Real cost disguised with introduction of a clause in contract (9)
I believe the answer is:
escalator
'clause in contract' is the definition.
'escalator' can be an answer for 'clause' (I have seen 'financial clause' mean 'escalator' so perhaps 'clause' could also mean 'escalator'). I'm unsure of the 'in contract' bit.
'real cost disguised with introduction of a' is the wordplay.
'disguised' indicates anagramming the letters.
'with introduction of' is an insertion indicator.
'real'+'cost'='realcost'
'realcost' with letters rearranged gives 'esclator'.
'esclator' placed around 'a' is 'ESCALATOR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for escalator that I've seen before include "it moves up and down" , "Moving stairway" , "financial clause" , "effortless steps" , "Carol eats (anag.)" .)