Across:
8 Time (-T-) in custody (CAR-E-) linked first (initially ‘linked’ = -L) (CARTEL) to illegal monopoly (monopoly = CARTEL),
9 Applause (CLAP -) for trick (-TRAP) (CLAPTRAP) is absurd (CLAPTRAP),
10 Expanse (BODY) of marl dug out of Lombardy (‘marl’ dug out/missing from ‘Lombardy’ = obdy = BODY),
11 Will need to be composed (SHEET MUSIC), as one of those laid out on bed (SHEET) has the blues (MUSIC) (SHEET MUSIC),
12 Sue any (Sue any = UNEASY) criminal (= anagram indicator) that’s worried (UNEASY),
14 Stands to reason (LOGICIAN) spies (-CIA-) join the network (log in = LOGI-N) for cover (LOGICIAN),
15 Shoemaker’s model (for shaping/repairing shoes = LAST) with rare (= anagram indicator) button (button = BUT NOT) on top of laces (top of ‘laces’ = L-) from Orient (-EAST) (LAST BUT NOT LEAST) is ultimately not to be overlooked (LAST BUT NOT LEAST),
18 Dead cute (dead cute = EDUCATED) model (= anagram indicator) has gone through university (EDUCATED),
20 NATO in (Nato in = NATION) trouble (= anagram indicator) with The Republic, for one (NATION),
22 Brainbox (-HEAD) follows game (BRIDGE-) (BRIDGEHEAD) in general advanced position (BRIDGEHEAD is an army’s strong position),
24 No pubs in Budapest (no ‘pubs’ in ‘Budapest’ = daet = DATE) for lovely social engagement (DATE),
25 Those on the board (PAWNS- on chess board) with Spring (spring = -HOP) (PAWNSHOP) in money lending business (PAWNSHOP),
26 It’s a sentimental one (WEEPIE) for short (k) period of time (‘week’ without ‘k’ = WEE-) on one of the charts (-PIE chart) (WEEPIE).
Down:
1 Hector (hector/jeer = -BOO-) found in bar (BA-N) (BABOON) – presumably involved in monkey business (BABOON),
2 Stick around (STAY) for St Patrick’s Day bands (‘St Patrick’s Day’ bands = STAY),
3 So Bluesy ... (so bluesy = BLESS YOU) Dizzy! (= anagram indicator) Is that father’s call? (BLESS YOU),
4 Something stuck in trachea (something stuck in ‘trachea’ = ACHE) can be a pain (ACHE),
5 In court, the fourth (fourth letter of ‘courts’ = R-) lawyer (Attorney General = -AG-) to name (-TAG) (RAGTAG) that rabble (RAGTAG),
6 Models’ (= anagram indicator) sunhats, etc., (sunhats etc = STAUNCHEST) can be the most unwavering (STAUNCHEST),
7 Extremists (RADICALS) produced state (= homophone indicator) flags (flags = “tires” = “radial tyres” = radials = RADI-ALS) hanging around college (-C-) (RADICALS).
13 Detect Anne (detect Anne = ANTECEDENT) Duff (= anagram indicator) could be a forerunner (ANTECEDENT),
14 Ruled (LINED) bar (LINE-) at the end of the strand (at the end of the ‘strand’ = -D) (LINED),
16 Answer (A-) left (-L-) to the foreign (the = -DER-) guy (-MAN) (ALDERMAN) on the English council (ALDERMAN),
17 Moderate (TONE DOWN) old revolutionary (Theobald Wolfe Tone = TONE) in Ulster (DOWN) (TONE DOWN),
19 Presumably this is how Dracula will cut his fangs? (TEETHE) Of course (TEE- on golf course), it leads to hellish evil! (leads ‘to hellish evil’ = -THE) (TEETHE),
21 Get hold of (OBTAIN) criminal (= anagram indicator) in boat (in boat = OBTAIN),
23 Unexposed releasing nudes (‘unexposed’ releasing ‘nudes’ = expo = EXPO) – is that fair? (EXPO),
24 Caddie took in this (‘caddie took’ in DIET) as the reason why one was losing (DIET).