While Drowning in the Desert

Chapter 28

Ms. Pamela A. HolmstrumClaims SuperintendentWestern States Insurance Co. 801 Flower StreetLos Angeles, CA

Craig D. Schaeffer

Attorney-at-Law

3615 Monterey

Palm Desert, CA

14 August 1983

Dear Mr. Schaeffer,

Congratulations on your fine work on the Muller-Abdullah files. I was gratified to receive your communication that Attorney Eugene Petkovitch has dropped both bad-faith suits. Of course, I imagine that Mr. Muller’s demise and Mr. Abdullah’s incarceration rendered that litigation moot.

Western States Insurance Company is very pleased with your fine work on this file, and please allow me to add my personal congratulations. It has been a pleasure to work with you and I look forward to future collaborations.

Yours truly, Pamela A. Holmstrum

P.S.: See, I told you things would work out.

Craig D. SchaefferAttorney-at-Law3615 MontereyPalm Desert, CA

Ms. Pamela A. Holmstrum

Claims Superintendent

Western States Insurance Co.

801 Flower Street

Los Angeles, CA

17 August 1983

Dear Ms. Holmstrum,

Thank you for your letter expressing your, and your company’s, appreciation for my modest efforts on the Muller-Abdullah file. I am indeed gratified that everything worked out. Let me also express my appreciation for your work on the matter and say how much I have enjoyed our association. I hope it will continue.

Sincerely, Craig Schaeffer, Esquire

P.S.: Dinner Saturday?

Ms. Pamela A. HolmstrumClaims SuperintendentWestern States Insurance Co. 801 Flower StreetLos Angeles, CA

Craig D. Schaeffer

Attorney-at-Law

3615 Monterey

Palm Desert, CA

19 August 1983

Dear Craig,

Please find enclosed a correspondence from Eugene Petkovitch. I am referring this to you for your handling.

Yours truly, Pam Holmstrum

P.S.: Do you believe the nerve of this son-of-a-gun?

P.P.S.: Eight o’clock?

The Law Offices of Eugene E. Petkovitch1500 Mitch Miller BoulevardPalm Springs, CA

Ms. Pamela Holmstrum

Western States Insurance Co.

801 Flower Street

Los Angeles, CA

16 August 1983

Dear Ms. Holmstrum,

This letter is to inform you that I no longer represent Mr. Amin “Sami” Abdullah. If I had thought for a moment that this man was an arsonist, fraud and kidnapper I would never have deigned to take pen in hand-rhetorically speaking-on his behalf. Please accept my profound apologies.

Second, I wish to inform you that I will be filing suit against you on behalf of the estate of the late Heinz Muller. The causes of action will be unlawful surveillance, harassment, assault with a deadly vehicle (his Land Rover), false imprisonment, and wrongful death. I am also naming Mr. Neal Carey, Mr. Nathan Silverstein, Ms. Hope White, Ms. Karen Hawley, and one John Doe aka “Mickey the C.”

I am personally and professionally outraged-OUTRAGED-that an insurance carrier in this day and age would single out for oppressive treatment an individual just because that person happens to be a foreign immigrant. Immigration built this land, Ms. Holmstrum, lest you or Western States Insurance Company ever forget it!

Your conduct has been despicable!

I am certain that a California jury will send a message to the insurance industry-via a large punitive damages award-that this type of conduct will no longer be tolerated.

There is still time for you to avoid litigation.

My client, the estate of Mr. Heinz Muller, is generously willing to accept $100,000,000 for the pain, suffering and unlawful death that your Gestapo-like inquisition and jackboot investigative tactics have inflicted upon him. This sum represents far less than an outraged jury would award, and saves you the cost of a long, expensive, and ultimately futile defense.

This offer expires at close of business, five working days hence, and will not be compromised or renewed.

Sincerely yours, Eugene E. Petkovitch

Craig D. SchaefferAttorney-at-Law3615 MontereyPalm Desert, CA

Ms. Pamela A. Holmstrum

Claims Superintendent

Western States Insurance Co.

801 Flower Street

Los Angeles, CA

20 August 1983

Dear Pam,

Enclosed please find my response to the demand letter of Attorney Eugene Petkovitch.

Here we go again.

Sincerely, Craig

P.S.: Enjoyed watching The Searchers. Was it John Wayne, or you?

Craig D. SchaefferAttorney-at-Law3615 MontereyPalm Desert, CA

Eugene E. Petkovitch

The Law Offices of Eugene E. Petkovitch

1500 Mitch Miller Boulevard

Palm Springs, CA

20 August 1983

Dear Eugene,

I am once again representing Western States Insurance Company. In response to your latest correspondence:

1) Take us to court.

2) Bring your lunch.

The usual bullshit, Craig “Mad Dog” Schaeffer

By Fax

Dear Craig,

I read with great interest your response to Attorney Petkovitch.

I have a triathlon in Laguna next weekend. Can you lend me some testosterone?

Pam

P.S.: I rented Annie Hall, if that will get you here.