Close case at last — support sacking female detective (9)
I believe the answer is:
endeavour
'close case' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'last support sacking female detective' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'last' could be 'end' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'end' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'at' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for endeavour that I've seen before include "Try - Captain Cook's vessel" , "Undertaking" , "Make a serious effort" , "Aspire; attempt" , "Industrious effort" .)