One more scientist involved in a nuclear program disappers without a trace... somethng is going on...
I think that’s the most plausible possibility . . . .probability.
Particularly in that field . . .
Or . . . he knew the oligarchy was breathing down his neck to make him their slave . . . and chose to disappear.
I doubt that’s very likely, though. Given his obsessiveness, I doubt he’d have been brave enough to let go of enough issues and stuff to get to first base on disappearing.
Though it is interesting that it occurred after he took some leave . . .