Ted,
I am thinking a combination of 1b and 2. Could it be that a deal is done but waiting on the particulars of whatever legal action against PP before they can close the deal? Maybe PP can't (or won't) do anything while waiting for a government action on their business. If this is the case, and I hope it really isn't, then this might draw out for a long time.
Anyway, idle speculation while we wait for something to be announced. I am holding pat on my shares at an average price of around 80 cents a share. Who is confidant enough to be buying right now?