In early June, I signed a lease for an apartment and planned to move in mid-June. I mailed the signed lease, together with a check for the refundable deposit to the landlord. The landlord kept telling me that I would receive final approval in a few days and then she would then also sign the lease. Since this was a long-distance move, I was the only one to sign the lease. However, by the morning I was to make my cross-country move, I had still not received a copy of the lease signed by the landlord, nor did I get a receipt for my deposit. This lease is for a property in the state of Washington.
I was starting to feel very unsure about this. I was starting to wonder whether this landlord just took my money and whether I would actually have a place to live when I arrived in the new city. I decided to call the landlord and cancel the lease. She said over the phone that she would put my deposit back in the mail to me the next day.
However, the next day, I was starting to wonder whether this landlord would actually mail me the check. I called many times and she never took my calls. I left messages and she did not call back. I called my bank and was able to put a "stop payment" on the check. I then proceeded to send her a money order to cover any costs charged to her by her bank for the returned check. She cashed that check.
Now, after more than a month, I receive a threatening e-mail from this landlord stating that if she does not receive the full payment in a week, she will sue me. She also states in her e-mail that "In case you still doubt the question why you don’t have my signature on the Rental Agreement and you don’t have a copy of my signature - it is simply because I have not received any Deposit Money from you."
I am really confused. If she never signed the lease as she states in her e-mail, do we have a lease?
Is there anything I can do to stop her? Does she have any legal grounds? Do I have a defense? Can I get an attorney to send her a cease and desist letter? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

