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Meursault,

2nd half of 9,20 is VESPER. (slack = VEER, around SP), but I don't understand all of the wordplay.

Re. the first playfair code square, I think that it has to be something like this:

U
F
C H
E A
R S

(CER have to be in a column, and HAS have to be lined up next to it).

but I can't get much further. Hint anyone?

Sorry, that's misaligned. Should be:

U
F
C H
E A
R S

I'm stuck on the last step -- finding the thematic word in the grid. Any hints?

_ U
_ F
CH
EA
RS

That's correct!

I'm trying to write the U and F in the same column as HAS, but the letters are getting moved to the left when I post.
Of course, the columns could be the other way around, eg:

U
F
H C
A E
S R

Ah great. Thanks Jaye.

Thanks Dryden and Demeter.
I've got to a similar point, though my columns look slightly different.
F
H C (with BY ?)
A E with P
S R
U D with O and N

Jaye, the thematic word lies on a diagonal, relates to a person featured in the playfair square derived from encoded letters in paired clues.

Thank you!

Is the setter K_ _ ?

Yes, RS look better on the bottom row :

D U with O,N
F
C H with BY
E A with G,P
R S

...I've now only 4 encodings not taken into account, and can't see that they will make the difference. I'm wondering whether it's possible to build this playfair square without needing to guess.