Clue: Loplop Cryptic #019 [15×]
◆ · By George Ho · Published 2023-04-30T04:13:34.412Z
Constructor's Note
Please make sure to read the teaser below for 
maximum vibes!
maximum vibes! Your taxi clatters across the gravel road, rattling and ringing across the silence of the night before pulling up to the oaken front doors of the Tudor mansion. You've hardly stepped out of the vehicle before the sergeant approaches you with a grave expression.
"Detective, I'm afraid you've arrived just in time for a real mess," the sergeant says, their voice low and serious.
You furrow your brow. "What are we looking at?"
"We're still finding that out for ourselves, but it doesn't look pretty. It's going to be a long night."
You nod, your eyes scanning the details of the mansion's imperturbable face. "Alright. Let's see what we're dealing with here."
Checking for previous play data...
1A
Ruby liquor, knocked back, put someone to sleep (6)
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Across
- 1ARuby liquor, knocked back, put someone to sleep (6)
- 5ALoplop's second attempt to pen English puzzle (7)
- 9APiece of data on electric vehicle… is it for an executive meeting? (5,5)
- 10AAmerican Express moving up second half in inspection (4)
- 11ABreadwinner's musical skill initially not even recognizable (6)
- 12AScheme of chief of police thronged by pliable cronies (8)
- 13AOfficer sounds like a bit of an earful? (7)
- 15ATame reminder to renew your Twitch membership? (6)
- 17ASharp rock band to cover singles — not just one but two (6)
- 18ANasty political accusations involving celebrity — spicy stuff (7)
- 19ASmoked outside of apartment? Apprehended (8)
- 21ADetective's crazed hustle (6)
- 23AFalse witness trains to backpedal (4)
- 24AI'm about to stuff fruit with trace of radium — it might bring death (4,6)
- 25ARepository rapidly emptied after a sign (7)
- 26APainfully separate from small songbird near church (6)
Down
- 2DSuper-super sound kind of treatment? (5)
- 3DTrio of detectives went fishing and unraveled… (9)
- 4D…final part of cipher — done with perseverance, say? (5)
- 5DAmerican in Michigan, California or maybe Oklahoma! (7)
- 6DAssistant improvised for some devilish people? (9)
- 7DStarts to examine yearningly… entranced, utterly possessed! (3,2)
- 8DDarn, you're going through the wringer all the time (4-5)
- 13DTucked into coat, casebook's covering sources for investigation — every last caged talker (9)
- 14DState during picnic: "A ragu! Amazing!" (9)
- 16DFinger pointing at couple of blisters on a gigantic self (5,4)
- 18DJoe (Democrat) is over Illinois? Yes, confusedly (7)
- 20DBeat pair of thieves before hold up (5)
- 21DShrill squealer is endlessly cunning (5)
- 22DTeen drama's emotional outburst starts in weed ingredient (3,2)