Sorry for the unweildy title.
Usually I wait longer before posting my problems, but in this case my google fu is just failing me.
I am having an interesting problem with my game : i get the error message typed above (Invalid get index 'curve' (on base 'null instance'). however, when I go to the debugger and mouse over the alleged null instance, it shows a value.
additionally, it only happens in one of the two scenes I've tested it in so far.
this is the tricky line(s) of code:
func get_patrol_path_points():
if patrol_path:
patrol_points = get_node(patrol_path).curve.get_baked_points() #wait why is patrol points null here?
# print ("we foudn the patrol path")
else:
print("no patrol path found")
and here is the screencap of code of, showing the instance not null in debugger:

~~additionally, I'm not sure how much help it is or not, but I'm going to post the whole script, in case it is needed:
I tried to delete the old / useless commented out code/ comments... bu tsorry if some slipped through :/
sorry if i didnt' give enough info.... there maybe somethign i missed, but I'm not sure what else i'd need~~
nvm, it says my post is too long with the code i tried to post :/
TIA for anyone who can help