jackie leaves walford after learning of her brother's drug habit in june 2000. steve returns from rehab alone. when their mother, barbara (sheila hancock), falls ill a year later, she relays that jackie has refused to help her and it is subsequently revealed that they hate each other. jackie refuses to attend her funeral in 2001 and doesn't attend steve's funeral in 2002 either. in april 2002, steve's widow, mel owen (tamzin outhwaite), discovers she and jackie are being investigated by the police for money laundering and drug trafficking. steve was actually guilty of these crimes but had set them up as company directors of his illegitimate businesses, and following his death, they are held accountable.