Fallout shelter .........

[cruciverbali]

I've been tearing my hair out trying to solve this one: Fallout shelter run in American security operation ? (8)

[kayakamina]

Do you have any letters in place?

[cruciverbali]

Sorry, K, the second letter is L

C

[kayakamina]

Alopecia......Lope (run) in A (american) CIA (security op,)

Alopecia = Fallout !

[cruciverbali]

Brilliantine !!

[kayakamina]

Please forgive my asking but are you connected to Logophile in any way as your styles are similar?

Regards K

[cruciverbali]

You are very perceptive K ! Yes, we are related, and both have a passion for matters cruciverbal. I suppose I have learned a lot from him, though our personalities are really quite different. Well spotted !

Best Wishes

C

[Quizmonster]

Ooh, you are naughty, K! That is a Listener clue, you see. Actually - as I've said on AnswerBank before now - 'publish and be damned'. I have no time for the belief that that particular crossword is somehow sacrosanct.