"In my experience, when a hot bird gets quiet, he is coming in."
Yup. Pretty much always. If he fired back <100 yards away I would have shuffled to the closest spot that offered a shot and got the gun up. Give it 2-5 minutes, a cluck and a yelp or else a purr and leaf scratch.
Sounds like he was in range, just no clear shot...IMHO that's about as good as a kill w/ an * next to it...your judgment on an ethical shot was the only reason the bird didn't goo down; I always applaud restraint and attempt to exercise it myself as well. Sounds you guys were on the bird! The trail cam should have some interesting pics.
Don't think you spooked him either, should be able to get on him another time.
Also, I like locator calls but sometimes the birds won't gobble at a locator...I don't mind using a turkey call to locate them, and will do so readily when actually hunting. Oddly, many time they won't answer a turkey call but will gobble at a locator...go figure