress from the mire of the criminal underworld.
Originally, Julian had persevered on the path to legitimacy as a tribute to his friend. He hadn't wanted Duke's death to have been in vain but he hadn't truly believed he would ever be successful. More recently, his quest had taken on new meaning and worth. If he could truly extricate himself from the criminal underworld, he might have a chance to build a life with Alexis. He wanted that. He needed that!
As much as he wanted to be with Alexis, he was even more convinced that he could not, and would not, risk her becoming a casualty of his world. He had watched Duke try to straddle being a family man and a made man. While he understood Duke's dilemma, he had seen the casualties, including Duke and Anna's unborn child, of his choice and he could not accept that for Alexis.