Who is Thomas Cole from Hourglass and what is their importance?

Thomas Cole is Emerson's brother. He is a successful architect who enjoys renovating old buildings. Thomas has custody of Emerson in the wake of their parents' deaths and has tried everything he can to help her live a normal life after her depression over her parents' deaths left her in a mental hospital for a short time. Thomas is very protective of Emerson, and his rules for Michael are a part of what keeps Emerson and Michael separated through most of the novel.