Talk smack about

As a detective, my first step would be to decipher the clues provided within the crossword puzzle. In this case, the clue ‘Talk smack about‘ immediately stands out to me as a colloquialism that suggests malicious gossip or slander. With this in mind, I begin brainstorming words that fit this description, such as ‘bash‘ or ‘slur.’ However, as I continue to solve other clues within the puzzle, I realize that the word I’m seeking must also start with the letter ‘H‘ and end with the letters ‘EON.’ This further narrows my options, but I still can’t quite put my finger on the perfect answer. Then, suddenly, it hits me: ‘HATEON.’ This word encapsulates the negativity and contempt suggested by the original clue and perfectly fits the other parameters set forth by the puzzle. As a detective, I am always looking for patterns and connections, and in this case, my intuition led me to the ideal solution. With a feeling of satisfaction, I confidently fill in the blanks and move on to the next clue.