Intuitive interview questions

Recruiter call. Then a call with two others, with the recruiter saying I did well and I'd come in for the "final step" to speak with others in person. Which never happened. I sent a follow up email and waited many days for a reply where I was told that people were out but, yes, I'd be coming in. More days went by. Another email, more words that kept me on the hook. This process repeated itself and I hung on because I already had three interviews. Then I was given the "thanks but no thanks" talk. It became clear at some point that I was not the preferred candidate. Which is fine, but leading me on and not being at least fairly direct - not fine.