The volume is only a quarter million, so 2.5 milli

The volume is only a quarter million, so 2.5 million shares did not cover, (unless there is some hidden transactions that the the market maker will report later). But, IMHO what may have happened is that 2.5 million borrowed shares were returned to the lender, so maybe your last question is correct. When it did not happen (bad news), they returned the shares this morning to save on their interest charges. But, what do I know, I know as much or little as any of the rest of you.