Escape from Five Shadows (1956) by Elmore Leonard

leaf-rustling, twig-snapping sound of someone coming through the trees. He looked up as Salvaje rose, expecting to see another of the Mimbres or one of the guards and his face showed open surprise as Karla Demery walked her horse into the clearing.
    Bowen saw her look directly at him, then her skirt curved gracefully as she stepped from the saddle. Again, she was wearing a man's shirt and her dark hair was even shorter than he had pictured it curving low on her forehead, but brushed back on the sides into a soft upcurl at the nape of her neck. And Bowen was thinking, watching her take her horse to the pool edge: I'll bet she can ride like hell. I'll bet she can cook and shoot and do everything like hell. But, he thought then, seeing her looking at him again and feeling the sudden quickening inside of him: Don't try to figure her out.
    Karla's gaze moved from Bowen and Salvaje to Pryde and the Mexican, then raised to the two Mimbres standing behind them. To no one in particular she said, No guards? I'm surprised at Mr. Renda.
    Squatting at the edge of the pool, the Mexican pushed up his hatbrim with his thumb. These barbarians are guards enough.
    I'm still surprised, Karla said. Her eyes returned to Bowen and Salvaje. I'm delivering mail to the camp, but I might as well leave it with you. She looked directly at Bowen. You'll see that Mr. Renda gets it?
    Bowen nodded. Sure. He started to rise and Salvaje stepped in front of him.
    Your friend understands English? Karla said.
    Bowen glanced at Salvaje. Very well.
    Karla was looking at the Mimbre now. I'll give it to this man Bowen.
    Salvaje shook his head.
    We're missing two horses, Karla said evenly. Both of them wearing a Double-H brand. Would you like the San Carlos man to visit your rancher+a?
    The Mimbre stared at her, not answering.
    Mr. Bowen, Karla said. You'll find the mail in the left-hand saddlebag.
    Bowen hesitated. He walked around the pool then, past the team horses, feeling Salvaje and the others watching him. He saw Karla leaning close to the horse patting its neck, but as he came around to its off side she straightened up and moved toward him.
    Let me help you.
    What're you up to?
    Close to him she began unbuckling the flap of the saddlebag. Just listen to me.
    They can hear us!
    Then don't talk! Her voice dropped to a half-whisper as she said, I heard from the lawyer in Prescott. He's agreed to look into your trial, but he wants a few things cleared up.
    Bowen frowned. Why should he help me?
    Because I asked him to!
    He can't
    Be quiet and listen! She spoke rapidly then, her voice a soft, hoarse whisper. Think back and don't waste words when I ask you a question. Mr. Martz says there's little mention of the bill of sale in the court records. Was it shown as evidence?
    It was shown for a minute.
    Did Manring admit forging Mr. McLaughlin's signature?
    That didn't come up.
    But it was a copy of McLaughlin's style of writing.
    I think so.
    Then why didn't they try to find out who filled out and signed the bill of sale?
    The judge assumed it was Manring.
    How would Manring know how McLaughlin wrote?
    McLaughlin claimed Earl worked for him three years before.
    And he'd remember McLaughlin's script?
    Bowen hesitated. Wait a minute. You're assuming Earl forged the receipt'athat he stole the cattle!
    Mr. Martz is assuming it. He knows McLaughlin well, a man with a good reputation. He's never done anything like this in his life. He's never had to. With the land he has, taking a few hundred dollars from Manring wouldn't be worth the bother.
    If Earl forged the receipt, I don't know how he did it.
    Neither does Mr. Martz. That's the first thing he has to find out. Next'awas the bill of sale made out on plain paper?
    No, it had McLaughlin's letterhead on it.
    His regular stock-sale receipt?
    That's what it looked like.
    Where did Manring get it?
    All I know is what he told me. McLaughlin gave it to him.
    Which isn't true.
    Your lawyer friend's doing a lot of assuming.
    It's