Who is Augusta 'Gus' Harte from The Pact and what is their importance?

Gus Harte is an outgoing woman, who is vibrant and full of life. Gus runs a unique business in which she stands in line for people who do not have the time. Gus is on one of these lines when she gets the call about Chris and Emily. Gus rushes to the hospital to learn her best friend's daughter has been killed, and her son is the prime suspect. Gus has known Melanie and Michael Gold for seventeen years. Gus and Melanie are close friends, who have raised their children together. They live a blessed life and expect their children will marry one day and make the union between the two families a legal one.