Who is Randall Gerrard from Sweet and Deadly and what is their importance?

Randall Gerrard is one of the richest men in Lowfield. His family owns the local paper, and although he once left Lowfield to work for a senator in Washington, D.C., the death of his father required his return. Randall intially resented this change, but later came to accept it. It was Randall who hired Catherine at the paper at his mother's suggestion. The two later become romantically involved.