I've thought about it more than I really wanted to, and I think you may be correct about this. Another consideration is the likelihood that he was never arrested at all, so simply detaining him for questioning happens at city jail, v. county (where folks go who are arrested, charged and awaiting trial).
All of that aside, I do agree with you as well about how it didn't really play out in the beginning like your typical missing person's case. Without coming right out and accusing anyone of anything, I do think it's possible that LE weren't convinced about the stories being told about what really happened that night, from those who were there.
moo
I've seen nothing in msm that would suggest that the coworkers story wasn't correct. I see you mentioned stories & those that were there. Do you believe PH was seen with FH @ the TR by the coworker? By stories do you mean more than 1 by the coworker? Somebody saw him there & if it didn't come from the coworker, LE wouldn't be looking for a heavy black male.