Hi, I see by your post that you are late nighters too!
Well, we also have a 98 Patriot with wich I am still becoming familiar but this is what I know after a year of owning. The fuses should be in the overhead cabinet along side the breakers over the bed. The panel is secured by a butterfly screw. I believe that there is a breaker in the electrical bay that may have a bearing on turn signals as well. Also, as if that werent enough there is a controler unit for the towing circut which is built in line in the engine compartment. This is a small metal box with heat sinks and the surface is epoxied in place. This should be a simple R&R.
I would first open the tow lighting connector and turn on the malfunctioning blinker to see if the pin is supplying voltage to the Jeep. This will require a multi meter which is found at most parts stores in fact they may even test it for you. Regardless, this does sound like a bad circut or a loose wire to me. Good luck
Say, do you happen to have the brochure for your Patriot? Could I pay for a color copy when you get time? feel free to email me and Thanks