Authors note: Written for the me_and_thee100 challenge "Spotted"
Though it's common fannon that Elmo Jackson was black, the name sounds more like a southern white one to me, so this is how I prefer to see him; a transplanted southern farm boy that everyone expects to be a raving racist who instead becomes best friends with his black partner.
Spotted Dog
Had to be coincidence. Hutch said a "spotted dog" showed up whenever they got close to Stryker, and just in time to save Hutch's life. That could mean anything.
But maybe...
Once there were partners, different as black and white, that no one thought could work together, who became tight as brothers, until Stryker had one killed.
He took out the picture he kept in his drawer because it hurt too much to see. Elmo, gangly Georgia-cracker farm-boy, arm around scrawny, inner-city Dobey. At their feet, Beau, Elmo's dalmatian.
"Elmo? You watching my boys for me?"