Answer: subterfuge

AnswerCrossword Clue
SUBTERFUGECreephole.
SUBTERFUGEArtifice.
SUBTERFUGEPretext
SUBTERFUGETricky action
subterfugedeception by artifice or stratagem in order to conceal or evade
subterfugemeans used to evade or conceal