missing multifile pred

I continue to be baffled by the rules for defining multifile predicates.
Here's some code 


in patterns.pl
:- module(patterns, [traffic_pattern/3]).

:- meta_predicate traffic_pattern(?, 1, ?).

:- multifile patterns:traffic_pattern/3.

========== in module ttj

:- use_module(patterns).
:- use_module(logger).

patterns:traffic_pattern(ttj, ttj_handler, []).    <-- should be defined here

ttj_handler(Request) :-
memberchk( path('/ttj'), Request),
general_traffic_reply_ttj(Request).

=========== in module root_handler

:- use_module(patterns).

general_traffic(Request) :-
traffic_pattern(Name, Handler, _),   <-- never succeeds
call(Handler, Request),
log_traffic(Name, Request).


One thing that puzzles me is that doing listing on traffic_pattern gives

:- multifile traffic_pattern/3.
:- meta_predicate traffic_pattern(?,1,?).

traffic_pattern(ttj, ttj_handler, []).

so it's there, why am I not finding it?

(guessing I'm in module hell again, but baffled)