For me, the bottom line is that whatever process H

For me, the bottom line is that whatever process HC was going through, there is no excuse for the abrupt halt in communication. You don't authorize people to spend millions of dollars towards a specific end, and then refuse to talk to them about it.

Unless the whole government and judicial system is corrupt, a five-year old could come to the conclusion that there was gross negligence, regardless of whatever excuse HC might put forth.