William Lawson

The Praetorean Condition: Volume One of Traits of the Species William Lawson

Felix Praetorious, an American scion of a Luxembourg industrial family that produces the luxury car, the Praetorean, is determined to retain the love of Danielle, a passionate idealist, by returning a stolen national treasure of Nepal that his family has possessed since the nineteenth century. A revolution is smoldering in the kingdom, and the treasure, a fabulous crystal containing seven hundred-fifty flawless diamonds, must be returned immediately to serve as a basis for the national currency and finance roads, schools, and hospitals. But to make the return, Felix must steal the Great Crystal of Siddharta from the family heavily guarded chateau outside of Paris. The sole heir, he must in effect steal from himself. He gradually learns that his private act of conscience is also a complex play of international politics manipulated by the Nepalese, French, British, and American governments. Moreover, Felix life is menaced by the murderous Hector Praga, who has discovered the plot and will do whatever he must to take the crystal during its exposure between Paris and Nepal. Dangerously caught between multiple worlds, Felix is in the Praetorean Condition.