Crossword Genius

Avoiding contact when old spies call, finally (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asocial

'avoiding contact' is the definition.
(avoiding social contact)

'when old spies call finally' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'old' becomes 'o' (abbreviation).
'spies' becomes 'CIA' (Central Intelligence Agency).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'call' is 'l'.
'as'+'o'+'cia'+'l'='ASOCIAL'

(Other definitions for asocial that I've seen before include "not connected with community" , "Not gregarious" , "Inconsiderate to others" , "Solitary" , "without friends" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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