Investigating "Ordo Verae Manus"

It's 1893. In the shady dockland slums of London, a secretive organisation called "Ordo Verae Manus" (O.V.M) under a mysterious leader have their fingers in every dark and lucurative illegal business imaginable. You are an ambitious journalist at "The Daily Beacon", who is investigating the O.V.M against the wishes of your editor. You have heard of a secret meeting for members of the O.V.M. To get in you must bring a female companion. It is a prerequisite, you don't know why. You approach Penelope McLean as she is on her way home through the filthy evening streets. She is poor and has been working all day. You offer her money to 'hang on your arm' for the evening.