Deserters stealing pie from pirates? (4)
I believe the answer is:
rats
'deserters' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'pie from pirates?' is the wordplay.
'from' is a deletion indicator.
'pirates' with 'pie' removed is 'RATS'.
'stealing' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rats that I've seen before include "Hamelin's pests" , "Curse" , "Blast" , "Rodent pests" , "Snoopy's imprecation - vermin" .)