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for 20/4 see my post at 70

There is some relevant stuff on Answer Bank. But I do not see any 'big picture'.

Can anyone give me a nudge about 3dn? Completely stumped other than E is redacted. Have all the crossing letters.
Also - can't find the Instigator, which I'm presuming is K****.
Have spotted the four characters from the JLC title. Am I right in thinking 5/23 is the fifth?
Many thanks.

Hi Alan
3d. Defn is last word, splits as 5,4. 3 letter word for "secure", usual abbreviation for "ecstasy". Note that KGB is the compiler, and that is often used to introduce a short word relating to the first person singular.
Yes, 5,23 is the 5th.
For the perpetrator, find the first letter that you have identified and go south east.

Duh. I'd been toiling over 4/5 combos and didn't think to test 5/4.
Search 5/4 and the solution drops immediately. Once that's in, the K-word slaps me in the face.
Thanks v much for your help BB.

I'm still stumped by 3d despite the hints. I have _I_E_I_M_ ......I must have gone wrong somewhere?

VG, your M is wrong.

Okay, thanks Jono!

That was a tough one! Can I please check 24 DOWN. I have an answer which fits _O-L_ being a general term for a titled aristocrat (I don't know what the redactions are) Presuming that 27 ACROSS is a US disinfectant

Kiwisolver, I think you have it correct. First letters, so the redactions might be anything beginning O and L.