Short and direct (5)
I believe the answer is:
brief
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'short' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'direct' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for brief that I've seen before include "not lasting long" , "Instructions for barrister" , "Barrister (sl.)" , "Short in duration" , "put in the picture" .)