Part 27

It was two weeks after Crystal's birthday when Caitlin walked into Jitters after taking her daughter to school. Barry had been called to a crime scene early that morning.

"Morning Caitlin. You want your usual?" asked Courtney

"Yeah thanks. So Courtney how many classes do you have left until you get your degree?"

"Two. Then I have to do a semester of student teaching."

"That is great."

"Yeah. I will be right back. I got to grab another bottle of the vanilla syrup from the back."

"No problem I am off work today."

Courtney headed into the back while Caitlin pulled out her phone to check her Facebook. She was looking at the pictures that her sister in law Erin had posted the night before of Susan's dace recital so she didn't notice Iris had slipped behind the counter and poured something into her coffee cup. Courtney returned and finished making the drink and gave it to Caitlin. Caitlin had just taken a sip when Jessica came over to her.

"Caitlin stop! Don't drink that! Iris poured peanut extract into it" said Jessica

Caitlin's eyes went wide just as she fell to the floor having trouble breathing.

"Call 911! Tell them you have someone going into anaphylactic shock!" yelled Jessica at Courtney.

Jessica grabbed Caitlin's purse and dug through it until she found an epi pen. She pulled the cap off and jabbed it into Caitlin's thigh pressing the button to release the drug. Caitlin's breathing started to improve but what she really needed was to get on oxygen and treated fully. Iris had slipped out before anyone could stop her. An ambulance pulled up moments later a long with the police. The paramedics hooked Caitlin up to oxygen and started an IV. Before she was taken out to the ambulance to go to the hospital Caitlin grabbed Jessica's hand.

"Thank you." Gasped Caitlin

Jessica nodded. Caitlin was then wheeled away. She looked at the counter and say that Courtney was using a food service glove to place Caitlin's coffee cup in one of the plastic quart containers used for soup. Eddie walked in with Patty not far behind.

"So what happened?" asked Eddie

"When Courtney went to get more syrup to make Caitlin's coffee Iris slipped behind the counter and put peanut extract into the cup. I tried to stop Caitlin before she drank any. But I was too late. My younger sister is allergic to peanuts so I knew that Caitlin would have an epi pen with her. So I pulled it out of her purse and gave it to her while Courtney called 911." Said Jessica

"I seem to remember that you were part of that group that would bully Caitlin in school." Said Eddie

"Yeah I did. But I would never cross the line of trying to kill anyone. I admit I was a bitch in school. But I grew up. I realize that Caitlin only did what she knew was right. I am planning on apologizing to her next time I see her."

"Eddie, Courtney saved the rest of Caitlin's coffee. I am going to take it back to the lab and confirm that there is peanut extract in the drink." Said Patty

"Good. Check it for finger prints too. Iris's are on file from her being pick up last year for drunk driving."

"Right. Has anyone told Barry yet? I mean Caitlin is off work today. So if she is staying in the hospital someone will have to pick Crystal up from school."

"Joe is going to talk to Barry. I will see you later."

"Ok."

Patty gave Eddie a kiss and headed back to the lab.

Barry looked up when Joe walked into the lab.

"Hey Joe. I am almost done with that evidence for the Winters case." Said Barry

"That's fine Bare. Eddie called. Caitlin is in the hospital."

"What happened? Did that asshole get to her?"

"No she had an allergic reaction. A witness is claiming that Iris put peanut extract in her coffee. Patty is on her way back with the coffee cup to run tests."

"Who is the witness?"

"Jessica Lewis. Apparently her younger sister is also allergic to peanuts so when Caitlin started to have a severe reaction she got Caitlin's epi pen and used it. Caitlin was having trouble breathing."

"Jessica Lewis is one of Iris's gang that bullied Cait in school."

"I know. But Jessica it seems has grown up and wanted no part of attempted murder."

"I should call her brother and mom. I need to call my mom so she can pick up Crystal from school. I am going to go to the hospital."

"Go."

Barry grabbed his stuff and headed for the hospital.

Henry watched as the paramedics wheeled a gurney into the ER with Caitlin strapped to it. He could see that she was on oxygen and had an IV started.

"Anaphylactic shock epinephrine administrated by a bystander via epi pen. We administrated Benadryl in the field. IV is normal saline. Patient lost consciousness on the way here." Said one of the paramedics

Henry nodded and checked Caitlin's vitals. He checked them against the ones taken on scene. They had improved but they were still not where they should be. After ordering some tests he went out to see if anyone had arrived for her yet.

After leaving Jitters Iris headed right for Keystone river front park. She sat on the bench she had been told to wait on. Five minutes later a man in a black leather jacket and a baseball cap pulled low sat next to her.

"You got the money and photo of who you want taken out?" asked the man

Iris handed him an envelope. He opened it counted the money and pulled out the photo of a six year old girl.

"You want me to kill a kid?"

"Got a problem with that?" asked Iris

"Nope. But here is the thing. The kid isn't going to die. But you Iris West are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm."

The man flashed his badge and pulled off his hat. That was when she recognized him.

"Ronnie Raymond."

"I knew you hated Caitlin but I never thought that you would do something as bad as to want to kill a child."

Iris just glared at Ronnie as he handed her off to a female officer to transport to the station. Ronnie just shook his head as she was led away having her rights read to her. He pulled out his phone and called Eddie.

"Hey Eddie. Iris was just arrested. Right before the meet I was informed of the warrant issued for her on the charges she is facing in Central City. How is Caitlin?"

"Hey Ronnie. Thanks. I will tell Joe. Though I got the feeling he is just going to let her rot. Caitlin is still unconscious. But she got the epi pen in time so she should recover. But until her mom or Charlie arrive we aren't being told much."

"I totally understand that. When she wakes up tell Caitlin that I can't wait to meet her little girl."

"Will do."

Ronnie hung up and went to start filling out his reports. That was the one thing he hated the most about being a cop was the paperwork involved.