hey BBJ,
Don't think we have enough info to come to a conclusion on R's disappearance.
I may be a cave man ... but I go over to a lady's house at 12.30 AM (after she invites me) and I am not leaving empty handed :-).
The only thing that would make me freeze up and then go dark is if I lost total interest or if I had second thoughts. How long has R been divorced?
Sorry I am being so blunt...just giving you my POV. There are a few other hypotheses including a phone problem and being gun shy. That may be so.....I just wanted to give you my Flintstone take on things.