Respectfully snipped and BBM
I also wondered if maybe NH didn't drop her off (either at the entrance like he said or at her actual apartment), but then came back later. What if once she got inside, he knocked on her door and found some excuse to get her back to the car?
In that scenario, LE could have then found her phone at her place. And it could also explain the text saying she made it home (if that was truly sent) and why no one reported hearing a scuffle/screams, and the apartment wasn't considered a crime scene. Just a thought.
I agree that it makes a difference whether he was seen back at the bar or not.
I would think that as long as people were still there, he would have gone back in, rather than head to his lean-to. MOO