No 13920, Tuesday 18 Jul 2023, Dr. X

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Error of criminal picked up by cops - in time, for a change (13) MISCONCEPTION (CON) in {COPS+IN+TIME}*

8   Folded sheet of paper with fine old painting brought back (5) FOLIO {F}{O}{OIL<=}

9   District Commissioner in tower getting special VIP treatment (3,6)  RED CARPET {RE{DC}AR}{PET}

11 Dwell on boyfriend embracing stylish girl very heartily (6,4) LINGER OVER {L{IN}{G}{vERy}OVER}

12 Starts to appreciate some tasty Italian wine (4) ASTI Acrostic &lit

14 Group returned on duty - reviewed equipment used for checking machines (4,3) TEST BED {SET<=}{DEBT<=}

16 Alone with a dude in building (7) UNAIDED*

17 English girls snog, swilling alcoholic drinks (7) EGGNOGS {E}{G}{G}{SNOG*}

19 Chemical compound is azure, not black in colour (7) TOLUENE {TO{bLUE}NE}

21 Paid extravagantly for brand of small computer (4) IPAD*

22 Seductive with heavenly body, woman captures hearts on island (4-6) COME-HITHER {COMET}{HER} over {H}{I}

25 The French associate staggers outside bar anyhow (9) LEASTSWAYS {LE}{A}{S{T}WAYS}

26 Result of careless misuse - waste of money (5) ISSUE mISUSE*

27 Beautician's fee to conceal moles! I got shocked (13) COSMETOLOGIST {COS{MOLES+I+GOT}*T}

DOWN

2   Lass in department misplaced keys (7) I?L?N?S (Addendum - ISLANDS (LASS+IN+D*)

3   Conservative miss and bachelor involved in affair? Yes, it's difficult to understand (6,4) CLOSED BOOK {C}{LOSE}{D{B}O}{OK}

4   DEA agent rushed around Colombia (5) NARCO {RAN<=}{CO}

5   Final outcome of lady wearing improper dentures (3,6) END RESULT {ENDRESU{L}T*}

6   Nick! SA's opener gone for duck (4) TEAL sTEAL

7   Challenged newspaper article about backing bribe (7) OPPOSED {OP ED} over {SOP<=}

8   What hungry pelican might do to satisfy requirements (4,3,4) FILL THE BILL [C&DD]

10 Did he regret terribly ruthless interrogation? (5,6) THIRD DEGREE*

13 Wild night in Bali without husband is exciting (4-6) NAIL-BITING {NIGhT+IN+BALI}* 

15 Band isn't so rocking, lacking bass, unmelodious (9) DISSONANT {bAND+ISNT+SO}*

18 Wild llama bitten by iguana collapses (7) GUANACO [T]

20 Sheep around posh square in ancient Greek city (7) EPHESUS {EPHES}*{U}{S}

23 One supporting artist's painting of treacherous person killing wife (5) EASEL wEASEL

24 Feature revolutionary prime time shows (4) ITEM [T<=]

Reference List

Fine = F, Old = O, Stylish = IN, Girl = G, English = E, Girl = G, Black = B, Hearts = H, Island = I, The in French = LE, Associate = A, Bar = T, Money = M, Department = D, Conservative = C, Bachelor = B, Affair = DO, Lady = L, Husband = H, Bass = B, Posh = U, Square = S, Wife = W