Unfortunately, it took longer than Hermione, Sam or Dean cared to admit to regroup back at the apartment they'd been using as a homebase during the hunt. Sam had split off from the other two shortly after realizing Jo had been grabbed, while Hermione poured herself through different historical documents. Dean's already worn patience was threadbare by the time Sam rejoined them.
"Alright, let's make this as quick as possible," Dean said, as soon as the door shut behind his little brother. "Is there any chance a map exists of these tunnels?"
"I'm already ahead of you," Sam answered, pulling out several rolled documents and spreading each out over the table while earning an approving look from Dean.
"The city archives everything, and I do mean everything. We're talking maintenance routes and sewer systems dating back to the early 1800s."
"Excellent! We can compare the originals to the more modern maps," Hermione said, her voice filled with relief while Dean looked at her skeptically.
"That helps us how, exactly?" Dean demanded, earning an eye roll from the witch.
"It means we can see tunnels and rooms lost over decades due to construction ordered by the city," Sam explained, too focused on the information in front of him to worry about his brother's temper. "Those areas are more likely where Holmes is hiding out with his victims since there will be little interruption by random city workers."
"Clever, but that will still be hundreds of tunnels," Dean pointed out. He watched as Hermione and Sam both were marking down the most obvious changes between each map.
"Yes, but remember, Holmes is tied to this building," Hermione said. "That will limit our search area significantly. My best guess is that we're looking at tunnels directly under this building and the field where the prison originally stood."
"We also have Hermione's location spell," Sam added. "It's most likely that Holmes' ghost is keeping both girls together."
"Can you create a portable map that includes these tunnels?" Dean asked Hermione, while Sam forced himself not to look at his brother in surprise over the request.
The witch nodded, while conjuring a large piece of parchment. Both Winchesters watched as ink from each version of the city plans lifted off the original maps and adhered to the parchment floating in front of Hermione.
"Neat trick," Sam said while Hermione rolled up the new parchment and shared a small grin.
"Please tell me you already found an entryway?" Hermione asked the younger hunter, who nodded. "Alright then, what are we waiting for?"
Reaching the entry site for the underground tunnels Sam had chosen took less time than either Dean or Hermione had expected. Once Hermione cast a ward to prevent passersby from interrupting the trio, Dean started digging while Hermione vanished as much dirt as possible to help him. Once his shovel slammed against metal, Hermione cleared the rest of the dirt revealing a hatch with a crude lock.
"Be thankful Fluffy isn't standing guard over this one," Hermione muttered to herself, earning a curious look from both hunters.
"Who's Fluffy?" Sam asked, breaking the lock and wrenching open the trap door.
"A cerberus."
"For those of us who speak English?" Dean asked, earning eye rolls from the other two.
"A giant three headed dog, who likes to bite at anything trying to enter its domain," Hermione explained as Sam handed his brother a shotgun before Dean dropped through the opening.
"It's clear!" Dean called, after surveying the tunnel with the flashlight he'd brought. "Send Hermione down."
Once she landed, Hermione pulled out Jo's scarf and cast a locator spell on it while they waited for Sam to join them. Both Winchesters were armed with rocksalt guns and flashlights.
"This way," Hermione said, stepping forward only to have Dean block her path.
"I'll take the lead," he said, holding his flashlight up to provide light down the damp tunnel. "Sam you've got our six. Anyone claustrophobic?"
"Bit late for that, isn't it?" Sam asked, earning dark grins from Dean and Hermione. The trio followed the dark and cramped passage until it eventually opened into a circular room. The walls contained floor to ceiling horizontal chambers each equipped with heavy ancient locks and could easily contain the length of a human body.
"I don't want to know what this was built for," Hermione said, grimacing as she gazed at the few rusted and broken locks that littered the floor.
"I have a good guess what Holmes has been storing in them," Sam said, while Dean led them down another narrow passage. They'd only moved about fifty feet into it when the screaming sounded.
"That's Jo!" Dean hissed before all three started sprinting.
"Hey!" Dean bellowed, shooting the moment he caught sight of the ghost of Holmes. The salt round pierced the spirit forcing it to dissipate, which allowed the three hunters to examine their surroundings.
"How many of these rooms are there?" Sam asked, glancing over at Hermione and Dean.
"Do you really want to know?" Hermione asked him as Dean called Jo's name.
"I'm here!"
"Hermione, get it open," Dean ordered, gesturing towards the prison Jo was in. "Now!"
"I can't," Hermione said, shaking her head, even as the eldest hunter glared at her. "Dean, I have no idea what the depth of these cages are; I'm more likely to maim her in the attempt."
"I'd appreciate you not doing that!" Jo called out. "Didn't anyone think to bring a crowbar or something?"
Both Winchesters looked at Hermione who nodded wordlessly before conjuring two crowbars and tossing one to each brother. Dean began digging Jo out while Hermione and Sam located Teresa's cage. Once the girl was free, Hermione waved her wand to cast diagnostic spells only to pale as she looked up at Sam.
"What? What is it?"
"She's fading fast," Hermione answered. "There's nothing I can do for her except take her to a hospital."
Glancing over at Dean who was still slamming the crowbar against Jo's built in coffin, Hermione whispered, "I have to magically take her. She won't make it otherwise."
"Do it," Sam ordered. "Dean and I will take care of Holmes. Take Teresa and meet up with us later."
Hermione nodded, standing just before Sam securely handed Teresa to her. They locked gazes, and with a twist both women were gone. Sam turned to see Jo leaning against Dean, her eyes closed in exhaustion. Sam shuffled over, as Dean glanced up at him.
"Where's Teresa?!" Jo demanded, once she opened her eyes. "I just spoke with her. Holmes didn't...he couldn't have..."
"She's on her way to the hospital," Sam said. "I sent her ahead with Hermione. We didn't want to risk it, and they'll move faster just the two of them."
Jo's exhaustion was clear when all she did was nod, "Can we get out of here before Holmes comes back?"
"About that," Dean said, his hesitation bleeding into his voice. "I know you're tired, but we're at a loss here. Your plan's really all we've got at this point. Are you still willing to be bait?"
Jo sucked in a deep breath before nodding, "Let's do this before I lose my resolve."
Working quickly, Sam, Dean, and Jo set their trap for H.H Holmes. Throughout the set up, much to Jo's irritation, Dean continuously muttered reminders about Jo's exact duties. Even watching her curled in a ball, in the circular room, Dean and Sam were tense. She focused on her breathing, waiting for the boys to signal her.
"Now!"
Jo dove forward, grasping Dean's forearm, and using her moment to launch herself to safety, as the salt fell behind her. Holmes howled at his new prison. Dean hauled Jo to her feet, with Sam standing behind them.
"I'd like a shower," Jo muttered. "A scalding hot shower."
"JoAnna Beth!" Ellen bellowed, the moment Jo stepped into the apartment she and the Winchesters had rented. Each hunter possessed a feeling of relief after they'd entombed the murderous spirit of H.H. Holmes in concrete, one which immediately faded as Jo realized she had to face Ellen Harville.
"Mom?" Jo asked, shock leaking into her voice as Sam tried not to barrel her over after the sudden stop in the doorway. "What are you doing here? How'd you even know I was here?"
"Ash folded like a lawn chair," Ellen said, glaring at her and Sam, before he bolted into the bathroom. "Have you lost what little sense you had?"
"Alright, I lied to you, but everything's fine. We took care of the murderous spirit and saved the last girl he'd taken," Jo said, rolling her eyes at Sam's cowardice.
"The last girl he took was you!" Ellen bellowed. "And you still used yourself as bait! Even after getting snatched by a monster!"
"Mom, it was my idea, and the boys backed me up the entire time," Jo said, attempting to placate her mother. Ellen was shaking her head, and holding back furious tears.
"You've been making one stupid decision after another!" Ellen said, ignoring her daughter's attempt to rebuff her complaints. "This is why you can't do the job. You've absolutely no sense. Running off on your own, lying about what you're doing, and trusting a Winchester with your life!"
"Mom...what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about like father like son!" Ellen shouted, causing Jo to freeze.
"Mom...did John...why didn't you tell me?"
"Sammy, have you heard back from Hermione yet?" Dean called out as he stepped into the apartment, freezing when he saw the furious expression on Jo and Ellen's face. "Wow you really weren't kidding about flying out. Is everything alright?"
Neither Harville answered so Dean continued, "Thankfully everything got squared away, and I returned the cement truck. Where's Sam?"
"Shower," Ellen answered tersely, with a quick wipe of her eyes. "Who is Hermione?"
"Friend of ours. She took the last victim to the hospital while the three of us trapped Holmes," Dean answered, unsure at the look both women were giving him.
"So you just happened to have an extra hunter on hand that I didn't know about?" Jo asked, as Ellen excused herself from the apartment. "How convenient."
"She came looking for us," Dean answered defensively. "Mia didn't even know we were on a case. She left something in the Impala and didn't want to wait for us to get back."
"How convenient."
"Jo...what the hell is your problem?"
"Turns out you and your dad are a lot more alike than I thought. Mom just told me, Dad's last job, apparently John had Dad play bait too," Jo hissed.
"Jo I didn't know," Dean said, even as she followed her mom out the door. Sighing heavily, Dean punched the wall as the door swung shut behind her. "Fuck."