Peterson mourned Laci while wooing Ambe

While hundreds of volunteers continued searching for the missing woman, Peterson busied himself professing a desire for a future with the Fresno masseuse he'd known only weeks, Frey said.

Frey spent a second day on the stand yesterday, again detailing the couple's relationship and the numerous phone calls prosecutors hope prove premeditation and motive in the death of Laci Peterson and her 8-month-old fetus. Frey, the star witness of the double-murder trial, wore a black suit and avoided looking at Peterson during her testimony, much as she did Tuesday. Although Frey initially thought Peterson was single, she learned the truth and began taping calls Dec. 30.

By the time Laci Peterson disappeared Christmas Eve 2002, her husband already told Frey he had "lost" his wife and would be spending his first holidays without her. His double life continued even as family members, friends and authorities combed the area looking for Laci Peterson. Her body would not be found until the following April when it washed up on a Richmond shore.

In the days after the disappearance, Peterson called Frey pretending to be on a month-long European business trip but vowing to spend more time with her after the first of the year. One secretly recorded call took place right before Peterson attended a candlelight vigil for his 27-year-old wife. During it, Peterson calls Frey pet names and promises Frey a future.

In a later call, he refers to jogging on the cobblestone streets of Belgium and asks Frey if she can hear a random dog barking - his own golden retriever, McKenzie, at home in Modesto, according to prosecutors.

The majority of calls played yesterday were short and punctuated by Peterson saying he can't hear Frey or is losing his connection. Often, entire interactions consisted of "Hello? Hello?"

The remaining details include definitions of love - Peterson preferred the Biblical term "agape" for his feelings toward Frey - and mundane small talk about how he was becoming "pudge boy" from all the French food.

Frey told Peterson about her history of being hit on by "slimy" men. Peterson questioned Frey on whether her sister's boyfriend could be trusted around her young daughter. He also said he wanted to take her to "the monarch capital of the world."

On. Jan. 4, the conversation steered toward favorite movies. Peterson listed "The Shining," a Stephen King horror movie in which Jack Nicholson's character tries to kill his wife.

"It scares the hell out of me," he said.

He also suggested "The Last Supper," another film in which murder is prominent. Frey preferred "Meet Joe Black."

Later in that same hour-long call, Frey asks Peterson if he believes in love at first sight. He agrees it's possible but doesn't always blossom into a a life-long commitment.

" ... Love doesn't mean that people can be together forever. Does that make sense?" Peterson asked.

At the close of her testimony, Frey said on Jan. 6, 2003 Modesto police moved her to a new location as she began telling Peterson she knew about his wife. Court adjourned for the day at that point and those calls will start the trial this morning.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.