It was the 20th anniversary of Ireland joining the EU. Over 300 million Irish pounds were never redeemed for euros. The Central Bank of Ireland maintained reserves for every unaccounted pound.

Sean had missed the brass ring in life; this was his chance. Printing 20th-century Irish currency should be easier than printing today's laden with security features. It did not matter that he was half a world away in San Francisco. The money had been sitting there for years; no one would miss it.

Bernard Sheridan was a lifer at the Central Bank, though his destiny had been handed to a ruthless outsider. His career was coming to an ignominious end; he would be a footnote.

McAuliffe and Sheridan were natural enemies, the scammer and the banker. Much preparation, along with guileful execution, found them on the wrong side of a vault door. Millions of euros, careers, not to mention prison, hung in the balance.