Have you tried talking to your landlord to let her know how things went? Maybe under the guise even of (since you offered) asking her to help you get in touch with this person to set up a time to go back? That way, at least your LL will know you care- and she will know just how bad it was there?!

What a horrid position. And during a brief period I had to clean houses for a living... I know what you can end up being stuck with! That is the only idea I have, but maybe someone else will have something better. And yes, I think you already earned more than your money, more than likely.