Yep, sounds plausible to me.  Purrs for lots of Abelard snuggles to you.
You have missed them so much.

Tweed

You remind me of the time my mother came to visit, and
Paraclete, one of my white cats (who NEVER went outside)
disappeared.  I had three cats at the time, and fed them all
from the same dishes, so couldn't tell whether she showed up
at night for meals or not.  About the third day she'd been
gone, I was walking all over the property, calling her.
When I looked back at the house, I saw a white cat (I
thought it was Scherzo, the other one) emerging from under
the house.  Then I turned around to see Scherzo in front of
me!  Evidently Paraclete had no patience with my Mom (who
was always worried the cats would "touch" her - as thought a
cuddling fur person weren't the nicest thing you could
touch).  She'd simply taken herself off until that other
human went away again!

That sounds reasonable, I hope you're right.

Makes sense to me. When TED prescribed those ear drops for Spot, I
have a feeling she would have been gone if she coul have managed to
slip out the door. I think I was only able to get them in her ears for
three days (out of the week to ten days the vet wanted them to be
used) before the bottle mysteriously disappeared from the kitchen
counter. I'mnot sure who hid the bottle, Sammy because she thought it
was something new to be batted around, or Spot because she hated the
stuff in the bottle.

I think that could be it, too. Let's hope that it is and that he stays home
(or near it) in the future.
Best wishes,

Awwwwwwwwww.